So, I need to find a reliable hosting configuration
 

I'll bet this question has never been asked before:

I need to find a reliable hosting configuration for my site, what would you suggest?

Currently, I have a forum that has a vBulletin forum at its core (3.6.8 pl 2 moving to 3.7 when it goes gold). In addition to this I also runs:

• vBAdvanced CMPS
• vBulletin Blog
• ibProArcade (100 games)
• Radio & TV Addon
• Various small footprint additions (i.e. manual adsense integration)

My current sites stats are:

• ~1300 registered users, with around 400 users logging on everyday
• ~140 concurrent users during daylight hours (8am to 8pm GMT)
• ~6000 threads, 130000 posts
• ~3000 new posts a day
• ~50000 arcade games played
• ~Average of 15 SQL calls per second

Although I run the mods detailed, threaddisplay and forumdisplay account for 75% of site traffic.

The site itself is just over 3 months old, so these volumes are still increasing as word of mouth and google get into action.

Right now the server is running on a managed VPS with a contention ratio of 1:20 with the following relevant specs:

• Guaranteed RAM : 512mb
• Burstable RAM: 2gb
• Cpanel

The host hardware server is:

• Core 2 Quad Q6600 Processor, 2.4 GHz , 8 MB Cache
• Memory? Don't know.

Generally the site runs ok, however I do get resource errors with sufficient regularity for it to be a concern. Typically it is the DB that is consuming memory resources and I am well within HDD and Bandwidth caps.

So I am considering upgrading, however I cannot really afford to go full managed dedicated. So I am thinking of going to something my host offers which is semi dedicated. In essence this is the same as managed VPS however the contention ratio is 1:4 and guaranteed ram is 2gb.

It has been a steep learning curve for me since setting up the site, however I believe that semi dedicated is a good option to go with. Of course this all depends on your feedback and replies.

So over to you...

Hello,

Semi-Dedicated is a nice step up between a VPS and a Dedicated Server. It offers more resources but still maintains the security of a VPS.

I think if your budget is limited, it's worth trying.

You should still be able to run that site on a VPS thats optimized no problems asked.

Who is your current hosting provider? I've used PowerVPS in the past, and their mid-range VPS easily supported 150-225 users online at a time with pretty much the same modifictions you've listed and a few more.

If you're able to optmize your VPS, have you tried doing that let? Sometimes it'll help fill the gap in between needing a VPS, and needing a dedicated server.

up there /\ :erm:

My main problem is that I am no expert at server administration, I can do the technical side of code but server administration is a new game to me, unfortunately my site became extremely popular extremely quickly so I was unexpectedly thrown in the deep end with concrete boots. I am just about keeping afloat.

Looking at the PowerVPS package pages, my current package is more or less the same as their "LINUX CPANEL BASIC VPS" (no mention of burstable RAM). So based on what you have said maybe there is room for the host to make some optimisations (are you listening? (not you FRDS) ;))

To give you an idea these are my current SQL stats (this is after 2 days 22 hours of uptime)

lol, i know what you mean about being thrown in the deep end, thats the best way to learn :D

Over at Webhostingtalk.com their tutorial forums have a serious wealth of knowledge that you don't really need to learn. They provide everything step by step, and if you know how to copy and paste, then you'll be good to go :D

http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?t=579135
http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?t=597044
http://www.webhostingtalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=108

I'd recommend when you order a new VPS, then performing all optimizations before going live incase you do have a copy and paste error, you can simply wipe it clean and start again :D