Restrict search when the server load is high

From experience searches on large forums can slow the server down a lot.

Here's a dead simple hack that lets you disable searches when the load average reaches a defined level. Moderators are exempt from the search ban.

There's are just two changes to be made:

in search.php find:

PHP Code:

if (!$vboptions['enablesearches'])
{
        eval(print_standard_error('error_searchdisabled'));
} 


add below it:

PHP Code:

// automatically block search requests when the server is busy
$search_load_trigger=5;
if ( (!($permissions['adminpermissions'] & ISMODERATOR)) AND PHP_OS == 'Linux' AND @file_exists('/proc/loadavg') AND $filestuff = @file_get_contents('/proc/loadavg'))
{
        $loadavg = explode(' ', $filestuff);
        if (trim($loadavg[0]) > $search_load_trigger)
        {
                eval(print_standard_error('error_searchdisabled'));
        }
} 


The trigger level is based on the current (1 minute) load average. It can be changed by editing the $search_load_trigger variable.

You may also wish to change the searchdisabled phrase to something like:

Searching has been disabled. This is most likely automatic and due to high server load. Please try again later.

[hollyboy]

Originally Posted by UK Jimbo

$search_load_trigger=5;

at the top.

Where 5 is a one minute load average of 5.

I set it to 1 just to check if the hack worked and when my server load was at 1 the search still could be used. I'm on a linux server

[UK Jimbo]

Originally Posted by hollyboy

I set it to 1 just to check if the hack worked and when my server load was at 1 the search still could be used. I'm on a linux server

Admin users won't be search limited. Are you sure that you're weren't testing as an admin user?

[hollyboy]

Originally Posted by UK Jimbo

Admin users won't be search limited. Are you sure that you're weren't testing as an admin user?

as guest

[UK Jimbo]

Originally Posted by hollyboy

as guest

Sounds like something's broken then

Does the file /proc/loadavg exist? Is it readable?

[hollyboy]

Originally Posted by UK Jimbo

Sounds like something's broken then

Does the file /proc/loadavg exist? Is it readable?

where is this file?

[UK Jimbo]

Originally Posted by hollyboy

where is this file?

at /proc/loadavg (!)

Try creating a simple PHP file with the following code in:

PHP Code:

<?php

if( file_exists('/proc/loadavg') ) {
    echo("loadavg exists");
} else {
    echo("can't find file");
}

?>

Now run this file and post up the output

[hollyboy]

Originally Posted by UK Jimbo

<?php

if( file_exists('/proc/loadavg') ) {
echo("loadavg exists");
} else {
echo("can't find file");
}

?>

http://www.interfans.org/forum/prop.php