Board Optimization - vB Accelerator

vb 4.0 version here

This mod is suited for medium and big boards. It reduces server load, caused by thumnails and big attachments.

what's the problem with?

1. In original vB all thumbnails a downloaded via php. So, if you page contains 10-20 attached images, then each page php request will be followed by 10-20 thumbnails php requests. That's very bad.
2. When attachments body transfered via php, that's much more waisteful, than direct transfer of static file. Especially for big files.

what this mod does:

1. All thumbnails will have DIRECT links (served as static files). Much lower reply latency and server load.
2. If you have nginx webserver, you php-fcgi will not participate in file transfer any more. It will reply with X-Accel-Redirect header. Then nginx will proceed attachment as static file.
   • No more problems with multiple downloads of 10-mb files.
   • No needs to restrict attachments and full-size images for guests and search bots.
3. That works for forum posts, blogs, albums. Everywhere!

how to install:

1. Make sure, this files are stored on disk, NOT in database:
   • post attachments & thumbnails
   • blog attachments & thumbnails
   • album images & thumbnails
2. Make sure, that thumbnails are in web-accessible area. If not - reconfigure your web-server first. If you own big board - then you know how to do that .
3. Check manually, that you can download any .thumb file via browser.
4. Import this product, and set options for you configuration.
5. Be happy to reduce server count in your cluster

PS. It's tested and works fine at my production site for 1 week. But I'll be happy to know server load statistics from big boards owners.

This mod is developped here: http://github.com/rcdesign/vb-accelerator . Patches are welcome.

History

0.4
- fixed bug with PHP wagnings in server logs.

0.3
- first public release

[mindhunter77]

1. Check that thumbnails are accessible via www (type URL to any thumbnail in browres path). Browser should offer to download file or to show thumbnail (if youcared about mime type)

This is part of my issue, I got nginx running, that was pretty easy, but for some reason I can not access thumbs via the browser, I disabled vbseo attachments, chmod 777, but still no go.

[Vitaly]

I think, this page contains whe most actual resources, if you have troubles with nginx configuration:

http://nginx.net/

There are some links, where you can ask any questions about nginx in english.

[mindhunter77]

Everything seems to be working on my site now, it's just when I check the headers when I go to vist an image I get this

http://www.xxxxxxxx.com/forum/uploadedimages/1/38251.thumb?d=1236711928

Notice the

?d=1236711928

Does that mean it's not working and something is wrong?

[Vitaly]

Originally Posted by mindhunter77

Does that mean it's not working and something is wrong?

Thhat's ok. Don't care.

?d=XXX - timestamp, used to refresh browser cache, if you update image. It's generated by vB and left intact for compatibility reasons.

[mindhunter77]

ok great then, looks like I got this working...

I will try and help anyone else if I can, so if you have a question ask..

[mindhunter77]

Oh, by the way, vitaly I was able to still use vbseo on attachments as well =)

[Vitaly]

You mean, "attachments rewrite" vbseo options? I din't checked it at all, because don't use it (that option is off in my vbseo config).

Anyway, check twice, that your nginx config has separate "location" for thumbnails, and that this location stays before vbseo location. For example, you can temporary add deny rule for thumbnails location, to check that it's really catched.

vbseo php code should NOT be called for direct thumbnail links. Or you'll get no benefits from this mod.

Mod idea is:
- minimise php calls (no calls for thumbnails at all)
- minimise useless data transfer (can make sense for big attachments)

[mindhunter77]

It strange, I have rewrites enabled for attachments, yet everything works. My headers are showing that they are coming through as direct links like

http://www.xxxxxxxx.com/forum/uploadedimages/1/38251.thumb?d=1236711928

I must be doing something wrong then lol,

[mindhunter77]

vitaly,

can you think of a good way to tell if this is working? I disabled vbseo attachment rewrites, and it still appears to be working, thumbnails are showing up, but is there a way to test if it's actually doing what it's superposed to?

[Vitaly]

If you turned on "nginx acceleration option", then it's ok.

If you wish to check thumbnails - add "deny all" to thumbnails location from nginx config (see sample from first post). If thumbnails disappears - then all is ok, roll back your nginx config. If thumbnails still shown - then they goes via vbseo rewrite rules and you have to fix nginx config. See my previous recommendation.

The last way to check - turn mod off when server is loaded and check load difference. ~20% in my case. Of cause, if you have few attachments, there will be no difference at all.

VBSEO itself doesn't affect bebefits of this mod, if you've managed to get direct links to thumbnails and proper nginx config. But I've not checked combination with "attachments rewrite" option, so, can't comment if it conflicts with this mod or not.