Board Optimization - Dynamically Linked Source - Speed Up Your Multiple Site Network & Upgrades

For the purposes of this documentation, "Network" refers to a group of forums on a single server or cluster of servers.

When 3.7.1 PL2 was released, I posted over at vbulletin.com lamenting the fact that I had 15 upgrades to perform and how it would be nice to have a multiple site license to lighten the burden of downloading each install separately. In the end, I spent much more time coming up with this system.

Dynamically Linked Source or DLS allows operators of two or more forums on the same server or cluster, for all intents and purposes, to use one set of source code instead of multiple sets. By using one set of source code, Op code caching is much more efficient as only one copy of the source is cached. This greatly reduces the amount of memory used caching the source code, and also makes it more efficient. It will lead to less fragmentation for systems using APC, XCache, eAccelerator, or other such methods of caching Op code.

The method uses symbolic links to a central repository of the source code. Therefore, upgrades to all sites on the network can be done quickly by just replacing the source. For patch level releases, this means the entire network can be patched with one upload. Upgrades to a new version can be done this way, or a new repository can be created and each site can be upgraded one at a time.

The issue of licensing has also been addressed. Once the product file is installed, and assuming the installation instructions were followed, each installation will report the proper license key when salting cookies, or reporting back to Jelsoft as Vbulletin does from time to time (mostly in the AdminCP).

I contacted the development team at Jelsoft and discussed this method before releasing it, and got the OK from Mike. I was initially concerned that it may break licensing or perhaps give away too much of the license reporting methodology, but now that I look back, it really does not do either.

In tests on a rather large network that contains seven forums with about 7 million posts, hundreds of thousands of registered users, and uses three load balanced servers the load has been reduced by almost 40%. You can see in the graph attached to this thread for the particulars.

I have tried to make the readme as clear as possible, but honestly that was never one of my strong points. I cannot emphasize more that before you implement this method, TEST it first in your sandbox. Also, make sure you backup your software and database before you use this.

I also have included a PDF that explains what is happening in greater detail.

Updates:

8/20/08 - This will work with the latest version of VBSEO (3.2.0 at this time). Add all the files to the DLS except the config file, and run the php-clone.php script.

This product was developed for Andy R from Social Knowledge and released here for others to enjoy.


Please don't forget to click install as I have worked quite a while on this.

[Jafo232]

The sites we tested on were using VBSEO and VBACMPS with no affect. You just have to make sure that you have the latest version of VBSEO..

I will be working on including VBSEO into the DLS. Initial work on it has yet to be of any success..

[djr]

Originally Posted by Jafo232

The sites we tested on were using VBSEO and VBACMPS with no affect. You just have to make sure that you have the latest version of VBSEO..

I will be working on including VBSEO into the DLS. Initial work on it has yet to be of any success..

Thanks Jafo! Again, much much respect for this idea. Now off to discuss with my fellow webmaster

[TheInsaneManiac]

Wait does this mean I only need one VBulletin license for all my domains now or no?

[briansol]

not at all.. you still need your proper licenses.

[Jafo232]

Originally Posted by TheInsaneManiac

Wait does this mean I only need one VBulletin license for all my domains now or no?

No, you still need all the license #'s. If you read the readme, you will see where you insert the license number(s) (NOT THE CUSTOMER #).

[Jafo232]

Hmm, I got a notification saying someone asked "any chance for memcached support?" but it isn't here. Well, the answer is, it does support memcached.

[gigaenvy]

This is a premium add-on. Great effort and taking things into your own hands as many of us do.

[Reeve of shinra]

Originally Posted by Jafo232

Hmm, I got a notification saying someone asked "any chance for memcached support?" but it isn't here. Well, the answer is, it does support memcached.

Off topic but yes, I hit 'new posts' saw a reply on 'page 2'. I clicked on page 1 in new window, read it, click on page 2 and it took me back to page 1. The post was probably deleted but I can't imagine why if thats all it said.

[Jafo232]

I think they did some sort of database restore, because I had a PM I know I read already, yet it showed as new again..

[Hornstar]

wow you have really gone and done a great job here. i currently have 2 forums running on my server, however as I expand I will really have to go and look into this more.