httpd process hogging CPU; need help!

G'day all,

I'm needing help with tracking down an httpd process that is regularly chewing up over 90% of the CPU of the server my vBulletin forums reside on. I'm no UNIX/SQL/PHP expert, so whilst I can see and kill the troublesome process, I've no idea how to track down what is causing it!

I'm running vBulletin v2.2.8 with vbPortal v3.0 Upgrade pr8.1 for vBulletin 2.2.4 and 4images v1.7 with vBulletin v2.x Integration, and can provide a full list of the hacks I've installed so as to help track down the problem.

I'm really needing help with this. My site was down for all but 30 minutes today, and it's killing us! :speechless:

Please help!!!

[Erwin]

First of all, vBPortal is a huge resource hog - it can use up to 100 over queries on your homepage. I don't know anything about 4images. As to which httpd process, look at your server logs, and find out what is being called again and again (or get your host to investigate this).

[X-Fan]

Erwin, do you mean it can use up to 100 queries on the vbPortal index.php page, or on the vBulletin index.php page?

[Erwin]

vBPortal index.php - each latest thread is 1 query, and all the templates are queried unless you add them to the templatesused="" in index.php (which is not added properly by default). When I was using it, I found out that that index page had over 200 queries!!!

Your site is down now.

Try this URL to see the queries on your vBPortal index:

http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/index.php?showqueries=1

If it doesn't work, it means you are using a newer version of vB - in which case, turn debug mode ON in your Admin CP and try that URL again.

Remember to turn debug mode back to OFF - leaving it on is a security risk.

[X-Fan]

I'd try that, but that process is once again hogging 90+% of the CPU. I can't even ssh in to reboot the server my site is on!

This is so incredibly frustrating, and it's really hurting my site (which is my full-time job). I'm at a loss as to what to do to resolve this.

[X-Fan]

Being unfamiliar with UNIX, I'm wondering what a single httpd process entails. Is it just one user viewing a particular page, or does it encompass a bunch of page requests?

It's just one httpd process that's regularly hogging the CPU, and I really need to find out what's causing it to do that.

[Erwin]

Are you on a dedicated server? I suggest you post this problem on vB.com in their server forum, and see if eva2000 and other server gurus can help. Mind you, vB.com may not support you as your board is hacked.

Also, get your host to reboot the server for you.

By the way, I see you are a fellow Aussie. I'm in Melbourne.

[X-Fan]

Erwin, yep, it's a dedicated server.

I'll try posting at vb.com, but you're right, I likely won't get help as it's a hacked board.

As for rebooting, my site's host is likely sick of getting reboot requests from me!

Thanks for taking the time to try and help. It's very much appreciated; especially from a fellow Aussie! (I'm in Adelaide).

[Erwin]

If your site is getting busy, I suggest changing from a resource-hungry addon like vBPortal to something that is just a minor add-on to vB like vBHome Lite or vBIndex. Or upgrade your server.

What is your current server load? Your current server stats? How many users online at once?

Anyway, the people at vB.com are good - they can offer you better advice.

[X-Fan]

Erwin, the only real reasons I use vbPortal are 1) for its banner admin system, as I sell ad space on my site, and 2) for its ability to list the most recent articles from specified forums on the front page, as my site is predominantly a news site.

Do either vBHome or vBIndex provide such functionality?

And how on earth would I uninstall vbPortal, since it's so integrated into vBulletin?

I can't check the current server load/stats or users online as that rogue httpd process is preventing me from loading up the site or logging into the admin (being on 56k doesn't help either!), but usually the server load is around 4-5 and there's usually 100+ users online at any given time.