I've been looking around for some time for the right platform to take MuNu to the next level. I haven't found it yet, but following last night's server burp, it's clear I have to do something.
We'll be moving from a single server to a cluster (multiple servers networked together). It's easier and cheaper to run everything on one server, but if it goes down it takes everything with it - as we've seen one too many times.
Our current server is:
Dual Xeon 2.4GHzThe best package on offer with our current hosting company is this:
2GB memory (originally 1GB, but I bought an extra gig for it)
2 200GB disks, mirrored
1500GB bandwidth
$229 per month (plus $300 once-off for the extra memory, and $199 setup)
Athlon 64 3200+But for that price at another company, I can get this:
1GB memory
80GB disk
1200GB bandwidth
$149 per month, no setup
Pentium D (dual core) 2.8GHzWhich is a much better configuration. It's actually faster than our current server - the Pentium D is essentially a dual Xeon on one chip, but with a faster bus and more cache than the old model Xeons in our server. Plus it runs at a higher clock speed.
1GB memory
160GB disk
1200GB bandwidth
We'll be getting two of these. One will run Movable Type 2.6; the other will run the database server, MT 3, and the various forums. This should help a lot with the performance problems we get when we get spamflooded. I may be able to split MT 2.6 into two halves, but that will take a bit of fiddling.
We'll still have CPanel and Fantastico (or should I say we'll have Fantastico again, as it has currently disabled itself). I'll be ordering the servers today, and we should be moving in about two weeks. I'll let you know the exact date and time closer to, um, the exact date and time.
During the move, which will take a few hours, blogging and comments will be disabled, although people will still be able to read your blogs.
Over time I'll b setting up replication on both the database and the static files, so that if one server dies everything will automatically switch over to the other. Again, that takes a bit of work, but we can't do it at all with just one server.
The cost... Works out basically the same. We actually have a backup server as well as the main server, but it only gets used for backups. The total cost of the current setup is actually slightly more than the new setup, but once I've added some options the new setup will work out slightly more.
Update: Oops, I forgot that the new company charges an extra $20 per server for the clustering. Our current host charges $25 plus $10 per server; there's another company that does it for free but we won't be going there for other reasons. Damn, there goes my M&M fund. :(
Update: Sent off an email to the new hosting company. I might also pop for 2GB of memory and a second disk in one of the servers depending on how the final quote comes back.
Update: I've put in an RFQ with our current hosting company as well. They offer a P4 3.6 at that price (but with a $99 setup), and a Pentium D 2.8 would actually cost them less, so I thought I'd ask.
Update: Got the quotes back. Looks like we're headed for Joisey (that's where the new hosting company is). I'll be placing the order today.
Update: Order placed, payment arranged (hosting companies can be fussy about this - I expect there's a fair bit of fraud going on). With a bit of luck I'll get the servers today. Whee!
Posted by Pixy Misa at October 20, 2005 10:07 PM | TrackBackBy blogging.
The plan is that the new MuNu portal (once I get it working) will have advertising. Probably Blogads, possibly something else. By having lots of happy MuNu bloggers, and building a useful portal that links to all the latest and greatest posts (and has forums and all that stuff), I should be able to drive enough traffic to the portal site to pay for the servers.
(Consider that MuNu is already significantly bigger than Instapundit, and I only need to make 2% of his Blogad revenue to pay for the servers.)
Oh, and link to the portal when it goes live. 
I'm all for it.
By the way, I think we should develop an enemy. Glenn isn't that good because of the whole history behind the blogwar thing, but I really think that the Rome that is MU.NU could use a Carthage...
Posted by Daniel at October 20, 2005 03:56 AMI can do links. I can do 'em by the bucketful. Javascript is a beautiful thing.
Oh. You want them to go somewhere and be useful?
Sheesh, make my life tough, why don't you.
Of course I'd love to help with the blogads, and Daniel's declaration of war on Carthage too. Not sure how declaring war on a city-state that was destroyed 2000 years ago helps Munuvia be stable, but I'm all for it anyhow!
Posted by Eric at October 20, 2005 07:09 AMThe munu portal is a good one and it's great that will hopefully pay the bills. BUT I owe you about 1.5 years worth of hosting already, so consider any potential monies as a payment for accumulated arrears (that lunch and beer at Circular Quay doesn't count!).
Paypal button now please! Think of the super-quadrillion giga-whatever googleplaster you could get with the extra money. Munu would become not just fail-safe, not just bigger than the Instapuppy, but the blogopshere itself, which has always been the goal.
Then I'm with Daniel - let's get Carthage. Never liked the place.
Posted by Simon at October 20, 2005 07:37 AMOh, I dunno. I met this girl once in Carthage...
(since annika insists on referring to me as "the elder statesman")
Posted by Ted at October 20, 2005 11:17 AMThe dual core setup is the way to go. We just had a new box built up with a 3.2GHz dual core setup. The increased bus speeds and faster RAM are a joke compared to the older technology. Good choice. BTW, I know you are using MT, but there is a thing called Spam Karma for WordPress blogs that kicks ass. You might want to see if you can get that ported over.
Posted by Jason at October 20, 2005 07:28 PMMalkin. Malkin is our Carthage.
Arise O Men Of The West!
If not her, how about Kos?
And I am a happy mu.nu blogger.
Posted by Vinnie at October 21, 2005 05:27 AMMalkin == Carthage? Or Kos + Malkin == Carthage? Now, that's a scary thought. Maybe we can work in Atrios somewhere too.
Posted by Eric at October 21, 2005 06:46 AMDown with Carthage!
Thanks, Pixy, and us technical folk are appropriately jealous of all your updates and server-talk!
Posted by Ogre at October 21, 2005 11:33 PMI've got a better idea, let's waylay Rusty while he's off writing his book.
I'll be the inside spy...
We could even have a nice graphic for "Blogs Against Star Wars Characters!"
Posted by Vinnie at October 22, 2005 06:14 AM