I don't have a webhosting business, but have a dedicated server because my site is too large/busy for a virtual account. I realize I have a lot to learn.

So here is my problem... I've been experiencing extremely high loads over the last few weeks, sometimes reaching 30, and frequently reaching about 7. Most of the time, the load is less than 1. I'm trying to find out what is causing the spikes. Also, I frequently receive notices of apache failing. It has failed twice in the last 24 hours.

In similar posts here, others were told to check their apache messages. I've downloaded mine, but don't know what I'm looking for. These are the things that appear out of whack, at least to a novice:

1 There are thousands of entries such as:

Feb 5 05:25:52 server named[15051]: lame server resolving '2.95.253.207.in-addr.arpa' (in '95.253.207.in-addr.arpa'?): 66.158.128.131#53

What does this mean, lame server resolving x.x.x.x.in-addr.arpa?


2 There are also countless entries like:
Feb 5 06:57:59 server proftpd[1967]: server.mydomain.com (localhost[127.0.0.1]) - FTP login timed out, disconnected.

What would cause this?

3 There are a few instances of other nameservers referenced in my logs, such as:

Feb 5 02:09:13 server named[15051]: lame server resolving 'NS2.EMAIL-4-PRIZES.COM' (in 'EMAIL-4-PRIZES.COM'?): 69.10.46.3#53
Feb 3 01:03:17 server named[1095]: lame server resolving 'dns1.ded.btitelecom.net' (in 'ded.BTITELECOM.net'?): 208.216.228.227#53
Feb 4 01:16:31 server named[1095]: lame server resolving 'RALPH.CI.SEATTLE.WA.US' (in 'SEATTLE.WA.us'?): 192.160.13.1#53
Feb 4 01:16:31 server named[1095]: lame server resolving 'ALICE.CI.SEATTLE.WA.US' (in 'SEATTLE.WA.us'?): 192.160.13.1#53

(and many more)




Can any of the issues cause the server load to skyrocket and/or apache to fail?

Btw, I have a server with DedicatedNow. P4 1.7 processor, 1GB Ram. My site is mainly mysql databases, with a vBulletin forum, main site run by Mambo CMS, a recipes database, and a product reviews database by Incursio.

Thanks for any advice