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05-29-2003, 09:54 AM #1Newbie
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What is the major cause of DOWNTIME with hosts?
After researching many hosts, I found that all of them face downtime sometime but I could not figure out how downtime occurs. I hope Host-Gurus of this forum will enlighten me.
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05-29-2003, 10:10 AM #2Junior Guru Wannabe
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This is a very broad answer, but downtime can be caused by the web host's server not functioning or network difficulties (often the responsibility of the web host's internet provider).
In my opinion, more downtime is caused by server issues than trouble at the data center. Properly maintaining and securing a server is the best preventative measure against downtime.
I'm sure more people will be posting with their thoughts on this.
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05-29-2003, 10:18 AM #3Newbie
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In my opinion, more downtime is caused by server issues than trouble at the data center. Properly maintaining and securing a server is the best preventative measure against downtime.
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05-29-2003, 10:54 AM #4Junior Guru Wannabe
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neokumar, you are right -- I guess it depends on what we mean by "maintain". If you are leasing a dedicated server from a provider, then they are responsible for all the aspects of hardware maintenence.
However, if the server is unmanaged then you are required to maintain the software end of it (e.g. to prevent crashes, hacks, or high server load). In addition, you are responsible for keeping the services running (e.g. Apache web server, ProFTPD FTP server, etc.).
For example, say the web host installs new monitoring software that causes the system to crash. This will result in downtime, and I would call it a server issue. It wouldn't be a network/datacentre issue because there is no problem with the server's connection to the internet.
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05-29-2003, 12:01 PM #5Web Hosting Master
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Most of my downtime (very little) has been because of the datacenter. Having router problems or the fire in NAC yesterday. The only other downtime that I have had was an upgrade from Ensim 3.1 to Ensim Pro. Although I blame that on Ensim cause the upgrade process really bit the big one.
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05-29-2003, 03:07 PM #6Web Hosting Guru
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There are three classes of downtime from the host's perspective:
1) Datacenter. The speed of resolution is totally out of the host's hands. (there are a few classes of downtime for the datacenter as well)
2) IO-10-T error (write it out in block letters on a piece of paper)...overload the servers so badly that they can't provide service and crash all the time... These are intolerable problems but consistently cause all kinds of downtime.
3) Misc. Hacker/Cracker/Hardware failure. Depending on a number of factors, these problems tend to also rely on #1 above to get them resolved. Depending on the quality of #1 and the severity of #3, you'll get more or less downtime.
I group #3 into one lump because, hopefully, they all happen with about the same regularity. If hackers are breaking into the server and torching the place on their way out on a regular basis then I move hacker downtime into group 2.
The software itself is rarely to blame. Hosting is a fine art of balancing server capability with service delivery. Some walk the tightrope better than others - sometimes it has to do with luck (#3)Availanet Solutions - Helping you stretch your hosting dollar since 2003
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05-29-2003, 04:29 PM #7Web Hosting Master
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Unless you're on a really crappy network (and yes, many exist...) the main problem can be related to insufficent workforce.
If there's not enough to monitor the machines and something goes wrong... well, you're screwed. If something goes wrong and someone sees it as it happens you might be down for a few seconds... and probably not notice it.What does one host say to the other? "(HostA) Want to go see a movie?" "(HostB) Sure, can your parents drive?"
I'm premium, and no, I did not have to pay $6 a month to figure that out.
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05-30-2003, 01:42 AM #8Web Hosting Master
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90% from DC. 10% from you. (mess up setting ..etc)
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05-30-2003, 12:59 PM #9Junior Guru Wannabe
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I would agree with the above but just add one little peice in their. Your Server, be it leased or built by you or Dell, can play a factor into downtime.
If the server has crappy parts, then it is going to run crappy. The old saying you what you pay for is never more true then in the world of Web Hosting Companies. Just ask in Burst.Net customer.
Mostly it is Datacenter causing the downtime, but a portion is also related to the machine crapping out for any number of reasons.~Jeff Vreeland
President, VM Technologies