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  1. #1

    Allowable CPU Usage?

    How would one go about finding out how much CPU usage a busy Invision Power Board uses? Is CPU usage different from bandwidth usage?

    My site's forum averages over 1000 posts a day, and usually has anywhere from 20-40 users online simultaneously.

    Then, when searching for a new host, how would one find out if that host would allow such usage? If it is different from bandwidth usage, hosts don't usually list that type of stat under their hosting plan details, do they?

    I just want to avoid signing up with a host who allows X gigs of transfer, and then get booted because my forum is using too much resources...

    Any advice on how to avoid this?

  2. #2
    The best way is to Ask the hosts your interested in, The problem with CPU usage and listing it on a hosts website is that it is impossible to really tell what CPU usage is acceptable.

    Hosts mostly use their common sense and if you truly think that your forum will use a lot of CPU resources i would recommend a reseller/VPS hosting accounts as these generally have less persons per server and should be able to accomodate your needs.

    Best of luck !
    Last edited by 4Hosted; 04-26-2004 at 04:02 PM.

  3. #3
    Join Date
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    CPU usage is not the same as bandwidth/data transfer usage. CPU refers to the processing time your site uses from the server's overall resources (central processing unit). Excessive CPU usage from a site can cause performance problems for the entire server, so of course hosts are going to be concerned about this issue.

    You should talk with the web hosts you are considering and discuss the type of web site you have, your usage averages like you mentioned above. Ask the host what a reasonable expectation for CPU limit with their services are, or if they expect you to use a certain plan for higher volume sites.
    JC, www.webii.net
    Premium Hosting Services Since 1996
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  4. #4
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    CPU usage is how hard the computer has to think, and compute. Bandwidth is the transfer of information from the server to the end-user. Most companies have in their AUP/TOS that they only allow certain scripts, etc. due to heavy CPU usage. Many AUP/TOS's have limits on how high up one account may bring up the CPU before suspension.

  5. #5
    For such a resource intensive forum, I'd recommend a VPS solution with atleast 1GB burstable RAM, 128MB RAM guaranteed.
    Charlie Fletcher, Business Development Manager
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  6. #6
    Thanks for the advice everyone.

    The more I research, the more it looks like I'll be needing a VPS solution. Hopefully I can find a good VPS solution under $50/month.

    The problem I've had so far is that most of the VPS hosts allow adult content--which I can't do because of my site being religious--wouldn't look good to my visitors.

    And the search continues....

  7. #7
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    20-30 active users isn't that much in my opinion.

    We host a forum that's currently got 121 users online. It doesn't drop below that.
    Olly | INX-Gaming
    Call of Duty 4 hosting

  8. #8
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    phatmass, there may be web hosts who sell VPS solutions but don't allow content - or even have high-usage plans that they don't offer as a matter of course, but may have available. Something where, for example, you would use 1/3 or 1/4 of a server all for your site. Gives you command of the resources without requiring you to purchase and manage an entire dedicated server yourself.
    Lesli Schauf, TLM Network
    Linux and Windows Hosting: Scribehost

  9. #9
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    All of this thinking about this Board, makes me wonder what WHT's setup has to be.....

    Multiple servers load balanced, along with seperate server databases, etc.

  10. #10
    Quite honestly with only 20 people online I don't think you have outgrown a shared environment yet. That is assuming that the forum does not have a bunch of poorly written hacks installed.

    The one factor to consider during your search is that hosting packages which offer large amounts of bandwidth for very little money will very likely be the first ones to throw you off their servers. They have to pack too many people on those servers to sustain the low pricing model.

    I'm certain there are plenty of Hosts (who do not allow Adult Content) that could host your forum on a shared environment for less than $50.00 a month...

  11. #11
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    Originally posted by Watcher_TVI
    I'm certain there are plenty of Hosts (who do not allow Adult Content) that could host your forum on a shared environment for less than $50.00 a month...
    $50 / Month !?!?!
    I would never pay anything more than $15 / Month for any shared hosting account, unless it's a reseller account.

  12. #12
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    I would never pay anything more than $15 / Month for any shared hosting account, unless it's a reseller account.
    It's your right to do as you feel, but some feel that paying $50 or more for 50GB of traffic (just an example) ensures that the host will be around for a while. Watcher_TVI's estimate is thus OK.

    Sure you can find a host that will give 50Gb for 10$, but that's a whole other thing. Paying more can (usually) keep you out of trouble.

  13. #13
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    For 50GB of Bandwidth - that is understandable. However:
    1) 50GB of Bandwidth was never mentioned in the thread as being required.
    2) 50GB of Bandwidth would not be required for this kind of forum following the statistics provided.
    3) Most companies do not offer 50GB Hosting Plans. If you wanted that much Bandwidth in a shared environment - you would need to purchase a Reseller Account.

  14. #14
    Originally posted by cybexhost1
    $50 / Month !?!?!
    I would never pay anything more than $15 / Month for any shared hosting account, unless it's a reseller account.
    Perhaps you misunderstood my post, or didn't read the thread starters comments. He stated he was looking for a solution "under $50/month".

    That is why I suggested that he would be able to find a solution on a shared environment for "less than $50.00 a month".

    I should also add that many Hosting companies provide customized shared hosting plans. So claiming that "most" companies would not offer a shared hosting package of 50 gigs is not an accurate statement IMO.

    I know a great many of our clients are on customized hosting packages. Plans that range in allocations of well over 50 gigs of transfer and Reseller packages for accounts with as little as 5 gigs of transfer.

  15. #15
    Join Date
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    Well, when you customize - anything is possible. However, you must contact each host directly to get a quote. Contacting each web hosting company for a custom quote = A LOT OF TIME.

  16. #16
    The people who place a high value on their web sites certainly do not mind spending some time to help them make a quality decision on choosing the web host that will be responsible for their sites running smoothly.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
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    My Two Cents:

    Regarding a hosting solution: I'd go with a VPS solution if I were you. The price is in your budget and you'll have room to grow. The "top three" all have solutions under $50: www.dinix.com www.vpscolo.com www.servint.com

    Regarding content: I also have a religious based site and struggled with similar issues. I realized that it is hard to draw the line where service providers do / don't allow content we / our users don't agree with.

    Two examples:

    1) What about the internet connections between your server and your customers... I'm sure there are bits and bytes of adult content flowing throught the same pipe at the same time...

    2) Lets say you purchase a server from a company and they have their servers in a datacenter like ThePlanet.com. The server you are on may not have adult content, but the chances are good that a bunch of the ones around it do.

    It is a difficult / tricky situation for sure.... it is the whole "living in the world, but not of the world."

    I'd say a VPS solves both problems... You can consider the VPS your own PRIVATE server and the only content on your "server" is what you put in it! I think most VPS's are "unbranded" so that you are the only one who knows who your provider is.

    Good luck and keep us posted!

  18. #18
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    Nocster's (BURST's) Clearance Servers are starting to become the same price as VPS, I would look into them.

    (BURST = Nocster)
    (Nocster = BURST)
    Same Thing.

  19. #19
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    Originally posted by cybexhost1
    3) Most companies do not offer 50GB Hosting Plans. If you wanted that much Bandwidth in a shared environment - you would need to purchase a Reseller Account.
    Why is large bandwidth automatically associated with reseller accounts? I host several larger clients who do not do reselling, but make use of their 60GB quotas. They could get reselling added on, but they don't need it. And I'm glad to host someone that needs that sort of resources. The point of a host should be to help a client grow, not try to get as many people on a server as possible to make a quick buck...

    Basically, if you ask your host about resource usage and they say "well, as long as it doesn't get too much" you're on the wrong host. I personall run my compnay with the stance of saying "well, if you need more resources, we'll move you to a more powerful server". If you're limiting resource usage and not publically stating that fact on your site, you're essentially lying to your customers. So, phatmass, when looking for a host, contact them and ask them that question, it should be quite telling of how supportive they're going to be when you get bigger.
    Former owner of A Small Orange
    New owner of <COMING SOON>

  20. #20
    Well, oddly enough, I actually do need at least 50gb of traffic. My site reached 25gb last month, and I anticipate that to grow. It'd be nice to have room to expand. I also need to host 2 sites under the same account, so that's why I'm beginning to realize that VPS would be the way to go.

    It seems like Dinix, vpscolo and servint are the popular choices everywhere I go... All three allow adult content. I'm in a pickle. haha

  21. #21
    I found two VPS solutions that do not allow adult content:

    OLM.net
    websitesource.com

    I guess I'll do a search now and try to decide between the two...

  22. #22
    Okay, well... mixed reviews on websitesource.com...

    I used their live chat feature, and was impressed that at 1am in the morning, someone was even there. Here's how the convo went:

    Chris : Hello, phatmass how may I assist you today?
    phatmass: Do you allow adult content?
    Chris : Sorry we do not allow adult content
    phatmass : Good! Do you mind if I give you a short list of requirements so you can recommend a plan?
    Chris : You know Dustin, seeing as you have listed these inquiries. It may be more responsive to sumbit these questions to our sales address as we can reply with all the details for you.
    Chris : sales@websitesource.com
    phatmass : I need at least 1000mb space, 40gig transfer, multiple domain support (2 sites), and ability to handle a busy message board
    phatmass : oh, okay, well that's really about it... last question then--where are your actual servers located?
    Chris : Please email these questions to our sales dept and they can best work out the plan that you would be best suited for.
    phatmass : Thanks alot. Bye.
    Chris : No problem, have a great evening
    Your party has left this session.

    So, "Chris" wasn't too helpful, but I guess in fairness to him, at 1am in the morning, he may have been the only person there with other clients to help. I just felt kind brushed off.

  23. #23
    I currently host a couple of sites with dreamhost, and one of the reasons I went with them was that as a user you can monitor your SQL usage through a term they call conueries. Which means that get a good feel how how efficient your forums are running.

    They have a distributed network with their mysql server seperate from their web servers. They are slightly more expensive than your 'unlimited' everything hosts but I feel with good reason. But from the responses in their knowledge base and support forums to people asking about forum software usage your requirements would be no problem at all.

  24. #24
    Join Date
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    Basically, if you ask your host about resource usage and they say "well, as long as it doesn't get too much" you're on the wrong host.
    That's not very accurate IMHO. One could have a website that does a lot of processing in the background, up to the point where it needs a processor of it's own, and only have 10GB of monthly traffic. He cannot expect to pay under 10$ for such a website. It's just not fair.

    I personall run my compnay with the stance of saying "well, if you need more resources, we'll move you to a more powerful server".
    If someone would host an on-the-fly image editing program on your machine you might have to give him a server of his own.

    If you're limiting resource usage and not publically stating that fact on your site, you're essentially lying to your customers.
    No, you're not really hiding something from them as they are supposed to read the TOS. Sure, most people don't read the TOS, but that's not a defence, just as "not knowing the law" is not a defence in court.

  25. #25
    I don't think the question regarding how to determine much CPU resources are being used has been answered . . . your current host should be able to tell you this now since you are in a shared enviorment. In terms of where to go from here I also agree that at present your site is still serviceable from a shared and/or semi dedicated enviroment. Last but not least your users are not going to be privy to what other users publish in any enviroment whether it be VPS, Dedicated, shared or Semi Dedicated thus I do not feel you should limit your self because of your own prejudices regarding what the provider chooses to host in their datacenter or on their servers. However that is of course your right and frankly problem. If for no other other reason than you choose to make the process unnecessarily difficult for yourself. by allowing factors which do not affect you to unduly influence your position.
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