I’ve already mentioned this to some of you, but here’s the official release. Last week I introduced a new server to the Guru Network: DREXEL – my THIRD web server in only 18 months!

With it I’m building a dedicted hosting infrastructure optimised for self-hosted WordPress sites. Depending on how well it’ll go from here, I’d like to grow the Guru Network into a multi-server environment across the world similar to that of Automattic and WordPress.com.

It all started with a virtual server called VERSLPZY in 2008 which I outgrew almost immediately due to higher than anticipated traffic on my sites. A virtual server is cheaper than a dedicated server because providers can use one physcal server and split it into 10-20 “virtual copies”. It was great to get started but thousands of hits a day across my then 10 sites was just too much for him.

Six months later I grudgingly invested into a dedicated server (HUBERT) who would take over operations on his own, while VERSLPZY would become a backup and development server. HUBERT was only going to be worth his money though if I could re-sell some of his resources.

To my surprise many of my friends and colleagues needed a WordPress site and I was more than happy to help them out – which makes HUBERT work harder than expected so he can pay for his home in an air conditioned rack somewhere in Slough. In fact, he paid for himself very soon.

Fast forward to last week when I wanted to bring more redundancy and speed to the table. Meet DREXEL, my third server only 6 months later, who will split the workload with HUBERT. All database queries will now be sent to DREXEL, while HUBERT can focus on serving static content. Heavy traffic on more than one site at a time can be difficult for one server alone, so now HUBERT has a little friend to help him out.

DREXEL is already implemented across all sites so you’ll immediately enjoy the benefits of a more responsive WordPress Back End as a side effect, as well as slightly faster page loading times.

Sweet!

My plan from here is to build a dedicated hosting network for WordPress sites with a similar infrastructure as WordPress.com (they however are using one WPMU install, and I want to bring the advantages to multiple self hosted WP sites). Expansion plans include multiple database servers across the globe as well as localised content servers with high availability, load balanced servers with live failover redundancy spread over multiple data centres.

No other hosting provider does this currently, so maybe I’ve found a gap in the market here. We’ll see how it goes – I’ll keep you posted.

Until then: Peace and Love from the WordPress Guru!

It’s been a tough couple of weeks with all my projects going up and down several times a day – but I think I’m seeing light at the end of the tunnel.

I’m talking about the Tour de Force of migrating my websites to a new server.

Gone are the days of a flaky virtual server and the limitations that come with it, while the glorious Dedicated Server Days can begin. I’ve moved from a long time partnership with Easyspace to 1&1 – and that’s only because they were cheaper on the dedicated server front. You hear, Easyspace? I’d still be with you if it wasn’t for your prices!

Why would I do such a thing, compromising everything that’s dear to me in one swoop?

Easy really: I’ve rapidly outgrown the older smaller v-server package. It’s quite frightening to think that one year ago, I was rapidly outgrowing several shared hosting package due to ever increasing traffic on all my sites, and now it’s already time for the next step.

I haven’t got concrete figures here, but last time I’ve checked, I’m pulling in over 6000 unique visitors a month across all sites, which kept putting an ever increasing strain on the server. This in turn lead to crashes of increasing frequency, until the sites were down more than they were up.

Even though it’s eating a hole into my pocket, it seemed wise to upgrade capacity and streamline the big websites at the same time.

I stuck to Plesk 9.2.2 under Linux (CenOS 64bit now instead of 32bit, on AMD hardware instead of Intel). I’ve also installed Donncha O’Caoimh’s excellent WP Super Cache on most sites, which seemed to have helped improve site performance a lot. Thanks, Donncha!

What got lost on my “Tour de Server” was the fact that I couldn’t do much else while I was migrating: no blogging, no uploading new pictures, and very limited creativity. It goes to show how important it is for me to have an outlet like this, and not to be able to use it when I want for what I want isn’t good. Interesting!

Add to that the stress of not really knowing what I’m doing, and the words “pleasant time” don’t quite describe my experiences. However, I’ve learnt a lot – and I’m happy to share my experiences in forthcoming installments.

The old v-server is still serving this website, which is a beast to move, and I might leave it here on its own for a little while longer. It means that should the new server crash, versluis.com will still be up – a reassuring thought.

In other news, I’ve already cycled over 200km on my super pink Saracen Pylon bike! It’s not even 4 weeks old and I’m loving it to pieces – to punctures even, as I’ve had my first one this week. Slightly disappointed about those “impenetrable” Schwalbe Big Apple tyres I have to say! I’ll be keeping my eye on them.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to have some breakfast, before going for a ride with my lady

By default, they’re kept in /var/lib/psa/dumps/

Useful to know if you need to remove them to free up space.

I found this very interesting article on how to add bits and bobs to your .htaccess file, which then redirects one domain to another.

The great thing about this is that – as the title suggests – you can keep you search engine rankings. The downside is that doing it this way requires hosting – which often you don’t have on domains.

Another way to deal with the problem is to simply forward the domain (speak to your hosting provider about this), however you’ll lose your search engine ranking.

I hear though that Google is rather up-to-speed with changing links. I’m saying this becuse I want to free up one of my domains (www.wordpress-guru.co.uk) and import all articles into this site – so the content stays the same, but all URLs will change. Let’s see how Google can cope with that.

Here’s the .htaccess article– enjoy!

http://www.searchenginejournal.com/how-to-change-your-domain-while-keeping-your-search-engine-ranking/11072/

I’ve learnt a lot since this article went up – including how to do this properly. This article is left here for historic purposes. Read how to upgrade PHP on CentOS 5 on my other site The WordPress Guru

Original Article:

An account of events – not dramatized

yesterday, 09:12

Idea:

The need for amazing shopping cart software arises. Decided to install CRE Loaded on my website. Tried it a year ago, didn’t work. Better luck this time.

11:23

Installed the package, but found that minimum requirement is PHP 5.2.x – I have an older version. Hm. Must upgrade. What a challenge.

11:37

Huge Google search for “how to upgrade PHP on CentOS 5” brings up 90 million articles, all about something different than my question. Currently don’t’ even know what the hell a SSH connection is or what it stands for

12:08

Through sheer luck stumbled onto option to access my server via SSH. Feel very confident now that I can execute command line things and poke around professionally

12:27

Found that upgrading PHP is only possible using something funky called YUM. Must install that first.

13:01

Another Google search begins – WTF is YUM and why do I need it?

13:44

Stopped asking questions. Determined to get this going.

the next day, 17:55

Excited to have found this list – a detailed account of how to do it. Of course, the 10000 characters cannot be copied and pasted – just to drive us all completely nuts

18:37

Tried it. Doesn’t work. Pissed off with all things internet now. Giving up in search for another solution.

CONCLUSION:

pHP on CentOS can’t be upgraded by human beings. And if it can, I never met one of them. Just like Lottery winners. Time to find a different hobby, maybe connected to the outdoors. Hacking wood or drive-by shooting pigeons maybe.