News:

Join the Facebook Fan Page.

Main Menu

Excessive Memory Usage

Started by Tunga, February 06, 2009, 03:36:49 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

Tunga

I recieved this warning from my webhost today:
QuoteYour account is using excessive server resources which is negatively effecting the performance of the server.
You have 24 hours to reduce your server resource usage to acceptable levels or your account will be automatically suspended.

The maximum CPU resource limit is: 6% Daily Average
The maximum Memory resource limit is: 6% Daily Average

You are using 0.29% CPU Daily Average
You are using 7.17% Memory Daily Average

The top 3 processes you are running are
11.9% CPU - httpd [bot.gyates.fu8.com] [/index.php?actiondlattach;attach81;typeavatar]
3.2% CPU - httpd [www.gyates.fu8.com] [/bot/Themes/default/PortaMx/SysCss/Images/bullet_green.gif]
1.5% CPU - httpd [bot.gyates.fu8.com] [/favicon.ico]

Note:
Top 3 processes are based on average CPU usage during the time the processes are running.
The top 3 processes may not neccessarily be the cause of excessive use.
High memory use is often caused by excessive MySQL queries or large PHP scripts.
I have asked for more information regarding the cause but all I get back is messages like these:
QuoteWhat do you mean no warning?
The email *IS* the warning.

The only information we have is in the email.
We don't have anything else to tell you.

We only monitor your memory usage, we didn't program your site so we don't know why your using the memory.
QuoteWe provided you with the top three processes that were running at the time, that is the best thing we can give you. It is very likely that those could be the cause.

There is no way for us to give you any further advanced notice, we are currently unable to predict the future.

You might try searching on google to see if others have had problems with the script you are using, and what they did to fix it.
We are not a web programming firm, we are your web host, we did not program your web site and are unable to tell you what is causing the excessive memory usage. For that it would take extensive research, which is not included in your plan. Trial and error is probably the best thing for you to do.
Ignoring for a moment that my webhost obviously likes employing arrogant and yet useless tech support, I'm looking at the top process and assuming it's the function that retrieves user signatures.  Is it possible this could be using excessive RAM?  I really have no clue what to look for but there is nothing really on the server except an SMF 2.0 Beta 4 installation (I can't upgrade currently due to some modifications I've made but these are all cosmetic so I don't believe it would be any of those).

Has anyone seen anything like this before or have an idea of what might be causing it?

(And slightly unrelated but how can an icon be using up a decent amount of CPU time?)

Version: SMF 2.0 Beta 4.
Site: www.bottleortree.co.uk
I'm also running PortaMx so I will check on their forum too, I've noticed PMx is generating some errors in Subs.php so maybe they are related.

Thanks!

karlbenson

Find a new host.

Looks like your with an overseller.

Tunga

Obviously it's an option but I've had no issues until now, been using them for five years.

Xarcell

Your top 3 processes don't make sense.

Perhaps a new host is needed.

Tunga

That was my feeling, it makes no sense for an icon or GIF to be using CPU time.  And the top call looks to be for the avatar of user 81, but my forum doesn't have a user 81!

Hmm, I will see what happens, it may have been a one-off or mistake on their end.  If it happens multiple times obviously I will just move my hosting.  Any suggestions for decent priced UK based hosting?  Currently using a US company but most of my users are UK or Europe so it would make more sense.

greyknight17

That doesn't sound like a very friendly webhost....

Tunga, is this issue resolved now? If you want to look for another hosts (which I recommend after reading how they provide support for their clients), you can take a look at this board.

SergeantAsh

I have a similar issue, my SMF forum is using excessive amounts of memory (with Dreamhost), is it normal for an SMF forum of minimal traffic to be using over 150mb of PHP memory?

Here's my thread with board stats/posts/topics to give you an idea of the forum size...
http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=295389
Quote"Moderation has been called a virtue to limit the ambition of great men, and to console undistinguished people for their want of fortune and their lack of merit."

John Eric

@Tunga yes, host correct to say they cannot advise as to script they did not make, but really, your host is very poor!

surely they say "Free hosting! unlimited bandwidth, many everything!" (but in their rules they have many many no's -in fact, more no's than 1000 elephants! (that is my joke please laugh at it :| )

surely as other suggest you should find new host but moving is hard, for packing, domain and seo to start over, and yes, SMF does eat many CPU so turn off any function that use "GD" including much with AVATAR and sig rewrite and limit search and all you can w/o reject member

John Eric

GOOD READING HERE!
http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=293441.0

not all you can do for host may limit you. but avatar moving as described is a must for you

SergeantAsh

Quote from: John Eric on February 25, 2009, 02:44:01 PM
GOOD READING HERE!
http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=293441.0

not all you can do for host may limit you. but avatar moving as described is a must for you

Thats a great link, doing the Avatar move now, what a crazy system!!

Many thanks for your help!
Quote"Moderation has been called a virtue to limit the ambition of great men, and to console undistinguished people for their want of fortune and their lack of merit."

SergeantAsh

Guys,

Just thought I should flag this application up, incredibly good reporting on memory permitted on your server for your PHP instance, also how much memory is being used in realtime, on each refresh!

Its a simple PHP application, upload it and away you go - has answered all my questions!!

http://phpsysinfo.sourceforge.net/
Quote"Moderation has been called a virtue to limit the ambition of great men, and to console undistinguished people for their want of fortune and their lack of merit."

timned88

i had a similar message from my value hosting company whom i have since fired. 
they claimed i was running 4x the normal number of script executions and wanted me to go to a dedicated plan at the bargain price of $99/month.  no thanks.

<slight hijack, sorry>
only problem since i changed servers is getting the attachments and avatars to display.
see http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=295725.0
</hijack>

riker

The host has covered itself -

QuoteCPU Resources. User acknowledges that the Service is provided on a shared server and agrees not to engage in any activity that could overwhelm the server with heavy CPU usage or that requires a disproportionate amount of the resources of the hostultra.com server, including without limitation, use of highly active CGI or PHP scripts or chat scripts

timned88

ah, the joys of the fact that you can get rid of those hosts and find a new one...

JimM

@Tunga - any update on this issue?  Did you get things moved to a better host?  If this is solved, feel free to mark it as solved by clicking the Mark Topic Solved link at the bottom of the page under the linktree.
Jim "JimM" Moore
Former Support Specialist

Advertisement: