Where can one check out the Server Status?

[CWFBoardsManager]

Greetings



Could someone point to someplace one may check the Server Status?



We have been getting error messages as follows?


Connection Problems

Sorry, SMF was unable to connect to the database. This may be caused by the server being busy. Please try again later.


Also please advise if this error message refers to the SMF Servers or the the user's hosting company's server?


All help will be appreciated

[xrunner]

Also please advise if this error message refers to the SMF Servers or the the user's hosting company's server?

It refers to the server hosting your forum.

Can you log into Cpanel? Can you see your database listed there?

[CWFBoardsManager]

Where should that file be. I looked for it in /public_html/Forums/

[xrunner]

Where should that file be. I looked for it in /public_html/Forums/

What file? The database? You can only check on it while logged into Cpanel, look under the databases - MySQL databases.

[CWFBoardsManager]

I am using SMF 1.1.14


I am logged into the cPanel.


I don't think there is a server overload at the host.


__________________




We had some issues a few days ago, due to excessive spammer activity.


Those were satisfactorily resolved after extensive help from here. The Forums were up and all systems ago till about 90 minutes ago. 


This problem occurred probably due to what follows:


I downloaded an avatar package and tried to install it.


I got a prompt asking for an FTP password. I entered the password that I use to access cPanel.

I got on an error message that the password is wrong.

I rechecked the password and entered it again.

I again got the same message.

I returned to the admin area without any further attempt at installing that avatar package.

I opened the Forms Error log and deleted the four pages of error messages that I found there. None of those messages were related to any activity by Forums staff.

Those error message were reports of denial of access to persons we had banned.

Earlier, before the issues we had a few days ago, there used to be usually around 2000 pages of such messages in any 24 hour period. Since the resolution of that issue, the number of pages in the Forums Error Log had dropped dramatically, which I am sure was due to some fix applied by a support specialist here.

We had also made it a standard operating procedure to check the Forums Error Log and delete the messages every few hours. As I said the number of error messages had dropped  considerably after the fix.

_____________________



The earlier issue can be found here:


http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=439154.0

[CWFBoardsManager]

We have a back up file



username_smf2-complete_2011-06-30.sql


downloaded around 7 hours ago

[YogiBear]

There should be a block of info in the left hand column of the page after you log into your cpanel. Scroll down almost to the bottom and click onto Server Status.

[CWFBoardsManager]

Did that many times. Says everything is hunky dory.

[CWFBoardsManager]

Our Forums

http://commissionedwriting.com/Forums/index.php


are a sub domain of

http://commissionedwriting.com/

which is working fine.  So there is no question of any server overload.

[xrunner]

CWF - IF I were you I'd forward that error message to your hosting support. They probably need to know.

[CWFBoardsManager]

Done that already as advised earlier by you. No response yet. They have a ticket system.

[CWFBoardsManager]

No further responses . . .

[Aleksi "Lex" Kilpinen]

The connection problems message may mean your DB server is down, or your SMF settings have the wrong DB address or user credentials,
or as stated in the message, that your server is overloaded at the moment. If you have the option to re-boot your server, or the DB service alone, you could try that if the message has been there for long. Other than that, make sure your Settings.php has the right DB info, and / or contact your host to have them investigate what is wrong with your DB connection.

[CWFBoardsManager]

I presume the settings.php file would be in the /public_html/Forums/


Will look and report back

[Aleksi "Lex" Kilpinen]

Yes, that's right. There should be specifically your DB address, DB login andDB password in a readable form.
Please DO NOT publish any of those, just make sure if they are there and correct.

[CWFBoardsManager]

The file is there. It begin as follows
Is this as it should be?


Could the problem be because we changed the access password after the issue we had a few days ago but the password on file at the host was probably not changed.


We are already in contact with our hosting company.

[Aleksi "Lex" Kilpinen]

Like I said - DO NOT PUBLISH YOUR DB PASSWORDS!

You should just make sure the DB login and Password their, match the ones your Database actually uses.

[CWFBoardsManager]

Thanks for the cautionary note we will heed it.


During the past one month or so our Forums have been under a persistant attack by the xrumer bots. After the earlier issue we put in place a new joiner approval regime and have had to reject roughly 60 new joinings a day.


Banning the IPs has not helped. Should we go for verification questions? If so can we create our own verification question list? If so how can that be done? Please guide.


So far as we know SMF 2.0 seems to be safe from the current spam assault on the SMF 1x Forums.


Would it be advisible to switch to SMF 2.0? Would it be possible to use our present databases with SMF 2.0?


If switching to SMF 2.0 is advisble please guide me how it can be done.


As I have earlier said we lot are babes in the woods so far as software is concerned. In the problem we had last time it was only due to the help of a support specialist here that the issue was resolved in a few hours.


Our Forums are up again.


Our thanks to everyone who helped us in this matter.

[Aleksi "Lex" Kilpinen]

Either way, adding Anti-Spam Verification Questions for SMF 1.1.7 or Upgrading SMF to 2.0 and using it's built in verification questions - you should be fine. Both of those options allow you to set your own custom questions.

Since your forum is up again, I'll mark this topic solved. If you wish further assistance with either upgrading, or using the mod linked above,
please open a new topic in the appropriate board.

EDIT: Fixed the mod link - sorry

[CWFBoardsManager]

Of course, you can mark the issue as resolved.


Thanks a million and regards.