Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted

It seems that there have been gremlins in our hosts server......

Craig has been working with them to resolve - several times I fear as it’s been fixed and recurred several times. Hopefully now fully sorted......

Thanks Craig!

Posted

Indeed!  He flies through the air, and solves our crises.

 

Is that bird?  Or a plane?  No, it's Craig!

Thanks, Craig!

John

Posted
55 minutes ago, RogerH said:

Like Peter,

I compiled two posts, hit the button and crrashhhh

oops

 

Roger

Ah...... so it's your fault, Roger!

Paul

Posted

Sorry about the outages folks.  

For the technically minded, the problem is that the CageFS feature in the CloudLinux running on our host's server is faulting, resulting in all our php extensions being disable, an inability to write to the alt-php.ini file, and an inability to call from the Request .php file.  Simple really.

Unfortunately, although we found and fixed it the first time, it keeps occurring, on about a 22 hour cycle.  Somethings amiss...

The host "thinks" it should be solved this time, as they've updated the software, but there's no guarantee.  They have promised that if it happens again they'll migrate us to a new server cluster, but that would entail more downtime.

The fun for me at this end is that errors have to be reported through a "Chat" system, which means that each time it breaks, I have to laboriously take an entry level tech through whats's broken and why, and convince them they have a server wide error they need to escalate to a senior tech.  If you've ever phoned for I.T. support knowing what the problem is, but had an stubborn tech drag you through all the low level checks before they'll pass you on to a higher level,  I can only promise you that it's a magnitude of order more frustrating when you get to do it via typed messages that may not be seen or replied to for 20-30 minutes at a time.

I have to suck up my frustration and be patient, and generally I find a way to be.

Of course, I also have my limits when they're being slow, pedantic, or just plain fuckwits.

Anyway, hopefully it sorted, and business as usual for a while.  It it happens again we'll take the nuclear option and move to another host.

As always, I'd like to thank all our supporters who've donated to keep Sideways running.  Without your generosity, we wouldn't have tech support, and stuff like would be a lot harder to fix.  Thank you all.

 

Craig.

Posted

Hello Craig

                     For the technically minded, the problem is that the CageFS feature in the CloudLinux running on our host's server is faulting, resulting in all our php extensions being disable, an inability to write to the alt-php.ini file, and an inability to call from the Request .php file.  Simple really.

I guessed it was that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I read in the Hanes manual on page? paragraph?

You are a STAR I get peed off to quick with all these people that make you jump through hoops before they will fix the problem which is of their making!

Roger 

ps I suppose switching off and on does not work then? that's me B******d then!

Posted

Our host was having continuing problems on the server cluster, so there was some gnashing of teeth and wringing of hands when Sideways disappeared again.

I found a workaround which would fix it when it occurred, but I like to do a little more with my life than just watch for outages, so tech support had their arms twisted to provide a more permanent fix.

We're now on a different server cluster running the updated version of the server software, which will hopefully resolve the dropouts entirely.  The alternative would be moving to a new host, which would involve increased ongoing cost. I locked Sideways into a sweetheart deal with our current host years ago, so I'd like to continue that if at all possible.

Sorry for the outages, here's hoping they're resolved now.

C.

Posted

I can only imagine the nightmare going on behind the scenes. Thanks for getting it all sorted Craig. You do a fantastic job. 

Cheers, Darren

Posted

All part of the friendly service.  It's just marshalling ones and zero's.

Sideway's pays back a lot more than I put in (where else can a bit of work on a website get you a bed and a roast meal on the other side of the world, let alone a day riding in and looking at you favourite cars?).

We probably should put a succession plan in place though - I'd love to share the tech if anyone else feels capable.  If a big red bus were to hit me it wouldn't be good for Sideways, so we probably should make sure someone else knows how to kick this thing in the guts when it wont start.

Any volunteers?

 

C.

Posted

I don't think we need to worry about the "red bus"... its the Sky diving and riding a 2 wheeled vehicle that we really need to worry about ;)

Anyway do you have Red buses down there?

mike

 

Posted

Thank you Craig for all your efforts to secure a fix. 

I’m afraid I can’t put my hand up to help. Bit of a Luddite on the workings of that magic lantern box, besides I don’t own one. All my interweb access is on my phone. 

Posted

I can semi-act as a back-up techie, but it is wee while since I last did anything technical in web stuff.

Plus I am away at sea a lot, which would reduce my usefulness.

But otherwise, I am happy to act as backup, or as a back up to a back up?

Phil

Posted
8 hours ago, GT6MK3 said:

All part of the friendly service.  It's just marshalling ones and zero's.

Sideway's pays back a lot more than I put in (where else can a bit of work on a website get you a bed and a roast meal on the other side of the world, let alone a day riding in and looking at you favourite cars?).

We probably should put a succession plan in place though - I'd love to share the tech if anyone else feels capable.  If a big red bus were to hit me it wouldn't be good for Sideways, so we probably should make sure someone else knows how to kick this thing in the guts when it wont start.

Any volunteers?

 

C.

Craig

If you needed some one to set the valve timing on a steam engine, I'm your man

Marshalling ones and zeros . . . . . That's for my teenage grandson.

However, if you are ever in Essex and fancy a beer and a comfortable ride in a (reasonably) modern MB SL500, let me know you're coming and I can fix it.

John

Posted

Bravo and respect, Craig.

Sadly, IT of anything more complex than managing a PC is on the long, long list of things that I wish I could do, but far exceed my capabilities.

But if ever you need a good letter of complaint, just let me know.  World Champion.

Paul

Posted
12 hours ago, PaulAA said:

But if ever you need a good letter of complaint, just let me know.  World Champion.

Paul

Paul

I get the impression that there are a number of members of this forum, all of whom appear to be eminently qualified to help with the production of complaints.

Reminds me of a Monty Python Sketch I once watched!

 

John

  • 7 months later...

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...