Alright Jim and Gromett ... enough is enough!

[MajorClanger]

There's no need to shut down an entire website just to do database backups nowadays. MySQL (which I think MHF uses) supports "replica" configuration (a second database that keeps a live copy of the first, but can be stopped to backup) and "clustering" (where multiple database servers are kept in sync, and any of them can be stopped). Other open-source database servers work similarly, and the commercial ones offer even more features.

 

[Jim]

There's no need to shut down an entire website just to do database backups nowadays. MySQL (which I think MHF uses)

We don't.

 

[Gromett]

There's no need to shut down an entire website just to do database backups nowadays. MySQL (which I think MHF uses) supports "replica" configuration (a second database that keeps a live copy of the first, but can be stopped to backup) and "clustering" (where multiple database servers are kept in sync, and any of them can be stopped). Other open-source database servers work similarly, and the commercial ones offer even more features.

There is a balance to be reached. The cost of an additional replication server vs a 10 second to 120 second down time while non InnoDB tables are locked is not worth the expense for a forum like this. Also replication doesn't work on MyISAM tables which the forum uses for some addon's.
Are you willing to pay for an additional replication server? I am sure Jim would be happy if you were to fund one for us all

That said we have been looking into ways to minimise the disruption and if there is a practical way to move the db backups to a later time.
We are also looking at the practicality of moving the addons from MyISAM to InnoDB then we can use the single-transaction option.

 

[Ukbandit]

Yes definitely what he just said.

 

[kevenh]

I'm supposed to be tucked up in bed at 00:15 anyway, so just having you consider shifting the short "outage" a little is very nice of you.

When I've had the site respond with a database error it's been 5min before I got the last post off. But I'm not sat clicking "post reply" all that time so could be shorter.

tl;dr
worst case, it's enough to know why posting is hard at 00:15 and fingers crossed you can see a way to shift that cron task off by a little

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[Gellyneck]

There is a balance to be reached. The cost of an additional replication server vs a 10 second to 120 second down time while non InnoDB tables are locked is not worth the expense for a forum like this. Also replication doesn't work on MyISAM tables which the forum uses for some addon's.
Are you willing to pay for an additional replication server? I am sure Jim would be happy if you were to fund one for us all

That said we have been looking into ways to minimise the disruption and if there is a practical way to move the db backups to a later time.
We are also looking at the practicality of moving the addons from MyISAM to InnoDB then we can use the single-transaction option.

Or, just keep doing what you guys are doing and we live with 10-120 second downtime!
The kettle doesn't even boil in that time.

 

[TheTwoOfUs]

I'm quite happy to put up with this little "inconvenience" if that's all that's needed to keep the forum running. I'm not that desperate to post my rubbish contributions at that exact time, I can either post before or after, they're not that important. I'm just thankful that someone is looking after us.

 

[Minxy]

There is a balance to be reached. The cost of an additional replication server vs a 10 second to 120 second down time while non InnoDB tables are locked is not worth the expense for a forum like this. Also replication doesn't work on MyISAM tables which the forum uses for some addon's.

Just my flipping luck isn't it ... I seem to hit the ruddy 'down time' a lot ... Its usually just after the telly programme I've been watching has finished and I'm going over the last bits and bobs before bed ... then I get the 'Oops' message and, although its only a short length of time, to me it seems like hours so I have to resort to getting the matchsticks out for my eyelids!

Are you willing to pay for an additional replication server? I am sure Jim would be happy if you were to fund one for us all

Is that anything to do with the lizards from space?

That said we have been looking into ways to minimise the disruption and if there is a practical way to move the db backups to a later time.
We are also looking at the practicality of moving the addons from MyISAM to InnoDB then we can use the single-transaction option.

Whilst its extremely good of you to look at this I hope you realise that I stated this thread as a bit of fun don't you!

 

[Gromett]

Just my flipping luck isn't it ... I seem to hit the ruddy 'down time' a lot ... Its usually just after the telly programme I've been watching has finished and I'm going over the last bits and bobs before bed ... then I get the 'Oops' message and, although its only a short length of time, to me it seems like hours so I have to resort to getting the matchsticks out for my eyelids!

Aww Flipping heck. We just moved it later to try and avoid your prime time and they you go later.

 

[Gromett]

Hold on a second it is set for 02:15 not 01:45... Not sure you are seeing a problem at our end?

No, Just checked. Backup hasn't run yet Minxy Girl problem is at your end not ours.

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[Minxy]

Aww Flipping heck. We just moved it later to try and avoid your prime time and they you go later.

Sorry chuck ... I don't usually stay up this late but been doing other stuff tonight so much later than normal ... I'll go to sleep now ... honest!

Hold on a second it is set for 02:15 not 01:45... Not sure you are seeing a problem at our end?

No, Just checked. Backup hasn't run yet Minxy Girl problem is at your end not ours.

I was talking about the 00:15 back-up - no problem this time as I was doing other things at 00:15 so it didn't 'get' me for once!

 

[Minxy]

Nearly forgot ... night-night Karl ... you can let Jim to get on with your bedtime story now!

 

[Gromett]

I was talking about the 00:15 back-up - no problem this time as I was doing other things at 00:15 so it didn't 'get' me for once!

The backup didn't get you this time either. It hasn't happened yet. We are testing an 02:15 backup time. which hasn't arrived yet.

 

[MajorClanger]

Late one last night Gromett! I hope you weren’t staying up just to see if the backups ran okay