We MOVED to the new server! - UPDATE - Sep 24th

[gibsonlp]

After many downtimes we suffered with 1and1 and considering the fact that the server was getting quite old and expensive to maintain, we decided to buy a new server.
This time - the hardware is all ours, not leased anymore.

The move *should* be relatively painless, but it does require a short downtime in order to make sure no messages will get lost.
Since in case and you post a message on the old server AFTER I transfer the DB - it won't appear on the new server I will have to block rickresource access to the old server before I start the move.
Again - this shouldn't take long and I estimate it in just under an hour, however - it could be a bit more, depending on your ISP's DNS refresh time.

The new server is already installed in Canada in one of the largest professional hosting centers and I am currently running some tests and fine tuning it.

When is it going to happen?
Currently we plan to make the move this Tuesday's night - early morning of Wednesday (EST).
I got home too late from work and it's just too late to start it now, I'll do it tomorrow morning (Israel time) so it would be when most of north America is sleeping...

For the details freaks:
Machine specs:
1U siliconmechanics server
Quad core intel X3320 CPU, running @ 2.5Ghz
2GB of RAM (I might double that soon)
2 500GB 7200 RPM server grade WD SATA drives (in raid-1)
1gbit internet connection (not a typo)
Running Debian (moved from Slackware)
This is a mean machine - kernel compilation + modules takes less than a minute.

[ram]

Gil, good luck with the swapout and thanks for keeping us posted!

[jps]

I am surprised you only have 500GB drives given all the data and photos collected over the years. I'll be at work so I won't miss anything, I hope!

[winston]

Good luck with the changeover Gil,

This reminds me once again, just how lucky we are to have you on this forum.

שלום עליכם

[admin]

Brian: You are so right. I sing Gil's praises every day.

[kiramdear]

Thanks a million, as always, Gil. Hope it goes well.

[rickenbrother]

Gil, your time and efforts are truly appreciated!

[doctorwho]

... I sing Gil's praises every day.

What key would that be in?

Here's hoping that all goes smoothly, Gil ... you are da man!

[beatlefreak]

Thanks for the heads up, Gil.

[admin]

What key would that be in?

In A major way, Gary.

[TheWonders]

For the details freaks:
Machine specs:
1U siliconmechanics server
Quad core intel X3320 CPU, running @ 2.5Ghz
2GB of RAM (I might double that soon)
2 500GB 7200 RPM server grade WD SATA drives (in raid-1)
1gbit internet connection (not a typo)
Running Debian (moved from Slackware)
This is a mean machine - kernel compilation + modules takes less than a minute.

Why did you decide to move to Debian (not that I'm complaining... I prefer Debian myself, but I'm just curious)?

[lcjones]

apt-get install debian

Problems solved.

[gibsonlp]

Thanks guys, hopefully everything would work out as smooth as possible!

Ruben: Long story, but to make one short: A friend of mine is providing the co-location of the server, he basically vetoed me and said Debian or nothing, dirty trick but I don't really care, Linux is Linux is Linux, been using it for the past 16 years or so, I can adjust (although I am a bit scared from the automation of everything, I like knowing my system like the palm of my hand...)
I have worked on other systems (like RHEL3/4/5, a little bit ubuntu and some fedora) but I do prefer Slackware/BSD over everything else for simplicity, stability, performance and security.
I still run Slackware on the rest of my servers/laptops/desktops.

Jones: Actually, my signature for the past 7 years or so is apt-get install slackware

[berth]

Good Luck Gil. And I'm glad we are actually running Debian at work with +300 servers. We have local repositorys for homegrown and homecompiled software and installing it is a breeze this way.

[Darkhollow]

Thanks for all the work Gil, and good luck with the switchover.
Out of curiosity, what speed / timing is the RAM are you using? I may have some hardware I can donate to the cause.