Exceeding database connections

[mcpisik]

Thanks for a reply Dr Byte.
Yes I'm sure my post is from all over the place, but when I know nothing about database connections or anything else I've noted it's very hard to explain.
Under counter history an average would be 500 - 4500 (taken from admin front page)
We only get about 10 people max at any one time.
One of the hosting staff mentioned it's probably 10 concurrent database connections.
He didn't think they had a set limit of queries per hour.

I mentioned the cpu part, only as they told me it had reached 100% a few times this week.
So I was wondering what might cause that.

Over the last 15 minutes, I've been refreshing cpanel to take a look at cpu load with about 4 people on my site.
At one stage it went to 40%, but is mostly at 0 or small.
When clicking Server Status in cpanel, the Server Load was up around 12 (2cpus) with an ! status.
This is down around 7 now, but isn't this rather high?
(the only other ! comes from Disk/dev/mapper/VolGroup... 87%, but I don't know what that is)

Sorry if these are all bits not related entirely, but they're all things I'm noticing, so have to work out what I can.
Thanks again.

[gilby]

Asked but not answered...
Who is your host?

[mcpisik]

Flexihost (New Zealand), operated by Openhost/hosting direct.

[mcpisik]

So for anyone else who has terrible loading times for admin or website, but a good internet connection...
Check your server for 'server load'
Ours was around 12 (2cpus)
It should be around 2 max ideally.
I have been shifted to another server and my website now loads like lightening.
After spending months trying to make my zen-cart faster, turns out my host is to blame. (though hopefully I've improved my site anyway)
New server runs at about .1 server load :)
So check that if you can't find any other reason!

[DrByte]

So for anyone else who has terrible loading times ... [the] host is to blame.

Always is. But nobody believes me when I say it.
Ya, it'd be great if the host would always fix it themselves, since that's almost always easier than switching hosting companies.
Glad they did something to take care of you. Just watch for when they oversell that new server in a few months and the problem re-occurs again.

[schoolboy]

For years I have been saying that your HOST is one of your most important business partners in an eCommerce venture. In fact, the webhost is perhaps THE most critical business partner you have.

A poor host can result in a loss of thousands (dollars, pounds, rupees, yen...) and yet so many people starting out in web selling opt for cheap-n-nasty hosts thinking that they can save a buck or two.

I have a handful of chosen hosting companies (in the UK, USA and Europe) and when I take on new clients who have cheap hosting, the FIRST thing I do is insist they migrate to one of these hosts. If they refuse, I generally do not take them on as clients.

Be RUTHLESS with your hosting company - and criticise them publicly if they fail to come up to scratch.

I have arranged hundreds of sites on my UK host and have NEVER EVER had downtime, malconfigurations, poor service, low loading - and we're now into our sixth year with this company.

That's pretty impressive. NOT ONE SECOND of downtime in 6 years... for several hundred sites.

[RodG]

Always is. But nobody believes me when I say it.

Nor me.