CPU Overload help?

Hello everyone. Can anyone give me some guidance in how I would address an overload CPU usage on my server. My site has been suspended due to the CPU overload on a shared server and I can't afford the cost of a dedicated server. This came about suddenly without any changes to zen cart for the past 3 months.

Thank you.

What version of Zencart ? Is it possible you've been hacked ? Your host should be able to provide a lot more information about the problem than you've provided here. I'd start with them.

stevesh:

...Is it possible you've been hacked ? ....

This is the most likely scenario. Check your server's webmail accounts for 'bouncers', it could be that someone may be using your server as a mail server for their spamming.

Hi,

You can also use the following plugin:
Perfmon

It allows you to quickly identify where time is being taken in the page loading cycle.
This is a great way to identify areas of code that might be slowing your cart down.

It's the latest version 1.51

My server says that the CPU usage has not reflected any malicious behavior. Other than that they are not able to direct me one way or another.

Thank you, I'll try that. Though I don't user the webmail options through my host and the email archives via zen cart do not show anything suspicious.

Thank you for the plug in suggestion. I will give it a look.

Hi,

I think you should share more info, so far we only know that your site is zencart 1.51 and causes overload CPU usage on your server.

What's your site ?
What plugins have you installed on your site ?
What's your hosting company ? What's your hosting plan ?

joyjoy:

It's the latest version 1.51

My server says that the CPU usage has not reflected any malicious behavior. Other than that they are not able to direct me one way or another.
You've also reported some potential issues in some other threads... Like plugins which have stopped working (with no change on your part)... Or plugins having issues reading / writing to the database... All without you changing anything for over 3 months... Could be something more at play here with the hosting provider... Such as changes made to the server... Or corrupted data / files on their hardware... Or their server (or your account) was hacked...

If you have not already done so, it would be wise to make a full backup (files and database) of your website. This backup should not be stored on the hosting provider's equipment. Once backed up, the instructions for recovering from hacks may be useful (especially the "Check ALL your files for unauthorized changes" section).

As stevesh suggested, you should get a list of what your hosting provider has reported as the root cause of the "overloaded CPU". They should be able to give you a list of running scripts (and # of each running) when the "overloaded CPU" issue occurred. If they are unable to give you details... It might be time to move to another hosting provider...

The questions asked by responsivezc would also be useful for you to answer. The more relevant information you can provide the more likely someone will be able to help.

Note: It would probably be most productive to sort out the cause of the "overload CPU" issues. If you are hitting a limit on the hosting provider and they are cutting off processing on your account when it happens... Things will most likely continue to get worse (and potentially result in more damage).

lhungil:

You've also reported some potential issues in some other threads... Like plugins which have stopped working (with no change on your part)... Or plugins having issues reading / writing to the database... All without you changing anything for over 3 months... Could be something more at play here with the hosting provider... Such as changes made to the server... Or corrupted data / files on their hardware... Or their server (or your account) was hacked...

If you have not already done so, it would be wise to make a full backup (files and database) of your website. This backup should not be stored on the hosting provider's equipment. Once backed up, the instructions for recovering from hacks may be useful (especially the "Check ALL your files for unauthorized changes" section).

As stevesh suggested, you should get a list of what your hosting provider has reported as the root cause of the "overloaded CPU". They should be able to give you a list of running scripts (and # of each running) when the "overloaded CPU" issue occurred. If they are unable to give you details... It might be time to move to another hosting provider...

The questions asked by responsivezc would also be useful for you to answer. The more relevant information you can provide the more likely someone will be able to help.

Note: It would probably be most productive to sort out the cause of the "overload CPU" issues. If you are hitting a limit on the hosting provider and they are cutting off processing on your account when it happens... Things will most likely continue to get worse (and potentially result in more damage).

Thank you again so much for your response. This is the CPU usage report that I received:

Your consumption of CPU resources:
Date CPU - min Number of Process Disk usage, Kb File quota
Aug. 28, 2013 38.02 4042 5568520 133327
Aug. 27, 2013 172.77 21094 5567316 133324
Aug. 26, 2013 151.09 17259 5558268 133205
Aug. 25, 2013 125.72 12866 5554404 133116
Aug. 24, 2013 73.53 8737 5547492 133077
Aug. 23, 2013 71.29 9898 5547560 133023
Aug. 22, 2013 70.69 7813 5545364 132957

I've since made some small changes as suggested through the zen-cart troubleshooting guide. My hosting company has reported that the changes made was enough to reduce the usage. I was able to work out the other issues so far. I'll see how this works out for now before delving into more confusion that I don't understand much of. Thank you again. You are all so very helpful.

joyjoy:

............I've since made some small changes as suggested through the zen-cart troubleshooting guide. .....

Could you tell us what 'small changes' you made please.

joyjoy:

Thank you again so much for your response. This is the CPU usage report that I received:

Your consumption of CPU resources:
Date CPU - min Number of Process Disk usage, Kb File quota
Aug. 28, 2013 38.02 4042 5568520 133327
Aug. 27, 2013 172.77 21094 5567316 133324
Aug. 26, 2013 151.09 17259 5558268 133205
Aug. 25, 2013 125.72 12866 5554404 133116
Aug. 24, 2013 73.53 8737 5547492 133077
Aug. 23, 2013 71.29 9898 5547560 133023
Aug. 22, 2013 70.69 7813 5545364 132957

I would also suggest you begin the process of changing hosts. If those numbers mean anything at all to you, you're a lot more knowledgable than I am. Your host owes you a complete explanation.