Scott in Oklahoma - What's up with this message?

[Skinhead]

Scott,

I seem to get this error VERY frequently

Connection Problems
Sorry, SMF was unable to connect to the database. This may be caused by the server being busy. Please try again later.

Today twice in about 2 hrs.  Is this a problem for everyone, or am I just living right?

[Kaiser]

Obviously, I'm not Scott.  But, I seem to recall that he posted a few weeks back that the database server is pretty maxed out right now.  (This was part of his response to a question about creating a Facebook-esque "Like" button for posts).

You are not the only one.  Usually, it goes away in a few minutes.  The only time it is really a pisser is if you are trying to make a long-winded post and it happens.  Simple solution: copy your response before hitting the button.  If you get booted off, just come back a few minutes later - paste in your response, and you should be good to go.

[Garfield]

Same here Skinhead, 2 or 3 times already today.

[mirion]

I get it pretty regular when I check in at noon EST

[Jabba]

I get it a lot too.

Ya get what ya pay for!   

Jabba

[Willow]

Connection Problems
Sorry, SMF was unable to connect to the database. This may be caused by the server being busy. Please try again later. 

As strictly an amateur in this specific area, I think what it's trying to tell us is the server may be busy and we'll have more success if we try again when the server can be contacted.    

You are not the only one.  Usually, it goes away in a few minutes.  The only time it is really a pisser is if you are trying to make a long-winded post and it happens.  Simple solution: copy your response before hitting the button.  If you get booted off, just come back a few minutes later - paste in your response, and you should be good to go.

I've had pretty consistent success at just back arrowing to my cached post and trying again when it's available.

Seriously, I doubt the "server busy" excuse.  I suspect, again as an amateur, that the network on which the server resides is being temporarily overwhelmed by an application other than ours.

We don't always get everything we pay for, but most of the time we do.      

[Bobbo]

Some internet providers use a "throttle" to control bandwidth usage by lower priority subscribers.  I'm just guessing that it may be the reason for the message.

[Skinhead]

You'd think with all the money I've shelled out over the years for VRCC membership dues that they powers that be could spring for some new superwhamedyne equipment to correct the problem.  (Or at least for a working sarcasm font)

Seriously, I've tried the back arrow thingy (I hope I'm not getting too technical for our amateur) and it has never worked.  It just seems to happen at the most importune times, and with increasing frequency.

But aside from all that, you admins are doing a fine job!  I think you should double your salaries.

[Willow]

Some internet providers use a "throttle" to control bandwidth usage by lower priority subscribers.  I'm just guessing that it may be the reason for the message.

Again, it's strictly an amateur's observation, but it doesn't seem to me to be a bandwidth issue as the times I've encountered the inconvenience don't seem to correspond with our periods of highest activity.   That leaves open either neighbors in the network or our own non-internet related functions.

But aside from all that, you admins are doing a fine job!  I think you should double your salaries.

I'll bring it up at the next meeting.  I was going to suggest triple, but your approach sounds good too.    

[sugerbear]

i get it pretty regularly at 10am -12 noon.
just go away for a while, come back and it's working again

[Scott in Ok]

Its a database issue.  Mysql gets overwhelmed at certain times of the day, and refuses connections until all the queries finish running and then starts back up.  I'm working with our server guy to get it resolved, but its taking longer than expected.  I've done a few things to make it better, but the final solution is yet to come. 

Ironically enough, it doesn't happen during the highest traffic times of the day.

Thanks for being patient as we work through it.....

-Scott

[Bobbo]

Some internet providers use a "throttle" to control bandwidth usage by lower priority subscribers.  I'm just guessing that it may be the reason for the message.

Again, it's strictly an amateur's observation, but it doesn't seem to me to be a bandwidth issue as the times I've encountered the inconvenience don't seem to correspond with our periods of highest activity.   That leaves open either neighbors in the network or our own non-internet related functions.

Mine is also an amateur guess, but the bandwidth I mentioned is overall bandwidth.   When higher priority subscribers are using all available bandwidth, ours may be throttled back to zero.