Major Cf Network Upgrade

[Erwin]

I'm going to upgrade CF's hardware.

Basically, we are going to get a few more webservers and change our server cluster setup. :)

I've made the order.

We'll have ONE load balancer, FOUR P4 2.4 dedicated web servers, ONE P4 3.2 dedicated image server and ONE Dual Xeon 2.8 dedicated database server. Talk about a crazy server network. ;)

The Web
|
Load balancer
| | | |
4 webservers - 1 image server
| | | |
1 database server

This should mean absolutely NO slowdown of CF for years to come, you'd expect. This new server cluster setup on a private network should mean that we can easily add more web servers if we need to.

This is going to cost me THOUSANDS to setup and THOUSANDS per month. :) Pray that we get the finances required to carry this through. It's a step of faith. ;)

[Erwin]

This upgrade will mean a day or two of downtime, possibly early next week (I've taken a few days off work). We'll see how we go. ;)

[Zacharias]

This is going to cost me THOUSANDS to setup and THOUSANDS per month. :) Pray that we get the finances required to carry this through. It's a step of faith. ;)

:prayer: :crossrc: :amen:

[JD from Scrubs]

This upgrade will mean a day or two of downtime, possibly early next week (I've taken a few days off work). We'll see how we go. ;)
I recently became a regular CF member, and I became a proud "Site Supporter" today. I hope my contributions and prayers will encourage others to do the same thing! :prayer: :pray: :prayer:

gb&po (God bless & peace out)
-J.Dizzle

p.s. THANKS ERWIN for EVERYthing! You and your site are truly doing God's Work!

[Zackmeister]

Cool beans. Thank you for creating this site.

[crossrunner]

I will continue to support your site financially to the best of my ability. I believe that God will continue to bless your work.

[PaladinGirl]

Wow thanks Erwin! :clap:

[CPman2004]

This upgrade will mean a day or two of downtime, possibly early next week (I've taken a few days off work). We'll see how we go. ;)
Um. I forsee some CF withdraw happening ;)

I pray that God will provide. You are sacraficing a lot for us, and God will bless you for it.

[Snowy]

whoa! :eek: :clap: :pray:ing for help on the costs of all this

[Matrona]

I'm going to upgrade CF's hardware.

Basically, we are going to get a few more webservers and change our server cluster setup. :)

I've made the order.
Erwin, you're my personal hero.

[d0c markus]

This upgrade will mean a day or two of downtime, possibly early next week (I've taken a few days off work). We'll see how we go. ;)
Man... I seriously dont know what Im going to do with myself, one can only visit the drudge report so many times because its not constantly updated but here you can read and read.

:)

[joyshirley]

[QUOTE=CPman2004]Um. I forsee some CF withdraw happening ;)]

True, I fear. ;)

Erwin, I'm amazed at all you do for us here in CF. Bless you and your wife, and may God bless you with all that is needed to continue on in this ministry. I hope you get some downtime yourself in these days you've taken off. :)

[Erwin]

I just got a tentative quote on the setup. :eek:

It's not pretty. Mmm... I'm negotiating the price at the moment...

[d0c markus]

Just prayed for you. If the Lord so wills that you get a good rate, you so shall.

[krstlros]

Just let us know when the shutdown will be so we "addicts" can prepare ourselves for the major withdrawals.

[Radagast]

What about the software limitations? Are they sorted now?

-- Radagast

[A4C]

Its times like these that we should choose not to speak against the prosperity message

[* kittie *]

down for a day or two?
eek warn me so i can sleep in. heh j/k (whoa..i noticed that just about everyone said similar things).

cool. awesome. thank you.

[AdJesumPerMariam]

Erwin, thank you so much for this site, and the dedication to keeping it running!

[skysthelimit]

Erwin you are doing an awesome job. I hope the price isn't too horrific for that setup. I'm praying for you :prayer:

[Veritas]

This is going to cost me THOUSANDS to setup and THOUSANDS per month. :) Pray that we get the finances required to carry this through. It's a step of faith. ;)
Erwin,

I'd like to donate, but I don't have a paypal account and I don't want one. (I use to have one and had some problems and cancelled the account). Could you please provide me with info. on how to contribute without this method. You can PM me the instructions. Thanks!

[JessLovesPugs]

I agree with the person above me I'd love to donate but also don't have a paypal account and can't get a paypal account or I would definately donate I love this site!! Thanks for all the time and money and lack of sleep you put it into it it really is the best site out there.

[skysthelimit]

Actually.....I'm going to third that. ;) I don't want a paypal account, but I still want to contribute to the site. Are there any alternate methods out there Erwin? Or is paypal the only way?

[Erwin]

Mmm... at the moment Paypal is the most cost-effective way, essentially because Australian Banks here do not take US bank checks or money orders, and any International Checks in US currency cost me $8 per check to deposit.

Paypal also has the advantage of being instant, and is integrated into CF so account upgrades are automated.

Australian members have the option of direct bank funds transfer. Not sure if US members can do that with an Australian bank.

One question for US members - is it easy for you to get International Checks in Australian dollars? That would be ideal. My apologies for the difficulties. :)

[Erwin]

Erwin, thank you so much for this site, and the dedication to keeping it running!
Well, it's 5 am now, and I've been up all night negotiating the cost of the new hardware. :) Time for me to sleep now.

[Erwin]

What about the software limitations? Are they sorted now?

-- Radagast
It's really an operating system limitation. I'm looking at possible work-arounds.

[Matrona]

It's really an operating system limitation. I'm looking at possible work-arounds.
Is there anything at all we can do to help keep your cost down?

I really cannot spare any money at the moment, but I don't want CF to have to go away, either. I met my boyfriend (Michael the Iconographer) here, in TAW! :clap:

[skysthelimit]

hmm.......not sure about that Erwin. Maybe when I turn 18 I'll be able to start using paypal, but until then I can't.

[jenptcfan]

Once I figure out how to use my paypal account, I'll try to donate. It probably won't be much, but every little bit helps, right? ;)

[CaDan]

I just got a tentative quote on the setup. :eek:

It's not pretty. Mmm... I'm negotiating the price at the moment...

Maybe you should submit your problem as an "Ask Slashdot". In all the threads about Apple computers there are guys who boast about how they are able to assemble über-gaming machines from spare parts, chewing gum, and purchases at newegg.com for a total of about $49.99. I'm sure they'd be able to help you out! :)

[CaDan]

One question for US members - is it easy for you to get International Checks in Australian dollars? That would be ideal. My apologies for the difficulties. :)

A few years ago I had to get a money order (a form of bank check) in Canadian dollars to pay the Ministry of Justice in Ontario to serve a defendant in Sarnia. The cost was OUTRAGEOUS--something like $US 50.00.

I ended up contacting my sister in law in Toronto and sending her a reglar business check and having her purchas a bank check at her bank.

[d0c markus]

Is there anything at all we can do to help keep your cost down?

I really cannot spare any money at the moment, but I don't want CF to have to go away, either. I met my boyfriend (Michael the Iconographer) here, in TAW! :clap:
Thats awesome! :)

[Melly Monster]

Man I wish I could donate to the site but I'm as broke as a joke lol. Hummm Maybe if I get some money for Christmas lol cus just comeing here is a blessing so :D

[Erwin]

Maybe you should submit your problem as an "Ask Slashdot". In all the threads about Apple computers there are guys who boast about how they are able to assemble über-gaming machines from spare parts, chewing gum, and purchases at newegg.com for a total of about $49.99. I'm sure they'd be able to help you out! :)
I lease my hardware - that way I can keep upgrading. :) Expensive in the short-term, but overall I think it's most cost-effective.

[Matrona]

Thats awesome! :)
Thanks! Meeting Michael here isn't the only reason I love CF, but it is a big one.

[Michelina]

Uniting Christians.

www.christianforums.com/~Erwin
__________________
Dr. Erwin Loh
Webmaster

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God

[pgp_protector]

Just Renewed My Subscription

[no_worries]

About the people's inability to use PayPal and the cost of international checks... would it be possible to set it up where there was a person (like a Mod or someone) in America that checks could be sent to and then they could transfer the money with PayPal or whatever and set the user as a site supporter and send them the blessings?
Just a thought on how to make it more convenient for people to become site supporters.

[pgp_protector]

About the people's inability to use PayPal and the cost of international checks... would it be possible to set it up where there was a person (like a Mod or someone) in America that checks could be sent to and then they could transfer the money with PayPal or whatever and set the user as a site supporter and send them the blessings?
Just a thought on how to make it more convenient for people to become site supporters.

That would work as long as

1) Erwin Knows this person can be trusted
2) The People doing the donatons know that there would be a delay while the checks cleared.

I would hate to see the person voluntearig to get hit with bounced check fees if there was a bad check in the ones sent to them.

That or just use Money Orders.

[AdJesumPerMariam]

Money orders or cashiers checks.

[Serapha]

Hi there!





In the United States, go the the Post Office and purchase an international money order..





International Postal Money Orders

This service allows funds to be transferred to individuals or firms overseas. The destination country must have an agreement with the U.S. Postal Service for exchanging postal money orders.

The maximum amount for a single international money order is $700.00, but some countries have a lower maximum amount. The fee for an international postal money order is $3.25. Consult your local Post Office facility for additional details.

Domestic postal money order forms are negotiable only in the United States and its possessions. Domestic money orders should not be purchased for use outside the United States and its territorial possessions.




You submit your money and paperwork, and the Post Office issues the money order in the Australian dollars.



~serapha~