The New Server

[Simon]

OK folks, Ben asked me to post an update on the status of the new server and what's been going on with it. So, for those that are interested, here's the skinny:

The new server was constructed and brought online 1.5 weeks ago. We switched the Hero Games website over to it last weekend, and Ben put the DNS changes through to Verisign (their registrar) last Monday.

This is where we hit the first snag in what was otherwise a fairly smooth transition: There was an error in the secondary DNS entry on our new server (actually, on a different company 'upstream' from the server). This caused the DNS to keep pointing back to the old server.

This issue (which was caught by Jerry A!) has purportedly been resolved, so as DNS entries throughout the net update over the next 24 hours or so, you should find that http://www.herogames.com takes you over to the new server.

So far so good.

Now, we also ran into a problem that I take complete responsibility for: the new store software that I wrote had a "glitch" in it which caused it to take orders without completing the entry of the order into the database. For anyone that was affected by this (about 5 people, from what I understand), rest assured that you will be taken care of....your orders will be completed very shortly.

I've got this issue fixed as well. Several orders have gone through since the fix and everything would appear to be working fine.

Finally, we ran into one other problem yesterday afternoon which caused the server to go down for about half an hour.

The server is running Linux RedHat 7.3 with the stock kernel. The server went down due to a bug in the kernel. The patch which fixes this bug has been downloaded and is ready to install on the server, but we're waiting to actually run the installation (which will require disabling the server for about an hour) until we transfer the mail and user accounts from my old server onto the new one (since this will require a brief downtime on the server anyway). This transfer is set to occur early next week.

That's pretty much all the info that I have at this time. I'll be happy to answer any questions that folks have.

I apologize again for any difficulties that the problems have caused.

[TechnoViking]

Have you got iptables up and running? It is a decent tool to block DOS attacks (since you are running RedHat ).

Also, I have seen some harsh word said about Ben, Dan, and the switch over. I think Hero Games and all people involved in the web site transfer acted very professional.

Let us not forget that Hero Games was attacked, and have gone though the same ordeal, it is very hard to recover from a direct attack on your server.

Mike

[lemming]

I'll second the ip-table suggestion.

Also, there are quite a few security patches you'll want to apply as well. kernel and apache especially.

I'm running 7.3 as well and pretty much everything stock that's visible had some sort of possible hole.

[Lord Liaden]

Dan, I know that you and Ben have been working your buns to the bone dealing with this mess, and I'd like to express my appreciation for all your efforts. The new boards look and work great, and I'm confident that you'll have any remaining bugs ironed out post haste. It's been something of a trying time for us fans (though nothing compared to what you guys must have gone through), but I'd say it's been worth it. And kudos for continuing the fine HERO tradition of keeping the fans abreast of what's been happening.

Again, thank you.

[Static UK]

I can't believe that the folk at Hero HQ have been taking stick for some of the glitches that have appeared! Jeez! I liken the switch over to moving house. Who hasn't moved house with at least one thing going wrong? Surely people didn't expect the transfere to go without a glitch here and there!

I had problems registring, after the fix was sent to me, I was still having problems. Ben was great, with all the stuff going on around him, he was still able to find the time to sort me out.

Thanks Ben. I appreciate your help,as I'm sure the vast majority of board members do also.

[tenebre]

thanks for the update :-)

[Dynamo]

I hate to Me Too, but I'd like to echo the appreciation I think most of us feel for the comparatively smooth transition of the site and the boards (not to mention for the temp boards that kept us all sane). Hooray for tech-heads Ben, Dan (I think that's the d in dsimon), and Natoman!!

[Nato]

Sometimes I can't believe anything works with as much bs happens when you move servers and transfer domain names and change nameservers etc etc etc... Why can't it just be something simple, like say the product of the square root of darkness and evil prime?

Coooooool. I got called a tech head.

I'm just a ham-fisted guy who wants to post his crap on the web, so I kind of teach myself a lot of this stuff. But I'm not graceful by any means. Sometimes my head spins thinking about it but I can eventually understand what's going on.

Heck, I reformat my hard drive every once in a while just for giggles.

[Dynamo]

Originally posted by Nato
I'm just a ham-fisted guy who wants to post his crap on the web, so I kind of teach myself a lot of this stuff. But I'm not graceful by any means. Sometimes my head spins thinking about it but I can eventually understand what's going on.

You and me both, but I notice you're the one who stepped up to the plate. Thanks.

[tenebre]

Just asking,

but the problem is still occuinrg right?

i was one of the people that lost an order.

And i also wanted to order some other items. But am waiting until i know its fixed.

[misterdeath]

I ordered some download stuff yesterday afternoon, everything went smoothly.

FWIW, I suppose.

D

[Derek Hiemforth]

Originally posted by misterdeath
I ordered some download stuff yesterday afternoon, everything went smoothly.

Same here. I ordered and downloaded some HD Character Packs early this morning without a hitch.

[Simon]

The problem has been fixed.

If you're one of the folks that ran into the problem, you should email Ben....he'll get you all squared away.