AA7BQ
09-12-2004, 12:22 AM
New Database Server
If you've noticed that the website has speeded up since yesterday, it's because we've just installed a new, more powerful database server. Our old machine was a 2x300Mhz CPU Sun Ultra-2 with 768MB of RAM. It was plum tuckered out!
Our new database engine is a Sun E280R. This 64-bit industrial strength machine has dual 900Mhz processors, 4 GB of RAM, and 2x36gb 10,000 RPM Fibre channel disk drives. The disks are impressive as I've clocked them at speeds of up to 64 MB/s. In 10 seconds it can move an entire CDROM's worth of data internally. For the computer geeks in the crowd, the net size of all the QRZ databases is about 1.5Gb with another 1.2Gb in image files (QSL cards, etc). We've got plenty of room to grow!
Please bear in mind that I'm only talking about the database server here. Our main web server is a 4x450 Mhz E420R Sun with 2GB of RAM. We also operate a couple of other servers, one for name services, mail, and one dedicated to data backup.
Many thanks to all those who have made donations, purchased our products, and advertised with us during the past year. Your kindness kindness has helped make this new capacity possible.
New Groups
I installed two new Forum Groups today. We now have a new Radio Mods, Tips and Secrets (http://www.qrz.com/ib-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=SF;f=15) forum that we'll hope more folks will use to post great technical tips.
In addition, I've created a new DX Helpers (http://www.qrz.com/ib-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=SF;f=16) forum so that folks can volunteer as DX Helpers, as well as find a DX Helper when needed. As some may recall, I sent out a call for volunteers last month and got quite a few replies. My plan was to list the volunteers on a separate web page but then my senses got the better of me when I suddenly realized that a Forum would be the way to go.
DX Helpers
What is a DX Helper? New callsigns in our database can only be added by licensed amateurs. When a DX station comes to QRZ and want's to add is callsign to our database, he'll need to find an existing QRZ member to help him out. This is the place to do that. Just go to the DX Helpers page and drop a note indicating that you're willing to help. You may or may not include your email as the systems PM (private messenger) will work just as well.
If you are a DX station and need help, please go to the DX Helpers page and there you'll find a lot of kind folks who are more than willing to help you out.
Pictures
I thought folks might like to see what the QRZ computer complex looks like. Actually, it's all in one large rack cabinet in a secure data facility in downtown Phoenix. The other cabinets next to it make it look a lot bigger, but we've just got the one space. Still, it's a very good place to host the site, and the connection is "mui primo!".
http://www.qrz.com/gifs/datacenter.jpg
The QRZ Data Center (new server on cart in background)
http://www.qrz.com/gifs/datacenter2.jpg
The "technical side" of the cabinet.
73 to all,
-fred AA7BQ
If you've noticed that the website has speeded up since yesterday, it's because we've just installed a new, more powerful database server. Our old machine was a 2x300Mhz CPU Sun Ultra-2 with 768MB of RAM. It was plum tuckered out!
Our new database engine is a Sun E280R. This 64-bit industrial strength machine has dual 900Mhz processors, 4 GB of RAM, and 2x36gb 10,000 RPM Fibre channel disk drives. The disks are impressive as I've clocked them at speeds of up to 64 MB/s. In 10 seconds it can move an entire CDROM's worth of data internally. For the computer geeks in the crowd, the net size of all the QRZ databases is about 1.5Gb with another 1.2Gb in image files (QSL cards, etc). We've got plenty of room to grow!
Please bear in mind that I'm only talking about the database server here. Our main web server is a 4x450 Mhz E420R Sun with 2GB of RAM. We also operate a couple of other servers, one for name services, mail, and one dedicated to data backup.
Many thanks to all those who have made donations, purchased our products, and advertised with us during the past year. Your kindness kindness has helped make this new capacity possible.
New Groups
I installed two new Forum Groups today. We now have a new Radio Mods, Tips and Secrets (http://www.qrz.com/ib-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=SF;f=15) forum that we'll hope more folks will use to post great technical tips.
In addition, I've created a new DX Helpers (http://www.qrz.com/ib-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=SF;f=16) forum so that folks can volunteer as DX Helpers, as well as find a DX Helper when needed. As some may recall, I sent out a call for volunteers last month and got quite a few replies. My plan was to list the volunteers on a separate web page but then my senses got the better of me when I suddenly realized that a Forum would be the way to go.
DX Helpers
What is a DX Helper? New callsigns in our database can only be added by licensed amateurs. When a DX station comes to QRZ and want's to add is callsign to our database, he'll need to find an existing QRZ member to help him out. This is the place to do that. Just go to the DX Helpers page and drop a note indicating that you're willing to help. You may or may not include your email as the systems PM (private messenger) will work just as well.
If you are a DX station and need help, please go to the DX Helpers page and there you'll find a lot of kind folks who are more than willing to help you out.
Pictures
I thought folks might like to see what the QRZ computer complex looks like. Actually, it's all in one large rack cabinet in a secure data facility in downtown Phoenix. The other cabinets next to it make it look a lot bigger, but we've just got the one space. Still, it's a very good place to host the site, and the connection is "mui primo!".
http://www.qrz.com/gifs/datacenter.jpg
The QRZ Data Center (new server on cart in background)
http://www.qrz.com/gifs/datacenter2.jpg
The "technical side" of the cabinet.
73 to all,
-fred AA7BQ