Three months ago I started looking at an alternative web server to serve URL redirects.  The need arose when I found that Apache web server would consume a lot of system memory when testing simulated spikes to the server.  Apache could handle between 1,200 to 1,700 requests a second.  Though the number of requests per second was satisfactory, the memory usage when these simulated spikes was concerning.

I did some research and came across Lighttpd web server, also known as Lighty.  Lighty took some time to figure out, but once I did I found the XML style configuration files were not hard to implement and understand.  I did find the rewriting to be rather limited in comparison to the mod_rewrite module found in Apache.  Never the less, I was able to duplicate the rewrite that I had in Apache in Lighty.  For my application, I did have to modify the Lighty source code that way redirects returned a 302 HTTP response (It defaulted to 301 without any way of changing in the configuration files).

After performing similar tests with the same server configured with Lighty, I found that Lighty could handle between 3,900-4,100 requests per second.  On top of this, memory usage was minimized to only a fraction of the total memory available on the server.  Processor usage did increase, but was not substantial enough to warrant the change.

I am currently experimenting with combining Lighty with Apache services on one server in order to utilize the best of both worlds.  See my post on the lighttpd.net forums: http://forum.lighttpd.net/topic/13830

Lighty may be able to also serve dynamic PHP files using FastCGI faster than Apache.  I am still concerned that PHP will not function correctly since it is not multi-threaded friendly.  I also have security concerns based on what I’ve seem with source code being exposed with a popular web site recently, I am not ready to take on that much risk.

I’ve been doing some small home improvements the past few days.

Earlier in the week I installed a mop organizer in the pantry. The organizer works great so far and it freed up a lot of space.

Mop Organizer:

Yesterday I finally got around to replacing the broken drainage pipe for the sump pump on the side of the house. What a pain that was. I had to go to both Home Depot and Lowes and I still couldn’t just get 2 feet of pipe. I did get a deal at Lowes though, I got an 8 foot 3.25 OD drainage pipe for $3, since it was mostly damaged. Sadly, I’ve only used 8 inches of the pipe, so if you know anyone in need of some 3.25 OD drainage pipes about 1-3 feet long, let me know.

Before:

After:

And we’re ready for Halloween!

Well, I just found out about the Verizon Wireless Privacy Changes, they want to sell my information. They want to sell your information too, if your using their cell phone service. If you don’t call 1-800-333-9956 within the next few days, your information will be sold. And we’re not talking your name and address, Verizon has changed their terms so they can sell companies your calling information. They are concerned about your privacy, concerned enough to make money by removing it.

Here is a web link to Verizon’s new CPNI Privacy Information.

Well, I’ve been very busy the weeks before and the following week after the Podcast and Portable Media Expo. The trip was fun, met lots of podcasters and got to hang out with the rest of the gang. My only disappointment was with the amount of traffic at the Expo. The first two Expo’s had a mix of attendees looking at either/or podcasting or portable devices. This year, I hardly saw anyone at the expo looking for iPod type devices and there were only a couple vendors there to cater to such attendees. For the 4th expo, they have renamed the expo to the ‘New Media Expo’. This is the 4th name change as well. It’s kind of like a car show that evolved into a drivers show.

If you don’t follow podcasting, the phrase ‘New Media’ is the new buzz word to replace ‘podcasting’. It’s the same thing, just another name to confuse people.

Now, on to Halloween! This is our first Halloween since we moved into the house. There are tuns of kids in our neighborhood, so it will be intersting to see how many trick-or-treaters we see. At the apartment, we would be lucky to see any kids come. Our neighbors suggested 6-7 bags of candy, which is a lot! There are a lot of kids in this neighborhood though. From my observation walking the dog in the morning, the school bus that drives by our house picks up roughly 20+ kids between the streets just north and south of us.

When I was in elementary school I had some pretty interesting costumes. When I was really young, my favorite costume was Oscar the Grouch. After Oscar, my favorite custume was dressing up like an Army man. By 4th grade I was crafting costumes out of cardboard and construction paper. No fabric for this trick-or-treater! In 4th grade, I made a sports car out of boxes complete with head lights and a trunk to store extra candy. In 6th grade, I made a spooky ambulance using an orange pumpkin light for the siren light and had a miniature skeleton viewable from the back window.

For the first time, we’ll be handing out treats and get to see a lot of neat costumes! I can’t wait!

Oh yea, Go Tribe!