Server Difficulties 12/18/11

[Alexandre]

A little more than an hour ago, an artist uploaded an animation to the server.  We still have a few websites hosted here, and we're glad to support our artists.  However, the file size was 106 MB, and it has easily been downloaded over 1,000 times in this short period.

Because of this, we have had server difficulties during the last hour or two.  WhiteShepherd is currently working to smooth out all the issues, and I expect the mad rush will die down over the next several hours (especially since the artist has started a torrent).  We will keep you updated as we work through these issues.

[Mylo]

Actually, I kind of like the new all-white theme with Times New Roman.  Very classy

[redyoshi49q]

Is the animation's name by chance "Cascade"? </joke>

Thanks for letting us know.

[Kobuk]

Actually, I kind of like the new all-white theme with Times New Roman.  Very classy

Actually, the theme might change from person to person or whenever somebody logs in/logs out. Sometimes it can be white, and other times it's the classic black Furtopia theme. I've been experiencing this myself all afternoon.

[WhiteShepherd]

The outage should be over.  I am currently in the process of switching the affected artist account into a higher capacity configuration.

[Kada-Ru]

what does this mean:  (especially since the artist has started a torrent)

[redyoshi49q]

what does this mean:  (especially since the artist has started a torrent)

A torrent is a small file that maintains a list of computers on the Internet that are hosting a particular file for download.  One who downloads a file through a torrent can then choose to host that file for others to download through the same torrent later on.  A torrent lessens the server's bandwidth demand of hosting its corresponding file because those who download a file through a torrent will download only part of the file from the server; the remainder (and in theory, the bulk) of the file will come from previous downloaders who choose to allow the file to be downloaded from their computer.  Therefore, the server does not do all the work of distributing the file, and (the server's) bandwidth is saved.

Hosting a large download for a large audience under traditional file hosting is like showing a complicated blueprint to 100 people, one at a time, so that they can make a copy for themselves.  Hosting a torrent instead would be like doing the same thing, except each person who already copied the blueprint would then show their copy to others who had not yet seen your copy.  For large files that many people want to download at once, torrents are a much more efficient distribution method.

[Avan]

Is the animation's name by chance "Cascade"? </joke>

Thanks for letting us know.

I was going to make a related joke, but I got 503'ed 

[Alexandre]

You guys are silly

Anyway, Kada, a torrent is a legal way to reduce download stress from a single server, instead distributing the load across several computers.  This torrent has significantly reduced the traffic we've received for the file, so it's definitely a good thing

[Foxpup]

Anyway, Kada, a torrent is a legal way to reduce download stress from a single server, instead distributing the load across several computers.  This torrent has significantly reduced the traffic we've received for the file, so it's definitely a good thing

Wait, you mean there are illegal ways to reduce server stress? This changes everything!

[Alsek]

No,  they're not foxpup.  They can be used for illegal purposes,  but it's not illegal when the artist releases their own work this way.

[Alexandre]

No,  they're not foxpup.  They can be used for illegal purposes,  but it's not illegal when the artist releases their own work this way.

This exactly.