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Sep-15-2004 17:34

Today, I moved the Sleuth server a new hosting location. Possibly as a result of this, the server has lost it's connection to the internet a few times. When that happens, it can take up to an hour to come back up. I've been working very hard trying to figure out what the problem is so I can fix it, but it might take a few days before I can fully clear it up.

I am really very sorry about the spotty service. If you feel the need to vent about it, you can do so on this thread.

I don't think the problem is due to anything specific in the Sleuth application, but if you do notice that doing something in particular in the game seems to lead to the rapid shutdown of the server, let me know and I can check it out.

Again, I hope to have this issue cleared up in the next day or two. Thanks for your patience.

Sep-15-2004 19:19

Ben,

Thanks for posting the information so clearly. Yes, it IS annoying - kind of like cutting off someone's supply to a drug or something, asking us to go cold turkey like this! But posting the info right on the first page made clear what was going on, and I can live with that. (Okay, I admit it - barely :)

Sep-15-2004 21:16

Ben, it is entirely your fault for making a game we cannot live without. We have grown adicted to the game, and I guess this means we will just have to spend time with our families or something. Our television actually got turned on this evening! How dare it, the dust was incredible.

I understand there can be technical dificulties and hope this change is best in the long run. I know you don't disrupt our lives on purpose, or do you?

Sep-16-2004 10:22

Yes, this server move was necessary. At the old location, I had to rely on other people if I needed to access it. Now, I have my own key and can get into that thing anytime I need to. These problems that have popped up are still a bit of a mystery to me, but I'm zeroing in on the cause. Eventually, service will improve since I'll have physical access to the machine.

Sep-17-2004 15:46

Just an update. The nice fast rackmount server Sleuth was running on has gone feet-up. Although the game is up and running again, it is much slower than usual. That's because we're using an older machine that Sleuth had already outgorwn several months ago. So, I'll do my best to get the faster machine working quickly (I need to track down a qualified service person. In the meantime, sorry about how slow everything is.

Sep-17-2004 16:11

No worries Ben. For a few bucks, I have been entertained for many hours. I appreciate your hard work, and continueing trying to improve this game. I am sure I can speak for many others here.

Sep-18-2004 17:55

Okay, I thought the slow server was a pain, and I have been cursing it, I admit. But I just had an epiphany! Ben, if it takes us twice as long to solve a case, you are providing more hours of fun and enjoyment. So this is like an extra value; double your pleasure, double your fun! Right? :)

Sep-19-2004 00:35

Heh, thanks for the affirmation Falco. I'll try to do away with that particular added service soon.

Sep-19-2004 22:05

Game Server Back Up

After several days using a slower backup server, we returned the faster Sleuth Server to service Sunday night. We are very sorry for the extended problems, but it looks like things are working well now. Due to the spotty service over the last few days, we have credited all current subscribers with an extra 5 days on their subscriptions. Thanks again for you patience.

Sep-19-2004 23:48

In case anybody is wondering, the problem was that the main Sleuth server's two network interfaces burned out. In the end it wasn't that hard to just stick a new PCI nic card in. There were a few things adding up that made it a difficult problem to diagnose, though.

One, the problem happened to flare up right after I physically moved the server. So, at first I suspected it had to do with the change in the network environment. Turned out to just be a coincidence.

Two, the machine has two integrated NIC interfaces. Since neither was working, I thought a software related cause was more likely than a hardware one. However what I didn't know was that the two interfaces actually share a lot of circuitry, so they seem to have burned out together. Also, since they are integrated interfaces instead of pci cards, they can't be physically removed. It took a little searching to figure out how to turn them off through the bios.

Sep-21-2004 11:44

Excellent Ben thanks, excellent incident management. It is working like a charm again!