MediaWiki-l October 2012

mediawiki-l@lists.wikimedia.org

62 participants
55 discussions

What to do with an overstressed server?
by David Gerard 21 Oct '12

21 Oct '12

The problem: In general, rationalwiki.org is melting under the strain. We can't quite afford the next step up right this moment, though want to plan for it, and need to keep things from intermittently blowing up as they are. We live on a 4GB Linode. I don't have a full handle on what we've got on it - it's accreted in an ad-hoc fashion with some horrible bodges - but there's several MediaWikis, only one of which (rationalwiki.org) has any appreciable traffic. There's Lucene search, which is of course huge in memory. rationalwiki.org is running via libphp5, the other wikis are via fastcgi (for no particular reason). The wikis have a huge pile of extensions, e.g. http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Special:Version , a lot of which are local things. Whenever an article hits Reddit,[1] the server suffers under the load. Typically it goes into swap and thrashes itself to death. If we're really lucky the oom-killer comes out to play and shoots things randomly (usually Apache, maybe Lucene). The fun bit: sometimes it does this for no visible reason, just tips over into swap and promptly stops talking to the world (my shell session still works slowly). Per advice from here I've re-enabled keepalive, setting it to 10 requests and 2 seconds. This does speed things up a bit for the users. I haven't put a cache on the front as yet, still letting MediaWiki's file cache do that. apc is running (99.8% cache hit rate, so that's fine) and memcached (90% cache hit rate, upped it from 64MB to 128MB and it's still about 90%). So second thing we need to work out what our next stage of evolution is (the 8GB Linode for $200/mo more? [2] or multiple servers? Distributed how?) - and the first thing we need to work out how not to make the box melt in the meantime. Clues welcomed! - d. [1] usually a joke article, like http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Scientific_evidence_of_evolution_being_a_hoax ... nothing we've actually worked hard on *hand to forehead* [2] this appears pretty typical pricing for non-crappy hosting

11 16

Is Oracle DB still being supported?
by andrew fabbro 19 Oct '12

19 Oct '12

I'm trying to get MediaWiki going with Oracle as the backend. It is listed as ready for beta test in the 1.17 release notes. "Oracle Database support has been improved, and is now ready for beta testing...Oracle support is not yet recommended for use in production." I haven't seen any mention of Oracle since 1.17. I've hit several showstopper bugs in the installer which makes me wonder if Oracle support is still being worked on. I realize it's beta, but these are "you can't get past the installer using Oracle" types of things. Examples are bugs 41063 and 41146 which I filed this week. . I'm not asking about those bugs per se, but rather an overall question - is Oracle support still being actively developed or has it fallen to the wayside? If it's no longer really being worked on, cool, I'll switch gears...if it is, then I'll wait on the bugs. Hopefully this doesn't come off as whinging - just asking overall about Oracle support for MW. Thanks!

2 1

SMTP Setup Issues
by Mills, Douglas 18 Oct '12

18 Oct '12

To whom it may concern, I was in the IRC channel and sumanah had recommended that I inquire about my issue via the mailing list, so here goes. I am trying to set up SMTP use for my MediaWiki Server. I am running Windows Server 2008. I have installed all of the Pear Mail modules to get this running, however when I enter the variables for $wgSMTP I am getting several lines of errors. SMTP is running on my local machine and does not require any form of authentication: $wgEmailEmail = true; $wgEnableUserEmail = true; $wgSMTP = array( 'host' => "localhost", //could also be an IP address 'IDHost' => "wiki.notify.net", 'port' => 25, 'auth' => false ); However, when I create a new account, attempt to send the e-mail for a password reset, I am getting the following errors: Strict Standards: Non-static method Mail::factory() should not be called statically in C:\xampp\htdocs\wiki\includes\UserMailer.php on line 245 Strict Standards: Non-static method PEAR::isError() should not be called statically in C:\xampp\htdocs\wiki\includes\UserMailer.php on line 246 Strict Standards: Non-static method PEAR::isError() should not be called statically, assuming $this from incompatible context in C:\xampp\php\pear\Mail\smtp.php on line 365 Strict Standards: Non-static method PEAR::isError() should not be called statically, assuming $this from incompatible context in C:\xampp\php\pear\Net\SMTP.php on line 450 Strict Standards: Non-static method PEAR::isError() should not be called statically, assuming $this from incompatible context in C:\xampp\php\pear\Net\SMTP.php on line 467 Strict Standards: Non-static method PEAR::isError() should not be called statically, assuming $this from incompatible context in C:\xampp\php\pear\Net\SMTP.php on line 474 Strict Standards: Non-static method PEAR::isError() should not be called statically, assuming $this from incompatible context in C:\xampp\php\pear\Net\SMTP.php on line 517 Strict Standards: Non-static method PEAR::isError() should not be called statically, assuming $this from incompatible context in C:\xampp\php\pear\Net\SMTP.php on line 265 Strict Standards: Non-static method PEAR::isError() should not be called statically, assuming $this from incompatible context in C:\xampp\php\pear\Net\SMTP.php on line 521 Strict Standards: Non-static method PEAR::isError() should not be called statically, assuming $this from incompatible context in C:\xampp\php\pear\Mail\smtp.php on line 249 Strict Standards: Non-static method PEAR::isError() should not be called statically, assuming $this from incompatible context in C:\xampp\php\pear\Mail\smtp.php on line 285 Strict Standards: Non-static method PEAR::isError() should not be called statically, assuming $this from incompatible context in C:\xampp\php\pear\Net\SMTP.php on line 952 Strict Standards: Non-static method PEAR::isError() should not be called statically, assuming $this from incompatible context in C:\xampp\php\pear\Net\SMTP.php on line 265 Strict Standards: Non-static method PEAR::isError() should not be called statically, assuming $this from incompatible context in C:\xampp\php\pear\Net\SMTP.php on line 955 Strict Standards: Non-static method Mail_RFC822::parseAddressList() should not be called statically, assuming $this from incompatible context in C:\xampp\php\pear\Mail.php on line 253 Strict Standards: Non-static method PEAR::isError() should not be called statically, assuming $this from incompatible context in C:\xampp\php\pear\Net\SMTP.php on line 982 Strict Standards: Non-static method PEAR::isError() should not be called statically, assuming $this from incompatible context in C:\xampp\php\pear\Net\SMTP.php on line 265 Strict Standards: Non-static method PEAR::isError() should not be called statically, assuming $this from incompatible context in C:\xampp\php\pear\Net\SMTP.php on line 985 Strict Standards: Non-static method PEAR::isError() should not be called statically, assuming $this from incompatible context in C:\xampp\php\pear\Net\SMTP.php on line 1063 Strict Standards: Non-static method PEAR::isError() should not be called statically, assuming $this from incompatible context in C:\xampp\php\pear\Net\SMTP.php on line 265 Strict Standards: Non-static method PEAR::isError() should not be called statically, assuming $this from incompatible context in C:\xampp\php\pear\Net\SMTP.php on line 1066 Strict Standards: Non-static method PEAR::isError() should not be called statically, assuming $this from incompatible context in C:\xampp\php\pear\Net\SMTP.php on line 1126 Strict Standards: Non-static method PEAR::isError() should not be called statically, assuming $this from incompatible context in C:\xampp\php\pear\Net\SMTP.php on line 265 Strict Standards: Non-static method PEAR::isError() should not be called statically, assuming $this from incompatible context in C:\xampp\php\pear\Net\SMTP.php on line 1136 Strict Standards: Non-static method PEAR::isError() should not be called statically, assuming $this from incompatible context in C:\xampp\php\pear\Net\SMTP.php on line 265 Strict Standards: Non-static method PEAR::isError() should not be called statically, assuming $this from incompatible context in C:\xampp\php\pear\Net\SMTP.php on line 1141 Strict Standards: Non-static method PEAR::isError() should not be called statically, assuming $this from incompatible context in C:\xampp\php\pear\Net\SMTP.php on line 491 Strict Standards: Non-static method PEAR::isError() should not be called statically, assuming $this from incompatible context in C:\xampp\php\pear\Net\SMTP.php on line 265 Strict Standards: Non-static method PEAR::isError() should not be called statically, assuming $this from incompatible context in C:\xampp\php\pear\Net\SMTP.php on line 494 Strict Standards: Non-static method PEAR::isError() should not be called statically, assuming $this from incompatible context in C:\xampp\php\pear\Net\SMTP.php on line 497 Strict Standards: Non-static method PEAR::isError() should not be called statically in C:\xampp\htdocs\wiki\includes\UserMailer.php on line 101 Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at C:\xampp\php\pear\Net\SMTP.php:265) in C:\xampp\htdocs\wiki\includes\WebResponse.php on line 78 Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at C:\xampp\php\pear\Net\SMTP.php:265) in C:\xampp\htdocs\wiki\includes\WebResponse.php on line 78 Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at C:\xampp\php\pear\Net\SMTP.php:265) in C:\xampp\htdocs\wiki\includes\WebResponse.php on line 78 Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at C:\xampp\php\pear\Net\SMTP.php:265) in C:\xampp\htdocs\wiki\includes\WebResponse.php on line 38 Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at C:\xampp\php\pear\Net\SMTP.php:265) in C:\xampp\htdocs\wiki\includes\WebResponse.php on line 38 Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at C:\xampp\php\pear\Net\SMTP.php:265) in C:\xampp\htdocs\wiki\includes\WebResponse.php on line 38 Thank You, Douglas E. Mills IT Administrator Notify Technology Corporation 330-702-3070 x189 dmills(a)notifycorp.com<mailto:dmills@notifycorp.com>

2 6

command line export templates
by Chris 17 Oct '12

17 Oct '12

Does anyone know how to export only templates on the command line ? thanks, Chris

3 4

Re: [MediaWiki-l] Apache KeepAlive on or off?
by Jan Steinman 17 Oct '12

17 Oct '12

> From: David Gerard <dgerard(a)gmail.com> > >> The MW file cache might be fast, but Squid is always going to be faster. > > We're quite fond of our "This article has been viewed x times" at the > bottom of the pages, though I'm quite aware that's an expensive > affectation that we may well have outgrown. I think it's just a simple database query. At least I have a "mw_hitcounter" MEMORY table in my database. But maybe it's leftover cruft from past upgrades... ---------------- :::: Some of the current attempts at energy accounting, like the triple bottom line, are an absolute a joke. They're an insult to children even in terms of their intellectual content, because they try and compare vague abstractions of social and environmental values -- just dot pointed -- against a completely econometric financial accounting system of an organization which is actually doing the work. -- David Holmgren :::: Jan Steinman, EcoReality Co-op ::::

5 5

partial page read access ?
by Chris 15 Oct '12

15 Oct '12

Anyone know of how I can have an element in a mediawiki page be displayed or not depending on user permissions ? thanks, Chris

1 0

AUTO: Patrick King is out of the office (returning 10/22/2012)
by Patrick King 15 Oct '12

15 Oct '12

I am out of the office until 10/22/2012. Currently in JNCIE-ENT training. For any issues regarding Classroom Connect, please call the Metrotech desk at 718-935-5424 and/or email nycboew(a)us.ibm.com Note: This is an automated response to your message "MediaWiki-l Digest, Vol 109, Issue 20" sent on 10/15/2012 8:00:14. This is the only notification you will receive while this person is away.

1 0

Extension Distributor not working
by MOLINES Nathalie 15 Oct '12

15 Oct '12

Hello, Just to let you know that I think that the extension distributor is not working. I'm trying to download the Validator extension for an 1.19.x Mediawiki release and after selecting the MediaWiki version I have this error message : nvalid response from Extension Distributor remote client. Thanks to notify me when the problem is fixed! Regards, Nathalie AVIS : Ce courrier et ses pieces jointes sont destines a leur seul destinataire et peuvent contenir des informations confidentielles appartenant a bioMerieux. Si vous n'etes pas destinataire, vous etes informe que toute lecture, divulgation, ou reproduction de ce message et des pieces jointes est strictement interdite. Si vous avez recu ce message par erreur merci d'en prevenir l'expediteur et de le detruire, ainsi que ses pieces jointes. NOTICE: This message and attachments are intended only for the use of their addressee and may contain confidential information belonging to bioMerieux. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any reading, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this message, or any attachment, is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the original sender immediately and delete this message, along with any attachments.

1 0

Apache KeepAlive on or off?
by David Gerard 15 Oct '12

15 Oct '12

(I have just accepted root on rationalwiki.org and am looking around in slight horror. I will be sending a few messages like this.) Apache comes with KeepAlive on by default. I am unconvinced this is actually a good idea. I just switched it off and it appears to have no ill effects, and the server has 400MB more free memory. (Ubuntu 10.04 Linode with 4GB RAM. Six wikis, Lucene search being really fat.) The only mention I can see on mediawiki.org is in http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Manual:Newcomers_guide_to_installing_on_Windo… , where it's one of the defaults they say nothing about. Apache connections are really pretty damn cheap these days. Is KeepAlive actually a good or bad thing for MediaWiki? - d.

4 6

What can cause occasional blank watchlists?
by David Gerard 15 Oct '12

15 Oct '12

I'm getting reports on rationalwiki.org of occasional blank watchlists. The symptoms are that a completely empty page loads immediately. It's running 1.19.1 in Ubuntu 10.04 with Apache 2.2.14-ubuntu. Of course, I changed *two* things last night: (a) cut max memory for PHP from 256MB to 64MB (b) switched off KeepAlive in Apache. (I'm quite keen to keep both of these, as the server CPU and memory went *right* down.) The confusing thing is the Apache logs don't show any "200 0" for Special:Watchlist, at all. So either it's serving something that renders as a blank page, or something before Apache, which should be nothing whatsoever, is showing a blank page. I see a few "200 0" for other pages. A bit over 1% of all connections give a 408 request timeout - but the request timeout is 300 seconds, which is quite huge enough. I've asked people having the problem to email me with their IP and the time, so I can go log-grovelling. But has anyone else seen this, and what caused it? - d.

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MediaWiki-l October 2012