An interesting dialogue is going on in the AMD thread about some of the technical aspects of Silicon Investor, but I'd like to move and continue that discussion here so I don't continue to encourage what's really an off-topic discussion there.
Especially since we're a strictly DELL/INTC/MSFT shop. ;)
Keep in mind that as of this writing, the system runs amazingly well. The database server typically runs at 2% utilization and has occasional spikes to 10% so it usually averages about 6% utilization. Pages come up quickly and the equipment isn't being overworked.
With that in mind, currently a lot of the discussion is mostly academic. And I just like talking shop with people who are well-versed in this part of my world. The whole programming/database thing.
I also see this thread as a way for the curious to get a glimpse into how the site works. After all, this was at one time the largest SQL Server-supporting-a-website installation in the world. Yes. Largest. Or was it busiest. I don't remember which, but it did hold one of those distinctions for a long time.
I don't know whether Brad had this vision of a use for SQL Server first or if MSFT did, but Brad saw the light and did it this way. And it still must be one of the larger such online public-access db's around at about 50 gig. Definitely 99th percentile in the whole internet universe. So it's working on a scale few people are ever exposed to and it's kinda fun to see how it works.
I'd also appreciate it if the database and ASP/ASPX savvy among our users would bookmark and participate here, as you never know when these academic discussions might suddenly turn into "Help! I made the database fall and can't get up!".
I'll try to post some pictures here later of the hardware currently running the site and the hardware that used to run it. And give some specs on the equipment we're using. |
