IsMyWebsite Free Hosting Development Blog

Several hours yesterday were spent in heated discussions regarding our future with them. A short 2 weeks ago, there were discussions regarding the Crissic banner design competition, as well as a reduction of $2/mo off our hosting cost to show up as a donation on our donation wall. However, three days ago, the following email came in:

“I am sorry to say that we can no longer support the bulk accounts that you have placed on our server. The amount of accounts you have placed on the server is causing the shared server much stress, causing FTP, HTTPD, and other services to fail on a regular basis. Last night we had downtime in excess of 25 minutes due to these issues.”

110 accounts were terminated immediately. (These had been already moved to other nodes.) On top of this, it was requested that we move 150 further accounts off the server to bring the level to “keep it around 650-700 accounts TOPS”. We selected approximately 350 accounts that would be moved to Node 10, lowering the number of accounts to 505. This is the official statement released by Skylar from Crissic:

“We had to pull out due to the amount of strain the amount of accounts had been placing on the server. For IsMyWebsite to run correctly, they need a medium-sized cluster of dedicated servers. The reasoning behind the time constraint on asking clients to move their data in one week is because the issues that are being caused are too large. FTP and HTTPD are constantly failing, causing outages for hundreds more paying clients with Crissic Solutions. For the sake of our paying clients, holding [the] additional clients that are free clients with IsMyWebsite is not worth [what] Matt is currently paying us. We have [also] received a few isolated cases from the free clients that include warez forums, spam email, and a few other items. The never-ending risk of a free client potentially rooting into the server, or another hacking incident that happened a short few months ago with IsMyWebsite is too large to risk for our paying clients. We wish the best of luck to all at IsMyWebsite, and hope that your future endeavors are successful.”

Skylar MacMinn, Crissic Solutions, LLC

Despite additional attempts at a settlement, the final verdict was reached.

“You have until the morning of the 8th of July to move all data off. Regardless if you are transferred off or not, all remaining accounts will be deleted.”

Skylar has stated that all data currently on the VPS may remain, and we are looking into the potential purchase of a dedicated server with them. As Mike puts it, “I am pro-Crissic is because the servers are fast and reliable and we are getting a good deal”.

The new server wont be here for another 1-2 weeks. Skylar has promised your data will be safe for this time.

Hi everyone.

I must apologize for not having a lot of time to post lately, but as you know - making sure things work for my clients is almost a full time job. However, as of late the number of actual problems has been swamped by a new epidemic - confused clients not knowing how to access their sites.

I want to say this once (even though I know I’ll have to say it again elsewhere), the cPanel button in your ‘Hosting’ section works. Trying to access through ismywebsite.com doesn’t and will only frustrate you! You can also get FTP connection details with the ‘FTP Info’ button. On past request, I have upgraded the system to a more secure button with passes an encrypted phrase (which doesn’t even match your password) to verify you. So it’s more secure than anything else right now.

Regarding the Kudos mentioned in the title, the Wildcard DNS was broken for the last 12 hours, and as anyone who’s dealt with that type of thing, it’s a real pain to have to fix. But rest easy because after some hard work they fixed it successfully - so all your redirects are fully working now!

Everyone, everywhere, can now be assured that their account is fully working. If it isn’t, just send me a private message.

Here’s a tutorial on transfering your files to your new server:

http://ismywebsite.wordpress.com/2008/05/22/quick-tutorial-moving-your-files/

Work continues on virtually all nodes.

Node 1 - SmokyHosts
Still preparing to send a mass email regarding the transfer, and possible upgrade the ‘Hosting’ section to also display this (as a button to the ‘Old cPanel’). I’m hoping the button and email can be finished tonight, perhaps sent through the virtually unused SmokyHosts server.

Node 2 - IsMyHost.com
We’re giving away hosting for 2 more days on the top node, which you can just reply to get. We have just installed Installatron, so you can do some installing of your favourite scripts. (It’s like Fantastico.) Also upgraded all accounts to the top stage yesterday, since with the recent trouble I thought everyone deserved it.

Node 3 - IsMyWs.com
Not much to say. Still working well.

Node 4 - IsNumberOne.org
We will be switching to another hosting company here for sure. All accounts in queue for creation on this node are being moved to our new Node 9. All accounts already created will be transfered to the new server when we move. Due to the restrictions in place on this node, we cannot enable extra features of any kind, but it is possible to switch to a new node once all the old accounts are successfully created.

Node 5 - IsMyWe.com
Nothing’s changed… Still great, working node.

Node 6 - IsMyWb.com
We are running into the same trouble with PHP URL file access. Except now, Nixism wants me to send it to their technical department. It’s already been a whole month’s worth of hosting down the drain. Should I switch or continue pursuing this?

Node 7 - SuperbHost.us
Starting to feel a strain. I’ve also received word that Mike wants to get a VPS in place of his reseller with the domain ismyhost.net, which will be great. So given those two factors, all remaining accounts are being created on Node 9 for now.

Node 8 - IsMyWebs.com
Remember the company that originally hosted us on a VPS for a short period earlier and was also originally going to host IsMyHost.com. Well, now they’re back to hosting a reseller for us. Everybody welcome Crissic Solutions, run by Skylar.

Node 9 - IsMyWall.com
I’m reusing the domain name of our donation page simply because it’s already registered. I thought it fit the part fairly well, and it might attract more donations if it’s used for something. Anyways, this domain is going to host the remainder of accounts from IsNumberOne.org and SuperbHost.us.

Node 10 - IsMyHs.com
Just registered 7 new domains, this being the first one, with plans to build 7 new domains. I have found a small company to host this one, which is new to reseller hosting but confident in their ability. (The plan is to host a low number of accounts here to start.)

Node 11 - IsMyHt.com
Another domain seeking a server.

Node 12 - IsMySe.com
Node 13 - IsMySi.com
Node 14 - IsMySt.com
Node 15 - IsMyWi.com
Node 16 - IsMyWt.com
All seeking a reseller. I have a number of companies in mind, that I will be utilizing as we need them for future expansion. (Could be you who hosts them if you want to.)

So just a few hundred accounts left to build, and they are actively being created throughout the day.

Further work on virtually every node was completed. If all goes well, the next week will see capacity increase by 2000-2750 websites.

Node 1 - SmokyHosts
We are working on emailing clients their login information and instructions for securing their account data. Hopefully, all data will be moved in the near future. To ensure we are not filtered as spam, we are sending emails at a regulated pace.

Node 2 - IsMyHost.com
This node is now fully back online and backups will be taken regularily. The reset was due to a virtual hard drive error. The specific cause has been isolated and any future data will be safe. (Even if there is another problem, we will have backups a minimum of weekly.)

Node 3 - IsMyWs.com
Improved relations with TornadoGaming. They are pleased to have us host with them. All websites are still online and working with this node.

Node 4 - IsNumberOne.org
Evaluated alternative hosting companies and selected a better alternative which will increase the capacity here to the full 750 websites. More details will follow once our account with them is created and we are willing to transfer all accounts to the new service.

Node 5 - IsMyWe.com
We are still continuing with this node as before.

Node 6 - IsMyWb.com
URL file access has been publicly requested of Nixism, which I believe may work to get our request answered in a timely manner. If not, there are lots of other companies out there to help us. Other than this feature, the node appears to be working fine.

Node 7 - SuperbHost.us
Further account creation continued, although there are still a few. Thanks for your patience.

Node 8 - IsMyWebs.com
I have selected a good company which I will be looking into using for our hosting here in the future. However, for now we are short the funds to complete the purchase.

Node 9 - IsMyWall.com
The right hosting company has been located and we have purchased with them. Once our account is set up, we can begin account creation.

Node 10 - Your Name Here
This is a great opportunity to run a free host without having to worry about finding new clients, developing a main website, establishing a working support sytem, or finding a control panel to manage accounts - at the same cost. Just choose a hosting company we’re not using and order a good quality reseller package able to fit over 100 accounts from them.

Strong-willed people who want to see this happen should email me.

I brought the main website back online today, although a lot of client websites still aren’t online. I’m looking forward to the day when all websites will be online. Here’s the current status of all nodes:

Node 1 - SmokyHosts
This is the present location of most of previous websites. Due to SmokyHost’s inability to change the domain name we are now stuck abandoning this node and moving all accounts over to the other nodes. It is still being debated whether we should drop SmokyHosts altogether or request that the reseller be reset to use a different domain.

Node 2 - IsMyHost.com
Hosted by NetXServers, this is our most prestigious node, with the most freedom for those hosted here. Although we had difficulty with nameservers, everything was online up until yesterday. (I’m still getting the full story, but I’m sure Mike would have alerted all of you and backed up data if he could.) Haloclan.us domains are hosted here.

Node 3 - IsMyWs.com
750 websites are successfully hosted here, and there has been no trouble since their creation. Despite being a relatively new company, TornadoGaming has proved a valuable reseller to use, being both affordable, fully working, and providing helpful support.

Node 4 - IsNumberOne.org
The massive hosting company HostGator is behind this node, bringing with them much experience in stability at the expense of restrictions on the hosting itself. Overselling could not be enabled, and thus accounts created on this node have to request every extra MB they will be using. We are looking into upgrading to increase the available resources.

Node 5 - IsMyWe.com
This node is currently using FelWebs, and successfully working. All 750 accounts were created smoothly and are now fully working. Reasonable support is also provided.

Node 6 - IsMyWb.com
This is one bad investment, however discounted it was originally. URL file access is disabled, and any request to Nixism to enable it or get a refund went completely ignored. It would be possible to manually create and adjust all accounts, or more likely just choose a different reseller for this node.

Node 7 - SuperbHost.us
Despite the undesirable name, this node has functioned surprisingly well, with almost all accounts now successfully created. This will be finished soon.

Node 8 - IsMyWebs.com
At this point, just a fantasy. InfernoWrestling is looking into helping us purchase this additional expansion with a better hosting.

Node 9 - IsMyWall.com
Reusing an existing domain name (for our donation wall) with a good reseller. The search is on to find the right company.

Node 10 - Your Name Here
This is a great opportunity to run a free host without having to worry about finding new clients, developing a main website, establishing a working support sytem, or finding a control panel to manage accounts - at the same cost. Just choose a hosting company we’re not using and order a good quality reseller package able to fit over 100 accounts from them.

One way or another we will make it through this. If you have doubts, please email me so I can address them. I would really like some strong-willed people to help us make sure this never happens again.

As it stands, right now, a number of websites are now online. Including of course, our active blog participants at:

http://criminallives.ismywebsite.com/ (Working)
http://goptorrent.ismywebsite.com/ (Working)
http://hqbc.ismywebsite.com/ (Working)
http://hosting4u.ismywebsite.com/ (Working)
http://magnxpyr.ismywebsite.com/ (Working)
http://maisam.ismywebsite.com/ (Under Construction)
http://masdir.ismywebsite.com/ (Working)
http://rap-it-up.net/ (Under Construction)
http://rotb.ismywebsite.com/ (Working)
http://smashgames.ismywebsite.com/ (Working)
http://sociopaths.ismywebsite.com/ (Working)
http://yourlife.ismywebsite.com/ (Working)

Once their contents are uploaded I urge you to check them out.

Many other websites are online on the nodes and now, for the first time, you can access them by logging into the site. If yours doesn’t work, you can be sure I am working on creating it as I write this.

Please Report:

• Features of your IsMyWebsite account that don’t work. (Everything should now be working except for the hosting and the forum registration.)
• Errors experienced in cPanel by those mentioned websites above. (Other nodes are not guaranteed to be fully working at this time.)
• If more features are needed by those websites mentioned above.

Do Not Report:

• That your account and/or website has not been created yet. (I know that.)
• That you can’t log in to cPanel. (Perhaps it’s because your account isn’t created?)
• Minor errors which do not affect the functionality of the site or reduce security. (Would love to hear them when our status is back to ‘reliably hosting hundreds’.)

If those mentioned require any assistance in accessing their websites (as all functionality should be accessible by logging in) or they need any extra resources, they are free to report it any time by email. For everyone else, thanks for your patience. It should only be a couple more days.

I’ve now completed the first stage of restoration - building the core features of the administrative backend to handle it. The next 4 days will be dedicated to creating and fixing all accounts (many of which are already created as of this writing).

Those of you who are patient and dedicated can get my special surprise - hosting on an exclusive server. The criteria to get signed up:

1. You must have an active website, which previously received a minimum of 10 visitors per day on average.
2. Ads must have been placed at some point before the downtime.
3. You must be willing to further improve your ad placement (if possible).
4. You must reply to this comment within 2 days. Please include your website URL.

We can also look at getting your site online ahead of the others.

I’m getting a lot of questions about how the nodes system will work. Here it is, in a nutshell:

1. You visit http://this.ismywebsite.com/ (or any other subdomain)
2. One PHP page will process the address you visit and send the right response.
3. If there’s no interest in that subdomain, no account has been created yet, or the account is offline at that time, the appropriate page will be displayed.
4. Otherwise, you will be redirected to another domain (for example http://this.ismyws.com/ or http://this.isnumberone.org/)
5. This ‘node’ will display the proper website.

Here’s a quick FAQ:

Will my domain be the same?
Your website will be hosted on a similar but often shorter domain, with the same subdomain. (For example, instead of this.ismywebsite.com, it would be this.ismyws.com). However, this.ismywebsite.com will always function as a redirect to that site.

How do you choose my node?
Most of them have already been chosen. I am assigning people to nodes where they fit, in the order hosting was requested.

How do I access cPanel?
Generally, you just go to http://yournode.com:2082/ and login. You will receive all your login details by email once we know things are working.

What features will I get?
There is no plan to change the features. One of our nodes is run by HostGator, which refuses to enable overselling, so if you need the full 100MB from that node, just request it. Over 95% of our clients don’t use it all. (On that note, if you need more than 100MB on any node please ask as well. You earned it through your patience.) On top of this, some of the nodes have different extra features so there may be some pleasant surprises.

What happens if my site goes offline?
We are monitoring all the nodes and if the downtime is for an extended period, a temporary error page will be displayed on the IsMyWebsite subdomain.

Do domains still work?
Yes. However, the nameservers are going to be different depending on your node. You should also receive those instructions by email when your account is set up.

I’m using another host now. Can you set up a redirect?
Sure, just tell us where to direct it to. And remember, you can still place our ads on your site and use our toolbar.

Do I still need to place ads?
Now more than ever. And you should place them well.

When will things be finished?
Right now, it’s looking to be 4 days before the first accounts will be completely ready to go. (So 4 days plus whatever time it takes to build all the accounts before yours.) We are going as fast as we can.

Two things have happened:

1. SurfWebHosts can’t offer us the required LayeredPanel hosting, which I also doesn’t appear it would have worked as well as predicted.
2. SmokyHosts can’t seem to get the domain to change, and in addition changing the domain on all the accounts is proving to be a harder challenge than initially thought. (First you have to fetch just about every detail of the account, and only then can you change one aspect of it.)

Essentially, changing the domain to work with SmokyHosts again will get us online today, with nodes, and the option to transition away from them later. As the server usage increases, we can move accounts off to IsMyHost.com - which is now working as well!