When should I scale out from one LAMP machine?

Hi

I just have one server that runs Apache, MySQL, PHP. It handles
requests fine and never had problems. When should I think about a small
step into scaling? By maybe having an independent MySQL server? How
many QPS (Querys Per second) (approx) on the MySQL DB will it be
optimal for me to have MySQL on a seperate maybe more powerful machine?
The current server has 1GB Ram and intel duo core processors..

I know the question is a bit vague. i will be happy with a ballpark
QPS.

TIA

Re: When should I scale out from one LAMP machine?

My SQL wrote:
> Hi
>
> I just have one server that runs Apache, MySQL, PHP. It handles
> requests fine and never had problems. When should I think about a small
> step into scaling? By maybe having an independent MySQL server? How
> many QPS (Querys Per second) (approx) on the MySQL DB will it be
> optimal for me to have MySQL on a seperate maybe more powerful machine?
> The current server has 1GB Ram and intel duo core processors..
>
> I know the question is a bit vague. i will be happy with a ballpark
> QPS.
>
> TIA
>
You are crossing the bridge before you come to it.

When to expand is a function of two things: how soon your users
will encounter performance degradation due to excessive resource
consumption and the length of time required to expand.

Use the available tools to track disk I/O and CPU usage. Use
this data to determine the rate of growth and estimate when you
will reach 80% of system capacity. (You can use a different
value, but 80% should give you enough excess capacity so that
your system won't lock up during peak period processing.)

Subtract the time required to expand (including testing) from
the date you expect to hit 80%. That is the day you should
start your expansion.

I will be the first to admit that this isn't very scientific,
but it should allow you to grow your system in a timely manner
and enable you to provide management with an understandable
reason for both your request for additional funding and the
timing of that funding.

HTH
Jerry

Re: When should I scale out from one LAMP machine?

My SQL wrote:
> Hi
>
> I just have one server that runs Apache, MySQL, PHP. It handles
> requests fine and never had problems. When should I think about a small
> step into scaling? By maybe having an independent MySQL server? How
> many QPS (Querys Per second) (approx) on the MySQL DB will it be
> optimal for me to have MySQL on a seperate maybe more powerful machine?
> The current server has 1GB Ram and intel duo core processors..
>
> I know the question is a bit vague. i will be happy with a ballpark
> QPS.
>
> TIA
>

I'm actually thinking of separating dB and web servers just for my home
office setup. Not for performance reasons, but for modularity. Would be
much easier to swap out a faster machine, or better-performing database,
should it ever become necessary.

Basically I'd advise you to go ahead if you have the time. Ounce of
prevention and all that.