MySQL Database Size requirements - Hosting

[unnamed_crewman]

Hi,

I am looking for some general hosting advice related to the requirements for size of MyQSL database size needed for phpbb3.

Some idea of size requirements based on users, posts, forums or other criteria would be useful for comparisons. I know there are lots of variables but some rough ideas would help a lot.

I am in the process of building a site based on phpbb3, likely with mods that will increase space requirements (wiki, classifieds etc). Currently I have one 25Mb database, which is hardly used at the moment, but how quickly is it likely to fill up?

I am concerned that it will quickly get used up, but what will 25Mb take? I have the option of a larger area that I can use to combine several of my sites which will offer 5 x 40Mb databases. But is it practical to run phpbb3 over more than one database?

Bandwidth doesn't seem a problem, nor storage area as most of it is still empty. Simultaneous connections is currently 3, the upgrade option would be 10 simultaneous connections.

I am based in France so would be interested to know if any one knows recommended hosts in the area (I am with ovh.com at the moment and they seem OK).

I note a lot of the best deals are US ones, but assume that to use a server in the States would simply just add a lot more lag than a 'local' server, as most of my users will be France/UK based. But maybe that is not the case?

Thanks

Alistair

[Obsidian]

But is it practical to run phpbb3 over more than one database?

Hardly, I'd say. You want everything in one database for ease of use and response time...not to mention, getting phpBB to work across several DBs would be a pain.

[unnamed_crewman]

From my working on the setup I pretty much figured that about the databases, but thought it useful to know. BTW I assume that you also can't archive off older stuff when the database gets full into flat files, or similar.

Which brings me back to my main problem - what are the requirements for a forum to work reasonably well at various sizes/users/posts? What are the key things? I know Highway of Life did a review of the technical requirements but no real mention of mySQL capacity, no of connections, stuff like that.

Dedicated is obviously the ultimate, but it also costs more and I want to start small, but not so small that early visitors get annoyed at how slow it is. Many of my likely users will be on dial-up too, as they live too far from exchanges etc.

Alistair

[geoffreak]

You can run an installation of phpBB3 easily on a shared server. You may want to upgrade to a better solution if you have lots of websites or hundreds of users on at any time. Shared servers usually slow down after a few dozen users or so (all depending on the activity on the other sites on the server).

In regards to database size, I've been running a board for 6 months now and it just hit 5 MB for the database. I also have a ton of other data not used by phpBB in the database. As long as you purge your really old data, you won't have to worry about growing too large in the database.

I also have to recommend you chose a better hosting provider. There are so many out there that offer unlimited database numbers and sizes, all dependent on your storage space, which is at least a few gigabytes. These hosts usually run around $4-6 a month.

[sundaydriver]

one of my boards is about 200mb but its using mssql and has been up for 8+years. So yes it is definatly possiabel for you to fill yours up. Luckily i have unlimited data storage on mssql and mysql through ixwebhosting. if you would like you can email me at sundaydriver@nerds2rent.com and i will make you a mysql database free. I like helping people out.

All i would ask is that you link back to my forums for scripting support (not phpbb). nerds2rent.com/forums