move3rd

I’m looking into offering .zip archives of music releases in .mp3 format as downloads on my site. Each .zip is between 80 and 200mb. Offering such large files could create a strain on the server so I was wondering if anyone could give me some advise on the best way to work the download system.

I was thinking of writing a php script that would assign each download a time slot so I could keep control over what is being downloaded and when. I just have a few questions.

Would the server be able to cope with more than 1 download at a time?
Would the server be able to cope with continuous downloads if using a ‘time slot system’?
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Just to note, all music hosted on my site was acquired directly from the artists and I have permission to distribute their music in this way.

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Server: pass58

Ghostbone

Hi Move3rd,
What i suggest is a script that limits the amount of downloads to say 30-50? At one given time (which you would probably have less than that..?) Also you can have a script that will limit the amount of downloads per IP which you could set to 1. (I remember there being something like this with ASP however i'm sure there's also one in PHP or something similar...CGI?)
Sorry i'm not much help on the matter,
GB.

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MI6Labs.co.uk - Pass 12
KGBLabs.com - supras

move3rd

Thanks for the input Ghostbone

30-50??

I really didn’t think shared servers could cope with that much on a single account. Was that a rough guess or are you sure of this?

I was hoping to be able to offer about 4 or 5 max simultaneously but was doubtful.

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Server: pass58

Ghostbone

4-5...That should definately be no problem then! It was a rough estimate however i'm sure it would be ok near the high 25-30's.
Just to make sure you could try e-mail: support[at]surpasshosting.com and asking them
GB.

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MI6Labs.co.uk - Pass 12
KGBLabs.com - supras

tch3

I think you'll want to send email to sales. You might need special arrangements to do something like that.

Clair

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clair
http://tch3.com
(dedicated)

MadMax

I think you should do a script that either check the connection of the user (don't ask me how) or ask the user's connection. Here is why, shared servers are on 10mbits connection (if I remember right). Although, you want to be good neighbour so you have to limit the speed to something like 4mbits (with a script)? It also depends on how fast is the connection of the client. If you have 5 clients on 56k, I doubt the server will be affected, if you have 5 clients on fast broadband now that may be a problem.

If you do a script that check the speed of the client, you will be able to guess how long it will take them to download the file and how much bandwidth they are taking from the server.

You could use a table (database) that record the time the download should start, finish and the speed used by the client. Every time someone clicks on the link to download the file, a script could clear the entries in your database for the finished downloads. Just after, check if the new client can download the file. (Not too many connections, downloaders don't take too much bandwidth)

This is kind of complicated for some MP3 , you better ask Surpass if you can do it before you start writing any code. They may have a better solution for you!

Ok, break time, my brain and my fingers are on fire...

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Website : max-worlds.net
Shared Server : Pipe

David

what about using bit torrent or something? distribute it out so it doesn't always have to come from your site...

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Dark Matter

but not everyone knows what bit torrent is. Prime example ask your mom or next door neighbor what it is. Come on now, stop thinking like that and realize if you will...

H

Don't be like that.. It could be as simple as offering a normal download, and a BitTorrent file. That way people that don't know, can do it the way they're comfortable, and the "gurus" can do it the BitTorrent way.