Files not being served after a while

[Dave987]

Hi,
I've used HFS on several different OS' and only had a few minor problems.  Now I'm running it on Windows Server 2008, and have a bit more serious of an issue.  I start HFS running, and test it.  Everything seems fine, so I leave it.  Twelve hours later, it still usually works remotely.  Another twelve to twenty four hours later, though, it stops serving files and directories.  However, it is still receiving and logging the GETs.  If I come back to the physical server and restart the program, it usually works again, though sometimes for less time.  After a certain number of restarts, it only serves for 5-10 minutes, and I reboot the server PC and start the whole process over again. I know my network is stable, so that's not it, but the reboot "solution" makes me wonder if it is HFS or the OS.

Any ideas?

[bmartino1]

it sounds like the OS, i ran Windows os serer 2008 R2 (standard version), and ran hfs with no problems, but his was quite some builds ago....

I recall another user using windows server having issue with running the program and experiencing CPU overload... never could reproduce the problem, and the thread sorta stooped with a fresh download of HFS, double check your download source and re download HFS and try again.

I will pull of my old server test bed (virtual Machine) and run a test again...

if restarting the app works, there was a batch script that went around the form that would close HFS and open it...

[Dave987]

Interesting.  The CPU doesn't seem very busy, so I doubt it's that, but I could be wrong, or it could be an number of other things.  I do have the current version of HFS...g, I think.  One time I was having a problem with the server's NAT IP address not renewing.  That issue seems resolved, but I still have a batch file refresh my IP and restart HFS every 5 hours.  That holds of the inevitable, but eventually I just need to reboot.  At this rate, I'll need to add that to the batch file as well.
I'll keep a closer eye/better log of CPU use and keep experimenting around.  Maybe I just need to toss the server OS and use a private/commercial version instead...

Thanks for your input!

[LeoNeeson]

Maybe I just need to toss the server OS and use a private/commercial version instead...

You may laugh at me, but if can change the OS, I recommend you try Windows XP Professional, not Server edition (along a good Firewall), or directly install Windows 7 Ultimate. Both are rock solid, and without the headaches of the "Server Editions" of Windows (unless you need some server feature, of course).

[bmartino1]

You may laugh at me, but if can change the OS, I recommend you try Windows XP Professional, not Server edition (along a good Firewall), or directly install Windows 7 Ultimate. Both are rock solid, and without the headaches of the "Server Editions" of Windows (unless you need some server feature, of course).

Leo, i still use and have XP machines, i have yet to find a beter replacement for Kisoks, and other securty insertion.

using http://www.steadierstate.com/ steadier stat on a vitual Hardrive  for security upon much other stuff, Even though Microsft will no longer pathch the TCP bug (and ther is one!), there are many ways to make a XP machine faster and better than windwos vista/7, but a serve alone is not a replacment fora "destop OS",

-----------------

Dave987, since your running a server edition, i would recomend using Windows ISS and/or apache

Iss: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc771209.aspx

appache:
https://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.4/

https://httpd.apache.org/download.cgi

[bmartino1]

it sounds like the OS, i ran Windows os serer 2008 R2 (standard version), and ran hfs with no problems, but his was quite some builds ago....

I recall another user using windows server having issue with running the program and experiencing CPU overload... never could reproduce the problem, and the thread sorta stooped with a fresh download of HFS, double check your download source and re download HFS and try again.

I will pull of my old server test bed (virtual Machine) and run a test again...

if restarting the app works, there was a batch script that went around the form that would close HFS and open it...

i have an HFS up and runnign on windows server, and ahven't seen any issues, will keep it runnign and infomr you later of my results if any....

it not under load, but i haven't seen any issue with the program

[Dave987]

Thanks for all the input!

I certainly am not laughing at your suggestion of Win XP.  It's built like a tank, and I still use it for personal purposes.  However, as you mentioned, I'm not so confident in the security of XP.  If it's behind a hardware firewall I don't worry about it, but opening it up to the WWW.... I don't know--is that safe?  Vista is pain, but I've tried 7.  It works, but it's a heavy OS. I do have the option to change the OS, though, so I could try something else. I do want to stick with Windows for this server. though.

I did think about running in a virtual layer.  I hadn't heard of Steadier State (a spin-off of Windows Steady State, I suppose) but I was considering Toolwiz TimeFreeze or some other such software.  The problem with that strategy is that I'm basically allowing the PC to be hacked and trashed, then I just restore it.  I might lake that as a fall-back, but I'd like some good up-front security too.

Thanks for testing, bmartino1!  I am currently using the save edition, 2008 R2 standard.  I could upgrade to Data Center, but didn't think I needed to.  Besides, this is on old server PC.  I don't want to give it such a heavy OS that it can't do anything else.  Do let me know if you notice anything! 

[LeoNeeson]

using http://www.steadierstate.com/ steadier stat on a vitual Hardrive  for security upon much other stuff, Even though Microsft will no longer pathch the TCP bug (and ther is one!), there are many ways to make a XP machine faster and better than windwos vista/7, but a serve alone is not a replacment fora "destop OS",

SteadierState.com is new for me. It looks similar to the native-boot VHD (Virtual Hard Disk) support of Windows 7 (which I already knew), but more easy to use. Thanks for the heads up.

[rejetto]

so, you said it stops serving also "directories", it means: no browsing.
I would try making a simple request, using wge t, or even just telnet.
Then i would watch what HFS shows in the bottom panel

[bmartino1]

Thanks for all the input!

I certainly am not laughing at your suggestion of Win XP.  It's built like a tank, and I still use it for personal purposes.  However, as you mentioned, I'm not so confident in the security of XP.  If it's behind a hardware firewall I don't worry about it, but opening it up to the WWW.... I don't know--is that safe?  Vista is pain, but I've tried 7.  It works, but it's a heavy OS. I do have the option to change the OS, though, so I could try something else. I do want to stick with Windows for this server. though.

I did think about running in a virtual layer.  I hadn't heard of Steadier State (a spin-off of Windows Steady State, I suppose) but I was considering Toolwiz TimeFreeze or some other such software.  The problem with that strategy is that I'm basically allowing the PC to be hacked and trashed, then I just restore it.  I might lake that as a fall-back, but I'd like some good up-front security too.

Thanks for testing, bmartino1!  I am currently using the save edition, 2008 R2 standard.  I could upgrade to Data Center, but didn't think I needed to.  Besides, this is on old server PC.  I don't want to give it such a heavy OS that it can't do anything else.  Do let me know if you notice anything! 

@dave
you can also use a win pe  edition that is more light weight built off of win 7
(they might be other driver issues such as sound, but i have done test with this build and i'm happy with it.)

http://windowsmatters.com/2015/01/10/gandalfs-windows-7-pe-x86/

you can also put it one HD if you want it to be like the main os, but at boot, you will have to double check the driver each time...

Hfs does run in it quite well (i have a machine that runs if like this well, the ssl from silent please....), and with the portable apps support(although you can install app like office word, i don't recommend it...), using portable app can bring xampp (appache) to it if need be...

https ssl with hfs using stunle, silenplz: http://www.rejetto.com/forum/hfs-~-http-file-server/for-testing-purpose-hfs-beta-279-including-ssl-tools/msg1060372/#msg1060372

more https info found in the wiki and here: http://www.rejetto.com/forum/hfs-~-http-file-server/stunnel-and-hfs-(securing-your-hfs)/msg1058480/#msg1058480
 
Just a thought...

[Dave987]

I keep getting a PHP error every time I try to reply. If this comment goes through, I'll post a full reply shortly.
----
Amazing! posting finally worked again.  However, when I try to enter a full reply I get the error again.  Apparently I can't post w.g.e.t as a word, but if I leave it out the post works fine.  Very strange!

Since I could not reply, I gave up and installed Windows 7 Home Premium.   So far, it has been working on this system, but it has only been going for about four consecutive days.  There's still plenty of time for something to go wrong again.

@rejetto
I tried wg*t and got nothing other than a login request and acceptance. The download requests timed out every time, even though the server's connection list showed the request as if it were being severed, but it stayed at 0% with speed and remaining to send showing as "-"  I did not try Telnet, since it always gives me grief.


@bmartino1
Using Win PE is an interesting idea, and I'll add it to the list if Win 7 does not work.  I do wonder how you got the SSL to work, I must say.  However, before opening that can off worms I should really read all the other discussions about it here.

[rejetto]

thanks for the tests.
very strange anyway, i have nothing to suggest really. I can only think of a system's problem, or an interfering security/network software.

[Dave987]

I suspect it was a system problem, but don't know why.  It's a server OS for goodness sake--it of all systems should be able to handle serving files.  I did find that sometimes near the end of my tests, the PC would start reporting limited network connectivity.  If I toggled the connection, it would sometimes work for a little while longer.  I ended up with a batch file which restarted HFS and reset the IP every six hours, which did help.  As I said, though, these resets worked for progressively less time until I rebooted the PC.

I had some basic security software, but nothing too aggressive, and nothing I hadn't used before.  I don't think it was to fault.

HFS is still running without a hitch almost a week later on Win 7 HP.  I have more security on it this time, and still no problems.  For now, I'll just continue to wait and see how it holds out.

Oh, one last thing,  whatever part of the BIOS/motherboard which handles time seems to be out of whack.  Every time I check the server it shows a different but entirely wrong time, and it's set to update every few hours, too. It has been doing this for all systems which I have placed on it. I can work with this it, but I don't know if this might have been wreaking havoc on HFS for some reason before.  If so, then why not now?

I hate intermittent "ghost" problems!

[LeoNeeson]

I did find that sometimes near the end of my tests, the PC would start reporting limited network connectivity.  If I toggled the connection, it would sometimes work for a little while longer.

I don't know what hardware are you using to connect to internet, if it's wired or wireless, but I saw this kind of "intermittent" connection problems on some systems a long time ago. I've "solved" those problems, changing hardware. I mean, you don't have to remove the "faulty" (or troublesome) hardware, you can disable and add another one (just for testing). For example, if you use a WiFi to connect to internet, you can try using another USB WiFi adapter (even better if it's from another brand). Or, you may try to update your drivers (of your WiFi adapter, if you are using one). To me, this seems to be a driver/hardware related issue.

[Dave987]

I'm using a single wired (cat 5e) Ethernet cable to connect with.  I don't have wireless internet running at this time, and although I can run it, I prefer not to.  I could try wireless, I suppose, but if it's working with a different OS, I think I will not for now.  I wish I could replace the Ethernet card, but all the PCI cards I have will not fit in this server PC. (I don't even know if the massive cards the server takes ARE PCI, although that's sort of what they look like.)  I'd say the issue is either hardware or OS.   Since Win 7 seems to work, it might just be OS (though the hardware isn't perfect.)