Help configuring box for prosper202

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Jun 8, 2008
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I've been running this prosper instance on VPS, and there's usually some discrepancy between prosper data and network data. I can live with it, all I need is to normalize the numbers.

In past 6 months the gap between prosper data and network data grows, and currently prosper reports about 30% less conversions than there actually are.

Trying to figure out wtf is going on...
We changed hosting provider a few months ago, and recently updated to newer version of prosper. Other than that, nothing changed, traffic stays relatively same.

So I'm thinking something probably isn't configured properly, and prosper just doesn't register clicks/conversions into DB.

Any tips on how to properly configure the box for high volumes? php, mysql settings etc...
 


I think one thing to consider is that other than focusing on the technical issue, maybe you should look at the offer mix you are running recently. I assume your prosper202 tracking is done based on putting a prosper tracking link on the conversion page. This kind of tracking will always exhibit some discrepancy. For the same setup, advertiser, the discrepancy is probably pretty consistent and as you say, you can normalize it. But if the advertiser makes any changes in their system (even simple things like moving the conversion pixel up and down the pages), that discrepancy will change.

We don't use prosper type of tracking system because there are just no way to eliminate that kind of discrepancy. Instead, we develop our own tracking system where we rely on SID reporting on the advertiser side. Our tracking system will periodically download the stats and integrate into it our DB, so that the tracking is 100% (Well, 100% assuming your advertiser doesn't do major post scrub, adjustment). Better yet, it also can download the spend # from places like sonar, pulse, and it takes into consideration of the time zone difference. Therefore, you can get the P&L # extremely accurate for optimization purpose.
 
I think one thing to consider is that other than focusing on the technical issue, maybe you should look at the offer mix you are running recently. I assume your prosper202 tracking is done based on putting a prosper tracking link on the conversion page. This kind of tracking will always exhibit some discrepancy. For the same setup, advertiser, the discrepancy is probably pretty consistent and as you say, you can normalize it. But if the advertiser makes any changes in their system (even simple things like moving the conversion pixel up and down the pages), that discrepancy will change.

The tracking is based on postback URLs. There were no changes on advertiser side. I'm almost 100% sure it's about the linux setup which runs prosper202. As I said, we always had discrepancy (in the margin of 10%), but 30% it too much to normalize on.
 
Memcached is generally a good idea when running on a vps. Looking at your error logs is generally a good idea. Enabling the query cache is generally a good idea. Not running on a vps unless you're really good at tuning apache, mysql and memcached is generally a good idea.
 
Not running on a vps unless you're really good at tuning apache, mysql and memcached is generally a good idea.

I'm not really good at it, but don't have a choice here since I need to be able to handle the volume.

Memcached is generally a good idea when running on a vps. Looking at your error logs is generally a good idea. Enabling the query cache is generally a good idea.

Thanks I'll check these out (ps we're running memcached).

How about the mysql conf file my.cnf? Maybe some settings there are bad? (we didn't have this discrepancy problem on the previous VPS, but I don't have the conf file from that one anymore..)
 
I'm not really good at it, but don't have a choice here since I need to be able to handle the volume.

He means you should be upgrading to a dedicated box from a vps instance if you are running good volume
 
These threads are always like "I want to build my own space shuttle, I have some wood, a roll of aluminum foil and a glue gun, does anybody have any tips?" and somebody says "you'll need ceramic tile to dissipate the heat or your shuttle will burn up on reentry" and OP says "ok, I have some of those in my shower, I can chip out 5 or 6 with a screwdriver and a hammer and glue them to the wood, do I need anything else?"
 
These threads are always like "I want to build my own space shuttle, I have some wood, a roll of aluminum foil and a glue gun, does anybody have any tips?" and somebody says "you'll need ceramic tile to dissipate the heat or your shuttle will burn up on reentry" and OP says "ok, I have some of those in my shower, I can chip out 5 or 6 with a screwdriver and a hammer and glue them to the wood, do I need anything else?"

We're already trying to reenter the atmosphere, too late for those ceramic tiles..