0.8.1 Bitcoind Server performance?

[SlickTheNick]

Currently running Bitcoind server on a VPS, running the latest version of Ubuntu (64-bt). It doesnt have very much ram, only 1.5 gigs, but its been holding up pretty decent. It receives anywhere from 3000-5000 + RPC requests a day. Can be a bit slugish at times, and every now and then it just crashes due to not enough memory. I have it set up to auto-restart on crashes, so not a big deal.

Anyways, Iv noticed that since upgrading from 0.7 to 0.8.1, its been a bit slower and crashing way more often. Instead of running out of RAM and dieing maybe a couple times a day, its happening regularly, like once every 30-60 minutes or so.

Anyone have any tips on how to improve performance, besides just upgrading the memory?

[zvs]

Currently running Bitcoind server on a VPS, running the latest version of Ubuntu (64-bt). It doesnt have very much ram, only 1.5 gigs, but its been holding up pretty decent. It receives anywhere from 3000-5000 + RPC requests a day. Can be a bit slugish at times, and every now and then it just crashes due to not enough memory. I have it set up to auto-restart on crashes, so not a big deal.

Anyways, Iv noticed that since upgrading from 0.7 to 0.8.1, its been a bit slower and crashing way more often. Instead of running out of RAM and dieing maybe a couple times a day, its happening regularly, like once every 30-60 minutes or so.

Anyone have any tips on how to improve performance, besides just upgrading the memory?

in main.h

change

static const unsigned int MAX_ORPHAN_TRANSACTIONS = MAX_BLOCK_SIZE/xxxxxx;

i don't remember what it defaults at, mine is set to 1 since i have lots of memory.  so it has tens of thousands of orphan transactions.  raise the # and you'll use less memory

[SlickTheNick]

Hmm. Looks like by default its set to 100. I increased it to 10000, will see how it works over the next bit.

[Kumala]

what are the consequences from an application point of view if this parameter is changed? Any risks or sideeffects one should be aware of?

[SlickTheNick]

Well, its been running with that value changed all day. No noticeable side effects or unexpected bugs, and it seems to have a noticeable improvement in stability. Doesnt seem to crash quite as frequently, but still pretty sluggish. Im sure there is more that can be done still