The experiment was carried out using two servers: one to serve the web pages, and another to do the MySQL processing. The servers, a 1.7Ghz and a 1Ghz each had 1 gig of memory.
Since we really no idea what was going to happen, and to avoid the embarrassment of the server dying the instant it got advertised, we took a few measures to cut down dynamic page generation, like having a static html home-page. This meant, even if the server was having a hard time, users would most probably see the home page. The downloads page was also changed to static html for the same reasons.
At 4PM EST, The site went live and millions of Oprah's devotees tuned in. PostNuke's stats records a staggering 21,000 page views in just 2 and a half hours but the overall stats were much higher including the html home page (which has now beed removed).
Judging by server load stats, I dont think two servers was actually necessary - neither were the static html pages. I am very impressed with PostNuke. My gut instinct since I saw Postnuke in August 2001 it was a winning formula. I know it has been though some rough times in the community, but taking the long view, it has actually gone from strength to strength and I will continue to watch this space and support PostNuke in my own small way.
Drak
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