Performance Question re: file uploads

[voltrader]

I have a dedicated server running a script where users can upload photos which are then resized and thumbnailed.

I notice that with standard photos (1-2MB), the server can only have 2-3 uploads concurrently without it affecting performance of the website.

Can I do anything to say, lower the priority of uploads, so that normal web requests are still responded to quickly?

Or anything else I could try?

[jdMorgan]

Sounds like the server might be severely bandwidth-limited... Is your host server connected to a decent pipe, but shared among a lot of users, or are you home-hosting on a DSL/cable line or something?

I'm asking out of curiosity, and because I'm not sure about setting priorities of (php?) scripts myself.

Jim

[voltrader]

Good question.

Not home-hosted: it's the lowest level dedicated server at a major hosting co. in Southern Cal.

When I signed up for it, restrictive bandwidth was not a question I had in mind!

[john_k]

What happens if you just do concurrent file uploads without the resizing/thumbnail activity? If that is still slow, then bandwidth is the culprit. On the other hand, if that doesn't seem to affect performance, then it is likely that the thumbnail processing is hitting the CPU and/or RAM.

[voltrader]

Ah - good suggestion! Thanks!