How much RAM do I need to turn a VPS into Proxy server?

JuicyBlack · #1 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 04:12 AM

I saw that other thread about installing Squid on Ubuntu to turn that VPS IPs into proxies but I was wondering, what is the minimum amount of RAM needed to get that running and use the proxies to browse through?

I was thinking since only ubuntu and squid will be running do I really need more than 512 of RAM to use that VPS as a proxy?

Vinux · #2 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 06:55 AM

512 of ram will run Squid fine!
I'm runing unbuntu server 8.x with LAMP using 250-350mb with Squid works fine.
Good luck!

adridon · #3 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 07:07 AM

That totally depends on how many users you want to be able to access the proxy. If it's just yourself, then 512 MB is totally fine.

Here's an extract from the user guide regarding memory and RAM requirements:

Quote:

Memory/Ram Requirements

Squid keeps an in-memory table of objects in RAM. Because of the way that Squid checks if objects are in the file store, fast access to the table is very important. Squid slows down dramatically when parts of the table are in swap.

Since Squid is one large process, swapping is particularly bad. If the operating system has to swap data, Squid is placed on the 'sleeping tasks' queue, and cannot service other established connections. (? hmm. it will actually get woken up straight away. I wonder if this is relevant ?)

Each object stored on disk uses about 75 bytes (? get exact value ?) of RAM in the index. The average size of an object on the Internet is about 13kb, so if you have a gigabyte of disk space you will probably store around about 80 000 objects.

At 75 bytes of RAM per object, 80 000 objects require about six megabytes of RAM. If you have 8gigs of disk you will need 48Mb of RAM just for the object index. It is important to note that this excludes memory for your operating system, the Squid binary, memory for in-transit objects and spare RAM for for disk cache.

So, what should your sustained-thoughput of your disks be? Squid tends to read in small blocks, so throughput is of lesser importance than random seek times. Generally disks with fast seeks are high throughput, and most disks (even IDE disks these days) can transfer data faster than clients can download it from you. Don't blow a year's budget on really high-speed disks, go for lower-seek times instead - or add more disks.

So yeah, you're fine

fatboy · #4 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 07:13 AM

I use a 128Mb as a socks proxy and its ticks along nicely - only use SSH tunnelling though, not squid.

64Mb was pushing it a bit though!

Vinux · #5 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 07:17 AM

Yeah i would get a VPS server with 200mb+ of ram.
Good luck.

JuicyBlack · #6 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 07:20 AM

128mb? dam! lol .... I kinda want to install squid and will be using the VPS myself so there won't be other users connecting to the vps at the same time..... I'll disconnect and reconnect to the vps to use different IPs instead of paying for a proxy service.... I know its more work but I'll have more flexibility and the costs might not be that bad after all ....

**luhasr** · #7 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 10:37 AM

hi i am using vps server with 512mb of ram. Usually this is the best for other proxy also......

Blueprint · #8 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 10:56 AM

are you running this from home through a vps on a separate system?

**luhasr** · #9 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blueprint

are you running this from home through a vps on a separate system?

Yes so what is your point?

**digitalcrew** · #10 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 11:17 AM

most VPS servers won't allow you to run a proxy script, so just make sure that they do.

rokabear · #11 (**permalink**) 04-17-2011, 01:36 PM

Try starting off with a cheap vps with about 64 MB ram, and upgrade until you get what you need. Alot of people are equating ram to speed for VPS's and well it doesn't always work that way. If you are just running squid for you and a couple of people 64 MB on a OpenVZ VPSmay be fine. A good hosting provider should allow you to upgrade.

So start at around 64 MB, and upgrade until you are not swapping.

Realize that if the provider puts on you a VPS server that is oversubscribed, you could have a gig of ram, but still get poor performance.

Also look vps provider that offers a good control panel.

Rokabear tech staff

mindmaker · #12 (**permalink**) 04-18-2011, 01:40 PM

according to my experience minimum ram for smooth proxy server is 256mb dedicated otherwise it will put load on vps which is mostly unacceptable by hosting companies

kingamer · #13 (**permalink**) 05-26-2011, 04:05 PM

i got to ask guys what is squid and lamb as i have a few proxy sites and have just moved to a vps

USProxyKing · #14 (**permalink**) 05-26-2011, 07:25 PM

Beatiful thing about FreeBSD is 128mb of ram and you can run 8 cable modems through it as a router