Etsy's Handmade Blog
Etsy News Alert: Scheduled Site Maintenances
Story by chaddickerson, TechUpdates, Vanessa
Published on October 27, 2008 in Etsy News 		Photo by

planBshop, from "Leafcutter Ants" Photo Triptych

UPDATE: Migration is now complete and we're excited to say we even finished up a bit early. If you do notice any bugs, please post in this thread in the Bugs forums.

[The following was originally published on Oct 17, 2008]

I'm just completing my seventh week as CTO here at Etsy, and the Engineering Team here is continuing to work on the infrastructure for the site, including putting in some new systems and processes in place that will make Etsy more reliable both for the holidays and for the long haul.   Next weekend, we will be migrating Etsy's master database to better and faster hardware.  Since the master database contains the most essential information used to run Etsy, the key functions of the site will be unavailable. We have scheduled this maintenance for 3am until 6am ET on Monday, October 27, 2008.  We will have a page up noting that we are in maintenance mode, but you will be unable to use search, listings, checkout, Storque, forums, convos, or anything else you normally use at Etsy.  Because this is a significant migration, we wanted to give you plenty of advance notice.

This weekend, we will be taking the Storque database down for maintenance from 11pm-midnight on Sunday, October 19, 2008.  Storque will be unavailable during this time.

You might notice that the maintenance window for the master database is 3 hours, whereas the maintenance window for the much smaller conversations database on September 22 was much longer (approximately 11 hours).  This is not a coincidence, but very intentional and the result of better planning and execution.  Since September 22, we have begun putting a more thoughtful and intelligent design in place for our database systems with the specific goal of shortening maintenance windows and any downtime you will experience.  As we continue to work on Etsy, we will do whatever we can to minimize the disruption for all of you.

For both of these maintenance windows, we will be posting updates to fix.etsy.com. 

Thanks for your patience as we continue to work to make Etsy better!

ps
If you want to get the breaking, vital Etsy news as it happens — delivered straight to your email inbox, then sign up for Etsy News Alerts emails. Read more about it here.  Expect this as an Etsy Alert email in your inbox if you already subscribe to the list.

You can also get an RSS feed of all TechUpdates here.

Tags downtime, engineering, news alerts, site maintenance, TechUpdates, Tech Updates
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121 comments     Login to add your own!

Oct. 17, 2008 at 8:13 p.m. Odannysgirl

Thanks for the warning. Much appreciated!

Oct. 17, 2008 at 8:15 p.m. LazyTcrochet

Thanks for the heads up. Hope it goes well!

Oct. 17, 2008 at 8:22 p.m. kittyd

Yep, thanks for the heads up-and for planning this before the holiday season. G'luck!

Oct. 17, 2008 at 8:34 p.m. shinsei

Thank you very much, guys!

Oct. 17, 2008 at 8:35 p.m. peaseblossomstudio

Thanks for the heads up! :-)

Oct. 17, 2008 at 8:40 p.m. MyissaG

Thank you :)

Oct. 17, 2008 at 8:41 p.m. thesunnysidebiz

May the force be with you.

Oct. 17, 2008 at 8:43 p.m. CuteAbility

Git er done

Oct. 17, 2008 at 8:44 p.m. moxy

Ouch. I usually log on at 5am Monday mornings. Already marked this on my calendar. Thanks for letting us know!

Oct. 17, 2008 at 8:48 p.m. reqbat

thanks for the advance warning!!!

Oct. 17, 2008 at 9:17 p.m. katieblairdesigns

thanks for letting us now! good luck.

Oct. 17, 2008 at 9:24 p.m. Rachelsaprons

Very good to know so far in advance. Helps with planning sales. Thank you.

Oct. 17, 2008 at 9:29 p.m. theeye

Fabulous! great communication ..... !

Oct. 17, 2008 at 9:43 p.m. knotbygranma

Good to know. Thanks!

Oct. 17, 2008 at 9:45 p.m. WingsDove

Improvements are always welcome. Wonderful communication. Thank you.

Oct. 17, 2008 at 10:37 p.m. nfall2rt

Good to know. Thank you for your hard work and the advance notice.

Oct. 17, 2008 at 10:51 p.m. MelissasMelange

Thank you so much for working on doing all this hard work. We certainly appreciate it (and the communication about what is going on)

Oct. 17, 2008 at 11:55 p.m. treasurefield

Sounds good!

quote: "we have begun putting a more thoughtful and intelligent design in place for our database systems"

I like the idea of intelligent design! ^_^

Oct. 18, 2008 at 12:24 a.m. moppetsclosets

Wonderful to hear! Looking forward to a smoother holiday season!

Oct. 18, 2008 at 12:46 a.m. riskybeads

progress rocks.

Oct. 18, 2008 at 1:57 a.m. moxiedesigns

Thanks, Chad! I think we all appreciate being kept in the loop. :D

Oct. 18, 2008 at 2:23 a.m. nicole6697

Thanks for the warning - and all your hard work. All of us really appreciate it.

Oct. 18, 2008 at 6:30 a.m. mannequinreject

This sounds awesome. :)

Oct. 18, 2008 at 8:03 a.m. Timeless

Did you email this to every Etsian, not just the ones who signed up for the email alerts?

Oct. 18, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. GreenMamba

Thanks for the heads-up, Chad and Vanessa. I'm with Timeless, though: such major news needs to be disseminated to the *entire* membership. Especially since the site will be essentially down and unavailable during the maintenance. Also, I didn't notice any sort of red-letter alert upon log-in - am I just overlooking it?

Oct. 18, 2008 at 9:39 a.m. LunasBaublebilities

Hooray! Thank you for your hard work! I hope this makes a big difference for sellers and buyers alike. :)

Oct. 18, 2008 at 10:17 a.m. auntsuesoldnewlovely

Thanks for the info! Appreciate the work!

Oct. 18, 2008 at 11:31 a.m. VintageJunqueRevival

rock on!

Oct. 18, 2008 at 12:24 p.m. capitolagirl

Thanks for the heads up!

Oct. 18, 2008 at 1:46 p.m. swiekysiggies

The update is very much appreciated! :)

Oct. 18, 2008 at 2:37 p.m. hergypsysoul

Thanks so much for the update notice!!! :D

Oct. 18, 2008 at 4:12 p.m. BooBonnets

Thanks for the update.

Oct. 18, 2008 at 9:38 p.m. ThePeachTree

Sounds like some major good in the works :) You guys rock, does anyone ever tell you that?? Oh, wait... a couple of people already did.... Well, I think you get our point!

Oct. 19, 2008 at 12:02 a.m. BeadBead

YaY!!! Runs off to mark calendar! xoxo Sab

Oct. 19, 2008 at 7:13 a.m. SmadarsTreasure

Thanks for the update.

Oct. 19, 2008 at 8:45 p.m. lanedesigns

Thanks for the update!!!

Oct. 19, 2008 at 9:52 p.m. aronhelen

Thanks for letting us know so far in advance.

Oct. 19, 2008 at 10:40 p.m. BaronessBijoutery

Thanks for the update, it's so nice to have advance notice and not a total surprise. You rock.

Oct. 20, 2008 at 1:58 p.m. wartpiggydesigns

Thanks, and good luck with the late night!

Oct. 21, 2008 at 9:02 a.m. CrazyBliss

great job! thanks for keeping us informed, and good luck with the migration. hope everything comes off without a hitch for you.

Oct. 21, 2008 at 9:04 a.m. AMomentAMemory28

Thanks for the heads up, can't wait to see all the new changes in place =)

Oct. 21, 2008 at 9:07 a.m. BlueKittyMiniatures

Thanks - I get the impression Chad is a big ray of sunshine much needed here :)

Oct. 21, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. electricbluebird

Yahoo Chad! I am a little skeered of all this happening right before the holidays but I am happy to see change coming!

Oct. 21, 2008 at 9:28 a.m. ImagineStudio

Thank you for letting us know well in advance. Hope everything will go smoothly.

Oct. 21, 2008 at 9:35 a.m. OhFaro

Sending my best vibes for a smooth transfer.

Thanks for the hard work Chad.

Oct. 21, 2008 at 9:37 a.m. buttonsbyrobin

Thanks very much. We appreciate the hard work that is going in to improving the site.

Oct. 21, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. jamieribisi

This certainly should be emailed to the entire membership-- sellers and buyers. I had no idea this info was here and after the problems last night-- this is just going to cause a major uproar and lots of unforseen problems.

Oct. 21, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. CraftDiner

What a refreshing and professional approach. Thanks for the advance notice.

Oct. 21, 2008 at 11:11 a.m. DragonRags

I appreciate the heads-up but it kind of sucks, because I haved a sale starting the 27th. Hopefully, it will not bleed out of that morning window. :(

I agree: This is the kind of news that should be emailed to all members, not just posted to Storque.

Oct. 21, 2008 at 12:50 p.m. LeahSutton

Thank for letting us know in advance!

Oct. 21, 2008 at 6:10 p.m. chocolateandsteel

I'm surprised that people don't get these emails. I always receive an email when there is scheduled maintenance. Maybe I signed up for something that I don't remember.
Anyways, I'm happy for the maintenance:)

Oct. 22, 2008 at 12:20 a.m. jANonCapeCod

Thanks for the Heads Up, I'm a night Owl!

Oct. 22, 2008 at 12:52 a.m. katbag

Thank you this will help us all!!

Oct. 22, 2008 at 12:06 p.m. dragonhouseofyuen

thanks for the improvements and for the advance warning. Much appreciated!

Oct. 22, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. AmourAmi

Good to know...........thanks

Oct. 22, 2008 at 12:37 p.m. OpusMuse

Yes we do need safer, faster, more reliable improvements on Etsy! Thanks for all your hard work!

Oct. 22, 2008 at 1:05 p.m. delightworthyn

Thanks!

Oct. 22, 2008 at 1:15 p.m. AdoptanAlien

hopefully this will let photos upload easier for those of us who are still forced to use dial up. Thanks for the update

Oct. 22, 2008 at 1:27 p.m. m5creativecorners

ok do ki! No problem, more sleep for me.
Thanks for warning.

Oct. 22, 2008 at 2:59 p.m. Boquita66

Thanks a lot for the advise!

Oct. 22, 2008 at 3:26 p.m. decoratethediva

Thank you for your hard work!!! I'm always excited about speed and reliability!!!

Oct. 22, 2008 at 3:41 p.m. pumpkinhaus

thanks!

Oct. 22, 2008 at 3:51 p.m. polkadotsandpetals

Thank you!

Oct. 22, 2008 at 4:14 p.m. RachelleD

Thanks!!

Oct. 22, 2008 at 4:23 p.m. tinygreenapples

THANKS!!!!!

Oct. 22, 2008 at 4:39 p.m. mmcdesignz

Good to know, thanx!

Oct. 22, 2008 at 5:17 p.m. smmak2

good luck!! thanks for the heads up

Oct. 22, 2008 at 5:43 p.m. arabbitgirl

thank you

Oct. 22, 2008 at 5:54 p.m. LuxJewelry

Thanks for the heads up!

Oct. 22, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. kjoo

Thanks!

Oct. 22, 2008 at 8:02 p.m. aliherrmann

super-duper!

Oct. 22, 2008 at 9:16 p.m. baharcollection

Thank you for to update )))

Oct. 22, 2008 at 11:04 p.m. periwinklesuz

Thank you for everything! :)

Oct. 22, 2008 at 11:49 p.m. TexasBeauties

Awesome! Thanks for the update.

Oct. 23, 2008 at 8:52 a.m. ElizaLeigh

Love the login alerts! Definitely keep that!

Oct. 23, 2008 at 11:46 a.m. GRAMCRACKERSHOP

Thanks for the update.

Oct. 23, 2008 at 11:57 a.m. psychedelictara

Crossing fingers it all goes smoothly. I love the set-up and look and feel of Etsy so much, and I appreciate your efforts to improve the site.

I sure hope the "skip to Last" feature that is currently only available when editing an already listed item, will be implemented for the original listing process asap. I hate to picture listing at Xmas time, without that feature being added to improve your service. Each one of us loses time daily, waiting, as our computers whir, and we go through steps we don't need to visit again, just to get back to the Last window!

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE address this issue before the Holidays, thanks!

Oct. 23, 2008 at 1:04 p.m. TaviesDreams

Thank you for the information! The login alert definitely caught my attention.

Oct. 23, 2008 at 1:50 p.m. CountryLanes

Good to know!

Oct. 23, 2008 at 4:20 p.m. DeLayne

GO ETSY!!! What is a little inconvenience in comparison to the FUN of Etsy... I LOVE IT and I feel addicted (in a good way) to Etsy so by all means, improving it will only make me happier! Thanks YOUALL! ;~)

Oct. 23, 2008 at 5:17 p.m. DesignsWithStyle

No worries… I will be sound asleep :) Thanks!

Oct. 23, 2008 at 5:24 p.m. OlgaAlmond

Thank you for the information!

Oct. 23, 2008 at 5:27 p.m. MelanieKors

Thank you for all your hard work.

Oct. 23, 2008 at 5:53 p.m. wrappedNwarmth

thanks for all you do for etsy. :)

Oct. 23, 2008 at 7:20 p.m. Leatherwebee

Thaqnk you so very much.

Oct. 23, 2008 at 9:29 p.m. Christophersartglass

Great to see that the upgrades are looking out to the future of Etsy! Keep up the good work!

Oct. 23, 2008 at 10:46 p.m. kitbits

Thanks!!You do great job!!

Oct. 24, 2008 at 2:03 a.m. Gonald

Thank you for your wonderful work!!!

Oct. 24, 2008 at 9:26 a.m. rkdsign88

thank you for the info & the great work

Oct. 24, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. paolafrusteri

THANKS FOR YOUR INFO

Oct. 24, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. futureliberty

thank you

Oct. 24, 2008 at 11:57 a.m. Rainbowbox

Thank you ^_^

Oct. 24, 2008 at 2:01 p.m. curlyfrysc

You DO realize that if someone logs in by using any other Etsy link other than "login" the message about the maintenance doesn't shop up? Nor does the fact that you have feedback to leave?

Oct. 24, 2008 at 3:09 p.m. trendyaccessories

Thanks a lot...
Loves from Istanbul :)

Oct. 24, 2008 at 3:14 p.m. trendyknitting

What i like with Etsy " great communication ".

Oct. 24, 2008 at 3:29 p.m. DeeDeesCards

THANKS for the warning and the updates!!! >*.*<

Oct. 24, 2008 at 4:22 p.m. DancingDolphinPotter

Thanks for the notification when I logged into my account! Best of luck!

Oct. 24, 2008 at 7:29 p.m. Crazy4Cards

Thank you for the notification!

Oct. 24, 2008 at 9:55 p.m. kelleyaccents

Thank you very much for the info!

Oct. 24, 2008 at 10:45 p.m. zeng

Thank you for the info:)

Oct. 24, 2008 at 10:49 p.m. curlyfrysc

Thanks for fixing that problem! Now when I come to Etsy from any site and I'm already logged in, the message shows. :)
Also when I log in from any link on Etsy it shows my feedback notice. Thank you thank you!

Oct. 24, 2008 at 11:56 p.m. Seedsstudio

Thank you for the info

Oct. 25, 2008 at 12:18 a.m. PassionMoonPotions

Thanks for the info! :-)

Oct. 25, 2008 at 1:16 a.m. trisevyeni

Thank you :)

Oct. 25, 2008 at 2:12 p.m. iralamijashop

thanks

Oct. 25, 2008 at 3:24 p.m. Cedarwool

Thanks for the information, sure appreciate it !

Oct. 25, 2008 at 4:43 p.m. DesignsbyChar

Thanks

Oct. 25, 2008 at 8:09 p.m. ajewelgift

Good to know you are working on the hardware needs to keep ahead of the increased demand... and better now than closer to the holidays. Thanks.

Oct. 25, 2008 at 8:50 p.m. kazzalblue

Thanks for the advance warning!

Oct. 25, 2008 at 10:05 p.m. sweethaerd

thanks:)

Oct. 26, 2008 at 2:41 a.m. filo

Thanks for the login Alerts but ET time means nothing to me in Australia. I would like to see ETSY have a broader world view.... be international and use Greenwich mean time or provide a link with the times for various parts of the world.

Yours globally

Oct. 26, 2008 at 6:37 a.m. Jelli

I agree with filo ~ I have no idea how badly it will effect the UK ~ can you let us know please?

Oct. 26, 2008 at 10:16 a.m. TreasuredTreasures

Thanks for the heads-up; it is very much appreciated, now I won't be wondering "what's wrong now"? LOL...

Oct. 26, 2008 at 10:06 p.m. AnniesAttic

Thanks!!!

Oct. 26, 2008 at 10:48 p.m. Siggyj44

Thanks for the info

Oct. 26, 2008 at 11:20 p.m. extras

i don't suppose you've kicked in early, have you? it isn't showing me as logged in (though apparently for storque purposes I am, i just can't use the convo feature).

Oct. 27, 2008 at 1:25 a.m. lonelygirl

i thought it was gonna be from 3pm to 6am...! that scared the bo-hunk outta me! I NEED ME SOME CONVOS!!! thanks for explaining in great detail to some of those who need it! :)

Oct. 27, 2008 at 2:42 a.m. haniyyajewelz

that sounds awesome !!! Thanks for the update, will take note lest i forget and get worried.

Oct. 27, 2008 at 6:31 a.m. Vanessa

Please post in the thread in the Bugs forum is you see anything fishy. We should be all good now.
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php...

Oct. 28, 2008 at 8:01 a.m. Artistico

thnks for the info:)

Oct. 28, 2008 at 12:54 p.m. KalliopeGifts

Thank you for all your hard work!

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