Inside MySpace: The Story

Booming traffic demands put a constant stress on the social network’s computing infrastructure. Yet, MySpace developers have repeatedly redesigned the Web site software, database and storage systems in an attempt to keep pace with exploding growth – the site now handles almost 40 billion page views a month. Most corporate Web sites will never have to bear more than a small fraction of the traffic MySpace handles, but anyone seeking to reach the mass market online can learn from its experience.

Story Guide:

  • A Member Rants

  • The Journey Begins

    Membership Milestones:

  • 500,000 Users: A Simple Architecture Stumbles
  • 1 Million Users:Vertical Partitioning Solves Scalability Woes
  • 3 Million Users: Scale-Out Wins Over Scale-Up
  • 9 Million Users: Site Migrates to ASP.NET, Adds Virtual Storage
  • 26 Million Users: MySpace Embraces 64-Bit Technology
  • What’s Behind Those "Unexpected Error" Screens?

    Also in This Feature:

  • The Company’s Top Players and Alumni
  • Technologies To Handle Mushrooming Demand
  • Web Design Experts Grade MySpace
  • User Customization: Too Much of a Good Thing?

    Reader Question: Is MySpace the future of corporate communications? Write to: [email protected]

    Next page: A Member Rants

    Neuroscientist reveals a new way to manifest more financial abundance

    Breakthrough Columbia study confirms the brain region is 250 million years old, the size of a walnut and accessible inside your brain right now.

    Learn More

  • Picture of David F Carr

    David F Carr

    TRENDING AROUND THE WEB

    People who never fight but always get their way often use these 8 passive strategies

    People who never fight but always get their way often use these 8 passive strategies

    The Vessel

    According to psychology, people who have mastered self-respect usually walk away when these 8 things happen

    According to psychology, people who have mastered self-respect usually walk away when these 8 things happen

    The Vessel

    7 behaviors adults display when they didn’t receive enough affection growing up

    7 behaviors adults display when they didn’t receive enough affection growing up

    The Vessel

    8 quiet signs your partner stopped choosing you (even though they’ll never admit it)

    8 quiet signs your partner stopped choosing you (even though they’ll never admit it)

    The Vessel

    7 overlooked features of a successful product demo video

    7 overlooked features of a successful product demo video

    The Blog Herald

    9 things people who age beautifully refuse to do after 7pm

    9 things people who age beautifully refuse to do after 7pm

    The Vessel