Hard Refresh


Introduction

Soft refresh = reload the game to the memory
Hard refresh = unload the game from memory then reload the game to the memory

Hard refresh is usually done when the public memory gets corrupted, signs of this happening is when a number of players get a an error on the page that contains:
`Just in time`
`Unknown error`

Do note that this errors may indicate a bug. If every page contains this error then there is a high probability that the server`s memory has been corrupted and requires a hard refresh.

Things to remember

The server automatically does a hard refresh once a day at 8.00 pm (server time)

Doing a `hard refresh` call from coldfusion server itself (via the admin site) is risky. This is because if the coldfusion server will try to unload its memory while at the same time do the `call`. There is a chance that the coldfusion server may fail doing the `call` or may not entirely process the `call`. When this does occur, the coldfusion server will remain hung until someone performs another `hard refresh call` and this can no longer be done via the admin site. As backup, all the servers have an automated script that checks for a `hung session` (no or slow response from coldfusion server) every 5 minutes. If there is a `hung session` then the automated script will perform a `kill` command. If this should fail as well, the only way to fix this is to call Stephen and have Stephen manually log into the server to figure out whats wrong, and in a worst scenario to restart the server.

A `hard refresh` takes up a lot of CPU, so if there are a ton of people online, do warn the players not to `hammer` the server. For UC ask the player to temporary switch to another server, while others to wait for a couple of minutes (maybe ask them to go get a drink, toilet break, etc). It should take no more than 60 seconds for a hard refresh to complete, but if `hammer` does occur the server itself may perform several hard or soft on its own.

Due to all this issue, make sure before doing a `hard refresh` that :
1. More than 5-10 people suffer from memory corruption error that can be fixed (by logging out or in)
2. Ensure it is not a bug
3. Warn players not to `hammer` or to switch to another server first
4. Time the `hard refresh call`, if the server doesnt come on for more than 15 minutes call Stephen. 15 minutes = it failed the `hard refresh call` & 2x `hung session` check calls
5. Do not repeatedly do `hard refresh calls` (if possible)

Error codes

This is the error codes for `View Last Refresh Log`
Connection Failure = server is physically dead or coldfusion server encountered a `hung sesssion`






Terms
`Hammer` = repeatedly try to login or access the page
`Call` = technical term for a software to run another software or command
`Coldfusions server hung session` = coldfusion server is dead or not responding