My small Arch Linux server with Apache and stuff (no X) got owned (DOS).

Here's my problem:

1) Apache went nuts with the memory and cpu usage -> out of memory and out of swap
2) SSH shut down after a minute, so I went to the computer with an open root login and started typing...

Nothing! I can't type anything, but I can switch VC's with alt+arrow keys, Ctrl+S activates scroll lock, caps and numlock works too. But when I try to type to bash or login, nothing happens.

After this I tried SSH'ing my server again.. it doesn't timeout, but it hangs when it should ask for password.

debug lines worth mentioning:
debug1: Connecting to servername [x.x.x.x] port 22.
debug1: Connection established

So.. do you guys know any possible rebootless solutions to this?

Wouldn't like to reboot my 465d uptime server, reboot count after install at the moment: 0. I don't think it will even be able to boot.

The system is probably running at %100 cpu .. a reboot may be required if you can't log in. BTW, DOS != owned

try to ping the server and check the response time...this might help you to judge .whether there is a real network traffic going on to your webserver or your webserver is just utilizing the memory for waste..

try telnet
# telnet yourserver 80
# telnet yourserver

sometimes old is gold.