Server System Requirements?
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BlackCloud
- Private
- Posts: 14
- Joined: Tue May 16, 2006 4:17 pm
Sirfly does this happen between 7PM and 1AM? And what service provider do you use? Reason I asked just noticed I am having ping and packet loss from a system problem that adelphia is using. Pings will jump to 200 or so. Noticed you were in GA. and maybe you are going thru the same spot. Do a speed test and a tracert to google. This has been happening from what I read for the last month.
http://www.speedtest.net/
http://www.speedtest.net/
LOL!!!
Will try and help answer majority of your questions and open the discussion so all can learn and benefit from. There are many things that can effect game performance, so I will start from the server down to the players. From this discussion, you will be more educated and how to help resolve some of the issues. I wish I had the time to write a big article on this.
Tell you what, because this topic is so big, I will chop this into 4 PARTS (SERVER, BANDWIDTH, CLIENTS, and Unreal SOFTWARE. So keep an eye out for all 4 parts.
PART ONE and TWO:
INTRODUCTION: First, a little background information about me. I am a Softwarwe Engineer/Computer Scientist (with a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science). I am soldier in the United States Army and work with other Government agencies involved in software development, test, and integration of wartime software. To do something useful for the community, I run a dedicated server (on my off duty time) for the community. Even though I have developed software for several years, there is still some things I am learning about their UT Engine. Here is my partial analysis...
Dedicated Server: system requirements for a dedicated server basically falls into three critical parts: Server, bandwidth, clients and Software. As food for thought, I will discuss each area in general so you guys can join in on. It would take all day to explain everything so I will try to keep this short and discuss basics first and then move on to advanced areas that uncover some key issues.
About dedicated servers, there are a lot of people who think they can just toss a computer online and think they have a dedicated server. Like LAN game, this is ok for small networking (2 to 4 players) running a basic game type on a DSL or Cable connection in the same neihborhood or city. There is much more to it if you really want to run an actual public or clan dedicated game server. Let me clarify because I get so many emails from people asking how to setup their pc as a game server. True dedicated server means that a computer is setup to run the game and nothing else. You cannot be running the game server, play UT, run email, Skype, AOL, Instant Messenger, ICQ and other programs all on the same box. That's not a dedecated server; all those programs will steal system resources (CPU, RAM Etc.) from the game. You also need a very high bandwidth. Even if you have have a pc with 6 dual core CPUs and 200 memory sticks, DSL or Cable is not enough to run a dedicated server with a private redirect server for downloading/uploading files (animations, maps, music, sounds, staticmeshes, system (mods/muts) and textures). To rap things up about dedicated servers, you must a high-end machine and a high bandwidth connection. Since only 2% of the public don't have the bandwidth (greater than standard DSL/Cable) they rent online game servers. Renting a game server is expenisve but is a lower cost then setting up a game server at your home. You would need the tele-communications company to drop a high bandwidth business type line in your house. Believe me, I been there, done that, got the bills $$$. Even though renting online game servers are cheaper then running your own server out of your home, there are some issues. Rented online game servers sometimes share their systems and use public redirect servers. If a public redirect server goes down, all the systems that use it is screwed. They also regulate the bandwidth and may charge you additonal fees if you go over your monthly limit. They also dont allow you to do the things you want to do, like upload custom mods and mutators. They learned that these custom games take up more resources and bandwidth, especially INVASION. I have seen some retend online servers charge double if you want to run a custom invasion. Custom Invasion can take up more system resources (CPU and RAM) than 3 onslaught servers running at once. Custom Invasion is VERY demanding on resources (both server and client). Custom invasion means that you are running a lot more than just the basic unreal's basic invasion of 10 monsters and no custom mutators/mods (For an example: satores monster pack, monster manager, RPG, FHI, Druids, Sentinels etc.). A setup like this can peg the server CPU at 80% as where as 1 onslaught game server running will peg the CPU at about 23%. Some game servers rent out game servers that share the same CPU. If you run invasion, then they cant sell (rent out/share) the rest of CPU which means your taking up a whole CPU. So what are your options? if you plan on running a server with all this custom stuff, find a renting online game server to accomodate your invasion needs with flexability and lowest cost possible. However, if you are serious about running an invasion server running/developing lots of mods and mutators then the best solution is to build your own high end machine, dedicate 1 CPU for it, find a data center and just pay for the storage and bandwidth fees.
About my Server: Because I am serious about Unreal, Invasion and development for the game, I run a serious and expensive system. I built my own server to meet the my present and future requirements. My server has a dual CPU slot motherboard loaded with 2 of the latest top of the line and highest Dual Core AMD FX CPUs available (new Atholon/Opteron merged technology), 4 gigs of Dual Channel RAM, Windows 2003 Server Operating System, 3 SATA 10,000 RPM 200 GIG Hard Drives (RAIDED), and 3 High Speed Network Cards. My custom invasion game uses up 1 of the 2 Dual Core Processors but not all of 1 CPU. It uses up about half of 1 dual core processor and basically leaves me with 3 other processors to do whatever with. I was running other unreal game types (Onslaught, Sniper Hunt, Car Ball, CHAOS etc) plus two other games (Battlefield II and Call of Duty II). I stopped running those other games because I dont have the time to admin and manage them all. I should probably do data hosting or rent a couple of game servers out because of all the CPU, RAM, and Hard Drive space left availabe. As far as for internet connection for the game server, I did some research and found that one of the main internet pipes (highway) runs through michigan state. My goal was to set up a server where players from East and West Coast and Canada and Mexico would have about the same ping. Some servers are based on one side of America. The problem with that is that is if the server is based in Florida (East Coast), the players connecting from California (West Coast) would have higher pings (almost double) than those in florida (East Coast). The same example can be for Canada and Mexico. This also affects people from overseas as well. So the best solution is try to plant the server centrally as possible for best pings and performance for players around the world. Michigan State seemed to be the best spot. My server sits on the 4th floor in a dust free Telecom Data Business Center. I pay for computer storage and connection. The server conection is a Dual Fiber Optic OC3 connection. I am authorized 2 Terabytes of data transfer a month (1 TB for download and 1 TB for upload). With this powerful holy shit bandwidth I can also provide my own redirect servers for online games and dont have to use unreliable public redirect servers. A person can download a CD ROM from server at 600kbs to 1,000kbs, thats how good the bandwidth is. In conlusion, a business or gaming company could be easilycharged between $500 to $1,000 a month for this system and service.
To conclude my topic and about dedicated servers, let just say that it is critical to know how to run and maintain a server. Some people out there are server admins and dont know much about it. It requires great knowledge to set up and maintain it. If you are very knowledgeable about hardware, software and network communication systems and have the resources, you dont have to rent/pay for an agency/someone to do it for you. There is a great responsibility, you must ensure compatibility of each hardware component devices, configurations, operating system, maintainenance, services and updates/patches are correctly implemented. When you look out there in the UT World of Customized Extreme Invasion servers, there are not that many. Servers like Druids (Disasterious Consequences), Gamer's Lounge, FHI, CHAOS, RoseBums, and Joey's RPG are truly dedicated. These servers are most popular because they have dedicated knowledgeable programmers to customize the game(s).
Well, we covered 2 of 4 areas. We now know something about the server hardware and bandwidth, so the issue does not seem to be hardware and bandwidth related. However, if a server is not correctly configured it can affect game performance. Note: Not all game servers run the same. Because of different mods and mutators it requires different tweaks in server settings. I am still analyzing unreal server settings to best fit this customized extreme invasion. For the most part, it is good to go. For now, lets take in consideration the worst case that the unreal server configuration could use just a tiny bit of tweaking; I am confident to say that game performance issues with this server and bandwidth is only 2%. In my eyes, 2% is too low to seriously effect player or game performance. But for now, lets move on to the third and fourth critical peices that can also hurt game performance.
PART THREE (CLIENTS) and FOUR (SOFTWARE) coming shortly...
Oh by the way, before I forget, you can thank Black Cloud for this server. He is my mentor and inspired me into running invasion. Black Cloud's Server was the first invasion server I joined and motivated me to create one. Black Cloud has a lot of knowledge in running Unreal and Game Servers so pay attention to his advice, he can help you with most problems.
Will try and help answer majority of your questions and open the discussion so all can learn and benefit from. There are many things that can effect game performance, so I will start from the server down to the players. From this discussion, you will be more educated and how to help resolve some of the issues. I wish I had the time to write a big article on this.
Tell you what, because this topic is so big, I will chop this into 4 PARTS (SERVER, BANDWIDTH, CLIENTS, and Unreal SOFTWARE. So keep an eye out for all 4 parts.
PART ONE and TWO:
INTRODUCTION: First, a little background information about me. I am a Softwarwe Engineer/Computer Scientist (with a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science). I am soldier in the United States Army and work with other Government agencies involved in software development, test, and integration of wartime software. To do something useful for the community, I run a dedicated server (on my off duty time) for the community. Even though I have developed software for several years, there is still some things I am learning about their UT Engine. Here is my partial analysis...
Dedicated Server: system requirements for a dedicated server basically falls into three critical parts: Server, bandwidth, clients and Software. As food for thought, I will discuss each area in general so you guys can join in on. It would take all day to explain everything so I will try to keep this short and discuss basics first and then move on to advanced areas that uncover some key issues.
About dedicated servers, there are a lot of people who think they can just toss a computer online and think they have a dedicated server. Like LAN game, this is ok for small networking (2 to 4 players) running a basic game type on a DSL or Cable connection in the same neihborhood or city. There is much more to it if you really want to run an actual public or clan dedicated game server. Let me clarify because I get so many emails from people asking how to setup their pc as a game server. True dedicated server means that a computer is setup to run the game and nothing else. You cannot be running the game server, play UT, run email, Skype, AOL, Instant Messenger, ICQ and other programs all on the same box. That's not a dedecated server; all those programs will steal system resources (CPU, RAM Etc.) from the game. You also need a very high bandwidth. Even if you have have a pc with 6 dual core CPUs and 200 memory sticks, DSL or Cable is not enough to run a dedicated server with a private redirect server for downloading/uploading files (animations, maps, music, sounds, staticmeshes, system (mods/muts) and textures). To rap things up about dedicated servers, you must a high-end machine and a high bandwidth connection. Since only 2% of the public don't have the bandwidth (greater than standard DSL/Cable) they rent online game servers. Renting a game server is expenisve but is a lower cost then setting up a game server at your home. You would need the tele-communications company to drop a high bandwidth business type line in your house. Believe me, I been there, done that, got the bills $$$. Even though renting online game servers are cheaper then running your own server out of your home, there are some issues. Rented online game servers sometimes share their systems and use public redirect servers. If a public redirect server goes down, all the systems that use it is screwed. They also regulate the bandwidth and may charge you additonal fees if you go over your monthly limit. They also dont allow you to do the things you want to do, like upload custom mods and mutators. They learned that these custom games take up more resources and bandwidth, especially INVASION. I have seen some retend online servers charge double if you want to run a custom invasion. Custom Invasion can take up more system resources (CPU and RAM) than 3 onslaught servers running at once. Custom Invasion is VERY demanding on resources (both server and client). Custom invasion means that you are running a lot more than just the basic unreal's basic invasion of 10 monsters and no custom mutators/mods (For an example: satores monster pack, monster manager, RPG, FHI, Druids, Sentinels etc.). A setup like this can peg the server CPU at 80% as where as 1 onslaught game server running will peg the CPU at about 23%. Some game servers rent out game servers that share the same CPU. If you run invasion, then they cant sell (rent out/share) the rest of CPU which means your taking up a whole CPU. So what are your options? if you plan on running a server with all this custom stuff, find a renting online game server to accomodate your invasion needs with flexability and lowest cost possible. However, if you are serious about running an invasion server running/developing lots of mods and mutators then the best solution is to build your own high end machine, dedicate 1 CPU for it, find a data center and just pay for the storage and bandwidth fees.
About my Server: Because I am serious about Unreal, Invasion and development for the game, I run a serious and expensive system. I built my own server to meet the my present and future requirements. My server has a dual CPU slot motherboard loaded with 2 of the latest top of the line and highest Dual Core AMD FX CPUs available (new Atholon/Opteron merged technology), 4 gigs of Dual Channel RAM, Windows 2003 Server Operating System, 3 SATA 10,000 RPM 200 GIG Hard Drives (RAIDED), and 3 High Speed Network Cards. My custom invasion game uses up 1 of the 2 Dual Core Processors but not all of 1 CPU. It uses up about half of 1 dual core processor and basically leaves me with 3 other processors to do whatever with. I was running other unreal game types (Onslaught, Sniper Hunt, Car Ball, CHAOS etc) plus two other games (Battlefield II and Call of Duty II). I stopped running those other games because I dont have the time to admin and manage them all. I should probably do data hosting or rent a couple of game servers out because of all the CPU, RAM, and Hard Drive space left availabe. As far as for internet connection for the game server, I did some research and found that one of the main internet pipes (highway) runs through michigan state. My goal was to set up a server where players from East and West Coast and Canada and Mexico would have about the same ping. Some servers are based on one side of America. The problem with that is that is if the server is based in Florida (East Coast), the players connecting from California (West Coast) would have higher pings (almost double) than those in florida (East Coast). The same example can be for Canada and Mexico. This also affects people from overseas as well. So the best solution is try to plant the server centrally as possible for best pings and performance for players around the world. Michigan State seemed to be the best spot. My server sits on the 4th floor in a dust free Telecom Data Business Center. I pay for computer storage and connection. The server conection is a Dual Fiber Optic OC3 connection. I am authorized 2 Terabytes of data transfer a month (1 TB for download and 1 TB for upload). With this powerful holy shit bandwidth I can also provide my own redirect servers for online games and dont have to use unreliable public redirect servers. A person can download a CD ROM from server at 600kbs to 1,000kbs, thats how good the bandwidth is. In conlusion, a business or gaming company could be easilycharged between $500 to $1,000 a month for this system and service.
To conclude my topic and about dedicated servers, let just say that it is critical to know how to run and maintain a server. Some people out there are server admins and dont know much about it. It requires great knowledge to set up and maintain it. If you are very knowledgeable about hardware, software and network communication systems and have the resources, you dont have to rent/pay for an agency/someone to do it for you. There is a great responsibility, you must ensure compatibility of each hardware component devices, configurations, operating system, maintainenance, services and updates/patches are correctly implemented. When you look out there in the UT World of Customized Extreme Invasion servers, there are not that many. Servers like Druids (Disasterious Consequences), Gamer's Lounge, FHI, CHAOS, RoseBums, and Joey's RPG are truly dedicated. These servers are most popular because they have dedicated knowledgeable programmers to customize the game(s).
Well, we covered 2 of 4 areas. We now know something about the server hardware and bandwidth, so the issue does not seem to be hardware and bandwidth related. However, if a server is not correctly configured it can affect game performance. Note: Not all game servers run the same. Because of different mods and mutators it requires different tweaks in server settings. I am still analyzing unreal server settings to best fit this customized extreme invasion. For the most part, it is good to go. For now, lets take in consideration the worst case that the unreal server configuration could use just a tiny bit of tweaking; I am confident to say that game performance issues with this server and bandwidth is only 2%. In my eyes, 2% is too low to seriously effect player or game performance. But for now, lets move on to the third and fourth critical peices that can also hurt game performance.
PART THREE (CLIENTS) and FOUR (SOFTWARE) coming shortly...
Oh by the way, before I forget, you can thank Black Cloud for this server. He is my mentor and inspired me into running invasion. Black Cloud's Server was the first invasion server I joined and motivated me to create one. Black Cloud has a lot of knowledge in running Unreal and Game Servers so pay attention to his advice, he can help you with most problems.
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BlackCloud
- Private
- Posts: 14
- Joined: Tue May 16, 2006 4:17 pm
LOL! You know more then me now. Most of what I learned was from trial and error. Plus a whole lot of google searches! If you do build, buy Oppies they handle large UT servers better. If you look at most ONS servers they run them. Xeon's just dont perform well with alot of players and things going on like Joeyz server. But are fine for TDM, TAM and such gametypes.
ONS at one time was very cpu intensive. But Epic and the large ONS server owners(Cains Lair and Titan) worked together to stablize there problems. If you chose to rent, find servers that run nice and ask if they rent and who they use. Then ask other people what they think of them. Two I would suggest would be
http://ribservers.com/main/
http://www.aagamingrentals.com/
I wont go into detail, but they are good rental places that allow commandline access and you get your own limited size redirect. But they are the most bang for the buck in my book. HTM clan uses them both.
I really don't play UT to much anymore. But what I can say is Joeyz server runs very smooth compared to the other invasion servers. And most of you don't realize the amount of hair loss from him and the others to get it to this point. Most people rent a server and then think "well I am set people will flock to it cause it has a cool name". NOPE! You have to spend time on the server to get people on. And thats not just working on it. You have to play on it A LOT.
Then you add muts and other content to keep the natives happy. Now here comes the fun part. All unreal script is not created equal! I can not tell you how many muts that just dont play nice together. Now if you know unreal script you may be able to fix it. But if you are like me you are SOL unless you know someone. And trust me its no fun looking in the server logs seeing about a ton of errors and then tracking down the problems.
But anyway got off topic a bit. Just wanted to give players an idea of the BS that owners go thru just to provide you with somewhere to play. And that doesn't count the drama sometimes. :D
So give Joeyz and the gang props for what they have done and given you. Cause sometimes its more of a second then fun. So if you act up and are asked to play nice, just think of all the time and money spent to make YOU happy.
ONS at one time was very cpu intensive. But Epic and the large ONS server owners(Cains Lair and Titan) worked together to stablize there problems. If you chose to rent, find servers that run nice and ask if they rent and who they use. Then ask other people what they think of them. Two I would suggest would be
http://ribservers.com/main/
http://www.aagamingrentals.com/
I wont go into detail, but they are good rental places that allow commandline access and you get your own limited size redirect. But they are the most bang for the buck in my book. HTM clan uses them both.
I really don't play UT to much anymore. But what I can say is Joeyz server runs very smooth compared to the other invasion servers. And most of you don't realize the amount of hair loss from him and the others to get it to this point. Most people rent a server and then think "well I am set people will flock to it cause it has a cool name". NOPE! You have to spend time on the server to get people on. And thats not just working on it. You have to play on it A LOT.
Then you add muts and other content to keep the natives happy. Now here comes the fun part. All unreal script is not created equal! I can not tell you how many muts that just dont play nice together. Now if you know unreal script you may be able to fix it. But if you are like me you are SOL unless you know someone. And trust me its no fun looking in the server logs seeing about a ton of errors and then tracking down the problems.
But anyway got off topic a bit. Just wanted to give players an idea of the BS that owners go thru just to provide you with somewhere to play. And that doesn't count the drama sometimes. :D
So give Joeyz and the gang props for what they have done and given you. Cause sometimes its more of a second then fun. So if you act up and are asked to play nice, just think of all the time and money spent to make YOU happy.