TFC game server

[Colonel Sanders]

I want to make a dedicated TFC game server using (so far) a Dual Pentium Pro@233(if I'm lucky enough to complete the deal). I got a cable modem beside me, and I don't really have any clue what to do next. What do I need to do? What OS should I use? Any thoughts?

Logan

[TimPoet]

I'm not an expert but it seems you need more power in the CPU department.
Cable is good. Windows 98 or ME would be best, I lean toward 98.
Just the opinion of a novice.

Tim

[DrZaius]

Hi Logan,

Although that would make a great FTP/HTTP server, the processors are a little too slow for a game server and would result in too much lag and high pings. You'll also need a lot of RAM for a decent server, around 512MB. Second, since it's a dual system, you'll need an SMP capabale OS like Linux or WinNT, Win98 or WinME will not take advantage of both processors and will not handle the memory well. Here are all the instructions you need on getting the game running:

http://www.ladreamteam.org/HLDSTFC.htm

Hope that helps.

[Colonel Sanders]

Considering the requirements for the game are only a P133, and I'll have dual P-Pro 233's(W/512KB cache version) W/ 384MB RAM(got deal setteled a few hours ago:D), I think it might be fine. I think I once played on a server with a single P200 which was pretty smooth(it could have ben dual P-200's), but I think the max players will be 16, any more than that is too many. Thanks for the link on how to set-up the server, however it could be a while since I need to get a firewall first(which I think is where the board/CPUs/RAM will go for now :(. Any ideas on what to do for HDDs? preferably -$100? I want SPEED, and perhaps only 5-10GB. Also, I plan to run linux.

Logan

[Xayd]

Several considerations...

1) I honestly don't know if Half Life can utilize SMP as a server. Perhaps Tiretool or some other HL players?

2) If it can't, you honestly would be better off with a single CPU setup. Faster is not always better. You'd get comparable performance as a standalone server from a P3 550 Katmai with its large cache as you would a 700mhz plus 256k cache CPU.

3) How much upload bandwidth do you have, this is the most important. Generally a player in one of these games will suck up about 7000 or 8000 bytes per second. This translates to roughly 640 kilobits of bandwidth for 8 players. For completely lag free play in a 4v4 server, you need about a third of a T1 in bandwidth. You'll have to do the math on how many people you want to hold per game. You can lower the max client rate below 7000 to squeeze more people in, but this depends on the players and the game. Personally, I won't play at less than 7000, it's too choppy. For a public game just run for friends, it might be ok for you. Below 5000 is approaching dialup-like play, so unless your players are also dialup, they probably won't be pleased ;).

4) The OS is an issue as well, and I'd highly not recommend anything as generally bloated as Windows is. NT 4 will work ok if you have the hardware, Win2000 isn't a good performer in such a resource-intensive application as a gaming server from my experiences. A lean Linux distro would be your best bet (Red Hat 6.x probably being the best balance of easy setup and still pretty easy on your resources).

5) A lot of RAM is nice, yes. You don't need an outrageous amount, but if you're particularly running either large or very complex maps, 256 megs plus is what you want to shoot for, 384 to 512 megs being plenty if not overboard.

General comments...

If you have this much upload bandwidth available to you on a home connection, you're lucky. If you choose to run a deidcated server on such a connection, you're doing the gaming communities out there a big favor in doing so, so thanks if you do ;). Bandwidth is expensive, most competitive gaming clans are paying 100-200 dollars a month at least for a reliable server. In fact a good stable server is so precious in competition, that you'd be surprised to know how many students have been expelled or network admins fired for sneaking a game server into a university or corporate network just to host games on. They're that rare.

I guess what I'm getting at is there are tons of servers out there, but there are a select few good ones in whatever game. The folks who host the servers out of their own pocket just for the enjoyment of the game are a rare breed as well, so by all means do so....if you have the means ;).

[Colonel Sanders]

How can I test my up-load bandwidth? I think someone who lived hear said a CBM here was eqaul to half a T1, however I dought I'm that lucky.

Anythoughts?

Logan

[Xayd]

There are speed tests on www.dslreports.com under the 'tools' section.

[Colonel Sanders]

That test put me at 88kbps up, how does that sound?

Logan

[Xayd]

88 kbps divided by 8 is 11k

If you run a max client rate of 5500 (or 5.5k), you could host 1v1, albeit a bit choppy.

Sorry, you need about six times the bandwidth you have now :(.

[Colonel Sanders]

I messed up, the actual socre was 688, not 88. 88 would really suck!

Logan

[Xayd]

Make sure you're looking at the upload speed, not the download, that's what counts ;).

[Colonel Sanders]

Yes, that is my up-load, how does that compare to a T1?

Logan

[Xayd]

Almost half a T1, that should be plenty for a 4v4 server ;).