Procured another server, what shall we host?

Post by **GeneralAdmission** » 09 Aug 2008, 22:06

I could be pursuaded for SWBF2, and add it to your DR list. :-)

Yes, Master! ;) I'd be happy to add that to the list, though you realize that list is starting to get a bit long, right? Not a complaint--I like being busy. I can't stand being unproductive, and the phrase "I'm bored" isn't part of my vocabulary.

Another bonus for SWBF2 is that it's only $10.

If we are avoiding shooters, my vote goes back to NWN. If we do that, please leave the server on version 1.68, 1.69 renders the game inoperable for me and a number of other folks (see bioware forums).

I might dust off my dedicated SWBF2 server just to have it available for WSGF players. I'm interested in how well it will perform on my net connection, as well.

Cynagen, you've got me curious. Just how much computer hardware do you live with?

Mergatroid · Post by **Mergatroid** » 09 Aug 2008, 23:27

I could be pursuaded for SWBF2, and add it to your DR list. :-)

http://www.widescreengamingforum.com/wiki/index.php/Star_Wars:_Battlefront_II

We're incomplete on the info. I might be good enough to get Certified, we know it is Native Hor+ with no HUD Stretch.

I didn't even think of this. I have it and it would be awesome.

Cynagen · Post by **Cynagen** » 09 Aug 2008, 23:54

Cynagen, you've got me curious. Just how much computer hardware do you live with?

I currently have in my apartment...
My main computer, HTPC, 360, FreeNAS PC, 1 Rackmount server, 1 Tower server, one mobo with server class processor (2 gen back), 2 P4 PCs that are not in service.

That's 2, 5, 7... 7 computers. Umm, and 3 more in the apartment that are a friend of mine's, one of his fried in a thunderstorm a couple months back.

10 computers total. 1 fried, 3 not mine. And the 360.

Mesh · Post by **Mesh** » 10 Aug 2008, 00:17

Besides the obvious maintain/support aspect of the software on the server, why choose?

I mean, does it take that much ressource to run one of those dedicated server consoles that you couldn't say, run a ut2004 + tf2 on the same box?

Heck even put a schedule, half day one, half day the other or something.

DaFox · Post by **DaFox** » 10 Aug 2008, 00:25

Besides the obvious maintain/support aspect of the software on the server, why choose?

I mean, does it take that much ressource to run one of those dedicated server consoles that you couldn't say, run a ut2004 + tf2 on the same box?

Heck even put a schedule, half day one, half day the other or something.

My 2.4GHz Celeron, 512mb ddr1 laptop lags on Source dedicated servers just to give you an idea of how much it needs :/

My CS1.6 Clan has lots of problems with shared hosting because we are such a CPU hog when the servers full.

Cynagen · Post by **Cynagen** » 10 Aug 2008, 00:26

Besides the obvious maintain/support aspect of the software on the server, why choose?

I mean, does it take that much ressource to run one of those dedicated server consoles that you couldn't say, run a ut2004 + tf2 on the same box?

Heck even put a schedule, half day one, half day the other or something.

Umm... TF2 eats one of my dual processor boxes entirely. My servers are 3 generations back. Pentium 3.

Pentium 3, Itanium, Xeon, are the last 3 major processor generations from intel that were widely used. I'm 2 generations back on all my server hardware cause it was all free for me to take. The TF2 server eats lots of time on the dual P3 I've got it installed on. UT2k4 would need at minimum the same entire dual P3 to run even halfway decent framerate (think 30fps), when it should be running 10x more framerate than the clients. TF2 runs about 300-400fps with nobody on it, and that's less than 10x TF2's preferred fps (60). Nobody complains right now because of the great scaling system that Valve put into the net code.

Oh and if I have to run windows to make a server for the game, forget it. There has to be a linux dedicated server, as that's the only way I can make the TF2 work, or any other high-action game.

I've never released the entire specs to the public on this server before, only select individuals, so feel privledged a bit...

Dual 933Mhz Pentium 3
1gb SDRAM 133Mhz
Pair of Atlas 9gb 68-pin SCSI for OS in RAID1
Pair of Quantum Fireball 18gb 68-pin SCSI for game servers in RAID0
I forget the manufacturer of the RAID controller card, but it's got 128mb onboard that I installed (SD100).
Linked through on a Microsoft 10/100 switch to my primary router.

DaFox · Post by **DaFox** » 10 Aug 2008, 00:40

TF2 runs about 300-400fps with nobody on it

For the sake of comparison, Major server providers usually offer 300/500/1000FPS constant servers. With the 300FPS being for the jank $20/month servers, 500 for an average server and 1000 for a higher end server.

Fine fine... it was just an idea...

Yeah I know :p but I dont see a point of hosting basically a laggier version of an official server with basically nothing changed. Running some mod would be decent but it would probably be a worthless effort.

Post by **GeneralAdmission** » 10 Aug 2008, 01:05

...1 fried...

:lol:

That's an impressive list for an apartment. I think the max # of computers I've had running at one time is 6. Now I'm down to 4: primary, server, 2xHTPC. My old rackmount server (now gone) was amazingly loud. If I had tried using that in our first apartment, my wife likely would have chucked it out our second-story window. :)

@Mergatroid-
A fellow player! Look for me online. I try to play once or twice a week in the evenings when time allows (not so much lately).
Xfire: generaladmission
In-game: GenAdmission

I'll post details on my server when I can get it back up.

Mesh · Post by **Mesh** » 10 Aug 2008, 03:24

gee, never thought the servers to be that ressources hungry. Of course I've never run one myself to know.

I figured like for eve online private server why need a separate box for each, now I know lol.

Think those friends with knowledge of eve might know how to run autoassault if only for me to have a single person server? it's the only mmo I've ever liked and all others are ruined now that I'm back to walking.

Mesh · Post by **Mesh** » 10 Aug 2008, 03:37

SWBF2 seems to be incompatible with vista so even if I got it, I couldn't play it. What kind of game is it anyways? rts?

[email protected] · Post by **[email protected]** » 10 Aug 2008, 04:46

Auto Assault sounds like a game I would play.

Post by **GeneralAdmission** » 10 Aug 2008, 04:55

SWBF2 seems to be incompatible with vista so even if I got it, I couldn't play it. What kind of game is it anyways? rts?

Quick summary:
It's a 1st/3rd person shooter in the vein of BF2. Large maps, capture points, classes, 2 sides, vehicles, etc. Also features space maps where you can dogfight in x-wings, tie fighters, droid fighters, and other ships, or you can grab a transport and board the enemy capital ship. Playing well on maps can get you temporary access to heroes/villains. For example, on Coruscant you can access either Mace Windu or Darth Maul.

I googled around about with Vista issue. Some folks have the game running fine, others have problems. A common issue seems to be RealTek soundcard related, though a fix has been discovered. When I got my dual-core X2 CPU, I had to set the .exe to Win98 compatibility mode for the game to work, but since then it has been perfect. Here are some relevant links:

http://forums.lucasarts.com/thread.jspa?threadID=129558&tstart=0
http://forums.lucasarts.com/thread.jspa?threadID=131000&tstart=0
http://forums.lucasarts.com/thread.jspa?threadID=133127&tstart=0
http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/starwarsbattlefront2/show_msgs.php?topic_id=m-1-41070640&pid=927129
http://www.vistareadygames.com/showthread.php?t=51021

Mergatroid · Post by **Mergatroid** » 10 Aug 2008, 07:17

Auto Assault sounds like a game I would play.

Unfortunately, Auto Assault was an mmo that went under. The servers no longer exist, so the game is useless now unless someone can setup a private server.

infernus · Post by **infernus** » 10 Aug 2008, 08:01

There's a 1.69 for NWN!? And it's the last patch evar?!

Still wondering how you'd run a NWN server.

Post by **GeneralAdmission** » 10 Aug 2008, 08:42

There's a 1.69 for NWN!? And it's the last patch evar?!

Still wondering how you'd run a NWN server.

I haven't run a server of my own, but this is what you get when you run nwserver.exe in the game directory:

Seems simple enough.

Best of luck to you if you try 1.69. I tried twice with a fresh install--borked the game both times. 1.68 works great for me.

Cynagen · Post by **Cynagen** » 10 Aug 2008, 13:09

OK, i've gotten 3 pages of feedback now. I'm seeing a lot of support for 2 games in particular, SWBF2, and NWN. Now that I own a copy of NWN myself, I'm a little more inclined to set up a dedicated server for that, however, I did say I would put this to a poll... so now to set one up.

Poll set up: http://www.widescreengamingforum.com/node/9209

Mod, think we should lock this?

infernus · Post by **infernus** » 10 Aug 2008, 17:16

No no, I know HOW you run a server; I'm wondering WHAT you're going to play on it (map).

Post by **GeneralAdmission** » 10 Aug 2008, 17:35

No no, I know HOW you run a server; I'm wondering WHAT you're going to play on it (map).

Ah, I misunderstood your question. So your wondering about gametypes/levels?

In NWN you can play coop through the campaign or custom modules, and I think there's even PvP as well. I'd vote coop, of course.

infernus · Post by **infernus** » 10 Aug 2008, 18:26

Yes, but wouldn't persistent world be the only type that would work in this case? Wouldn't a campaign be beaten once someone goes through it with their character? I've only played online once, in co-op campaign with my friend, briefly.

packerfan · Post by **packerfan** » 10 Aug 2008, 22:32

Possibly just regular HL2DM, because anyone who has an ATI or Nvidia card right now can get it for free at

Nvidia
http://www.steampowered.com/nvidia/
ATi
http://www.steampowered.com/ati_offer1a/

Which opens up the potential for a lot of people to play, I am not sure if ATI offer still works but I know Nvidia did 1 month ago

Also, I agree with FPS, mostly because like someone said, it is more satisfying for a quick stop by.

Just my 2 cents

If I acquire my friends old DVD drive it appears ill be able to run it well, according to requirements it appears my cpu may be bottle neck, because I am at the reccomended cpu level but way above in gfx and ram.

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