How successful is a home computer as a server?

[Chewmann]

Hi all,

A friend of mine and I are both new to DCS and want to train together.  Our thoughts were to port forward to my home PC, the same one I play DCS on. 

Is it possible to host the server on the same computer I play DCS on? 

and if it is possible,

How successful will it be knowing that my internet service is 1GB down and 300MB up (not guaranteed...it's a cable connection)? 

IF this isn't possible, what are the options for us to play together without having to spend lots of money (say >$30/month).

Thanks!

Edited December 1, 2021 by Chewmann

[Hiob]

You can easily start a multiplayer game as a server from the system you are playing on. I do the same with my flying buddy.

I don't know however, what the bandwith requirements are. Usually they're moderate in online gaming. More important than the bandwith is the latency. You can ping your buddy to test this. If you're <100 ms you're golden.

[MAXsenna]

Many people do this to get better performance out of DCS, since it's currently a "single thread" application. Might change when it becomes multi threaded.
Your up-link should be adequate.
It cost nothing but time to test it, so I'd say go for it!
Cheers!

Sent from my MAR-LX1A using Tapatalk

[Chewmann]

@Hiob Thanks!  Good point about the latency.  

[Chewmann]

I logged into the game,but I am not sure what to do.  Do I select multiplayer?  If so,what do I do on there as it appears to be a list of servers.  Is there a guide to doing this?

[Drac]

57 minutes ago, Chewmann said:

I logged into the game,but I am not sure what to do.  Do I select multiplayer?  If so,what do I do on there as it appears to be a list of servers.  Is there a guide to doing this?

Do you have a specific mission you and your flight mate want to fly?  I personally have never flown on the servers listed in DCS.  I host a mission for myself and two of my flight mates...flying a user created mission.

[Chewmann]

@Drac I have a mission I created in the mission editor.  How do you invite them in to your mission?  What’s the process…please

[Mr_sukebe]

Some thoughts.

It's very easy to host both the server AND client on the same PC.  Chances are that you have at least 4 CPU cores in your PC.  One of those is likely to be "well used" by DCS, another lightly used by DCS audio.  That leaves a couple of CPU cores just running windows and other background bits and bobs.  

The dedicated server will use one of the spare cores and offload a lot of the heavy calculations, e.g. the AI pathfinding.  Even my old i2500 was easily able to run a dedicated server, so you shouldn't have any real issues.  The only "need" is to have a good 5GB of "spare" RAM.  If you have 32GB, should be viable unless on a more complex mission.  Any more and you'll be fine.

To use, well there's some good guides and it's fairly simple.  Add some port forwarding to your router, boot up the server, log in to the webgui (found in the DCS server folder), add you mission(s), hit play.  On the client side, just login via multiplayer and it should be top of the list.

Edited December 2, 2021 by Mr_sukebe

[Hiob]

When you select multiplayer, there is an option (in the middle) that reads "start server" or "open server" or something in this direction. From there you must give the server a name and a password and select your mission. Once the server is up, you buddy needs to search for the name in the server list, enter the password - et voila!

Note that there needs to be a port-passthrough in your router to allow incoming connections. If it doesn't work like described above, that's probably the culprit.

Edit: I think, in the DCS manual, there is also a description on how to set up a server...

Edited December 2, 2021 by Hiob

[Chewmann]

I think I got it working now.  Thanks for the help, but standby for follow-up questions.  

[Hiob]

1 hour ago, Chewmann said:

I think I got it working now.  Thanks for the help, but standby for follow-up questions.  

 have fun

[Drac]

3 hours ago, Chewmann said:

I think I got it working now.  Thanks for the help, but standby for follow-up questions.  

Great!

[Chewmann]

I am able to login to my game, get in my jet and then…I can’t do anything other than look around and hit the function keys (e.g. F2 for outside views of my jet and the tanker I added for the mission). I can’t have any interaction with switches, joystick, etc.. Is this because my friend isn’t in the mission yet as I was only testing my setup?  I looked through every option in the mission editor any didn’t see anything that would make me a “spectator only” member.

[Hiob]

Make sure, that you define the aircraft as „client“ (vs player) in the mission editor.

Make sure the game is unpaused.

[Chewmann]

Figured it out.  I had to hit the PAUSE/BREAK key on my keyboard.  

My buddy and I had a great session.  No issues once we figured out the pause stuff.  Thanks for all the help.

[Hiob]

Great. 

[Chewmann]

I have all the current maps, but my buddy only has the Caucus and Marianas.  If I create a mission on the Nevada map, can he play on it or does he need to purchase it?

[Hiob]

2 hours ago, Chewmann said:

I have all the current maps, but my buddy only has the Caucus and Marianas.  If I create a mission on the Nevada map, can he play on it or does he need to purchase it?

He needs the map installed on his system, so yes, he needs to buy it… (he can take advantage of the trial time though)