DCS Hosting experience, Win7 x64

[Panzertard]

Just a heads up about my relative short hosting experience so far.

A week or so I put a server on Win7 x64, 4GB of memory, Nvidia 8800, no sound/game devices.

And of course, ServMan by Acedy.

 

Not once I've experienced any crashes (dreaded server crash for DCS:BS v.1.0.0).

I dont know why the server has been this stable - but it may be due to several factors:

- Server pauses when no players are connected.

- Server restarts mission when it's empty.

- Only one mission has been utilized so far, always the same region being loaded. (avoiding some buggy areas?).

- Win7 / 64bit?

 

The server was running for days in periods, and quite a few hours each time (8++ hours for one of the sessions)

But I'm quite supprised that there's been no crashes, since we've seen quite a few server-crashes for servers who's been running for extended periods - and which have changed maps.

 

 

:thumbup:

Edited August 7, 2009 by Panzertard

[SuDepp]

...keep on testing eh running :thumbup:

 

Server was fast and clean :)

 

Hopefully we will see a linux server anytime soon. Me canґt await hosting some servers ;)

 

Greets

S@uDepp

[Panzertard]

Here's a quick update:

- I've got an 2Mbps SDSL. That means I got 2Mbps in each direction.

- Hosting for 16 people works nicely in MP / PvP environment.

- Only one crash while running v.1.0 - non so far in v.1.0.1

 

I've even stresstested a bit today - added an FTP download that eats some 2/3 of my bandwidth. (180Kbps).

Reports from the 5 people flying for the RED side:

- Not able to detect any major problems.

 

Keep in mind that the "download" I set up only interferes with the "client upload / them shooting / sending data to the server".

But still - Im quite positivly surprised regarding the resilience DCS MP Server shows regarding bandwidth / latency issues. :)

 

:thumbup:

 

(note: next tests needs to be 32 players :D )

Edited August 15, 2009 by Panzertard

[Triggerhappy69]

Hmmmmm... I seem to remember something about the banning of someone, who shall remain name less due to he's most excellent and kind nature, for no apparent reason whatsoever...!?!?

Hmmmmmm.. Ring a bell now, does it not...?

 

This is why you're having such problems with the server.. I've JINXED IT..! JEDI STYLE..!

[Panzertard]

Hmmmmm... I seem to remember something about the banning of someone, who shall remain name less due to he's most excellent and kind nature, for no apparent reason whatsoever...!?!?

Hmmmmmm.. Ring a bell now, does it not...?

 

This is why you're having such problems with the server.. I've JINXED IT..! JEDI STYLE..!

Oh .. something just struck my mind ... *coughn00bchough*!

"UNKNOWN" players are being kicked automagicly - until "someone" changes their nick :D

[Quirkitized]

I'm using XP 32bit for my server with:

AMD Athlon 3000+ (1.8ghz single core)

1.5gb Ram

 

Figured i'd share. Before the patch I couldn't run my server more than 12hrs without it crashing, after patch so far it has crashed only once, it runs 24/7 for the most part. It ran for 44hrs then crashed, its now running 32hrs atm in a row. However, this is with one mission atm, but it does restart if server is empty and when players complete it and vote (adding another mission soon, probably tonight or tomorrow)

 

Black Shark & lock On are extremely low on bandwidth. I have a 10MB down / 1mb UP cable line and host from my house on an xtra PC. I use this program linked below to monitor bandwidth, simple free program. Maybe useful to those that are curious on the bandwidth they are using while hosting.

http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/NetMeter-Download-23932.html

 

With this program running on server, and no other program utilizing your connection, you can easily view how much KB/S your server is using. Just divide how many clients in server by the kb/s. Each client only utilizes roughly 4-6kb/s. That means I could host more, but a coop server only needs 4 to 8 imo, and it gives me room to continue to game, watch movies, listen to music, etc, without disrupting the server :D

 

Once I add my other mission to the server i'll see if it continues to stay stable. Great patch so far.

[Panzertard]

Yes, I'm pleasantly supprised that it doesn't require more bandwidth. I remember as I spoke to 159th SG or Fudd early on, they suggested that I plan for 1mbps per client for optimum performance. Not that they had studied it too much at that point - but they had some good experience using that hosting service they use, getting some 10 or 100mbps (actually I dont remember) for their server. :)

 

Kudos to ED for that part of the MP services :thumbup:

[PoleCat]

Agree. 1.01 MP is very very stable. Not a single crash at all with server up 24/7 for week.

 

Nice work ED!

 

Out

[Fudd]

I'm hoping to get the 159th Dedi up this weekend, but for the two days it was up things were pretty stable. Good job to all those who tested and thank you to ED for the great patch.

 

I have just a few side note FYI's for those setting up a server for the first time. I partially writing it here so I remember it if we ever get hacked again... as I always seem to forget and have to stumble my way through it.

 

DCS download version will not install on Windows Server 2003 Web Edition with service pack 1 or 2 installed. Something to do with the NSIS installer, but it returns a message that says the license is corrupt or been tampered with. Its not a corrupt or incomplete download causing the problem--I checked the MD5 checksum. The only way you'll get it installed on this OS is either install it before adding service packs OR use the DVD.

 

Another thing. Windows Server 2008 WE doesn't like to be ran as a desktop machine. In other words, using it for DCS Server hosting, will make it angry. I don't know why, but it crashed frequently and had connection issues. (All the crashes had to do with video driver problems)

 

If I had to suggest a stable OS that will allow you to run DCS on the server for days without interruption it would be Server 2003. I haven't tried Win 7, but it looks promising.

 

Our specs are:

Intel E6400 2.13Ghz

2.00 GB RAM

Windows Server 2003 Web Edition

10Mbit up/down

Edited September 18, 2009 by Fudd

[Fudd]

Yes, I'm pleasantly supprised that it doesn't require more bandwidth. I remember as I spoke to 159th SG or Fudd early on, they suggested that I plan for 1mbps per client for optimum performance. Not that they had studied it too much at that point - but they had some good experience using that hosting service they use, getting some 10 or 100mbps (actually I dont remember) for their server. :)

 

Kudos to ED for that part of the MP services :thumbup:

 

Mostly where the experience came from in calculating network speed was from LOCERF. There really are not enough players in DCS multiplayer to warrant the 60mbps connection that we were using at that time. I think if you calculated 128kbps up and down for each client you'll probably be fine. So with 32 players on the server a 5mbps connection should work perfectly. In one of the LOCERF missions we had over 70 clients at once (I know that 104th has hosted almost 100) and thats really when you need uber 100mb connections.

[hannibal]

Panzer... i just wanted to say thanks for hosting..

 

i have been on your server to play black shark a couple of times, i like the fact that you change things up..

 

but anyways,

I HOPE YOU ARE PUSHING ED for a Dedicated Server Utiliity.....

[Panzertard]

Mostly where the experience came from in calculating network speed was from LOCERF. There really are not enough players in DCS multiplayer to warrant the 60mbps connection that we were using at that time. I think if you calculated 128kbps up and down for each client you'll probably be fine. So with 32 players on the server a 5mbps connection should work perfectly. In one of the LOCERF missions we had over 70 clients at once (I know that 104th has hosted almost 100) and thats really when you need uber 100mb connections.

Yes, I tend to agree with your new formula - the server->client relationship within DCS seems to be much tolerant.

 

I could be that everything is so much slower in a Helo-sim, which means latency doesnt matter that much - or packetloss - compared to a Jet-sim.

But as for DCS-BS, on a 2Mbps (SDSL) link, 12 is not a problem - 128-256Kbytes per player seems to be feasable.

[Panzertard]

I'm hoping to get the 159th Dedi up this weekend, but for the two days it was up things were pretty stable. Good job to all those who tested and thank you to ED for the great patch.

 

.....

 

Another thing. Windows Server 2008 WE doesn't like to be ran as a desktop machine. In other words, using it for DCS Server hosting, will make it angry. I don't know why, but it crashed frequently and had connection issues. (All the crashes had to do with video driver problems)

 

...

 

Good luck - I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you guys, fudd. You've put quite a lot of work into getting that server and provider of yours up running ;)

 

As for the 2008 WE - I'm not sure what components they may have removed / changed the OOBE. If I were to choose edition I think I would have looked at the Server 2008 Standard edition instead.

[Fudd]

Well it seems pretty bleak. The server company and I had a "falling out." The ISO that we tried installing did not work so we are now out of options.

 

I think I am going to rent a cage at a colo and offer to host servers for the community once I finish grad school in December. If I get a few people interested I can make the prices pretty competitive.