Questions on server hardware requirements, bandwidth, launching, etc

[soulmata]

Hello,

I am attempting to run a Discovery 4.85 server on a trial basis for two forums that I participate in. We are a gaming community and currently have a Diablo2, UT99, UT2k4 and OpenTTD server. We are considering adding Freelancer to the mix.

So far, I have installed the server files and the discovery 4.85 mod using the FL Mod Manager. I can launch the server successfully and the server in question appears to be listening on the proper ports. There are a few questions I have, though, regarding actually using the server.

1) It appears the public server for listing has long since died. Is there any way to get my server listed on the Internet so that I can connect to it? I attempted the command line approach (-s) and was unsuccessful. Also, is there any talk on creating a new public list server? It is extremely reliable hardware (redundant NIC, redundant HDD, etc..), I am only concerned with I/O overhead or RAM requirements primarily.

2) What sort of hardware requirements do you need to host, say, 50 people? 100? 200? The server I am using for this is an HP Proliant dl380 G4, dual Xeon 5xxx series, 4GB of ECC REG Ram, 2x72GB 15,000RPM drives for the Hypervisor (Vmware ESXi 4) and 4x300GB 10,000RPM drives for guest OS. On this sort of hardware, would I be able to handle, say, 250 people, maybe 20 in a single system?

3) What sort of bandwidth requirements are needed to host 10, 50, 100, 200, 250 people? I work for an ISP, so I have access to bandwidth, but for traffic shaping purposes I am wondering what I should expect.



#1 is the big issue right now. The server appears to be functional, but I have no way to access it to test. I believe I have the hardware stable enough to provide for a 24/7 server, and I potentially have the interest, now I just want to try it out for myself.

Any help is appreciated in advance.

[Boss]

We used four megabits up and down for 200 players and that worked fairly well.

You're going to want a static IP with a port forwards on 2302 to the server machine (Make sure the firewall's open on that one)

You can host around 100 people on a 3.0Ghz P4 HT and two gigs of RAM. Freelancer isn't a terribly strenuous thing, but it's restricted to a single core.

I'd actually considered the feasibility of using ESXi to combine the cores into one virtual for the server to see.

To be honest, with that server, you'd probably be able to hit around 500 if the core virtualization works right.

EDIT: I don't host a server on a regular basis; this is drawing on Discovery's history for the most part.

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Just go play the game and have fun dammit.

all in all the conclusion is that disco doesn't need antagonist factions, it doesn't need phantoms, it doesn't need nomads, it doesn't need coalition and it doesn't need many other things, no AIs, the game is hijacked by morons to confuse the game with their dickwaving generic competition games mixed up with troll-of-the-day.

[soulmata]

IP space I have. I can forward myself all the IPs I need (I pay for them). I have it listening publically already, I just can't seem to get it listed so I can connect to it.

4Mbit for 200 sounds decent. I have access to well above and beyond that so it sounds like bandwidth won't be an issue.

Thanks for the help. Now I just need to get it listed and connect.

[Cannon]

http://fllistserver.com/news/

From your description it sounds like you have firewall and related problems. The -sIP:2302 works reliably if everything else is configured correctly.

And register the server here: http://www.flserver.de/

And check http://www.the-starport.net for other information.

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Proud member of "the most paranoid group of people in the community"

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[soulmata]

What ports other than 2300 through 2400 UDP are required? Currently, I am using 1:1 NAT forwarding on the VM in question, so the entire block is forwarded. If I do a UDP port scan on 2302, I get an open response:

Starting Nmap 4.76 ( http://nmap.org ) at 2009-12-14 11:22 PST
Interesting ports on :
PORT STATE SERVICE
2302/udp open unknown

Of course, I was going by the Microsoft KBL and that could easily be missing a ton of needed information. I am at work now but I will check out those sites later. Thanks.

[soulmata]

Got it up and working. I measured bandwidth ranging from 500b/s to 20kbp/s for a single connection based on how much action was going on. Topped at about 20kbp/s for a single person during a dogfight.

I'm rather liking this.

[ArmsAndLegs Guy]

Got it up and working. I measured bandwidth ranging from 500b/s to 20kbp/s for a single connection based on how much action was going on. Topped at about 20kbp/s for a single person during a dogfight.

I'm rather liking this.

With a player load ranging from around 50 to 200 during the day, you can see the traffic consumed here :
http://discoverygc.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=54138

Player count for the last 7 days can be seen here : http://www.flserver.de/getgraph_singlesrv....;timeframe=week


A & L Guy

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Here to serve® You!!!

[jraake]

We moved to a new server and have complete control over what firewall we can put on it. Our current firewall program seems to be blocking the attacks fairly quickly, although players experience sporadic lag spikes when the attacks do occur. The firewall is definitely helping, but not completely closing up the security hole. The amount of traffic the attacks are sending at us is so small, compared to normal FL traffic, making this hard to figure out or capture in a log. By looking at the lack of activity in this thread, it is obvious that there is a lack of information to share with the public. If Cannon knew anything useful, he could post it or say why he can't.

[ArmsAndLegs Guy]

By looking at the lack of activity in this thread, it is obvious that there is a lack of information to share with the public. If Cannon knew anything useful, he could post it or say why he can't.

Very simple : Disclosing which preventive measures are in force, makes it easier for any perpetrator to find ways to circumvent them.
If you are a bonafide server operator, you would realise that, then take contact by PM to Cannon for help in securing your server.

The amount of traffic the attacks are sending at us is so small, compared to normal FL traffic, making this hard to figure out or capture in a log.

Are you sure you are under attack ?


A & L Guy.

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Here to serve® You!!!

[Cannon]

We moved to a new server and have complete control over what firewall we can put on it. Our current firewall program seems to be blocking the attacks fairly quickly, although players experience sporadic lag spikes when the attacks do occur. The firewall is definitely helping, but not completely closing up the security hole. The amount of traffic the attacks are sending at us is so small, compared to normal FL traffic, making this hard to figure out or capture in a log. By looking at the lack of activity in this thread, it is obvious that there is a lack of information to share with the public. If Cannon knew anything useful, he could post it or say why he can't.

I still haven't received a PM from you, last time you asked a similar question.

What server do you operate?

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Proud member of "the most paranoid group of people in the community"

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