New Guy Help?

superdupeus

<div class="IPBDescription">server help</div> Hi everybody. I really enjoy half life and all the mods, especially natural selection (I just found it). I'm interested in running a server that I can join, it seems all the servers I try give me lots of lag. I'm running a 700mhz athlon with a cable connection, so I think I should be able to run it with no problem. The trouble is, I don't really know how to do it! Is there anyplace where I can find easy (not a bunch of technical stuff, I'm still new) instructions on how to do it? Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Zdrone

700mhz is pretty low end for a server.

What is the speed of your cable connection? (both directions).

This is old data but it should give you an idea of how much bandwidth is needed to run a server:
<a href='http://www.h2ocs.com/users/z/NS/index.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.h2ocs.com/users/z/NS/index.htm</a>

As far as CPU, I max my dual 1.266ghz box out occasionally. I don't know how many players a 700mhz machine will be able to handle.

Not trying to rain on your parade, I think its great any time someone wants to bring up a server. The more servers, the more the community grows.

Scum_of_the_Universe

<!--QuoteBegin--superdupeus+Feb 27 2003, 02:20 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (superdupeus @ Feb 27 2003, 02:20 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Hi everybody. I really enjoy half life and all the mods, especially natural selection (I just found it). I'm interested in running a server that I can join, it seems all the servers I try give me lots of lag. I'm running a 700mhz athlon with a cable connection, so I think I should be able to run it with no problem. The trouble is, I don't really know how to do it! Is there anyplace where I can find easy (not a bunch of technical stuff, I'm still new) instructions on how to do it? Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
If you're getting lots of lag, your own server, on the same connection, is not likely to improve things - other people will get the lag (and more of it) and not you. (so they probably won't join..) I suggest you try and get your lag issues sorted out first, and then see if you still want to/can run a server. (try closing programs that are using you connection for a start e.g. downloads (inc filesharing - especially uploads) spyware..)

superdupeus

I think mostly the server would be for my brother, my friends, and I to play on, so the amount of people shouldn't be a problem (I hope). I'm not sure how to tell my internet speed, I just know I have cable.

I'm looking for some sort of tutorial web page or something that gives exact directions how to set up a server, I've downloaded the server, and it seems to run, but I can't see it on the list when I try to join a game, either through HL or gamespy.

If anyone thinks that I couldn't handle a ten person server, let me know so I don't go through all this trouble for nothing.

P.S. I think my lag problem comes from other people too far away? If I try a different game with people closer to me, I don't seem to have a problem. Thanks again!

TheWizard

To be honest... I dont think you will have much trouble running it on a 700mhz. I have run a server on a 650mhz before without difficulties. However, NS is much more cpu intensive than other HL mods. But that shouldnt be a problem much longer *crosses fingers*

give it a go and have some fun.

Easiest way to get a server up and running is to make a shortcut to the HLDS.exe in your HL directory.
and set up the server.cfg in your NS directory. Make sure you add the command +game ns (or is it -game)
to the shortcut link. Throw in a few more variables like maxplayers and you should be good to go. Its not too hard to set up. Just keep it passworded until you have it fully functional.

superdupeus

Thanks for the encouragement! The only trouble is, where you were talking about "throw in a few variables", I have no idea how to do that. I assume you add it to the command line of the shortcut, but not sure how to do it. Also, no clue on the server.cfg file, I know how to edit it, but don't know how it should be worded, or spaced, or special characters, etc.

I might also use the server to run just TFC or DoD if NS is too choppy.

Someone should write a "HL Servers for Dummies" book!

wendigo

Just an FYI, my first NS server was a Athlon 700, with 512 MB RAM on Windows2000. I couldnt get more than 8 people on it without lag. This is on a Cable connection that www.dslreports.com says does 256kbit uploads. When I moved the server to Debian Linux I got an extra 4 people on the server with minimal lag but higher pings 120-300. Just be warned it can be done, you just have to tweak the server and be careful about choosing your OS.

BTW - My current server is an Athlon XP 1800+ with 512 MB RAM with Debian and it runs much better.