Setting up a part-time server

bEEbbEEb Join Date: 2012-03-24 Member: 149317Members, NS2 Map Tester
in Technical Support
Hey guys,

As the title suggests I am planning to set up a server, however I am not sure yet if I will be running it 24/7. It would be on during west coast peak times though.

Anyhow, I was curious about whether or not I should run it as a dedicated server or not? It will be my own personal PC thats hosting. Bandwidth isnt an issue and neither is the rig itself as far as I know.

Another question is will I require any special hardware or software? I appreciate the dedicated server guide but again Im not really sure thats the way I will go.

Thanks,
bEEb
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Comments

  • Kouji_SanKouji_San Sr. Hινε Uρкεερεг - EUPT Deputy The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    With NS2 in it's current state you need a beefy server in terms of CPU power. You can of course run both a dedicated NS2 server in two threads on your CPU and a client NS2 running in the other threads. But you'd need at least a 4Ghz+ Overclocked i5-2500k or i7-2600k to be able to run it at a respectable tickrate of 20-30 at around 16 players. I'm not sure about the bandwidth requirements for 16 players...
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  • DghelneshiDghelneshi Aims to surpass Fana in post edits. Join Date: 2011-11-01 Member: 130634Members, Squad Five Blue, Reinforced - Shadow
    <!--quoteo(post=1941489:date=Jun 4 2012, 11:43 PM:name=Kouji_San)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kouji_San @ Jun 4 2012, 11:43 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1941489"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I'm not sure about the bandwidth requirements for 16 players...<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Around 2Mbit/s upload should suffice (3Mbit/s if you want to make sure there are no lagspikes).
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  • bEEbbEEb Join Date: 2012-03-24 Member: 149317Members, NS2 Map Tester
    CPU isnt an issue. Im running an i5 2500k @4.5ghz and I could crank it up even higher if needed.

    It sounds like I will need to do some research on servers before I delve into running it dedicated. In the mean time I cant see any issue with opening up a server and just have it running in the background unless you would get better performance running it as a dedicated server. Would you?
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  • bEEbbEEb Join Date: 2012-03-24 Member: 149317Members, NS2 Map Tester
    <!--quoteo(post=1941492:date=Jun 4 2012, 02:48 PM:name=Dghelneshi)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dghelneshi @ Jun 4 2012, 02:48 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1941492"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Around 2Mbit/s upload should suffice (3Mbit/s if you want to make sure there are no lagspikes).<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Thanks for the info. I get roughly 3gbs so it should be alright.
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  • Kouji_SanKouji_San Sr. Hινε Uρкεερεг - EUPT Deputy The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    edited June 2012
    <!--quoteo(post=1941493:date=Jun 4 2012, 09:50 PM:name=bEEb)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (bEEb @ Jun 4 2012, 09:50 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1941493"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->CPU isnt an issue. Im running an i5 2500k @4.5ghz and I could crank it up even higher if needed.

    It sounds like I will need to do some research on servers before I delve into running it dedicated. In the mean time I cant see any issue with opening up a server and just have it running in the background unless you would get better performance running it as a dedicated server. Would you?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    NS2 comes with a dedicated server in the games folder, it runs with much less resources in terms of memory consumption. So yeah a dedicated server would run smoother then a listenserver on a client. I also heard a listenserver has some odd issues that a dedicated doesn't have (might be a myth though :P)


    I do know that if you alt+tab a client side listen server the FPS goes down because it is running in "standby mode", so those myths could indeed hold some water.
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  • bEEbbEEb Join Date: 2012-03-24 Member: 149317Members, NS2 Map Tester
    <!--quoteo(post=1941495:date=Jun 4 2012, 02:56 PM:name=Kouji_San)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kouji_San @ Jun 4 2012, 02:56 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1941495"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->NS2 comes with a dedicated server in the games folder, it runs with much less resources in terms of memory consumption. So yeah a dedicated server would run smoother then a listenserver on a client. I also heard a listenserver has some odd issues that a dedicated doesn't have (might be a myth though :P)<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Thanks Kouji_San. That settles it then. I' ll see if I can get a dedicated server up an running with my rig. I tried setting one up using the stickied directions but had no luck. I think the directions assume that the user already has a basic understanding of servers of which I dont! I will try going through the steps again.
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  • ScardyBobScardyBob ScardyBob Join Date: 2009-11-25 Member: 69528Forum Admins, Forum Moderators, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Shadow
    The dedicated server setup isn't too complicated. The basic steps are
    1. Download the required programs
    2. Run HLDSUpdateTool with the correct parameters (easiest is to just create a shortcut and put the parameters at the end of the target line)
    3. Setup a shortcut to launch the server with either the desired parameters or directing it to the appropriate options location

    If you need help or examples of the files/shortcuts, just let us know.
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  • bEEbbEEb Join Date: 2012-03-24 Member: 149317Members, NS2 Map Tester
    <!--quoteo(post=1941529:date=Jun 4 2012, 05:40 PM:name=ScardyBob)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ScardyBob @ Jun 4 2012, 05:40 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1941529"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->The dedicated server setup isn't too complicated. The basic steps are
    1. Download the required programs
    2. Run HLDSUpdateTool with the correct parameters (easiest is to just create a shortcut and put the parameters at the end of the target line)
    3. Setup a shortcut to launch the server with either the desired parameters or directing it to the appropriate options location

    If you need help or examples of the files/shortcuts, just let us know.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    I think he hangup was with he portforward program. I skipped that step which may be why nothing worked.

    I didnt want to spend 30$ on something I wasnt sure I would need long term. Is there a freeware alternative?
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  • ScardyBobScardyBob ScardyBob Join Date: 2009-11-25 Member: 69528Forum Admins, Forum Moderators, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Shadow
    edited June 2012
    <!--quoteo(post=1941534:date=Jun 4 2012, 06:16 PM:name=bEEb)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (bEEb @ Jun 4 2012, 06:16 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1941534"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I think he hangup was with he portforward program. I skipped that step which may be why nothing worked.

    I didnt want to spend 30$ on something I wasnt sure I would need long term. Is there a freeware alternative?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I keep forgetting that their hawking their auto portforwarding program on that site. All the info you need to forward the ports on your router is actually freely available on their site (see <a href="http://portforward.com/english/routers/port_forwarding/routerindex.htm)" target="_blank">http://portforward.com/english/routers/por...outerindex.htm)</a>.

    The easiest way is to search that list by:
    - Router manufacturer
    - Router model
    - Select Steam Client instructions

    The only change is that you will want to enter port 27015 instead of the steam client ports.
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  • bEEbbEEb Join Date: 2012-03-24 Member: 149317Members, NS2 Map Tester
    <!--quoteo(post=1941536:date=Jun 4 2012, 06:32 PM:name=ScardyBob)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ScardyBob @ Jun 4 2012, 06:32 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1941536"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I keep forgetting that their hawking their auto portforwarding program on that site. All the info you need to forward the ports on your router is actually freely available on their site (see <a href="http://portforward.com/english/routers/port_forwarding/routerindex.htm)" target="_blank">http://portforward.com/english/routers/por...outerindex.htm)</a>.

    The easiest way is to search that list by:
    - Router manufacturer
    - Router model
    - Select Steam Client instructions

    The only change is that you will want to enter port 27015 instead of the steam client ports.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Ok thats great news. Thanks.
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  • LutherLuther Join Date: 2012-05-29 Member: 152714Members
    edited June 2012
    disregard this post
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