We essentially have a dedicated server box, something that most clans only dream of (or continue to beg for member money to purchase) since the cost is about $150/month for a really low end one (ours would be considered high end with a quad core processor/4GB/750GB storage, which seems to sell for about $350/month).
We do it for no/low cost because i use extra boxes and a high speed internet connection (50Mips/10Mips) to host. Since most dedicated boxes you rent are restricted to a 10Mip lan connection, we have essentially the same thing they have. Note, we do have one disadvantage, and that is peering. Fairly complicated to get into here, but it basically means we are peered to one provider, where the better data centers (not all) are peered to two or even three providers, resulting in a shorter path/ping for some remote players (the ones on their networks). A small price to pay for not paying the monthly fee for a server (except electricity etc. which is probably $30/month at this point).
Equipment:
i currently run 2 full time file servers, one for production, one for backup. The forums/web site are hosted there, since they take essentially zero cpu power. I also have the gaming server, and the box i run apps on. Plus some other boxes gathering dust...
Due to the cpu limitation of the current gaming box (the limiting factor at this point), we will be migrating over to a quad core amd box soon. ive been waiting (stalling?) for win7 to be released, since i dont want to do this twice. the amd box will be running the two voice servers, and at least 2x L4D and 1x TF2 servers. Not sure what else we need at this point. i may add another L4D server IF there is any call for it (but i dont think we have much clan activity in L4D just yet) and i dont think there is any interest in another TF2 server (i suppose we could put one up for practice so as not to disturb the players on the main one, but....not sure we need this). And no one seems active on other games, so unless that changes....
Note that when this is done our limiting factor will be the 10Mip internet speed (upload), again the same as the dedicated/hosted servers. They claim 200+ players on this speed line, but i think its less. Whatever, its more than we need, since we currently only run 48 players (2xL4D @8 and 1xTF2 @32).
When will this happen? im planning on doing this in the next two months. im waiting to get all the parts i need for my new box, will build that one out, and burn it in for a few days. Then i will start the migration process.
note; you will not notice any change from a connection standpoint. i just need to get them up and then change the port forwarding in the router, which happens instantly (the servers will have to be empty to do this). (This will not cause an ip change for tf2; that is an independent issue, not associated with the hardware in any way.)
However, from a performance standpoint, it should be quite a change. I have figured out how to get the framerate up from 100fps to 1000fps. Not sure they will be set to that, as 400/500 is probably the most we need. That and more headroom should improve the gaming experience quite a bit, and give us the option of running more game servers if we want. And this is something ONLY a dedicated box can do, NOT the rent-a-slot servers most clans get. And even then they need to know how to set it up properly; ours already works and has been tested over the last month or two.
i will make an announcement when this happens. any suggestions, let me know now, as it will be easier to test now and incorporate them as they are moved.
We do it for no/low cost because i use extra boxes and a high speed internet connection (50Mips/10Mips) to host. Since most dedicated boxes you rent are restricted to a 10Mip lan connection, we have essentially the same thing they have. Note, we do have one disadvantage, and that is peering. Fairly complicated to get into here, but it basically means we are peered to one provider, where the better data centers (not all) are peered to two or even three providers, resulting in a shorter path/ping for some remote players (the ones on their networks). A small price to pay for not paying the monthly fee for a server (except electricity etc. which is probably $30/month at this point).
Equipment:
i currently run 2 full time file servers, one for production, one for backup. The forums/web site are hosted there, since they take essentially zero cpu power. I also have the gaming server, and the box i run apps on. Plus some other boxes gathering dust...
Due to the cpu limitation of the current gaming box (the limiting factor at this point), we will be migrating over to a quad core amd box soon. ive been waiting (stalling?) for win7 to be released, since i dont want to do this twice. the amd box will be running the two voice servers, and at least 2x L4D and 1x TF2 servers. Not sure what else we need at this point. i may add another L4D server IF there is any call for it (but i dont think we have much clan activity in L4D just yet) and i dont think there is any interest in another TF2 server (i suppose we could put one up for practice so as not to disturb the players on the main one, but....not sure we need this). And no one seems active on other games, so unless that changes....
Note that when this is done our limiting factor will be the 10Mip internet speed (upload), again the same as the dedicated/hosted servers. They claim 200+ players on this speed line, but i think its less. Whatever, its more than we need, since we currently only run 48 players (2xL4D @8 and 1xTF2 @32).
When will this happen? im planning on doing this in the next two months. im waiting to get all the parts i need for my new box, will build that one out, and burn it in for a few days. Then i will start the migration process.
note; you will not notice any change from a connection standpoint. i just need to get them up and then change the port forwarding in the router, which happens instantly (the servers will have to be empty to do this). (This will not cause an ip change for tf2; that is an independent issue, not associated with the hardware in any way.)
However, from a performance standpoint, it should be quite a change. I have figured out how to get the framerate up from 100fps to 1000fps. Not sure they will be set to that, as 400/500 is probably the most we need. That and more headroom should improve the gaming experience quite a bit, and give us the option of running more game servers if we want. And this is something ONLY a dedicated box can do, NOT the rent-a-slot servers most clans get. And even then they need to know how to set it up properly; ours already works and has been tested over the last month or two.
i will make an announcement when this happens. any suggestions, let me know now, as it will be easier to test now and incorporate them as they are moved.