need HELP on building a gaming server

[TeenComp17]

Hey guys, im rather new to the whole computer scene (only have built my computer and fixed a few somehow ) But anyways i have been thinking about building a internet gaming server, but im not really sure on what i should get as in hardware or a OS either. One simple task i have it to be able to host a 32player game online w/ very low lag (im not sure if that depends mostly on my server or the people with the internet connect ) also on tips are welcome! thanks alot!

-Scott

 

[vetteguy]

Spend your money on RAM and processor more than anything else. A P4 would be very nice because of the extra bandwidth. You also don't need a great video card or sound or anything like that. Get a good network card though (like a 3Com). As for OS, Windows 2000 or XP should be fine, just disable all unnecessary services.

 

[ukDave]

with 32 players you will need some serious bandwidth. What kind of internet connection are you running this beast on?

for the lowest possible lag, Dedicated Linux servers are usually the best. Plus it is cheap to buy/download linux.

 

[TeenComp17]

after talking to people on it sounds like it wouldnt seem right to build a server if i cant use it... The only connection hvae/can get is through a cable modem... Which i hear is way to small/slow for my needs.

 

[MichaelD]

You're correct; a regular cable connection is way to slow for a serious game server. You would need something along the lines of a T1 line. Around 150kb/s UPLOAD speed would do for up to eight people. 99% of all HOME cable connections get about 35kb/s upload, max.

Whether they want to admit it or not, many, many game servers out there are actually illegal; hosted on a college campus' LAN or a corporate server farm that has multiple OC-3 connections and would "never miss" a small amount of bandwith....particularly at non-working hours (evening) when most online gaming sessions occur.

Don't let this stop you, though. I built a nice little server that is currently doing duty as an FTP box/file server. (see sig) I have had a couple of small LAN parties and used the server for Serious Sam II/UT/Q3A LAN games. Granted, there were only four people on it, but zero lag and no probs.

Anyway, good luck!

 

[DT4K]

Find out what kind of upstream bandwidth you have. It varies a great deal depending on who your cable ISP is. Most people just look at their downstream bandwidth which for most home broadband connections is much higher than the upstream. And for hosting a server, the upstream is equally important. Your ISP may also have restrictions on you running a server.

It's true that cable is not the best choice for hosting, but depending on the game, and how many people you want to allow, you could certainly set up a decent server. My friend on AT&T cable can host Medal of Honor with up to 4 or 5 people. I get about 1 Mb/s upstream on my cable connection, and with an Athlon XP 1700+ and 512 MB RAM, I've hosted 8 people with very little lag. And that was with me playing too (not a dedicated server). But most cable connections have 128Kb/s or 256Kb/s upstream bandwidth.

So go ahead if you want, but you probably wont' be hosting 32 players without more bandwidth