Private server bandwidth and memory.

Im interested to know about how much bandwidth the average server takes up.

I am interested in starting my own project, but I am unsure of the hosting issues. I have a 50Meg connection but Im wondering if thats enough to hold roughly 100 players online at once. Also, how much power does a server take to run, memory and cpu wise?

Are there any sites that offer affordable dedicated hosting to private servers? Or how does everyone else go about hosting their successful servers, Ie, top ten on the top 100 list.

Well mine's not on the top ten list but I use [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]

all depends on the source you use. you may either host the server from your computer, or from a vps, and everything changes from those two choices

Well I'd start with handling it on your computer first. Then when the size does get uncontrollable, switch to a VPS like the one Arco suggested.

You don't want to waste your money on a server that hardly anyone is playing until it gets big and you'd like to start promoting it. A VPS should really only be if you're confident that your server will pay itself through donations or your parents (lol) and if you're sure that the server can no longer operate on your laptop / desktop.

Good Luck ^^

less than 256MB ram...

So generally it doesnt take much resource wise to host a private server?

Also arco, would you be willing to pm me you statistics? Such as, average players online, last months bandwith usage, and any technical information you can provide?

Thanks everyone for your replies!

My server's in the top 10, and were running of a 250 gb plan, 8 gig of ram tower.


Good luck with everything!

Quote:

Originally Posted by CompacticCo My server's in the top 10, and were running of a 250 gb plan, 8 gig of ram tower. Good luck with everything!

That really is overkill though, you could save a lot of money if you cut down on the specs of that. Unless your on some sort of 75% off plan.

No more than 2 gig ram is needed really, that is of course unless your running a complete resource hogging emulator with several memory leaks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~Falcon That really is overkill though, you could save a lot of money if you cut down on the specs of that. Unless your on some sort of 75% off plan. No more than 2 gig ram is needed really, that is of course unless your running a complete resource hogging emulator with several memory leaks.

LOL 2 gig ram? wow

no more than 128MB ram needed :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by CompacticCo My server's in the top 10, and were running of a 250 gb plan, 8 gig of ram tower. Good luck with everything!

Can you provide me with specs, for players online average, monthly bandwidth usage, and how much space you take up on the server, and things of that nature?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Impeccable Can you provide me with specs, for players online average, monthly bandwidth usage, and how much space you take up on the server, and things of that nature?

ffs get unlimited bandwith .

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Originally Posted by PeTe Ninja ffs get unlimited bandwith .

Unlimited/Unmetered costs more ffs.

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Originally Posted by PeTe Ninja LOL 2 gig ram? wow no more than 128MB ram needed :D

2GB is a good amount for the emulator/server, operating system, database (if it uses 3rd party - like MySQL) and anything else (like a small web server) the server may run.

Quote:

Originally Posted by -NewDawn- Well I'd start with handling it on your computer first. Then when the size does get uncontrollable, switch to a VPS like the one Arco suggested. You don't want to waste your money on a server that hardly anyone is playing until it gets big and you'd like to start promoting it. A VPS should really only be if you're confident that your server will pay itself through donations or your parents (lol) and if you're sure that the server can no longer operate on your laptop / desktop. Good Luck ^^

Meh...hosting it on a used/shared computer can suck. I'd recommend a separate box, so your activities don't interrupt the CPU cycles and RAM available to the program, only your Internet activity can disrupt it. D;

I will say, I have hosted a server with a 600MHz Pentium III, 256MB of RAM, Windows XP Pro, 10GB hdd (2000 technology ftw), with a cable connection of 6Mbps down, 1Mbps up, and it held at one point 117 clients...the computer wasn't too happy though (RAM was almost full) =D
Now, this server used flat file DB & no web server...just the CO server & O/S...and Remote Desktop. D;

I'd recommend 1 gig ram minimum for your system. Depending on what else you are running on the server you can hit 500 mb EASILY (not from the co server.. just everything running)

personally I run the website, forum, login server, game server, sql and a restarter all off the server.. that combined with windows and background processes means it hovers just over 512 mb. I could easily cut that down but at the same time... 512 ram usually means you have a fairly shitty package anyways (when it comes to cpu and connection share).

If you have a 50 mb home connection, keep in mind that you will still most likely not be anywhere near a main data line meaning you will have alot of 'hops' for data sent and recieved which will significantly increase your ping. having a server near a main data center can dramatically reduce this effect

eg: In Canada almost all internet traffic is routed through 1 building in Toronto... you can buy a server AT the building.. meaning regardless of if people connecting are from Canada or not.. that's gonna be VERY good ping seeing as it's THE main data line that everything must pass through.

Also keep in mind that 50 mb I assume is some high end cable package? In that case you are most likely going to experience MUCH lower speeds during peak times... or if anyone else in the household is using (or abusing) the connection... and also keep in mind that your upload is MUCH lower and that's what's mostly needed for a server.

You can probably host yourself (assuming you have a dedicated machine you can have on 24/7 with nothing else significant running) but a fairly basic vps is not that much... the 30 dollar a month one from swvps has a gig of ram and a fairly good connection so that's really all you need unless you're hosting a LARGE number of players or have a very poorly written source.

Note: Most of the reason mine is using so much ram is due to shitty coemu socket system which needs to be completely re-written but I won't have time cause of exams ahaha

using linux would help too.

The reason I asked for specs was because the way you guys constantly describe it as a pretty low cpu and ram tax on the system, I have the ability to provide hosting. And I was looking into the market of that now since you posted that information. Thanks everyone for your help.