Lag, DB, Files - Can I split everything?

[patoringa]

Hi all!

My server is not dedicated. Currently the number of members begins to cause lag on the server.
My questions:

- What consumes more Internet bandwidth? The database or the server files?
- Can I put the database on an external server and keep the files on the local server?
- Can anyone indicate some dedicated servers that enables mounting servers and affordable cost?

Thx all.

[abrasive]

Splitting the database and server files to separate computers won't help unless you are IO bound, or CPU bound in some way. Signs of being IO bound would be heavy hard drive activity, and/or near maximum memory usage. Signs of being CPU bound would be near 100% cpu usage.

The database doesn't use any internet bandwidth because it only needs to communicate between itself and the game server process(es). When both of those are on the same PC, it doesn't even use internal network bandwidth.

How does your max memory vs. average memory usage look on your server during peak times?

How does your cpu usage look during peak times?

You can check those in your task manager.

What is probably happening is your upload speed of your current connection can no longer handle all of your users in a timely manner. If that is the case then you need to find how to get more upload speed. Either upgrade your home connection, or look into getting a dedicated host.

What is your current connection? If you don't know you can get an estimate from speedtest.net or equivalent.

I don't have any experience hosting so I don't have any recommendations for that.

[SafeBett]

Try here for proffesional reliable hosting on a budget
Check each few days as clearance servers come up often.

[castor4878]

As stated by Abrasive, MsSQL uses pipes or dma when client & engine are on the same machine. Btw (and especially for the needs of that game) a SQL request shall have a null time, if not the request is too badly coded, data transfer shall have a null time (and workload), if not we are carrying too much data due to incorrect or too generic request.

That said, there are 2 main reasons for lag, and both must be take into account.
- the power of the server: the ps_game.exe process has quite intensive work, it needs a lot of mem (500Mo - 1Go) meaning that (fortunately and obviously) it does most of his work with allocated mem, it does not make frequent access to disk nor to DB; so the faster the CPU and the RAM are, the best it is. (an i3/i5 or Xeon with 4 cores and DDR3 ram is a good config).

- the ethernet connection: basically you can *not* avoid lag w/o at least a 100MBits connection for your sole use.
Of course an in-home server that will use a DSL/ADSL connection (with a classic upload speed of around 1 MBits) will always generate lag.

- regarding external hosting, most of providers offer gigabits access but performances will be strongly different if you are alone on that server (dedicated svr) or if it runs 10 - 100+ web-appl. (shared svr, virtual private svrs). So u should prefer a dedicated svr with a 100Mbits conn. rather than a VPS with a 1GBits conn.

[Alladrios]

Get SSD drives if you get can afford it, it really makes a difference as well.

[SafeBett]

I completely aggree with these guys, however i senced when you said "affordable cost" that you are looking for something that will support a small number of players (say 30-60) with relatively no lagg.

With this in mind you should search for a Dual Core 2ghz Dedicated Windows Server with 10mbps connection 2GB ram 100GB HDD and 100GB Traffic.

You will need to get more traffic if you make a full client available to d/l from your server.

This is the bare minimum you will require for you and your freinds to have some fun and learn more about server upkeep.

Regards
Safe

[patoringa]

Thank you all. I'll discuss it.