Host on what type of ISP ?

[Ardbeg]

If I wanted to host my own server for 1.4 or higher, is it best to use a pc of my own or are there ISPs out there suitable ?
I've messed around with 1.4 at home for a few years but never gone "live".
Any help is appreciated.

 

[Demonic]

Most Webhosting packages are installed on LINUX and are mostly on suitable for hosting web pages etc. What you would need is a Dedicated Box type hosting and for it to run Windows (2003 Normally). Now this would probably cost you a bit - say £50 a month at a very rough guess? You would get full remote control access to install mir2 on.

The question is thus really then:

1. Would the numbers you commnad to play the server need a full 100mbit both ways or would your home connection do the job if the number are low. Example (Mir3 anyhow), on a 200K upload I managed 75 people, 400K could easy manage 100 no probs.

2. Are you prepared to pay each month / year the price needed for a Dedicated Host.

3. Can you Afford that price as quoted in 2?

4. What if enough people do not donate - could you fund it anyway?

5. Are you happy to pay XX per month for people to play for free who in reality you have never met or do not even know??

 

[LeoCrasher]

Since Demonic has covered dedi hosting, I'll cover self hosting.

1. Do you have a relatively stable machine that can stay on all the time?

2. Is your machine sufficently powerful to handle your server? (RAM is the biggest factor with both server versions).

3. Is your line connection capable of holding the amount of players you wish to have? (256k upload = 40 players approx).

4. Can you maintain a stable connection for that amount of time?

5. Will your internet activities interrupt that of the server players? Can you cope with throttling your downloads as not to impact on the experiance of players?

/Leo

 

[Ripman]

more shorter.....u must be insane to host a server....) it will **** up ur life )

 

[Ardbeg]

more shorter.....u must be insane to host a server....) it will **** up ur life )

Mir has done that already lol.

Thanks for the pointers guys. I already have a couple of domains hosted that are sitting there doing nothing so I could look to see if they have the capacity/capability.
My own pc is quite powerful with 4800+ dual core, 2 gig ram and soon to move to 8meg ADSL. But, as has been said, other usage might even interfere with that.
Interesting replies. Ta.

 

[mapadale]

Another choice would be 2 have 2 lines, one dedicated to your server and the other one for your own personal use.

 

[SkyDragon]

wow that is some really good point from dem and leo , hosting all depends on your budgets mate.

every1 has basicalyt covered your options , now youvew gotta think which is practical ( hosting off your pc , u dont wanan download and lagg every1 , it happens and polayers dont rly want that )

OR check your funds and get a isp ... but 50 pound a month out of your own pocket .

or 2 lines

 

[Ardbeg]

I wasn't looking for that sort of continuous outlay tbh and a second line would possibly be cheaper but still a lot for a "free" server.
Having read this forum recently its clear that 1.4 is old hat and now I'm unsure what route to take, 1.9 or the DM2 route. What's the recommended version to go with ?
Thanks for the views so far, very helpful.

 

[Dizon]

Dependant on where you live you may not be able to have 2 lines at home. I personally cannot find a decent stable ISP around my area and decent speeds. I wouldnt suggest useing the DM2 server files at this point as they still have bugs but they are be`ing fixed every day. If you have came from the 1.4 files i would suggest going with 1.9 its not that much different file wise and would be a good place to move to next.

 

[Nightwolf]

NTL or any cable isp is good i dont like bt as it not very stable also sky have now started doing bb upto 16mb for a cheap price of £10 per month but carnt comment what that would be like tho more info on that here http://broadband.sky.com/flash.htm

 

[Ardbeg]

I'm on BT atm and they're going on about 8meg sometime soon. They do have bad moments of lag. Not sure if its a contention issue in my area or what and being 2.5 miles from the exchange doesn't help matters.