Managing Zones

aneriel · #1 08-26-2007, 04:38 PM

Sorry if this posted elsewhere, believe me when I say I've scoured these forums over the past week while getting my server up and going.

I've seen people use a startup.bat loading eqzones.exe zones ...this creates 5 dynamics.

I've also seen people set it to load each zone.exe for whatever zone they want.

I guess my question is, what is the difference? Is the second method loading static zones? If so, what exactly does static mean? I kinda figured it meant the mobs won't repop, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

When loading with the first method, I've came across the problem that I have no more zones.exe to load a zone for me, and hence, i've gotten booted. Is this normal?

How do you run your zones? What is the best method in your opinion? Does either one keep the errors minimal?

Thanks

techguy84 · #2 08-26-2007, 06:22 PM

Well, running eqlaunch will boot up (x) number of dynamic zones that will load when client needs then and quit when there are no clients in them. X can be definied in your DB to what ever you think your computer will handle. Dynamic zones are less memory intensive as they dont continue to use memory when no ones in them, as they just unboot and go away.

Static zones on the other hand are zones that are always up, always running, and never shut down. These are more for like hubs(nexus,PoK), cites (qeynos, freeport) that would have constant activites in them like NPC pathing and such. They function fine dynamically, but for added realism, you should make them static.

Dont confuse running zone.exe as being a static zone like I once did. zone.exe in itself is dynamic. Eqlaunch is to maintain order instead of running 70-80 zone.exes for your server. You could have eqlaunch run 50 zones, in one window, then run "zone.exe freeport" or however that command goes to boot up a static freeport zone. Adding the zone name flags the zone.exe as a static zone and it will keep that zone running. This could be mistaken, but I think thats how it works. Someone will of course come by and tell me its wrong if it is.

Hope that better explains the dynamic/static question you had.

**TheLieka** · #3 08-27-2007, 12:36 AM

From my experiences, you're right TechGuy. The other reason that I run static zones is for spawn activity. When a dynamic zone shuts down (when no one is in it), it seriously shuts down. This means that if a guild kills Trakanon on your server (just suppose), and sebilis is being launched dynamically, then that guild could zone out (everyone would have to zone out), wait a minute (while the zone shuts down), then zone back in (to load the zone back up) and Trakanon would be back up again (since he always comes up with the zone).

Since most servers will never see this problem, dynamic zones are fine for 99% of the servers, but static zones add a bit more eqlive feel.

Dax

aneriel · #4 08-27-2007, 02:50 AM

Thanks guys, that answers my questions perfectly.

Irreverent · #5 09-11-2007, 05:40 AM

If you have Trak respawn that fast, even on a dynamic, then you've got a spawn table issue instead. It shouldn't matter or not if its static vs. dynamic. Sounds like you just need to change the respawn timers.

techguy84 · #6 09-11-2007, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irreverent

If you have Trak respawn that fast, even on a dynamic, then you've got a spawn table issue instead. It shouldn't matter or not if its static vs. dynamic. Sounds like you just need to change the respawn timers.

Even if the respawn timers are set high, the spawn still respawns when the zone boots up. The only way respawn timers are in effect is when the zone stays booted, since again, the zone boots up and automatically spawns the db entries. The only way around this would be for some sort of a state save that the zone did prior to closing, like last know spawn information. Then when the zone rebooted, it would use that information to spawn its self.

Irreverent · #7 09-11-2007, 03:07 PM

I swear this wasn't the case for me. Even if I used persistant zones or not because the db would keep track of repop timers. If the spawn had more than 1 possibility, yes...otherwise it would keep the timer.

Even after I dropped persistant zones, it would keep track of the timer. I got rid of persistant zone because of the pets would hang around after the case.

John Adams · #8 09-12-2007, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by techguy84

Even if the respawn timers are set high, the spawn still respawns when the zone boots up. The only way respawn timers are in effect is when the zone stays booted, since again, the zone boots up and automatically spawns the db entries.

This is actually not accurate, but I am not one to contradict techguy84 =)

He likely has done far more analysis of the situation. My experience, even after an entire server reboot with dynamic zones, my bosses are still down because "timeleft" has a value > 0.

sfisque · #9 09-12-2007, 04:37 AM

this is my experience too. the "timeleft" column in "spawn2" controls this. zone reboot should not be resetting this value. has someone placed a quest script in the zone that maybe causes trak to spawn (maybe a fubar'ed script handling the Bard epic version of trak, maybe?)

== sfisque

techguy84 · #10 09-12-2007, 09:48 AM

Maybe it applies to boss mobs, I personally was just refering to the likes of Qeynos and such. I know I could go through and wipe the zone, and when the zone reboots, everything is back to normal. You guys are probably right as far as boss mobs and "timeleft". Dunno from personal accounts though.

Is there s time left specified for all mobs and NPCs or just bosses?

sfisque · #11 09-12-2007, 10:50 AM

every mob has it, but some mobs have very short respawns. i happen to remember that an older version of PEQ had almost every mob on a 3-6 min respawn (made doing vox and naggy very interesting, lmao)

i believe alot of respawn timers have been reset appropriately but i'm sure you can find more that might need calibration.

case in point, i'm working on PoSky, which is pretty much a full time job atm :P

== sfisque

Irreverent · #12 09-13-2007, 12:34 AM

I wasn't smiling about contradicting the big guy either. But that was something I took in tight consideration on my server. Since anyone can kill anything, there isn't much fun if all it takes is zoning out and going back in to get what you want. The time life is a pita, since you need to find a good balance and randomness to spawns. Took me forever to get my timers right...and now I'm about to change them again to make them a bit more available.

techguy84 · #13 09-13-2007, 05:30 AM

Surely you guys are not calling me the Big Guy? Oh why for thou earn such a title. Personnaly, you guys are well ahead of me in awhole lot of aspects of the emulator. I just got the setup details down pat for various Windows OS's and I like to go into extreme detail from time to time when solving a problem.

I /bow before you guys for not letting aneriel go mis-lead with my poor knowledge on the subject at hand.

Irreverent · #14 09-13-2007, 01:18 PM

But you sure make'dem perty pdf's!

techguy84 · #15 09-13-2007, 07:26 PM

Dam perty pdfs is actually a over statment for what I made. It has some nice things such as side captions and such, but its far from being top notch. It functions, and thats what I was wanting. I do wish it was Publication Worthy though, but I need to tweak some more and possible get some bookmarks in place before that happens.

Funny though, I just keep getting the itch to pick it back up and work on it some more, along with playing some EQ, but I keep getting side tracked with things and I always drop it. /sigh

Personally, I blame Bethesda and LethalEncounter for my lack of time here any more. If it wasnt for Oblivion and EQ2, I would be working on it still today.