Need info b4 setting up mass server please

[viroodiemzero]

Relocated from inappropriate forum
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Ok, Ive decided I want to host a mass server, Something akin to the size of foreverhacking. And not just trying to host the whole shabang on my comp(my poor lil machine would hack once and die =)

Now with this, I want to do everything possible, to eliminate Some of the same general bugginess, that these servers seem to have. Plan on dumping some serious time, money & resources into it , to help keep it running.

Now with that said, Im needed to know some general information, that ive not been able to find on the forums as of yet.

First. How much Disk space does it take to host the game, Is it just the size that it takes to install EQ, and the expansions? IE: like 2 full gigs of space (prolly 3 with additional files ness for admin, databases, ect.) or is it something substantially higher?

Next, How much bandwith , does hosting generally use? Example, 1 person per hour.
I have the impression its hard to say, as it depends on what actions the player does, during that hour, But im looking for a high estimate here. Any information would be useful here.

Now im not exactly elloquent, in asking such a question , so ask any pertinent questions so i can get this data please

[moonphoenix]

This has already been discussed before
(Can't find the link right now though, sure I'd saved it)

I would'nt worry about disk space its just EQemu & Mysql installation prob not more than 30Mb in total

What you do need to be thinking about though is the nodes connection to the internet as a requirement (No less than a 24/7 512Kbs connection, on a stable router, those USB modems suffer from high latency, due to the heavy load placed on the host system).

And of course MySQL database replication is the really tricky bit, it's not simply a case of setting all your nodes as slaves to the master, and expecting it to work, they just don't replicate quickly enough. As soon as you zone between to different machines your character will revert to a previously saved. I tried it and thats the problem I was unable to overcome anyway.

[moonphoenix]

If your intrested I'm willing to let you use my installation as Master though for testing (I've got a user account set up for this purpose from my own testing)

If you can overcome the problem with the database not sync'ing fast enough I can provide any other resources you might need

[Roadkill]

Are you saying that if I have 3 machines together on my LAN, that putting world.exe on number one, some zone.exe's on number two, and some more zone.exe's on the third wouldn't work because the MySQL database would run behind a little?

All instances have to be on the same machine (world.exe and zone.exe? Or can I put world on one and all of the zone.exe's on a second machine?

Or is the subject about multiple zone.exe's being run from completely different geographical areas all connecting to the same world.exe? (as in a bunch of friends in a town all using their home connections together across the town to create a server).

[moonphoenix]

This problem would be with running zone servers from different geographic locations.

Running from different machines on the same lan, would be no prob. Because they could just share the same mysql installation (As long as the router is set to forward the correct port to the correct machine for the zone servers)

Seperating zones across a LAN would'nt provide much benefit unless you have a seriously heavy duty connection. My 512Kbs upstream won't support more than about 10-20ppl reliably