What's required to host a server?

[legacy-Airjrdn]

This may sound stupid, but here goes...

I know there are hosts that do nothing but game server hosting (VSK, etc.). But what is actually required for you to upload the dedicated server files and launch the game?

I run a dedicated server on my lan and it's opened up to the internet via my cable connection. I'm not advertising it, so it's only friends that connect to it and play on it. I'm aware of what it takes to run one locally on a Windows box, but what's required if it's being ran at a Linux hosting facility?

Right now I host our family website at 3-95.com and am simply wondering if I could actually host games there.

I'd use FTP to upload the files to 3-95, and from there, could I chmod the necessary files as executables and somehow start a "batch" file that would load up the game server?

I'm just wondering what stops most any web hosting facility from being utilized as a game server host.

[QettoE]

Your question is not stupid, and I'm sure thousands have already thought of the same thing.

In my opinion, there's no difference between running a server on Windows or Linux unless you run a 64 bit UT2k4 on an AMD 64 machine running Linux, setup for 20 or more players. My AMD 2000+ server utilizes 60% only when my 16P UT2k4 server is full.

You can't run UT on a webhosting server. First you can't "execute" any commands remotely. Secondly those servers are behind extensive security measures and most if not all ports are blocked. To run a UT server you'll need a wide range of ports open to the public.

Believe me my friend, there's a reason why companies rent webservers for 6.95 a month, and a game server for 120. I'd love to run an additional 32 player server for that price!

QettoE,

[legacy-Airjrdn]

Thanks for the information.

I'm wondering how difficult it would be to convince a webhosting facility to open the necessary ports and optionally give you some type of access (shell?) to start the server. I can run an .exe from a .asp page on Windows, so I was assuming there'd be a similar way to do it via a .php page on Linux. I knew the port thing would have to be overcome, but wasn't sure if there was anything besides those two things I hadn't thought of.

Again, thanks for the info.

[QettoE]

Most hosting companies give shell access for Linux servers. You can ask your hosting company for info.

About convincing them: Why would they do such thing when they can make over 100 bucks for a server? If so then who's going to rent their dedicated servers? Would you do that to a customer who's paying minimum amount to have his/her web pages sit on one of your shared servers? I won't.

The other thing is that you don't need a top notch server to host 10 websites, a PIII 500MHz will do that with no problem (I know a friend who's running 5 web servers on a PII right now!). Running a dedicated UT server will need much more juice.

If you ask me, don't make that call!


QettoE,

[legacy-Airjrdn]

Haha, it won't be a call, I'd just ask them in IRC or in the forums. VSK offers servers that I get a good ping to for about $25/month. I've just heard bad things about the main guy there and would rather give my money to a company I'm used to dealing with.

[legacy-F8|korrupt]

i dont like vsk servers this is the company im with www.mygamesters.com great servers and good price im sure he could wip something up for ya his name is azbok just tell him bdorey3 sent ya


also all servers come with 100mb of webspace free

[legacy-Airjrdn]

Thanks, I'm checking it out. It looks like $30/month is their 8 player price.

Is your server open to the public so I can check out my ping to it? Also, what town is it in, I see they offer them in different locations.

[legacy-F8|korrupt]

http://clanf8.com/ check under server info for the server also feel free to email me korrupt@clanf8.com

[QettoE]

That's a good one, 20P server for under 100, you can't beat it. I'm getting 8ms to their Chicago servers!

QettoE,

[legacy-Airjrdn]

http://clanf8.com/ seems to be down right now, but it was up last night. I connected to the first server listed on the servers page and had a really good ping. Thanks for the info.

[legacy-F8|korrupt]

http://www.clanf8.com/


my msn is bdorey3@istop.com if you need anything else

[legacy-SJAndrew]

All of the NBS servers are hosted by http://www.sglhosting.com. $25/month for 8 man public no AS/ONS server.

You may want to PM Flak and ask her how her experience has been. From what I've seen (her posts here), she's very happy.

[legacy-Airjrdn]

Thankya SJ

[Flak]

I PMd you back. The servers run fantastic and the Customer service is really great. You get your own redirect too so people aren't always overwriting your files.

[legacy-F8|korrupt]

same with mygamesters.com free rederect and its your own