Topic: server hosting?

[The.Grand.Nagus]

i have created a mod for starfleet command 3 and i would like to be able to host it online for any who want to play it. do i need a dedicated server to host the game? if so, where should I get/rent one? i am not very familiar with how hosting games online works, so any advice would be greatly appreciated. thanks.

[Vaaktor]

Just get the sfc3 server kit from the download section, here at d.net.

[The.Grand.Nagus]

I can host it on my computer, rather than a dedicated server?

[Pestalence_XC]

Yes.. you can run a server kit from any computer that is running a P IV or higher with at least 512 Mb system ram and XP (you can run from Vista with 1.5 GB RAM as well)

Now limitations are :

1. Bandwidth.. You need a cable connection that has at least 786 Kbps downstream and 512 kbps upstream.. this will be stable for 18 players plus yourself. you can get better cable connections from your providers.. My connection is running 30 Mbps down and 2 Mbps up for $39.99 a month .. Time Warner Road Runner Turbo with Speed Boost.

2. CPU... in order to host the server and play off the same machine, you need at least a Core 2 processor of 2.2 Ghz @ 800 Mhz FSB for smooth operation with several players online.

3. Server side text chat. Since your IP will be the basis for the server side text chat (with D.Net being the host).. trying to log in as a player will cause you to not be able to have in game text chatting on the server itself.. text chat is fine in missions though, but not on the server side chat room. All controls will not work.. you can see what you type, but the chat room will be like it is firewalled so commands won't process nor will text transmit.. this is because your Server Kit is using your IP address to host the IRC chat.. and IP addresses can not duplicate on IRC.. as such your game client will be blocked if the server is running on the same IP address / machine.

[The.Grand.Nagus]

Yes.. you can run a server kit from any computer that is running a P IV or higher with at least 512 Mb system ram and XP (you can run from Vista with 1.5 GB RAM as well)

Now limitations are :

1. Bandwidth.. You need a cable connection that has at least 786 Kbps downstream and 512 kbps upstream.. this will be stable for 18 players plus yourself. you can get better cable connections from your providers.. My connection is running 30 Mbps down and 2 Mbps up for $39.99 a month .. Time Warner Road Runner Turbo with Speed Boost.

2. CPU... in order to host the server and play off the same machine, you need at least a Core 2 processor of 2.2 Ghz @ 800 Mhz FSB for smooth operation with several players online.

3. Server side text chat. Since your IP will be the basis for the server side text chat (with D.Net being the host).. trying to log in as a player will cause you to not be able to have in game text chatting on the server itself.. text chat is fine in missions though, but not on the server side chat room. All controls will not work.. you can see what you type, but the chat room will be like it is firewalled so commands won't process nor will text transmit.. this is because your Server Kit is using your IP address to host the IRC chat.. and IP addresses can not duplicate on IRC.. as such your game client will be blocked if the server is running on the same IP address / machine.

great information, tyvm. i have fast DSL and my CPU exceeds the specs you mentioned. i have downloaded the server hosting kit, but the instructions are over my head unfortunately. could anyone put the instructions in lamens terms? again, thanks for all the help =)

[Bonk]

This guide may help:
http://www3.telus.net/NuclearWessels/sfc/sfc3dynaguide.html

But note we are now running the SFC3 directory servers, not Activision, so you'll need to edit the server settings appropriately.
http://www.dynaverse.net/forum/index.php/topic,163376756.0.html

[Bonk]

3. Server side text chat. Since your IP will be the basis for the server side text chat (with D.Net being the host).. trying to log in as a player will cause you to not be able to have in game text chatting on the server itself.. text chat is fine in missions though, but not on the server side chat room. All controls will not work.. you can see what you type, but the chat room will be like it is firewalled so commands won't process nor will text transmit.. this is because your Server Kit is using your IP address to host the IRC chat.. and IP addresses can not duplicate on IRC.. as such your game client will be blocked if the server is running on the same IP address / machine.

I'm not sure about the SFC3 kit, but setting the centralswitchaddress line to your WAN IP or domain in the ServersSetup.gf and using a router that handles loopbacks appropriately allows chat to work, but the server still sees your LAN IP preventing you from drafting.

P.S. I recently increased the max channels per client on our IRC server to 20 to allow for such cases. (the OP kit needs 18 channels anyway).