Creating a server
by Tim Heldna · in General Discussion · 04/23/2006 (11:59 pm) · 24 replies
Hi,
I was wondering if anyone has the time to explain the procedure for setting up one's own server space. We have created an online multiplayer game with TLK1.4 and are at the stage where we want to stop using GG's test server and create our own master server.
I'm assuming i'd have to pay and rent some server space online from somewhere but can't get my head around how it all works or exactly where I should be looking and what I should be looking for. As far as I can tell, I'd need to:
- find a company that rents out server space
- once server is paid for I guess they would issue me with some form of routable IP address
- configure Torque with the IP address to match mine and not GG's
That's what I'm speculating. I'm not really after information on the Torque setup, rather the online setup. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
- Tim
I was wondering if anyone has the time to explain the procedure for setting up one's own server space. We have created an online multiplayer game with TLK1.4 and are at the stage where we want to stop using GG's test server and create our own master server.
I'm assuming i'd have to pay and rent some server space online from somewhere but can't get my head around how it all works or exactly where I should be looking and what I should be looking for. As far as I can tell, I'd need to:
- find a company that rents out server space
- once server is paid for I guess they would issue me with some form of routable IP address
- configure Torque with the IP address to match mine and not GG's
That's what I'm speculating. I'm not really after information on the Torque setup, rather the online setup. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
- Tim
About the author
#2
Can you recommend any particular company or provide any additional information? Also what's a reasonable price to be expected to pay?
- Tim
04/24/2006 (5:37 am)
Thanks Stefan,Can you recommend any particular company or provide any additional information? Also what's a reasonable price to be expected to pay?
- Tim
#3
That's a difficult one. Not sure I can give you an answer here, as I haven't tried many different companies. I'm very biased as I've used the same one for 2 years now, but at least it gives you another company to chose from.
www.aplus.net
I have used their Dedicated Server solutions and their webhost solution - the Linux based ones, as they were cheaper than the Windows ones.
I have called their support twice, and both times they took actions and fixed what was wrong immediatly. They also have a "chat" support which you can use to get in contact fast and swiftly.
I'm really not sure if they are competitive in price anymore. But check it out and see what you think!
04/24/2006 (7:49 am)
Hi Tim,That's a difficult one. Not sure I can give you an answer here, as I haven't tried many different companies. I'm very biased as I've used the same one for 2 years now, but at least it gives you another company to chose from.
www.aplus.net
I have used their Dedicated Server solutions and their webhost solution - the Linux based ones, as they were cheaper than the Windows ones.
I have called their support twice, and both times they took actions and fixed what was wrong immediatly. They also have a "chat" support which you can use to get in contact fast and swiftly.
I'm really not sure if they are competitive in price anymore. But check it out and see what you think!
#4
I had a look at the link you provided above, amongst others, and I have to say it's very hard to make a decision when you have little understanding of how things work. I suppose it's a matter of trial and error, you have to start somewhere.
I also found a coulple of interesting sites on the subject which I'll provide links to for the benefit of others reading this post:
Hosting a Game Server
Setting Up a Dedicated Game Server
One thing's for sure, it's a hell of a lot more expensive than I anticipated. From $99 per month, im going to have to start robbing banks. The one I would want is $199/month. A little rich for a game we plan to release for free.
Anyhow, a couple more noob questions and I'll leave you alone.
So basically I'm paying 'x' amount per month for a server which is physically delivered to my door or am I just paying a rental fee to access a server online? If the former, does that price include hosting?
04/24/2006 (8:05 am)
Thanks Stefan,I had a look at the link you provided above, amongst others, and I have to say it's very hard to make a decision when you have little understanding of how things work. I suppose it's a matter of trial and error, you have to start somewhere.
I also found a coulple of interesting sites on the subject which I'll provide links to for the benefit of others reading this post:
Hosting a Game Server
Setting Up a Dedicated Game Server
One thing's for sure, it's a hell of a lot more expensive than I anticipated. From $99 per month, im going to have to start robbing banks. The one I would want is $199/month. A little rich for a game we plan to release for free.
Anyhow, a couple more noob questions and I'll leave you alone.
So basically I'm paying 'x' amount per month for a server which is physically delivered to my door or am I just paying a rental fee to access a server online? If the former, does that price include hosting?
#5
04/24/2006 (8:23 am)
Disregard those last questions, I had a live chat with an employee from Aplus and he set me straight.
#6
Were you looking to buy a server and rent a physical place for it to reside?
Edit:
We went with Dedicated Rental Servers for some parts, but for an indie team (as you said) it's not realistic to rent all their servers, so we moved most of it to our own ISP. Still, some of the servers are rented and they are the ones that need to be up 24/7 and never run out of bandwidth. In our case our patchserver.
Just wanted to add that.
04/24/2006 (9:20 am)
Hi Tim,Were you looking to buy a server and rent a physical place for it to reside?
Edit:
We went with Dedicated Rental Servers for some parts, but for an indie team (as you said) it's not realistic to rent all their servers, so we moved most of it to our own ISP. Still, some of the servers are rented and they are the ones that need to be up 24/7 and never run out of bandwidth. In our case our patchserver.
Just wanted to add that.
#7
05/05/2006 (12:54 pm)
Well Tim, what did the guy at alpus say to you. I could use the insight as well. :/
#8
Of course you don't get the server physically to your door. You get *access* to it and you can use it (maybe you're sharing it with other subscribers..) as long as you pay for it. You get a certain amount of storage, bandwidth, etc.
It's just like a webhost except you got access to the actual server rather than just the webServer application (ex. Apache) which means you can manipulate it in more ways, install programs, etc.
05/06/2006 (1:23 pm)
John,Of course you don't get the server physically to your door. You get *access* to it and you can use it (maybe you're sharing it with other subscribers..) as long as you pay for it. You get a certain amount of storage, bandwidth, etc.
It's just like a webhost except you got access to the actual server rather than just the webServer application (ex. Apache) which means you can manipulate it in more ways, install programs, etc.
#9
05/07/2006 (3:10 am)
Quote:Lol, I know how stupid that sounds and I didn't think that was the case till I saw a company advertise free delivery of server to your door!
Of course you don't get the server physically to your door.
#10
lol, sounds cheap (:
Btw Tim, what hosting did you settle down with? I'm curious.
05/07/2006 (3:24 am)
Quote:
Lol, I know how stupid that sounds and I didn't think that was the case till I saw a company advertise free delivery of server to your door!
lol, sounds cheap (:
Btw Tim, what hosting did you settle down with? I'm curious.
#11
05/07/2006 (4:55 pm)
I can't afford a dedicated server, the cheapest price I could find was $160 p/m and I just can't justify that expenditure on a game that will be released for free. For internet hosting I'm using Lunarpages, they had the best support and were the most helpful regarding my noob questions. I looked around and the price seemed fair, I haven't been with them for long but so far am very happy.
#12
05/07/2006 (7:17 pm)
What are the chances of Garage Games simply letting you use their master server? I can't see it using much bandwidth because all it does is list the servers to connect to. **shrug*
#13
Email me what you need, I have a server you can use/share with NvP.
05/07/2006 (8:20 pm)
Hey Tim,Email me what you need, I have a server you can use/share with NvP.
#14
05/07/2006 (8:28 pm)
Are you sure Jon? That's very generous of you, will send you an email to discuss the matter... thanks!!!
#15
05/08/2006 (4:31 am)
The Master Server does not host game servers for your customers to play...it simply allows you to "advertise" your own server that may be behind a firewall, etc.
#16
05/08/2006 (5:52 am)
So GarageGames will allow TGE owners to list servers off the GG master?
#17
05/08/2006 (7:04 am)
Huh Curtis? Don't they already?
#18
05/08/2006 (10:41 am)
Not for commercial use. It's a curtesy service for indies that are trying to get their products tested out by others. 
#19
This way, the server/client on the users computer connects to the master client, that is already connected to the master server. If you have a game that you want to add content to, you have it ready for download from your master client. (I think this is how it works anyway. I'm no expert/novice in any way)
05/08/2006 (7:26 pm)
Wouldn't it be easier to set up a copy of your game as a master server/client? and have your players play from there?This way, the server/client on the users computer connects to the master client, that is already connected to the master server. If you have a game that you want to add content to, you have it ready for download from your master client. (I think this is how it works anyway. I'm no expert/novice in any way)
#20
05/09/2006 (9:51 am)
I own a hosting company called Gigfoot LLC. We can provide a shared hosting environment where you can host your game. All you need is something like Thomas's master server program www.garagegames.com/mg/forums/result.thread.php?qt=9456 running on the Gigfoot server. Basically, you can choose a port and your game can run from that port. Because it is a shared environment, the port you are issued will be dedicated. If you can afford $40.00 per month, then we can help you out. Our Banshee package covers the cost of a dedicated ip. I can install a perl program just like Thomas' above for you and you are good to go. It is a very basic client/server program and will probably need some tweaking to serve your needs. Our ports are divied out on a first-come-first-serve basis. 
Torque Owner Stefan Lundmark
That sounds about right. Make sure you get some form or root access or administrator rights to the machine, incase you'll have to dig in deep, change ports, or whatever.