OA Server hardware requisites

[oaadmin]

Hi,

I'm thinking about running a OA server, however, I'll be running it on a VPS (Virtual Private Server).

I have two options: 64MB and 128MB. For obvious reasons ($$) I would prefer going for the first one.

My question is this:

Is it possible to run the server on 64MB of RAM? The player limit would be 6 (max). As for the bandwidth, I think I'm well server.

Thank you.

[w1zrd]

It is possible to run on 64mb since you won't be needed a graphical interface.
Start the server with either,
36 mb for Deathmatch ~12 players
or
16 mb for 1v1 ~ 6 players
these values work well but remember that it depends on what maps you run.
If only standard OA maps are used, then these values should suffice.

Variable to change is com_HunkMegs.

[oaadmin]

It is possible to run on 64mb since you won't be needed a graphical interface.
Start the server with either,
36 mb for Deathmatch ~12 players
or
16 mb for 1v1 ~ 6 players
these values work well but remember that it depends on what maps you run.
If only standard OA maps are used, then these values should suffice.

Variable to change is com_HunkMegs.

Thank you for your reply.

The server will be running Capture the Flag on the Map with huge jumps from one side to the other (the one with a platform on the middle with Mega Health) - sorry, but I can't remember the name.

Do you think 8 Players (maximum) is doable? As for the variable you mentioned, which value do you recommend?

Sorry, but I still haven't looked at the .conf file (will do it this weekend).

[w1zrd]

It is possible to run on 64mb since you won't be needed a graphical interface.
Start the server with either,
36 mb for Deathmatch ~12 players
or
16 mb for 1v1 ~ 6 players
these values work well but remember that it depends on what maps you run.
If only standard OA maps are used, then these values should suffice.

Variable to change is com_HunkMegs.

Thank you for your reply.

The server will be running Capture the Flag on the Map with huge jumps from one side to the other (the one with a platform on the middle with Mega Health) - sorry, but I can't remember the name.

Do you think 8 Players (maximum) is doable? As for the variable you mentioned, which value do you recommend?

Sorry, but I still haven't looked at the .conf file (will do it this weekend).

I don't know which map you refer to but it should be doable especially if you only plan to run on one map.
If the server is running nothing else than that Open Arena instance, then I would recommend that you set /com_HunkMegs to 36+ (up to as much as you can spare)
and you can even set server to accept 10-12 players should you wish so. As a very rough guideline, count that each model == 2 mb. Then add the map and how complex it is. You will notice if you get allocation errors when you start the server, try loading hydronex on a lower setting and you will see that the server crashes due to memory issues.

[oaadmin]

It is possible to run on 64mb since you won't be needed a graphical interface.
Start the server with either,
36 mb for Deathmatch ~12 players
or
16 mb for 1v1 ~ 6 players
these values work well but remember that it depends on what maps you run.
If only standard OA maps are used, then these values should suffice.

Variable to change is com_HunkMegs.

Thank you for your reply.

The server will be running Capture the Flag on the Map with huge jumps from one side to the other (the one with a platform on the middle with Mega Health) - sorry, but I can't remember the name.

Do you think 8 Players (maximum) is doable? As for the variable you mentioned, which value do you recommend?

Sorry, but I still haven't looked at the .conf file (will do it this weekend).

I don't know which map you refer to but it should be doable especially if you only plan to run on one map.
If the server is running nothing else than that Open Arena instance, then I would recommend that you set /com_HunkMegs to 36+ (up to as much as you can spare)
and you can even set server to accept 10-12 players should you wish so. As a very rough guideline, count that each model == 2 mb. Then add the map and how complex it is. You will notice if you get allocation errors when you start the server, try loading hydronex on a lower setting and you will see that the server crashes due to memory issues.

Once again, thank you very much for your reply.

Just installed the OS (Debian Etch) and I'm currently installing the necessary packages (data and server).

I don't think I'll be able to wait until the weekend, so I'll give it a shot within a couple of hours (after work) and report back here.

Thank you VERY MUCH for your help.

[oaadmin]

Things aren't working so great with Etch. I was trying to use the packages from unstable but things don't seem to be working. Anyone every ran a server with Etch?

[dmn_clown]

If you are using the packages from Sid or Lenny you'll have to rebuild the packages due to the glibc mismatch, it's fairly easy to do with plenty of documentation on the web of how to go about it, you could also use the binaries from the zip file that were compiled on Etch.  http://openarena.ws/board/index.php?topic=848.msg5668#msg5668

[oaadmin]

If you are using the packages from Sid or Lenny you'll have to rebuild the packages due to the glibc mismatch, it's fairly easy to do with plenty of documentation on the web of how to go about it, you could also use the binaries from the zip file that were compiled on Etch.  http://openarena.ws/board/index.php?topic=848.msg5668#msg5668

Thank you for the information. I would probably go with the second option.

Just to be safe ... On the .ZIP file (for Windows) there are pre-compiled packages that I can dpkg -i?

[Cacatoes]

The OA server I own also has Etch (Stable).
I didn't use the Deb packages, but installed it from the common links listed on the homepage ( http://openarena.ws/?files ), added the 0.7.1 patch and it works fine.

To check incompatibility :
http://packages.debian.org/etch/libc6
http://packages.debian.org/unstable/games/openarena

The links of the post dmn_clown pointed you are the same than those on OA homepage, so yes, ioquake3 binaries are included.

[oaadmin]

The OA server I own also has Etch (Stable).
I didn't use the Deb packages, but installed it from the common links listed on the homepage ( http://openarena.ws/?files ), added the 0.7.1 patch and it works fine.

To check incompatibility :
http://packages.debian.org/etch/libc6
http://packages.debian.org/unstable/games/openarena

The links of the post dmn_clown pointed you are the same than those on OA homepage, so yes, ioquake3 binaries are included.

I still don't understand what I do with the .ZIP file. Sorry .. :/

[Cacatoes]

To answer more explicitely to your previous question : no, the zip file doens't contain .deb packages.

Will be a pain to administrate the server if you dunno what to do with a .zip file ...

Code:

apt-get install unzip
wget ftp://path/to/openarena.zip
unzip openarena.zip
mv openarena-0-7-0 /usr/local/ # or wherever you like, I used /opt

And : (DO NOT LINK) h t t p s : / / openarena . wikia . com/wiki/Servers

[oaadmin]

Thank you for the reply.

The thing is, after extracting the files from the .ZIP, I will need to install the -server. How do I do this?

Can I just download the .deb and install it? What are the dependencies and where do I get the appropriate package?

Thank you for your patience.

[dmn_clown]

cd /path/to/where/you/unzipped/oa/0.7.0
./ioq3ded.<arch>

Though, I would suggest working out your server's config before starting it.

[oaadmin]

cd /path/to/where/you/unzipped/oa/0.7.0
./ioq3ded.<arch>

Though, I would suggest working out your server's config before starting it.

Ohhh ... OK. I thought I had to install openarena-server in order to have the server.

As for the server configuration, I'm gonna use of the examples available and change it to my needs.

Doable?

Just to confirm something...

To apply the patch I just need to extract it to oa/baseoa/, right?

[oaadmin]

My configuration file:

// openarena example servercfg linux
// save as server.cfg in ~/.openarena/baseoa/
// start with:
// cd <openarena_base_dir>
// ./ioq3ded.i386 +set dedicated 2 +set net_port <PORT> +exec server.cfg +map aggressor

set com_hunkMegs "56"

seta net_ip "64.79.219.17"
sv_hostname "OA Test Server"
sv_maxclients 10
sv_master1 "dpmaster.deathmask.net"
sv_maxPing 150
sv_minPing 0
sv_pure 1
sv_maxRate 25000
sv_fps 40
sv_allowdownload 1

sv_privateClients "2" // slots substracted from sv_maxclients
sv_privatePassword "password"

capturelimit 8
timelimit 15
fraglimit 50

set rconPassword "password" // for remote ingame servercontrol

g_motd "motd"
g_quadfactor 4
g_inactivity 0
g_allowvote 1

// Gametypes
// 0 = Free For All
// 1 = Tourney
// 3 = Team Deathmatch
// 4 = Capture The Flag
g_gametype 4

set d1 "map aggressor; set nextmap aggressor"

vstr d1


While executing ./ioq3ded.i386 +set dedicated 2 +exec q3config.cfg

I get the following output:

ioQ3 1.33+oa linux-i386 Jul  7 2007
----- FS_Startup -----
Current search path:
/root/.openarena/baseoa
/usr/local/openarena/oa/baseoa/pak7-patch.pk3 (76 files)
/usr/local/openarena/oa/baseoa/pak6-misc.pk3 (191 files)
/usr/local/openarena/oa/baseoa/pak5-TA.pk3 (11 files)
/usr/local/openarena/oa/baseoa/pak4-textures.pk3 (1496 files)
/usr/local/openarena/oa/baseoa/pak3-music.pk3 (9 files)
/usr/local/openarena/oa/baseoa/pak2-players.pk3 (620 files)
/usr/local/openarena/oa/baseoa/pak2-players-mature.pk3 (171 files)
/usr/local/openarena/oa/baseoa/pak1-maps.pk3 (73 files)
/usr/local/openarena/oa/baseoa/pak0.pk3 (926 files)
/usr/local/openarena/oa/baseoa

----------------------
3573 files in pk3 files
execing default.cfg
couldn't exec q3config.cfg
couldn't exec autoexec.cfg
Sys_Error: Hunk data failed to allocate 64 megs

Thank you for any support.

[ailmanki]

you need to start openarena with setting hunkmegs on the command line.
so execute
./ioq3ded.i386 +set com_hunkmegs 56 +set dedicated 2 +exec server.cfg

q3config is overwritten by ioq3, so its not good idea to use it, better use a different cfg like server.cfg

[w1zrd]

First off: never execute q3config.cfg, that can send server to very interesting loops.
Rename your config to something like config.cfg instead, then launch with +exec config.cfg
Secondly, change the

Code:

g_gametype 4

set d1 "map aggressor; set nextmap aggressor"

to something like:

Code:

map <some ctf map>
g_gametype 4

i.e get rid of the d1 loop which doesn't do anything in your case.

In your autoexec.cfg (which should be in /baseoa) you would enter a line saying something like:

Code:

seta com_hunkmegs 56 (or whatever setting works)

This will then allocate memory before the actual config is launched.
Also make sure that your config.cfg is in /baseoa.

To really really really really ensure that your settings gets executed first, you can add them to a bash.startup script with something like:

Code:

 +set dedicated 2 +set com_hunkmegs 56 +set net_port XXXXX +set fs_game CTF +exec CTF.cfg

for instance..

net_ip is rather obsolete unless you're sitting behind a proxy firewall and really need to specify it.

Lastly, fraglimit is rather useless when you have g_gametype 4 (CTF) since it's the capturelimit that counts.

[oaadmin]

First off: never execute q3config.cfg, that can send server to very interesting loops.
Rename your config to something like config.cfg instead, then launch with +exec config.cfg
Secondly, change the

Code:

g_gametype 4

set d1 "map aggressor; set nextmap aggressor"

to something like:

Code:

map <some ctf map>
g_gametype 4

i.e get rid of the d1 loop which doesn't do anything in your case.

In your autoexec.cfg (which should be in /baseoa) you would enter a line saying something like:

Code:

seta com_hunkmegs 56 (or whatever setting works)

This will then allocate memory before the actual config is launched.
Also make sure that your config.cfg is in /baseoa.

To really really really really ensure that your settings gets executed first, you can add them to a bash.startup script with something like:

Code:

 +set dedicated 2 +set com_hunkmegs 56 +set net_port XXXXX +set fs_game CTF +exec CTF.cfg

for instance..

net_ip is rather obsolete unless you're sitting behind a proxy firewall and really need to specify it.

Lastly, fraglimit is rather useless when you have g_gametype 4 (CTF) since it's the capturelimit that counts.

Thank you. It's working Doesn't show on the list, though...

[oaadmin]

Any ideas on what I have to so the server shows up on the list? I think I'm pinging the master server, but it still doesn't show up.

I searched, however, I haven't found answers.

When I run the server, the output doesn't give me any information about pinging the master server. My configuration file is a couple of post above.

[Cacatoes]

I don't know, but I see a difference between your conf and mine :
you've got :

Code:

seta net_ip "64.79.219.17"

I've got:
nothing

0) Try to remove it, maybe, and see if you're listed on http://dpmaster.deathmask.net/?game=openarena
1) Do you manage to connect to your own server ? (with /connect your_ip:port)
2) You have to make start a map in your server, otherwise the masterserver won't list you. (you've got the "vstr" line so it should be ok)
3) You may also change your sv_hostname to something more exotic, even if I doubt another server has the same name than yours. Calling it "Cacatoes makes me wet" would just fit.

[oaadmin]

I don't know, but I see a difference between your conf and mine :
you've got :

Code:

seta net_ip "64.79.219.17"

I've got:
nothing

0) Try to remove it, maybe, and see if you're listed on http://dpmaster.deathmask.net/?game=openarena
1) Do you manage to connect to your own server ? (with /connect your_ip:port)
2) You have to make start a map in your server, otherwise the masterserver won't list you. (you've got the "vstr" line so it should be ok)
3) You may also change your sv_hostname to something more exotic, even if I doubt another server has the same name than yours. Calling it "Cacatoes makes me wet" would just fit.

Thanks for the reply.

I no longer have seta net_ip. I also changed set d1 "map aggressor; set nextmap aggressor" to map <some ctf map>.

I don't plan on connecting to my own server. I mean, I do connect to it, but from a different machine (Multiplayer - Specify) and I put the FQDN to connect.

As for the sv_hostname, "Cacatoes ..." is not a good idea, because I've seen at least 1 server with that name You're popular.
I tried with different names but none of them made it appear on the list.

I think all the options you mentioned, the one worth checking is #2, since I changed that since I last posted my .cfg.

What do you think?

[Cacatoes]

I think you should try anything ... but having a conf like the one wizard told you about should work too.

Of course, connect to ur server from a different machine, that's what I meant.
Can you confirm it works with the FQDN ?
If so, I see no reason why it blocks, could also be a problem of blocked port to contact the master server but I doubt so.

[w1zrd]

Make sure that you dont use port 27950 for your server, that would conflict with dpmaster.
As I said previously:

net_ip is rather obsolete unless you're sitting behind a proxy firewall and really need to specify it.

Check if that is the case, and you might need it, or not..