Lag with 2-core VPS running CENTOS

[darkvortex]

Ok so after I moved and we got everyone on playing we are noticing lag. I know there is something I am missing and I am wondering if I can steal some of the nuclear fallout secret sauce.

I am running a modified centos kernel according to http://wiki.fragaholics.de/index.php/EN ... timization I have the cron job setup for priority modification and I am running 2.6.29.6-rt24. I start the server using

screen -A -m -d -S tf2alpha-server ./srcds_run -console -game tf +map pl_goldrush +maxplayers 32 -nohltv -autoupdate -tickrate 66 -pingboost 2 -ip <myip> -port 27015 +fps_max 512

I figured dialing back the FPS would help but its still a bit choppy. HTOP shows CPU usage on the one core running srcds hovers around 70-98% usage which was expected since its a full 32 slot. I am just wondering what else I can look at? I know you guys can load your gentoo kernel but I would prefer to not have to rebuild but I will if required. I am just wondering if anything sticks out or if you can recommend anything for me to look at. Thanks.

[Edge100x]

You should definitely not use a RT flavor of the kernel, despite what they suggest there, as this will lead to high CPU usage with no measurable benefit (I have tested this extensively). I would recommend that you go with a standard version of the kernel instead, directly from www.kernel.org.

You also shouldn't run an idler program, as they suggest; instead, just make sure that all the power conservation settings are turned off in the kernel.

[darkvortex]

Ok I will revert to the original kernel that shipped with 5.4. I don't run the idler actually that part I skipped since everywhere else said it was not needed for linux. I will let you know how it works out.

[rustydusty1717]

-pingboost is kind of useless in source, correct?

[Edge100x]

-pingboost is kind of useless in source, correct?

That's correct -- the "-pingboost 2" part of his command line would be automatically ignored. "-tickrate 66" would also be ignored, as Orangebox servers run only at 66 tick.

[darkvortex]

I will have to take them out of my script for startup I was looking at the generic valve page. So far 2.6.18-164.9.1.el5 seems to be stable I haven't heard as many complaints CPU usage is still hoving just above 90% but with 31/32 people that was still expected. Do you still recommend moving up tot the 2.6.29 kernel?

[rustydusty1717]

Over 90% with just 31 people on a two core VPS? That definently is WAY too high. I think you might wanna switch back to the default 5.4 kernel. I run two 1000 FPS servers on mine single core no problem with it.

[Edge100x]

I will have to take them out of my script for startup I was looking at the generic valve page. So far 2.6.18-164.9.1.el5 seems to be stable I haven't heard as many complaints CPU usage is still hoving just above 90% but with 31/32 people that was still expected. Do you still recommend moving up tot the 2.6.29 kernel?

90% of one core does seem a bit high, but I've seen some 32-slot TF2 servers use that much. Are you running a lot of plugins, or very intensive maps?

Trying the latest stable kernel (right now, 2.6.32.3) wouldn't hurt, if you have the time. It also might be worth backing up your existing install and trying again with our Gentoo one (or at least the kernel config from it).

[darkvortex]

We run only stock maps for right now and our plugin list is as follows:

16:39:19 [SM] Listing 38 plugins:
01 "Client Preferences" (1.3.0-dev) by AlliedModders LLC
02 "SourceBans" (1.4.6) by InterWave Studios Development Team
03 "gScramble + Balance" (2.4.53) by Goerge
04 "Nextmap" (1.3.0-dev) by AlliedModders LLC
05 "bonusroundrespawn" (1.2) by Ratty
06 "cbaseservertest.smx"
07 "Simple Chat Colors" (1.1.0) by Simple Plugins
08 "Rock The Vote" (1.3.0-dev) by AlliedModders LLC
09 "In-game Help Menu" (0.3) by chundo
10 "Player Commands" (1.3.0-dev) by AlliedModders LLC
11 "Map Nominations" (1.3.0-dev) by AlliedModders LLC
12 "Basic Chat" (1.3.0-dev) by AlliedModders LLC
13 "Sudden Death Melee Redux" (1.1.4) by bl4nk
14 "Fun Commands" (1.3.0-dev) by AlliedModders LLC
15 "FistPie" (0.4) by Darkimmortal
16 "Fun Votes" (1.3.0-dev) by AlliedModders LLC
17 "Admin List" (1.2) by Fredd
18 "Anti-Flood" (1.3.0-dev) by AlliedModders LLC
19 "TF2 Fast Respawns" (1.0.6) by WoZeR
20 "Admin Help" (1.3.0-dev) by AlliedModders LLC
21 "RCON Lock" (0.1) by devicenull
22 "Donator Features v2" (2.1.0) by Crimson(Modified by [CZ] Vortex)
23 "Sound Commands" (1.3.0-dev) by AlliedModders LLC
24 "SuperLogs: TF2" (1.4.4) by psychonic
25 "Basic Comm Control" (1.3.0-dev) by AlliedModders LLC
26 "Advertisements" (0.5.5) by Tsunami
27 "Admin File Reader" (1.3.0-dev) by AlliedModders LLC
28 "Basic Info Triggers" (1.3.0-dev) by AlliedModders LLC
29 "High Ping Kicker - Lite Edition" (1.0.0.1) by Liam
30 "HLstatsX CE Ingame Plugin" (1.6.6) by psychonic
31 "SourceMod Radio" (1.0.0.12) by dubbeh
32 "Basic Commands" (1.3.0-dev) by AlliedModders LLC
33 "Admin Menu" (1.3.0-dev) by AlliedModders LLC
34 "TF2 Class Restrictions" (0.6) by Tsunami
35 "AFK Manager" (2.6) by Liam
36 "MapChooser" (1.3.0-dev) by AlliedModders LLC
37 "Basic Votes" (1.3.0-dev) by AlliedModders LLC
38 "Reserved Slots" (1.3.0-dev) by AlliedModders LLC

The only extensions we have are the superlogs and cbaseserver we ran all these on our dgs box. I am starting to think a rebuild to gentoo might be the way to go. Your installer of gentoo puts up your kernel(w/ your mods)?

[Edge100x]

We run only stock maps for right now and our plugin list is as follows:

Hmm, that's not too crazy. It may be in large part just be due to the busy-ness of your server, then.

I am starting to think a rebuild to gentoo might be the way to go. Your installer of gentoo puts up your kernel(w/ your mods)?

Our Gentoo installer puts on a fairly stock Gentoo installation, with a recent kernel that's been compiled to have options that will give the best performance without additional code changes. It is different from the kernel we use for our Linux servers here, in that we add our own "FPS Locker" technology to stabilize FPS rates; however, it will garner similar CPU usage.

If that kernel doesn't help, you might also consider switching to Windows, which has much lower overhead with your game type. But, Linux is pretty nice to work with, so there's a tradeoff involved.