Requirements for a VDS as a Server

[FaithlessDbo]

Hallo,

I am fairly new to dedicated servers and so I want to ask a few questions before buying one that offered here.

- First of all I was planning to get the "Linux only Single core" as I know how to work around with linux a little bit to set up my game server (HLDS)
- Then I would like to know how much Mhz / Ghz the CPU has so I know the max amount of players I would be able to run on it (I would like to be able to get 24 slots).
- The ToS states that there are no bots allowed on a game server / VPS with exception of czero with 4 bots. Is this correct or did I misinterpret this?

All together sums up. Is it possible to host a 24 slot HLDS (czero) on a VPS Linux only single core and also install a few programs on it such as SSH and Vsfptd?

Thanks in advance!

[Edge100x]

CZ is relatively light on CPU and it should be possible to run an all-bot server on any machine here. It would be allowed on an unmanaged VDS or dedicated machine (the bit about limits on bots applies to a different type of service here).

Doing anything on a single-core VDS takes some skill because everything you run shares that one core and a small amount of memory. It'd be best to run little else than just the game server on one.

[FaithlessDbo]

Doing anything on a single-core VDS takes some skill because everything you run shares that one core and a small amount of memory. It'd be best to run little else than just the game server on one.

I'm not sure I get this part. I know that this VPS is hosted on a shared machine, but I would assume that I have access to the full 1GB ram? This means it is possible to run a cs:cz server, right? (with a good ping etc.)

[Edge100x]

You would have full access to 1 GB of memory, but you'd be surprised at how easy it is to exhaust it! You just have to be careful. The same is true of only having a single CPU core; put a second server on there, or add a webserver, and you immediately decrease performance because of the extra context switching, so just be aware of it.

[FaithlessDbo]

I see what you mean. So if I were to install a game server (HLDS) with 24 slots and a MySQL server (to store data from the server) it would function propperly, right?
I am not planning to host a webserver on it.

Also thanks for all the quick replies

Also just a side note. Currently I have a hlds set up on my ubuntu laptop (which I will also install for the VPS). This laptop has 8 GB ram and an i5 core, however when I add 23 bots + me I get around 120 ping. Would this be because of the CPU? I was wondering if this would also happen in case I would get the VPS.

[soja]

Are you running the server and client? If so that is why you are seeing high latency in-game on your laptop. Yes because of the CPU. Remember if you are on battery power at all your CPU will not turbo as high as when it is plugged in.

This would not be the case with a VDS, because all resources would be dedicated to the game server.

I would not run mysql alongside your game server on a single core, you will most likely see performance issues. Try picking up the $3 web hosting here in addition to the VDS, that includes MySQL database you can use!

[FaithlessDbo]

Will the mysql still be mysql? I can recall that with a previous host I had issues with the connection speed from the mysql to the game server.

[FaithlessDbo]

I ment will the MySQL still be localhost, since I cannot edit the post I think this should fix the mistake.

Also the laptop is my server laptop, connected to an ethernet cable and also to the power cable. This should not affect the CPU.

[soja]

Will the mysql still be mysql? I can recall that with a previous host I had issues with the connection speed from the mysql to the game server.

What are you using the database for? Which location are you looking at for the VDS? Latency does have a negative impact on SQL performance, but depending on your use case it may not matter. You could also pick up a second single core VDS for MySQL in the same location(will have LAN speeds and latency), this would still be cheaper than a 2-core single VDS.

MySQL, even when used lightly, has very spiky CPU usage, which is not good for any game server on the same core.

[FaithlessDbo]

I would be using the MySQL database to store information in from the game server itself. The reason I was planning to get the VDS is because this is a slight bit cheaper per month, and I know how to set up the server for it. Also I thought it would be possible to get the MySQL server + a game server this way with a localhost, which will make the connection speed between the MySQL and the server super quick.

Also the costs between a VDS and a hosted game server are almost doubled.

[$atanic $pirit]

Ok so let me answer your questions here.

I ran HLDS on a single core cpu and it runs flawlessly. A 32 slots cs 1.6 server would take about 10% cpu according to stats command and about 400mb ram when full. Uptime command shows loads as less than 1 with 32 slot hlds.

Now if you wanna run cz server with bots then I would say keep the number of bots minimal as they take too much cpu usage.

Mysql can be a bit tough along side hlds, so as suggested above go for separate web hosting plan. I never ran mysql along with hlds so I can't say anything on how it's gonna effect performance.

The last bit of advice I would like to give you is just go for the trial period and test the waters. I can assure you that single core VPS with separate web hosting plan is gonna satisfy your needs, but you can try to run them on same machine if you like.

Try and please post your experience with it.

[FaithlessDbo]

The bots would be only there in case when there are no players online or when there are less than 4 (plugins used for this). However thank you for your experience, I will probably set sail in these waters (coming or next week after setting up some basic stuff I want to run).

[Edge100x]

I'd say that starting with a single, single-core VDS would be a safe plan. You can always break off the MySQL server later if you need to, without losing value -- and you may not need to, depending on your usage patterns and how well the plugin that uses MySQL is designed.

[FaithlessDbo]

Also another question. Is the server on a DMZ or do I need to forward all the ports and also with the iptables? (Would also nice to know this in advance).

[Edge100x]

Your server is publicly exposed. We do not restrict it as you might expect a home NAT to be restricted. You do not need to forward ports.