🚀 go-pugleaf

Danno skrev 2010-01-02 19:36:
> MB wrote:
> <snip>
>> Hi
>> I can't give any useful feedback on your problem but am a bit interested
>> in your servers hardware.
>> I recently got a new internet connection (100/10MB fibre) and now I am
>> thinking about setting up a UT99 server. The thing is, I don't know what
>> hardware to use. All I know is that I want something small, quiet and
>> cheap. :)
>> Since the game is 10 years old, almost any current computer should be
>> able to run a smooth ut99 server, right?
>> Anyone have a suggestion?
>>
>> /MB
>
>    Awesome network connection. I've gotten a lot os useful help at Unreal
> admin, I think we've basically hit a wall, determined that the client isn't
> using the call to the c library properly to accept redirected files. 436
> linux clients work well enough, though. Dunno of the UTPG crew are going to
> issue anotherupdate some day or not...
>    You're right about modern hardware, almost anything new can easily run a
> server. If there is an x86-based handheld, I'd bet it could run the server.
> Way back when, I ran a 1vs1 on an AMD 4x86dx4-100 72M RAM for a few months.
> The ISA NIC kept it from being really good, but the CPU seemed to be able
> to handle 2 players on a small map (ran it under Win95 IIRC). I also ran a
> CTF sever on a 733MHz VIA C3, but as I recall, it wasn't very good, my
> memory is of some issue lacking CMOV in the C3's instruction set. Anything
> post-Pentium AMD or Intel I've ever used has worked fine, Celerons,
> Semprons, etc.
>    The system I'm experimenting with now is powered by a 1GHz Vortex86 CPU
> (rebranded Xcore86), basically a 586-compatible CPU without the MMX
> instruction set, 16+16k L1&  256k L2 caches. It has 256M integrated RAM,
> onchip video/audio/NIC, ATM booting from a Toshiba 1.8" iPod PATA drive
> through 2.5-to-1.8 adapter. I run the server from the Linux command line -
> with just me and 5 bots in a DM-Zeitkind variant, shows about 30% CPU
> usage, uses 5 - 6 watts from a CF card, 8-9 watts with a hard drive. Don't
> know how many players I could run on it, am using the integrated r6040 NIC
> which I suspect is pretty low end stuff (and, in Linux, is only supported
> in newer kernels). It's responsive enough on the LAN for just me, but I
> haven't tested it with a full load of players. I'd bet it is the bottleneck
> for smooth play.
> The system is a Norhtec Microclient JR dx
> http://www.norhtec.com/products/index.html
> which is identical to the DMP eBox3300
> http://www.fit-pc.com/web/
>    If I was building up another server from older/used hardware and wanted
> something a little more intense / better quality, I'd stick with a single
> core machine biased towards clockspeed (ut99 does not support threading,
> TMK), minimum 256M RAM, and a reasonably high-end PCI NIC (Intel or 3COM).
> Some of the stock P4s went up to 3.4GHz, but probably anything AMD/Intel
> from that era is able to run any type of ut99 server. I bought a refurb SFF
> IBM Thinkcentre w/P4@3.2Ghz for $100 locally, it has more than enough power
> to perform any ut99 server duty. I can hear the fan, probably draws a good
> 50 or 60 watts (never measured it), but was cheap up front and readily
> available.
>   My current server is on a Norhtec Microclient JR dx
> http://www.norhtec.com/products/index.html
> which is identical to the DMP eBox-3300
> http://www.compactpc.com.tw/ebox-3300.htm
>    As I recall, importing it last year from Thailand cost me about $250CAN to
> my door. Norhtec has their new Xcore86 computer module making its way into
> their product line, if you wanted to go with Norhtec, I would make sure
> that you get the new DOC; the old one (mine) has issues with IDE access,
> and lacks the MMX instruction set, new CPU is slightly more energy
> efficient (1.2 watts versus 2.0 watts), has more integrated RAM. They've
> announced a $99US computer-in-a-keyboard (looks like an Amiga 500) product
> coming out soon, with all their new hardware fitted into it, would probably
> meet all your needs except size
>
> http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/19/
> norhtec-gecko-surfboard-is-neither-gecko-nor-surfboard/
>
> I may even get a couple at that price.
>    Compulab is coming out with their new FitPC2i, which will have the new
> Atom Pinetrail and dual GigaLAN. Small, quiet, eficient (claim 8.5 watts
> max), and powerful (1.6GHz IIRC), probably capable of running two or three
> ut servers simultaneously, but probably kinda pricey too. Price and
> availability should be made at CES on the 7th.
> http://www.fit-pc.com/web/
> I haven't tested the server on the new VIA C7 / Esther /Eden line of of
> CPUs, couldn't say if they fare better than their C3 predecessors, there
> are a number of mini/micro/pico-ITX kits and computers out there, based
> around that hardware.
>    Liliputing might be able to set you in the direction you want to go
> http://www.liliputing.com/
>    I'd bet you could run a half-decent server on a used netbook or something.
>
>
>
>

Hi again.
That's alot of useful information! :)
All of your suggestions sound really interesting. Small and quiet and 
not at all expensive.
That computer-in-a-keyboard could easily be hidden in the living room 
and hooked up to my TV. I also have my network connection and router in 
the same room which makes it very practical. The Amiga 500 look isn't 
bad either, if you like some retro feel to it. :)
Thanks!