Commercial Hosting

Graeme Dice · #1 February 5th, 2004, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gandalf Parker:
I have offered my server (linux) and shrapnel offered its server (windows) to host such a project. The pieces of it are mostly ironed out I think, but no one has jumped on the idea.

What we need to do is get the SEIV PBW people addicted to Dominions, so that they will set up their software to also host automated Dominions games.

Xavier · #2 February 5th, 2004, 06:30 AM

Quote:

The problem is that the game doesnt have an efficient seperate hosting program. And most machines cant handle running more than 1 or 2 games at a time which can Last months.

One of the first things I would do with the proceeds from hosting would be to purchase more RAM to host more servers

Quote:

There has been a project to try and create a web-based signup and file managment for games.

I saw this thread a week or so ago, but I didn't look too closely and was under the impression that the project was still underway. How much space is required? Does it need to be hosted from a server with Dom2 installed, or can the person running the game do it remotely? If it has to be hosted from a Dom2-capable computer, can I get some cursory assistance with web hosting?

I'd be happy to host games this way.

Norfleet · #3 February 5th, 2004, 10:43 AM

The problem with Dominions II hosting is that Dominions II hosting, even dedicated hosting, requires a fair amount of human attention. Battle reports as of v2.06 still retain the cross-platform compatibility bug which causes battles viewed when the server and client OS differ to have no relation to their reported results. Plus, at least in the Windows Version, the Dominions II server seems to handle forced disconnection poorly: If a player crashes or lags out, it seems to leave behind a memory leak which is reflected in the increasingly inaccurate "active players" count. Eventually, the server program grinds to a halt under the weight of these dead connections and has to be rebooted.

MythicalMino · #4 February 5th, 2004, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Graeme Dice:

quote:
Originally posted by Gandalf Parker:
I have offered my server (linux) and shrapnel offered its server (windows) to host such a project. The pieces of it are mostly ironed out I think, but no one has jumped on the idea.

What we need to do is get the SEIV PBW people addicted to Dominions, so that they will set up their software to also host automated Dominions games.

heh....i have been talking to the guy that runs the SE4 PBM....just go talk to him on the SE4 board....

Delphinium · #5 February 5th, 2004, 01:00 PM

I have a spare PIII 600 with 384MB Ram which is currently not in use. The only problem is trying to get the graphics card to drive my TFT screen.
Screen is Phillips, card is Geforce 2 Titanium 64MB. I would be happy to host games I'm not playing.

Pocus · #6 February 5th, 2004, 03:45 PM

I think I would pay some euros (a month, or for each game) for a web site showing which games are in progress, what games (with settings) are proposed, a list of players ranks, and other added values. A centralized place for PBEMing for dominions would be a rather cool idea, and I dont see why this would not lead to a small reward for the author. Initially, it would have to be free, so that there is enough players attracted though.

Gandalf Parker · #7 February 5th, 2004, 04:58 PM

I just checked the memory requirements and while it is bad for running one copy of dominions it doesnt seem too bad for multiples.
http://www.techno-mage.com/~dominion/memstat.txt
I did have more problems earlier but just upgraded to a swapd arrangment which might be helping (daemon to manage swap area on the fly). This information is from a Debian Linux machine.

A server is pushing the information out the port. A server machine doesnt really need a graphic card or sound card that can play the game. It also doesnt need much hard drive, or all that much CPU. But CPU and RAM are the two things that make the most difference in the performance of a server. Unfortunately those are the two most expensive things if you wanted to build one. You can cut back by having minimum video/sound/drives, and no keyboard/mouse/monitor.

If someone wanted to pick up one of the BBS softwares (Bulletin Board System, all-in-one package for web managing web forums, file upload/download, personal Messages between Users, and a news page) then they could probably become a multiple game manager with just that knowledge. The domains of dominions2.net dom2games.net domgames.net dommap.com dommaps.com dom2taw.net dominionist.com dominionism.org are still available if anyone wants them.