Requirements for hosting a decent CS server?

[Fausto]

I'm interested in trying to host a CS server using my home rig. What are the guidelines as far as how many players can I have before it gets laggy based on my machine and connection?

Rig is a P3-800 w/256 PC133 RAM, GF2 Pro.

DSL connection is usually around 1200down/350 up.

Will I be able to play on the server once its up or will this lag everyone out?

Thanks for the input.

Fausto

 

[Mursilis]

Your specs are awesome - that machine and connection should run CS just fine for at least 10 people, maybe more. Go to server.counter-strike.net for lots of great info on hosting CS games.

 

[vash]

350k up is the one that hurts. Figure each CS user is about 60-70k/each, then you have about 5-6 people. I have 384up and I can only handle about 5 people with my dedicated server. Your specs are fine, but the upload is what'll get ya.

vash

 

[Mursilis]

<< 350k up is the one that hurts. Figure each CS user is about 60-70k/each, then you have about 5-6 people. I have 384up and I can only handle about 5 people with my dedicated server. Your specs are fine, but the upload is what'll get ya. >>



60-70k per user sounds a little high - I've got an old P2-350 running as a CS dedicated server on my Comcast@home cable connection, which I think has an upload cap of less than yours, and I've had up to 7 users on it without any appreciable lag. Of course, that may also be due to the fact that all but one of my 'regular' clients has broadband, and all but one are located within 50 miles of my home. So that may explain the excellent pings.
On Counter-server (server.counter-strike.net), there's a good discussion on setting rate parameters to 'cap' all your users and balance out the bandwidth. I've used settings recommended in that discussion.