Setting up a server for the first time

[olds]

Can someone offer some advise or post links? It will be a gaming server.
Can more that one game be hosted at a time?
How do you allow someone in but restrict them to the game only?
Is there a "best" OS for a server? Games will probably be Kingpin, Quake, UT, Need For Speed.
Using Zone Alarm Pro on the main machine.
Thanks

 

[Noid]

Zonealarm only allows incoming requests for the current applications running.
(I use ZApro)
When your game gets registered into ZA ... the defualts allow all ports by defualt.
But.. you will be prompted by ZA the first time you attempt to run the server ...
say YES to allow server. (or go into Programs and modify the game default to ALLOW server)

Running multiple servers on one PC needs special configuration files for each game.
(and your computer must have the bandwidth and horsepower to make gameplay feasable)

I suggest you look to each game's webforums for advice.. Each game is different.

Do one game at a time to get familiar with networking terms and game configuation language.

I use W2K SP3, it provides better networking.

I also have DSL which has 320up/down as bandwidth. This allows me to have 8 players in any SINGLE server.
If you have more servers ... you have less players in each game.
Each player is allocated bandwidth by configuration files in each game.

You have a lot of homework and frustration ahead. Read Read Read. And be patient.

 

[PCMarine]

Yes, I also recommend you put some serious consideration into your bandwidth situation. You can spend $3000 on an awesome server, but have it deemed useless with little bandwidth.

However if you are sitting behind a T1 (or faster), you should be good to go.

 

[olds]

Thanks for the input. The server won't be anything fancy. A P3 1 GB on a cable connection. Serving probably 6 or less clients. Just want to set something up so friends can frag or race eachother. Just want to be careful on the security issue as there will be 2 other machines beside the server on the same LAN. It's also a learning experience.
How important is the video card in a gaming server? No one will play on that machine, just need video to set it up.

 

[PCMarine]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
Thanks for the input. The server won't be anything fancy. A P3 1 GB on a cable connection. Serving probably 6 or less clients. Just want to set something up so friends can frag or race eachother. Just want to be careful on the security issue as there will be 2 other machines beside the server on the same LAN. It's also a learning experience.
How important is the video card in a gaming server? No one will play on that machine, just need video to set it up.

In that case, cable hopefully will suffice. As far as server video...the basic integrated video will work(if you have it on your mobo).

 

[Noid]

Cable upload is usually around 60k.
...and thats when nobody else is on your network
(Ie: at 4 to 6am in the morning on weekdays... on the weekends you need to deal with people downloading files and pron)

Go to DSLreports.com and test your upsteam.

I could only support 2 or 3 players feasably on cable.
Typically you need 25-35k per player for any 'fun'.
You must remember that each player needs a minimum bandwidth.
So, if you only have 60 up .. you can only support 2 players at 30k ... or 6 players at 10 (ick)
(remember if you want to play also ... you need bandwidth too)

cable for a server just plain sux

The video card on the server is of no importance. Use a inexpensive one.