What kinda network setup for a 20-50 person lan party?

[Malladine]

Router brand, server(s)?

All set up in the same workgroup should work right? All 2k and xp OS.

Best way to effectively host many different games simultaneously? Say, a 20 man cod game, a few games of warcraft, some other smaller games. Maybe have a dedicated server for the larger games but allow for individuals to host their own smaller games as well?

Would a single router do the trick?

Would it be a p.i.t.a. to make sure every pc is clean of viruses, spyware, etc?

 

[imported_Mitchell]

I did an Intel Server that had 2 gigs or ram and a raid 5 setup, used GB Ethernet cards and switch (2x25port cascaded 3com switches).

Hosted CS server, quake 3 (several mod types) and a few other games, servers for the games don't take very many resources except memory.

 

[bunker]

I can only speak for the parties we've had.

Router with internet run to a 16 port switch, everyone in same workgroup, group of friends so we didn't worry about viruses/spyware/etc...

We'd play various versions of UT, half-life mods, BF1942, WC3 and almost always had the person with the fastest rig hosting the game, 10-12 players on one box was never a problem.

 

[Gunbuster]

I would worry more about the generator and AC you are going to need

 

[erikistired]

find karsten! he hosts lans with this many people regularly in his basement/garage.

 

[Malladine]

cool, thanks lads

 

[imported_Nacelle]

Yes, the network part is the easiest. Making sure you have enough power is the hard part. Popped breakers suck. Neighbors on the same circuit, that loose power when you turn on your rig, aren't too happy either

 

[Jotho]

Originally posted by: Nacelle
Making sure you have enough power is the hard part.

Yes! Make sure all have access to a reliable surge suppressor. The biggest party I've helped organize was 24 people in a local school computer lab. 7-8 high-end computers seemed to be all each circuit could hold. So, make sure to have many long extension cables to get the needed power all over.

In terms of networking, everything worked great, esp in CoDUO with 3 10/100 16 port switches and lots and lots of Cat5e

 

[ShadowBlade]

wrong category

 

[Cruithne]

Power is definitely your largest concern. Network is easy - 1 or 2 24 port switches, or a bunch of 16 ports, doesnt matter - just put a limit on filesharing and you should be fine. 20 pc's is easy for any house, 50 is a challenge - you can safely assume about 5-6 PC's per circuit, but that assumes nothing else is on the circuit. It might help to find out which outlets belong to which circuit (as well as lighting) and plan out your capacity. Nothing puts a damper on a lan party faster than the sound of silence and the sight of black screens, followed exactly .8 seconds later by a unanimous "awww....".

Generators at this level is a problem because smaller generators (you'd be looking at about 25kw tops) usually put out pretty dirty power - however you can get "entertainment" focused generators that give clean power. You're looking at less than $1,000 for rental of the generator and all distribution equipment though, so its doable for a 50 seat lan - it's just a pain. Best bet - just rent out a small conference room, they usually have tons of power, and it'll be the cheapest/most comfortable alternative.