Hi All,
I am working on a Proof of Concept idea around Pay as You go Game Servers using Amazon EC2 Servers.
Literally it can be as cheap as $0.001 per Hour depending on the spec required.
Im willing to setup a basic Windows or Linux server, and let someone go and play around with it, setup NWN2 server etc, and then see if it is capable of fullfilling the players needs.
At the end of the exercise, I will take a snapshot of the server instance so it can be cloned / setup later on demand.
Anyone want to try this?
I also hope to store CEP2.4 haks, PRC etc all on a central shared virtual drive that all server instances can access, allowing server owners to pull the content from this drive for their servers, reducing the file space consumption of HAK files on their server instance.
What would the minimum passable spec for nwn2 server be?
Ram etc
Free Hosting to test NWN2 Servers
Débuté par
Baaleos
, juin 04 2013 02:56
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#2
Posté 08 juin 2013 - 03:13
Sir Brian - Realms of Trinity
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I have extensive knowledge of Amazon Web Services and Instancing options. Based on our PW, we would need at least a Large Windows Server 2008R2 Instance, which has 8 GB of Memory and 2 ECUs. EC Block Storage costs are pretty minimal, but you do pay for bandwidth over a certain amount monthly, and depending on where you host your ADL files, the cost could get quite considerable. Just some things to keep in mind while doing your Proof of Concept.
I looked into hosting our PW out on AWS before, but the cost was far more than just building the datacenter locally and hosting from my own physical hardware. If you find a cheaper and better way, I'd love to hear about it.
As far as storage, PW module sizes vary by PW, but I would say an average PW is at least 5 GB in size for modules, ADL files and haks. Right now we're at 6.87 GB for just Modules, Campaign, and HAKs and another 1.36 GB for ADL files.
I looked into hosting our PW out on AWS before, but the cost was far more than just building the datacenter locally and hosting from my own physical hardware. If you find a cheaper and better way, I'd love to hear about it.
As far as storage, PW module sizes vary by PW, but I would say an average PW is at least 5 GB in size for modules, ADL files and haks. Right now we're at 6.87 GB for just Modules, Campaign, and HAKs and another 1.36 GB for ADL files.
#3
Posté 08 juin 2013 - 11:03
Baaleos
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Hi Sir Brian,
Thx for the reply.
Would you say that those high requirements is down to nwn2 or specifically your own server / module.
I did a basic test with a nwn1 server and the EC2 servers performed well enough,
Just trying to gauge whether nwn2 is just a hog for resources- in which case feasibility of hosting nwn2 servers in remote, or if its a case of taking each nwn2 server on a case by case basis, and see what resources each mod needs?
For nwn1 servers - ec2 seems pretty handy.
I've set up a basic server image with dedicated storage for haks, tlk etc, and the root which has the nwn server install. I'm then able to clone this image as many times as needed. It would be ideal for brand new server admins who are looking to get into server administration, but want to avoid the setup hassle.
Thx for the reply.
Would you say that those high requirements is down to nwn2 or specifically your own server / module.
I did a basic test with a nwn1 server and the EC2 servers performed well enough,
Just trying to gauge whether nwn2 is just a hog for resources- in which case feasibility of hosting nwn2 servers in remote, or if its a case of taking each nwn2 server on a case by case basis, and see what resources each mod needs?
For nwn1 servers - ec2 seems pretty handy.
I've set up a basic server image with dedicated storage for haks, tlk etc, and the root which has the nwn server install. I'm then able to clone this image as many times as needed. It would be ideal for brand new server admins who are looking to get into server administration, but want to avoid the setup hassle.
#4
Posté 09 juin 2013 - 07:19
luna_hawke
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Baaleos , it probably all depends on how many players you want to host and how big the module is.
Probably if those variables are on the smaller side, amazon might work.
For Baldurs Gate TSCC, I came to the same conclusion as Sir Brian.
It would be more expensive to use Amazon because we need a higher end system.
Probably if those variables are on the smaller side, amazon might work.
For Baldurs Gate TSCC, I came to the same conclusion as Sir Brian.
It would be more expensive to use Amazon because we need a higher end system.
#5
Posté 09 juin 2013 - 11:02
painofdungeoneternal
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1 gig minimum size for all the custom content, the servers described us a lot of content, you can do elaborate things with 1 gig.
It's probably a fair average as most PW's are roleplay which tend to be very large, the social ones are probably bigger.
I would test it using skywings various features which lower resources. ( the scripting engine replacement especially ) Also a PW with max players is going to need much more than a PW with 1 or 2 people on it most of the time, with about 15 at most when it gets busy.
Amazon is not the cheapest unless you need things in spurts, if you need 24 hour access for an entire year non stop and steady, then there are cheaper ways. If you need to have unlimited capacity - ie on busy times you need 30 servers, but most of the time 1 or 2, then amazon is clearly better.
If you could set it up so a PW could vary the system it's on based on how many players / cpu is being handled that would be ideal. Not sure how to do that though.
It's probably a fair average as most PW's are roleplay which tend to be very large, the social ones are probably bigger.
I would test it using skywings various features which lower resources. ( the scripting engine replacement especially ) Also a PW with max players is going to need much more than a PW with 1 or 2 people on it most of the time, with about 15 at most when it gets busy.
Amazon is not the cheapest unless you need things in spurts, if you need 24 hour access for an entire year non stop and steady, then there are cheaper ways. If you need to have unlimited capacity - ie on busy times you need 30 servers, but most of the time 1 or 2, then amazon is clearly better.
If you could set it up so a PW could vary the system it's on based on how many players / cpu is being handled that would be ideal. Not sure how to do that though.
#6
Posté 13 juin 2013 - 12:30
Sir Brian - Realms of Trinity
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"Would you say that those high requirements is down to nwn2 or specifically your own server / module."
I would say it's a little bit of both. Module size and player load play alot into it. NWN2 itself really isn't the issue. One thing with NWN2 that is a resource hog regardless how you do it, is exterior terrained areas. They have a huge footprint compared to tile based areas. Granted, they are far more customizable to convey the story you are trying to tell than tiled areas and is why we done alot of exterior areas.
I would say it's a little bit of both. Module size and player load play alot into it. NWN2 itself really isn't the issue. One thing with NWN2 that is a resource hog regardless how you do it, is exterior terrained areas. They have a huge footprint compared to tile based areas. Granted, they are far more customizable to convey the story you are trying to tell than tiled areas and is why we done alot of exterior areas.
