I think it's pretty similar everywhere, especially for the smaller groups.
In the UK, I see approx 50% of my colo and license costs (I'd guess £65/mo total, about £30 in donations) covered monthly by the smallish community (~50 active members) I provide game/ts/radio hosting for, but that doesn't cover hardware or anything else that comes up. On the plus side, I do have a guy very near the DC I use, so getting hardware stuff done usually only costs me a few beers. Doesn't help that I've seen a bit of a downturn in players recently due to TF2's updates pushing the majority of my players away, along with CoD4 causing a bit of a war within my community. I suspect for the majority it's a labour of love subsidised by donations and spare hardware. Arg! wrote: > It seems to be the hardest part in maintaing an entire server of hlds > installs, virtual or otherwise, is getting the costs covered. Especially > since its hard to get the funds from on-selling/donations before you get the > box. > > I know i cannot afford to throw away my hard earned funds on AU$435 a month > for a dedicated box and ive already been through 3 game server hosts due to > them folding, and they all claim they lost money in their endeavours. It > also seems to me that in the US, independant hosts manage to survive (in > Australia all the major hosts are run directly from our ISPs). Are gamers > internationally more prepared to help with the cost of running the servers > they play on? (Eg Australian gamers are tight?) > > On Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 6:30 AM, Spencer 'voogru' MacDonald < > [EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > >> Run off of contributions. That's how I started. >> >> Get a group of 10 people you trust to be admins to each pitch in $70 pesos >> or whatever, once the server is running immediately start pushing a >> subscription system for players or donations, give players who subscribe >> priority on the servers so they can connect even if it's full (by kicking a >> non-contributor). >> >> To be honest, in my opinion it would be silly to throw 1/3rd of your income >> in a hobby. There are much more important things than running a video game >> server. >> >> - voogru. >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Kitteny Berk >> Sent: Thursday, October 09, 2008 3:01 PM >> To: Half-Life dedicated Win32 server mailing list >> Subject: Re: [hlds] HLDS Consumption >> >> Find a cheaper hobby? ;) >> >> In that situation, I'd consider looking for donations, or renting out >> some servers to clans etc, should help to cover your costs to some >> degree, if not completely. Of course, if you're using a VS that runs >> like crap, that won't work, people won't play on your servers or want to >> rent one off of you. >> >> Never wrote: >> >>> Well... actually, i am thinking about virtualization because the >>> cheapest dedicated server costs me $700 (Argentinian Pesos) >>> And a Virtual Server costs only $360. >>> >>> Considering i earn $900 monthly, its impossible for me paying the >>> dedicated server and also living :P >>> I cant pay $700 because hosting gameservers is not a work for me, its >>> just a hobbie... >>> >>> Also, i cant host in my own house because here in Argentina decent >>> internet connections are only in Buenos Aires center, and i am far from >>> there... >>> >>> Thanks >>> >>> >>> William Stillwell - KI4SWY escribió: >>> >>> >>>> I maintain 8 16 core VMWare ESX Servers with IBM San Volume Controllers. >>>> Vmware ESX is ALSO based on Linux, the statement that "XEN" gets you >>>> >> closer to the hardware is no different the VMware ESX.. >> >>>> Honestly? I would not Virtualize a Server just to run multiple copies of >>>> >> SrcDS.. you can run them all on one O/S Installation.. >> >>>> You can have them listen on different IP Addresses, there is no point in >>>> >> splitting each instance up on a seperate "Virtual" machine., becuase then >> your adding the overhead of each vm's o/s, and the overhead of the host >> o/s.. >> >>>> and Vmware ESX isn't the cheapest thing either. >>>> Avoid GSX.. its for those CFO's who don't want to spend money. >>>> Workstation is AWESOME for testing stuff out on your local machine.. >>>> >> (you >> only limited to your workstation hardware). >> >>>> I would suggest you build a Quad Core Extreme box, 4 gigs of Ram, a >>>> >> small >> 5 disk SAS Array with an PCI-e Adapter 3805 Sas Controller, Install one >> copy >> of CentOS or whateever flavor of Linux. Set on Nic up for Managmenet (SSH >> connection), and use a second nic to host the games on, (no ssh).. >> >>>> You should also setup a web server for the content downloads (custom >>>> >> maps, etc). >> >>>> I Strongly suggest not wasting time on any virtulazation platform unless >>>> >> your >> >>>> 1) Employer or Someone you know already has a ton of Virtualization >>>> >> Enviroments, and is Offering you a space on there servers. >> >>>> 2) You plan on hosting a ton of servers, and have different people have >>>> >> access to them (which still can be done using 1 machine, no virtual >> enviroment) >> >>>> Virtualization is Great for any "M$ hosted enviroment" that require >>>> >> mission critical uptime.. if a server fails, you have ZERO headaches when >> it >> comes to getting them back on line, you ever do a Bare Metal Restore of a >> Windows Server? I will see you tommorrow, haha.. With Virtualization, it >> takes less then 30 minutes to completly build an ESX Server from Scratch.. >> (Provided you had the hardware).. if already had the hardware, it probably >> already had a copy of ESX on it, then it takes a mater of seconds to boot >> your VM Image on the other server, its just a point and click, and online >> you go.. >> >>>> -----Original Message----- >>>> From: "Never" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >>>> Sent 10/9/2008 1:09:33 PM >>>> To: "Half-Life dedicated Win32 server mailing list" >>>> >> <[email protected]> >> >>>> Subject: Re: [hlds] HLDS ConsumptionThink that virtualization is one of >>>> >> the most quick growing technology. >> >>>> Also, my provider does not use VMWare... They use XEN, it has a >>>> significant difference in performance because it uses a modified linux >>>> kernel to work, and it get virtual machines closer to the hardware than >>>> any other virtualization system... >>>> I will give it a try... They are offering me a free month to test it, >>>> and i will choose the most expensive plan, with high CPU priority (Its a >>>> powerfull Xeon Quad Core), 2GB ram, 300 GB Monthly transference, 4 Mbit >>>> national and 4 Mbit international bandwidth, and 150 GB hard disk that >>>> i wont use. >>>> If it works i will find some way to pay it... Maybe selling the free >>>> disk space to somewone who wants to resell webhosting... >>>> I will try to host 4 or 5 gameservers there, if it works fine you will >>>> be the first i'll tell :). >>>> Anyway, its free for 1 month :D >>>> Thanks >>>> Germán >>>> Midnight escribió: >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>>> From the Datacenter's perspective, they generally oversell the >>>>> >> hardware >> >>>>> that runs the Virtual (VPS) servers, meaning they do not anticipate >>>>> >> each >> >>>>> of those VPS instances to use gobs of CPU as they would if running any >>>>> game servers. I have seen several Datacenters that state plainly in >>>>> their terms of service that if your VPS is using more than its fair >>>>> share of CPU power they will ask you to upgrade to a dedicated box. >>>>> Your provider may differ on this but that's a general rule of thumb >>>>> >> that >> >>>>> I have seen. You might want to tell them what you will be running on >>>>> >> it >> >>>>> and see what they say before going with it and finding out later they >>>>> are pulling the plug on your servers. >>>>> >>>>> While it is possible to run servers on a Vitual machine setup, you will >>>>> use more CPU and get less performance out of a VPS. If you think of a >>>>> VPS as like 1/2 to 1/3 the power of a low end Celeron dedicated box, >>>>> that's probably the amount of load you would want to run on it at >>>>> maximum, otherwise you might as well be on a dedicated server. Granted >>>>> these VPS's can span multiple high end CPUs but they are not really >>>>> intended to utilize them all on a consistent basis. >>>>> >>>>> I can't talk to Linux VPS's but I once ran 2 VMWare server instances on >>>>> Windows. (When UT3 came out it would only install on XP so that is >>>>> >> what >> >>>>> we had to use at the time). Each instance of VMWare had one UT3 server >>>>> installed with the number of player slots not too large (10-16) and >>>>> >> used >> >>>>> about 35% of a Core2 Duo 6600, so you could only really run 2 of them >>>>> >> on >> >>>>> that dedicated box. Without VMWare you could run about 10 game servers >>>>> on that hardware no problem. (Less if you are talking high FPS servers >>>>> such as 500-1000FPS CSS servers.) I really would not recommend that on >>>>> a Virtual server, high end dedicated boxes have a hard enough time >>>>> keeping up with those rates. If you want to run lower speed 33 tick >>>>> 100FPS settings then you might be able to get away with it, but it is >>>>> not really the recommended way to go. >>>>> >>>>> I will look forward to see what Saint K has to say, feel free to >>>>> surprise us. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Saint K. wrote: >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>> I can shed some light on that after the weekend. >>>>>> >>>>>> Cheers, >>>>>> >>>>>> -----Original Message----- >>>>>> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>>>>> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Steve >>>>>> Sent: Thursday, October 09, 2008 12:13 AM >>>>>> To: Half-Life dedicated Win32 server mailing list >>>>>> Subject: Re: [hlds] HLDS Consumption >>>>>> >>>>>> There was a discussion about this not too long ago. the general >>>>>> >> consensus >> >>>>>> was that virtual servers were not a good choice to run game servers >>>>>> >> on. >> >>>>>> I know Saint K was going to do some testing in a VS and post some >>>>>> >> numbers >> >>>>>> but we haven't heard back from him yet. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>>> They offered me a virtual server... Will it work? >>>>>>> They said me that i can test the server 30 days free... >>>>>>> But i think it will not work... ¿What do you think? >>>>>>> >>>>>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] escribió: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Did you get hit by their huge fire before? >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> @never: that does sound sucky. I have quite a few SA friends so I've >>>>>>>> heard how tough it is in places. Wishing u luck. >>>>>>>> Sent from my BlackBerry(R) wireless device >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> -----Original Message----- >>>>>>>> From: Robert Whelan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 12:54:41 >>>>>>>> To: Half-Life dedicated Win32 server mailing >>>>>>>> list<[email protected]> >>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [hlds] HLDS Consumption >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> dunno what your idea of expensive is though I hate paying the middle >>>>>>>> >> m >> >>>>>>>> >>>> an >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>>>>>> (gamehosting services). I rent directly and run what I want, when I >>>>>>>> want... >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Do some shopping... http://www.theplanet.com/ >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I've been using them for years.. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> ----- Original Message ---- >>>>>>>> From: Never <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >>>>>>>> To: Half-Life dedicated Win32 server mailing list >>>>>>>> <[email protected]> >>>>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, October 8, 2008 1:21:44 PM >>>>>>>> Subject: [hlds] HLDS Consumption >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I know this is a typical question. >>>>>>>> I am planning to leave my gamehosting provider and get a dedicated >>>>>>>> server. So i will need to estimate the requirements of my dedicated >>>>>>>> server. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Actually i am planning to run 5 HLDS servers >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> 1 - 14 Slots Half-Life (HLDM) >>>>>>>> 1 - 12 Slots Half-Life XDM >>>>>>>> 1- 12 Slots Adrenaline Gamer >>>>>>>> 1- 16 Slots Counter-Strike 1.6 >>>>>>>> 1- 12 Slots Earth Special Forces >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I know that memory consumption is like 80 Mb/server, so 512 Mb will >>>>>>>> >> be >> >>>>>>>> ok i think... >>>>>>>> But i need to know the processor load and bandwidth consumption per >>>>>>>> slot. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Thank you! >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Nevermore >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, edit your list preferences, or view the list >>>>>>>> >> archives, >> >>>>>>>> please visit: >>>>>>>> http://list.valvesoftware.com/mailman/listinfo/hlds >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, edit your list preferences, or view the list >>>>>>>> >> archives, >> >>>>>>>> please visit: >>>>>>>> http://list.valvesoftware.com/mailman/listinfo/hlds >>>>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, edit your list preferences, or view the list >>>>>>>> >> archives, >> >>>>>>>> please visit: >>>>>>>> http://list.valvesoftware.com/mailman/listinfo/hlds >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >> >>>>>>>> >>>> -- >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>>>>>> No virus found in this incoming message. >>>>>>>> Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com >>>>>>>> Version: 8.0.173 / Virus Database: 270.7.6/1714 - Release Date: >>>>>>>> 08/10/2008 7:01 >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>>> To unsubscribe, edit your list preferences, or view the list >>>>>>> >> archives, >> >>>>>>> please visit: >>>>>>> http://list.valvesoftware.com/mailman/listinfo/hlds >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>> To unsubscribe, edit your list preferences, or view the list archives, >>>>>> please visit: >>>>>> http://list.valvesoftware.com/mailman/listinfo/hlds >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>> To unsubscribe, edit your list preferences, or view the list archives, >>>>>> >> p >> >>>>>> >>>> lease visit: >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>>>> http://list.valvesoftware.com/mailman/listinfo/hlds >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> To unsubscribe, edit your list preferences, or view the list archives, >>>>> >> pl >> >>>>> >>>> ease visit: >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>>> http://list.valvesoftware.com/mailman/listinfo/hlds >>>>> >>>>> >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> >>>>> No virus found in this incoming message. >>>>> Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com >>>>> Version: 8.0.173 / Virus Database: 270.7.6/1716 - Release Date: >>>>> >> 09/10/200 >> >>>>> >>>> 8 9:44 >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> To unsubscribe, edit your list preferences, or view the list archives, >>>> >> plea >> >>>> se visit: >>>> http://list.valvesoftware.com/mailman/listinfo/hlds >>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> To unsubscribe, edit your list preferences, or view the list archives, >>>> >> please visit: >> >>>> http://list.valvesoftware.com/mailman/listinfo/hlds >>>> >>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >>>> >>>> >>>> No virus found in this incoming message. >>>> Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com >>>> Version: 8.0.173 / Virus Database: 270.7.6/1716 - Release Date: >>>> >> 09/10/2008 9:44 >> >>>> >>>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> To unsubscribe, edit your list preferences, or view the list archives, >>> >> please visit: >> >>> http://list.valvesoftware.com/mailman/listinfo/hlds >>> >>> __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus >>> >> signature database 3507 (20081009) __________ >> >>> The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. >>> >>> http://www.eset.com >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >> _______________________________________________ >> To unsubscribe, edit your list preferences, or view the list archives, >> please visit: >> http://list.valvesoftware.com/mailman/listinfo/hlds >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> To unsubscribe, edit your list preferences, or view the list archives, >> please visit: >> http://list.valvesoftware.com/mailman/listinfo/hlds >> >> > _______________________________________________ > To unsubscribe, edit your list preferences, or view the list archives, please > visit: > http://list.valvesoftware.com/mailman/listinfo/hlds > > __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature > database 3508 (20081009) __________ > > The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. > > http://www.eset.com > > > > _______________________________________________ To unsubscribe, edit your list preferences, or view the list archives, please visit: http://list.valvesoftware.com/mailman/listinfo/hlds
