Hi, since the last update, we have some problems with our dedicated L4d linux servers. We use sv_tags "ourkey" and sv_search_key "ourkey" and the server was bound to a steamgroup.
Someone started a lobby with the searchkey, got the friends in, then changed the lobby to public and started when it was full we started. Now we were transfered to our server (only when we set sv_tags and sv_search_key; only sv_search_key didn't work). Since the last update, we need to completly disable the steamgroup to get sv_search_key to work. Is it possible to get both working again? Next, it seems, when we are ingame on the server and sv_search_key is active, nobody gets connected to the server (can't confirm that yet, but it seems like). When I disable sv_search_key and sv_tags, people seems to get in again. starting parameters: -game left4dead -console -maxplayers 12 -autoupdate +map l4d_vs_hospital01_apartment -ip xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx -port xxxxx config: hostname "OurHostname" rcon_password "****" z_difficulty "normal" sv_tags "OurTag" sv_search_key "OurTag" // sv_steamgroup "xxxx" // not working with search key anymore // sv_steamgroup_exclusive "0" // not working with search key sv_alltalk "0" sv_region "3" sv_pure "2" // also set in autoexec.cfg sv_allow_lobby_connect_only "0" // seems to do nothing anymore director_no_human_zombies "0" ----- Original Message ----- From: Milton Ngan To: Half-Life dedicated Linux server mailing list Sent: Wednesday, November 26, 2008 8:37 PM Subject: Re: [hlds_linux] hlds_linux Digest, Vol 9, Issue 199 While load average is a useful guideline, it does not necessarily reflect CPU usage in all cases (e.g lots of I/O bound processes waiting to run). Also it is an average over time (60 seconds). It can't tell you if within the last 60 seconds that your CPU's were over saturated for a second while a number of the games spiked due to simultaneous mob spawns because that spike will get averaged out. The only way to see that is to sample more frequently, which unfortunately puts more load on the system. Or as someone else suggested, try playing on the servers to get an idea of the servers responsiveness. The CPU usage of a L4D dedicated server will range from 15% of a 2.5GHz core to 60%, and average around 22% based on my observations. The more servers you run, the more likely you are to run into simultaneous spikes and saturate your CPU. If I can gather enough data on the events that cause spikes I am sure I can work a statistical model for calculating the amount of CPU headroom you need. M. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ronny Schedel Sent: Wednesday, November 26, 2008 10:47 AM To: Half-Life dedicated Linux server mailing list Subject: Re: [hlds_linux] hlds_linux Digest, Vol 9, Issue 199 It depends on how many cores/CPUs you have. In the SMP world, you can run 4 processes at 4 cores at the same time without any problem. Your load average is 4 or less, depending on how much load they consume. Optimum: load average <= cores * CPUs Overload: load average > cores * CPUs So, optimum for one Quad Core CPU is: load average <= 4 * 1 This means not you can only run 4 L4D servers on one Quad Core, you have to look how the load is, because the servers does not run all the time, they take some milliseconds sleep and other processes can run. Maybe you can run 6 or 8. > Keep in mind that load average is an expression of queue depth. Some > types > of servers can handle deep queues with no visible impact shown to the end > user. Gameservers are not that kind of animal. They require constant, > nearly instantaneous updates in both directions in order to have truly > smooth, seamless play. In the past, any time I saw load average above one > I > saw an impact of some sort. > > A load average above 3 seems to manifest itself in L4D servers in some > unpredictable ways that can generally be ignored by most players. > > If you don't want to keep sending jarring notes that throw your players > off, > you really want to see your load average below 2. This should be true > regardless of the number of CPUs that you have in your box. Thus, my > comment in an earlier email about converting one of my public servers back > over to Steam group only. Having 2 dedicated to just the Steam group will > still let people fill up the public servers first and use the two > semi-private ones as relief. > > > [snip] > > >> >> ------------------------------ >> >> Message: 3 >> Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:28:11 +0100 >> From: "Ronny Schedel" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> Subject: Re: [hlds_linux] -fork configuration tip >> To: "Half-Life dedicated Linux server mailing list" >> <[email protected]> >> Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1"; >> reply-type=original >> >> >> You have only 4 cores, with a load of 8 your server is overloaded. CPU >> usage >> does not matter these days, any new multicore CPU can handle Source >> servers. >> If you want lag free and smooth servers, your load average should not >> exceed >> your amount of cores. >> >> >> > Our load average goes up to about 8. Given that we're running 12 >> > instances >> > on a quad-core, this doesn't bother me, and certainly performance is >> > fine... >> > I've seen the blood spatter effect too, but I don't think that's >> > specifically performance related, it's just a glitch ;) >> > >> > _______________________________________________ > To unsubscribe, edit your list preferences, or view the list archives, > please visit: > http://list.valvesoftware.com/mailman/listinfo/hlds_linux > _______________________________________________ To unsubscribe, edit your list preferences, or view the list archives, please visit: http://list.valvesoftware.com/mailman/listinfo/hlds_linux _______________________________________________ To unsubscribe, edit your list preferences, or view the list archives, please visit: http://list.valvesoftware.com/mailman/listinfo/hlds_linux _______________________________________________ To unsubscribe, edit your list preferences, or view the list archives, please visit: http://list.valvesoftware.com/mailman/listinfo/hlds_linux
