Hardware support

[sharpshoot3r]

Hey guys.
Im moving from beta to LIVE and I gotta buy a new hardware machine for the l2j emulator.
Well, I need your opinion for CPU (Intel or AMD, core2duo for ex.), RAM (like 4gb) and Motherboard... put together they should cost like 400-500$ .
So tell me what hardware configuration is best for hosting a lineage 2 java server ?
Thanks in advance !!!

[ThePhoenixBird]

The best hardware is the one that you can afford, make your math and find what hardware can you afford for the time that you want to run your server.

Also consider that at the first moment you will not have 1000 users on your server running around, so you can start with something small and then move on to something bigger while you see your server grow.

RAM (2GB Minimum / 4GB Recommended) and a nice Core2 Duo for starters.

High Performance servers with lots of users require more expensive Hardware like 8GB+ memory on x64 environment and Opteron/Xeon processors and really fast hard drives on RAID0+1 setups.

[sharpshoot3r]

Well, thats right. At the first time I won't have many players online at the same time, so I think 4GB of Memory is enough for me [Login+Gameserver] .

Tomorrow I will order a Gigabyte Motherboard that can support up to 8GB of memory, Intel Core 2 Duo 2,9GHz and 2 x 2GB (800mhz i guess, or more) of memory .

Also I need to ask you about the OS. Whats OS is best for that type of hardware? And is l2j running on 64x without problems?

[jurchiks]

looks like you're not really familiar with PCs, aren't you?
that's bad for an administrator

[sharpshoot3r]

Which is bad for administrator?
Sorry, I didn't understand you.

[jurchiks]

meaning you don't know much about PC hardware and it's compatibility issues
at least that's what i think from reading this far
not just that though...
anyway, i'd just go for core i5, there are some cheap ones, Giga Byte GA-P55-UD6 , some OCZ RAM, 2GB each chip, kit of 3, should be enough for a while
the HDD is for you to decide, even 7200 rpm hdd can handle half a hundred people without lags, 10k or 15k raptor would be good but noisy and expensive, SSD is the best choice IMO, but expensive as hell, though if you will ONLY host the server and nothing more then 32 GB should be enough
you also need a good case with places for fans, preferably 12cm ones, 2 in front, 2 in back, maybe one up/side, you should also know the airflow directions for good cooling, as i doubt you'd go for LQ

maybe you already have some parts?

[sharpshoot3r]

OK... here we're talking about 400-500$ budget ... And as ThePhoenixBird said, I cannot bring more than 1000 users from the beginning ... so why do I need that kind of Server machine?
Well, Im glad that you're specialized in that field ... but thats not what I actually asked for

Yes, I already have the other parts.

[jurchiks]

c2d e8400 or c2 q8400, both equally priced, the freq and cache size differs
Giga Byte GA-EP41-UD3L if you don't need an integrated VGA
RAM - preferably DDRII 800 CL4, not cheap but good
the rest is as you want it
it's a shame you don't have more money though, i5 or i7 is way better, just a bit more expensive
"why do I need that kind of Server machine?"
for future, what else?
i don't think it's wise to purchase previous century hardware for today's tasks

[sharpshoot3r]

Better with integrated VGA
Thanks for the advice !

What about the OS now?

[Lee]

I'd rather recommend you win server 2003 x64, otherwise you won't be able to use more than 1,5gb ram for Java. With this you can give all your RAM to the java processes.

By the way, watch out and don't do the same mistake as mine! I purchased a low PC for a start, but I guess i advertised too much and had 400 on in the first 2 hours.. So watch out, because alot of online users can cause you alot of problems such as mine: Not respawning mobs, great lags, deadlocks and even more things.
Always ensure of your connection to be 100mbps and test it via speedtest.net to get results, BUT minimize the UDP before running the test otherwise you wont get more than 10mbps displayed (dunno why, maybe flash lags it?).
There is a company called WorldStream, giving good PC's away in light prices with guaranteed 100mbps link (i got 1gbps and it displays 900down and 500up which is OK) and good ram capacitys and processors for really cheap! Their only problem is the support.. Only via e-mail and it can piss you off sometimes.

Its up to you to choose.

[ThePhoenixBird]

Best OS for L2j =================> Any flavor of a Linux based OS

Fedora, Debian and Ubuntu in x64 versions are also perfect. High Security and Awesome performance.

[jurchiks]

Giga Byte GA-EG41MF-US2H
At the heart of the Intel G41 Express chipset is the Intel X4500 graphics media accelerator, which supports DX10 and features several unique innovations including more Execution Units for enhanced 3D performance and Intel Clear Video Technology for sharper images and precise color control.
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/Mot ... uctID=3090
should be good enough for start
but as i said, it's better to buy something decent, otherwise when your player count rises, you'll have to buy a better pc or even server machine, and it will be just a waste of money

[Lee]

Best OS for L2j =================> Any flavor of a Linux based OS

Fedora, Debian and Ubuntu in x64 versions are also perfect. High Security and Awesome performance.

Well yes, but some people like me has no idea how Linux works. You get only SSH and FTP access to the pc.. this means PuTTy which is command line and most of the newbie srv admins don't know how to manage it.

[ThePhoenixBird]

Best OS for L2j =================> Any flavor of a Linux based OS

Fedora, Debian and Ubuntu in x64 versions are also perfect. High Security and Awesome performance.

Well yes, but some people like me has no idea how Linux works. You get only SSH and FTP access to the pc.. this means PuTTy which is command line and most of the newbie srv admins don't know how to manage it.

I dont want this to sound like im mocking on you but... there doesnt exist "newbie server admins"

Or you are a complete Server Admin or you are just a wannabe, you cant mix "newbie" + "server admin" because horrible things happens, you can lose a finger or two! KIDS DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME, SERIOUSLY!

L2j wasnt really made for newbie server admins, since you have to learn how to setup correctly a java compiling environment, use SVN, setup a SQL server, and be able to work with software that its updated daily. This is just a part or what a Server Admin does on this day to day.

You can use a Windows 2008 Server x64 for your machine, but if you dont actually know how to manage it, then its like the same to be on a SSH console without no clue of what to do.

I would suggest you all to learn a bit of Linux for your server behalf, using SSH and SFTP isnt that hard when you have the correct tools (PuTTy & WinSCP) and a handy google search box on your side.

[Mcgiver]

If you can run linux Os, I recomend use AMD procesors, Are More fast in Linux envairoment, ( use risk mircodode execution natively) a good option was Amd Phenom X4 ( 9650 ) in a Good Asus motherboard with amd chipset like M3A or M4A series, to ensure full compatibility , obiusly all depend of costs... but you can think was this machine are working 24 hs to day for 365 day in the year.. is important a good refrigeration / cooling / ventiation to asegure durability and minor chance of timedown.. in all cases .. is your choice