How many people can play on a Listen server and not lag?

MrChokeMrChoke Join Date: 2012-12-13 Member: 174990Members, Reinforced - Gold, Reinforced - Shadow
in Server Discussion
Does anyone know the amount of bandwidth running a listen server will demand? If I want to run on my PC connected with a cable modem, how many people do you think can play before lag becomes an issue? I want to decide when I need a dedicated server if I want to host this.
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  • AngeluszAngelusz Harmonic entropist Join Date: 2003-07-10 Member: 18072Members, Forum Moderators, Constellation, NS2 Playtester
    edited December 2012
    There are too many unknown factors to answer this question. Intitially, I'd say 'not many'. This depends on the hardware you're using, your internet bandwidth and other factors.

    The best way to find out what works with your setup, is by testing it. You'll probably have to go for the dedicated server.

    <!--coloro:orange--><span style="color:orange"><!--/coloro--><sup>** Phased to Server Discussion ** Please post in the appropriate forum.</sup><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
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  • ScardyBobScardyBob ScardyBob Join Date: 2009-11-25 Member: 69528Forum Admins, Forum Moderators, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Shadow
    Really depends on your system specs and internet connection. For example, here are the numbers I found when <a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=122363&view=findpost&p=2003154" target="_blank">testing NS2 bandwidth</a>. Also, the common hardware specs for well-performing servers <a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/ns2/forums/index.php?showtopic=121581" target="_blank">are here</a>.

    Also, it would probably be best if you setup a dedicated server on your computer and had both yourself and your friends join that instead of a listen server. Its a bit more of a hassle, but its more flexible and will let you minimize the performance impact (by setting the processor affinity for the server and client to different cores). Instructions for doing so are <a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/ns2/wiki/index.php/Dedicated_Server" target="_blank">here</a>.
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  • MrChokeMrChoke Join Date: 2012-12-13 Member: 174990Members, Reinforced - Gold, Reinforced - Shadow
    <!--quoteo(post=2045054:date=Dec 13 2012, 02:00 PM:name=ScardyBob)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ScardyBob @ Dec 13 2012, 02:00 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2045054"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Really depends on your system specs and internet connection. For example, here are the numbers I found when <a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=122363&view=findpost&p=2003154" target="_blank">testing NS2 bandwidth</a>. Also, the common hardware specs for well-performing servers <a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/ns2/forums/index.php?showtopic=121581" target="_blank">are here</a>.

    Also, it would probably be best if you setup a dedicated server on your computer and had both yourself and your friends join that instead of a listen server. Its a bit more of a hassle, but its more flexible and will let you minimize the performance impact (by setting the processor affinity for the server and client to different cores). Instructions for doing so are <a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/ns2/wiki/index.php/Dedicated_Server" target="_blank">here</a>.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Thanks for the help! I wonder if its worth maybe just pay to rent one, assuming they can take all of the "hassle" out of settingit up, configuirng it, running it, etc... I rented a Battlefield 3 server for a while, it worked well. I wonder if renting an NS2 one is worth it.
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  • ScardyBobScardyBob ScardyBob Join Date: 2009-11-25 Member: 69528Forum Admins, Forum Moderators, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Shadow
    <!--quoteo(post=2045282:date=Dec 13 2012, 06:31 PM:name=MrChoke)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MrChoke @ Dec 13 2012, 06:31 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2045282"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Thanks for the help! I wonder if its worth maybe just pay to rent one, assuming they can take all of the "hassle" out of settingit up, configuirng it, running it, etc... I rented a Battlefield 3 server for a while, it worked well. I wonder if renting an NS2 one is worth it.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    It certainly can be. A list of the companies offering NS2 servers for rent are <a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/ns2/forums/index.php?showtopic=122718" target="_blank">here</a>, if your interested in going that route.
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  • Kouji_SanKouji_San Sr. Hινε Uρкεερεг - EUPT Deputy The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    My 2 ct's from some PT's we've tried

    Running a Dedicated server on core0 and core1 and a client on core2 and core3
    I5 2500k @ 4.2Ghz
    5Mbit upload ~600Kb/s

    Able to host 18 players and I've noticed ~350-450Kb/s bandwidth usage...
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