Setting Up Your Own Dedicated Server

Consider the Internet connection (bandwidth) as most important, and the computer equipment nearly as important. Bandwidth is the most important factor in the success of any dedicated server on the Internet.

Broadband Internet as your home connection can work well enough for your server. The upload rate is extremely important for running a server, where this is the data being sent from your server out to each player on the Internet. Most ISP's will limit the upload rates to discourage servers, some even block ports.

Many cable providers will offer 1.5 Meg download rates, but only 128k upload. A higher upload rate really makes the difference in how may players you can have on your server. If you have 128k upload, you can still have a server, but you may be limited to 8 - 10 players on your server.

A standard PC is sufficient for a home server. The minimum CPU is 450 Mhz, however, I recommend 600-700Mhz for the server. RAM is important also, have at least 256M or better.

Operating System selection is critical. You can make up for 100-200Mhz by running your MOHAA server on Linux as opposed to Microsoft Windows. Windows wastes a lot of CPU power with its big GUI overhead and bloated kernel. A Linux server will be faster and more stable.

Other hardware, such as Sound, Video, and so on are incidental. You don't need sound to run a server and if you use Linux, the video need only support text mode or better.

Finally, when you configure the game, the rate setting should be set to 8000 or 9000 for a 12 to 14 player server on a connection with 256K upload. If the rate is below 4000 game play will become choppy.

Your server ping times will depend on your connection speed and how many hops you are from core routers, which there is little you can do about that. Do well to use a good system, efficient operating system, and hope for the best.