Problem running server

Janus · Post by **Janus** » Thu Apr 05, 2012 3:21 pm

I am thinking of starting an Evochron server, and I've actually had one up for testing. I have a dedicated host machine running an AMD quad-core 3.1 ghz processor with 4 gig of ram.

The regular server software shows the CPU is running at near 100% with a framerate? of 16 or 17. I logged onto it on another computer while it was up for testing and it said Server resources low.

The 2D version of the server software shows a rather high CPU usage but a good framerate.

I set the router to send and receive TCP and UDP data to ports 3888 and 3889 respecively with port forwarding from the local address of the host unit. And address reservation is enabgled and correct.

I modified the text2.dat file with the privacy to 0 so it would publically list the server. Started the 2D version of the server software and connected. It shows in the server program as listed publicly, but when I go to my other machine, which connects to the internet through the same router, and start evochron, my server isn't on the list. And I can't even logon to it using Local Lan/IP connection. I type in the local address and nothing. I type in the Internet address and still nothing. If I choose join game, none of the welcome text comes up. It's like I'm in single player mode. And use single player profiles is enabled so anyone should be able to connect.

Host machine is running Avast! AV, Radmin, and DynDns client updater. Still only shows about 20 to 25% processor usage although the 2D server program reports 70 to 80%. But the framerate is more than 100.

Any ideas?

Edit: Sorry I originally posted this in the wrong section.
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium. Don't see as Video card and/or sound card should make a difference as this is a server application issue rather than a game issue.

Janus

[Edited on 4-5-2012 by Janus]

Post by **Vice** » Thu Apr 05, 2012 4:29 pm

For the listing, you'll need to send me your text2.dat file via e-mail once it is configured and properly working. So wait on that until you have everything working.

As for the performance, the 3D server program does need a video card as the GPU is utilized for various graphics and functions. So it could be that the display device isn't properly enabled or it is limited in performance. What is the make, model, and driver version you are using on that system? Also, is this a system that you have direct access to, or one that you are accessing remotely?

For connecting, there must still be something either not configured correctly or blocking the connection. If you can't even connect to it via your LAN IP, then there is probably a firewall in place, the ports aren't open/configured properly, and/or the ports aren't forwarded to the correct local LAN IP (as detected by the program itself). Although rare, it's also possible the program isn't able to connect to the network device it needs to.

Janus · Post by **Janus** » Fri Apr 06, 2012 12:53 am

First, where do I send the text2.dat? The link on the downloads page gives a white screen with "Error 404 Page not found!"

I di find the problem. I had entered the wrong port number in the router port forwarding for UDP. 3899 instead of 3889. DoH!!!!!!

:Edit: It was correct but I did some experiementing and had to enter the port numbers again and got it wrong. It's correct now.
:End Edit:

As for the graphics card, the machine has a nVidia Gforce 6150SE nForce 430. Don't think it has much onboard memory. But the 2D version will work fine. I don't have to be able to call up the map in the server software and that's the only real advantage I see.

I have direct access to the host machine but I use RAdmin to access it because it's easier. Don't have to change seats all the time.

I did try putting the privacy in text2.dat to 0 and it still didn't show, but it did connect with Host/IP join. Tried with both the local address and the internet addres and it connected both times showing the address I had joined with when I pressed the ` key.

Soon as I get the email address where to send the text2.dat file, I will send it to you.

Thanks

Janus

[Edited on 4-6-2012 by Janus]

49rTbird · Post by **49rTbird** » Fri Apr 06, 2012 1:37 am

This should be the place.

starwraith.com > contact

[Edited on 4-6-2012 by Vice]

Janus · Post by **Janus** » Fri Apr 06, 2012 2:06 am

Thank you. Figured it was something like that, but didn't know the service. Could have been hotmail for all I knew.

I'll send the file immediately.

Janus

Janus · Post by **Janus** » Fri Apr 06, 2012 3:25 pm

Thank you for the quick response. File received. Server up and running and operating correctly. It will run 24/7 with a daily shutdown and restart at 1:00am USA central time to restart the host.

Janus

Capt_Caveman · Post by **Capt_Caveman** » Sat Apr 07, 2012 2:38 am

just tried it out for a couple hours tonight.

Excellent job !
the pings are low, steady and stable connection.
pvp was perfect there, thanx for this great new server

Janus · Post by **Janus** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 2:27 am

You're welcome. Glad you like it.

I am still having a slight issue. It lists and allows login, but the welcome text doesn't come up sometimes, usually when there is no one else on. When you press the ` key it will show the player list, and the IP address, but the server name as player ID 1 is not shown. There's a space for it, but it's blank.

The following is the relavent lines in my text2.dat file.

::begin code
' Use these lines to setup a greeting/introduction message for new players joining your server
400=Welcome to Starport 6
401=Rules: No swearing or course language. No personal insults and/or threats.
402=Racism is not tolerated and is a bannable offense.
403=Website and forums coming soon.
404=

' This line is for specifying a fixed local IP address
::end code

I know I could have use the code feature but this gives a more accurate representation of how it actually looks in the file.

Also, sometimes someone can be logged on and they won't be shown on the local console, but I can chat with them on the console. I am using the 2D version of the server program.

Any ideas?

Janus

[Edited on 4-8-2012 by Janus]

Post by **Vice** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 2:56 am

That's a sign of an incomplete connection. The TCP connects, but the UDP line fails. Does the problem happen with a particular player? Generally, it isn't a server side issue if everything is configured correctly, it's more often a client side issue.

Janus · Post by **Janus** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 4:37 am

I've had one person report that it he didn't see the Welcome text until someone else was on. I'm assuming he meant until he logged on while someone else was on.

I can tentatively confirm that that may be it. I logged on when no one else was logged on and experienced the issue. I logged on just a while ago when there were 2 others on and the text came up just fine and the server name was on the player list.

Just to do a test, I just now logged in with my Radmin connected to the host. No players on, no welcome text, no server name in player's list. Logged out, shutdown RAamin, tried again and same.

But people don't have problems logging on, so this is just a minor anomaly.

Janus

Post by **Vice** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 6:16 am

Ah ok, thanks for the update. That may indeed be something else. As just one step to try, disconnect and close out the server program, then immediately restart it, reconnect, and try joining it again on your own. See if the greeting message then displays. Either way, post the result and I'll plan on setting some time aside to look into it.

49rTbird · Post by **49rTbird** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 2:47 pm

Below are two pictures from my log on just now. The first shows no Server info and no greeting on log in.

the second shows my location and no station near me but you can see station landing lights ( one light is the Sun ) and the green line up boxs as tho I shound be in a station as the landing lights are on the other side also if I turn around.

Capt_Caveman · Post by **Capt_Caveman** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 3:03 pm

are u running the 2d or 3d version of the server?
i had the same issue running the 2d version, 3d works fine.

Janus · Post by **Janus** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 4:35 pm

I'm running the 2D version right now. The 3D version gives extremely poor framerates (16 to 17) and shows near 100% CPU usage. 2D shows about 80% CPU usage but gives framerates of 100 or more.

Not sure how much onboard memory there is in the GPU. I'll see if I can tweak it, cause I'd like to run the 3D version, but that's just not workable right now. I tried it and logged on and got 'Server resources low'.

I don't understand why it would do this on the 2D version. I thought the only difference was the console graphics and using the GPU to take some of the load off your processor. I have a 3.1Ghz quad-core Processor, so that shouldn't be a problem.

Janus

Capt_Caveman · Post by **Capt_Caveman** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 5:32 pm

I'm running a private server useing the 3d version on an old machine

2.4ghz pentium 4 single core
768mb ram 533 fsb
geforce 5200 64mb agp 4x video card (overclocked 20%)
winxp pro sp3
cable internet, 30mb down / 4 mb up
memory useage is very low 30mb

I set my display resolution to 800x600 and 16bit color depth
for higher framerates and set the server program display
resolution to 640x480 in the config file line 800

I get 88% cpu and 110-122 fps and pings are around 75 - 125
I would expect better from your machine

maybee something with your video settings or drivers ?
or 3d hardware acceleration is not running for some reason ?

[Edited on 4-8-2012 by capt_cronic]

Janus · Post by **Janus** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 6:22 pm

From post: 134581, Topic: tid=9161, author=capt_cronic wrote:I'm running a private server useing the 3d version on an old machine

2.4ghz pentium 4 single core
768mb ram 533 fsb
geforce 5200 64mb agp 4x video card (overclocked 20%)
winxp pro sp3
cable internet, 30mb down / 4 mb up
memory useage is very low 30mb

I set my display resolution to 800x600 and 16bit color depth
for higher framerates and set the server program display
resolution to 640x480 in the config file line 800

I get 88% cpu and 110-122 fps and pings are around 75 - 125
I would expect better from your machine

maybee something with your video settings or drivers ?
or 3d hardware acceleration is not running for some reason ?

[Edited on 4-8-2012 by capt_cronic]

Video Drivers are up to date. I've tried lowering the desktop resolution as you said. No effect on 3D version. I think the only solution (to making the 3D version work), is a better graphics card. I can't find anything about onboard memory for the graphics card, so I'm assuming there isn't any. Funds are tight right now, so a graphics card upgrade isn't an option. But it may be in the near future. Like 3 weeks to a month. Just have to see.

And I'm same whth internet connection. 30 down 4 or so up. Tweaked the hardware acceleration all I know how to do but still no joy. Thanks for the suggestion though. I'll keep working on it. Probably have to go and buy another graphics card. Not a problem but my rent, utilities, food and internet have to come first.

Janus

Capt_Caveman · Post by **Capt_Caveman** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 7:43 pm

what graphics card do u have now? any?

Janus · Post by **Janus** » Mon Apr 09, 2012 12:12 am

From post: 134588, Topic: tid=9161, author=capt_cronic wrote:what graphics card do u have now? any?

nVidia Gforce 6150SE nForce 430

dxdiag shows 1912mb approximate memory.

Direct draw acceleration: Not available
3D acceleration: Enabled
AGP Texture acceleration: Not available

Supposedly this is an on-motherboard GPU

My laptop will run the 3D version fine. It has DD and AGP enabled so I'm assuming that's the problem. Only way I know to fix it it to install a better graphics card.

While I could use my lappy, that's my main computer, and I don't want it to run 24/7.

Janus

Capt_Caveman · Post by **Capt_Caveman** » Mon Apr 09, 2012 12:23 am

your card is way better than mine

"Direct draw acceleration: Not available
3D acceleration: Enabled
AGP Texture acceleration: Not available"

looks like there's something wrong with your setup

Janus · Post by **Janus** » Mon Apr 09, 2012 12:47 am

From what I can tell Direct Draw and AGP texture acceleraiton are not supported on this card. I've tweaked and tweaked and tweaked.

The good news is people can connect and play. Looks are important, of course, but functionality is my first priority. I'll work out the cosmetic kinks when I can. For now it is functional and from what I've heard provides a very good ping and MP experience.

Janus

Capt_Caveman · Post by **Capt_Caveman** » Mon Apr 09, 2012 2:04 am

yeah what ever works
the server runs great on our end

Janus · Post by **Janus** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 10:38 am

Well, this now appears to be fixed and I have no idea why (Well, I've got a suspicion as detailed below). I've logged on a couple of times when no one else was on and it presented the welcome text and showed the server name with only me on when I press the ` key.

The only thing I did was archive and then delete the current chatlogfull.txt file (it wa getting rather large). I didn't notice anything when I first did it cause people were always on when I logged in.

Well, it's working the way it's supposed to now, so I'm happy:D

Jamus