Hi,

I tryed to find more about servers before posting this but I couldn't. If I missed something, and I am asking about it, please just tell me where to find the answers.

I know that ded. servers, you have to rent, and not ded. servers you can start in game by click "Create server" right? Correct me if I am wrong.

I would like to know more about ded. servers.
What does it mean 2$ Per slot?

The rent is per month? (which I think it is).

Do you need seperate computer for a ded. server.

-If so, req for that computer?

If any of you have set up ded. servers, was it simple, or hard?

Thats all I can think of right now. My clan leader would like to know these things so please help me out.

Thanks
-Toxikr3

Ok let me start by saying there are several differnet variations to owning a css server. I will start by reviewing the lowest form all the way up to the highest form. but first lets talk about dedicated server. What this means is simply that a process is strictly dedicated to running the game and nothing else. Basically its a server you dont veen need to say dedicated.

1. A dedicated server run from your own computer. this is the easiest option as anyone who already has css can do this its free. you simply launch the source sdk tool form your tools menu. Although this is the easiest option its also the most unreliable. The connection is run off your own ISP which upload speed is important, it also uses your own pc's resources which means your pc will need to be able to handle the servers load. the tick rates for servers run on this option arent very high due to the typical restrictions such as bandwidth and resources. I would not reccomend this option to a serious css server owner.

2. Renting a single server. this is the most common option the majority of the css community servers are run using this. companies like nuclearfallout and counter strike.com will allow you to rent a single server for a monthly fee. They charge you by the slot! this means number of players a 32 slot server holds 32 players! so lets do the math at 1.50 per slot for lets say 15 slots/players thats 22.50 per month. These kinds of servers almost always come with there own tech support and of course a web admin tool as well for one click installations like mani admin. you also get ftp or single folder lvl access. This option is cost effective for the first time server buyer. and its usually setup within hours.

3. The True dedicated CSS server. This option is for the most advanced users. This is a complete server box (like a pc only a server machine). This allows root lvl access. the servers are typically installed from scratch. What this does is allow the user to install multiple css servers at once running on a high end data center connection. I personally have taken this route. The only thing this box does is host your servers it does not do anything else! no playing games on it no nothing its soley there for your servers to run on.... Secondly there are two ways of going down this path. If you have the money some companies like counterstrike.com will let you rent an entire box this option is also the most expensive they install the number of servers you want and they still provide tech support. this is similar to buying bulk servers lol. What makes this better than renting lets say 5 indivdual servers is simple. individual servers are hosted on box's where they typically have 10-12 servers per box this makes you server lack a bit during high traffic times. With your very own box only you and your servers are hosted on it. The second route is to rent just a server box form anyone who provides them companies that do dedicated server hosting will let you rent a single box for 1/4 the price you pay if a gaming company did it. the difference is NO TECH SUPPORT NO INSTALL everything must be done by you! these kinds of servers usually come blank and you typically have to select the kinds of hardware you want i.e ram hardrive connection type. You must be advanced to do something like this. but its very cost effective.


So what kind of source server owner do you think you are??

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www.nycafterhours.net

Woah! Thanks for replying with a huge book

I understand almost all of the server stuff now, and I think we'd rent the slots since we are just starting to play CS:S as a clan. Since the 2nd option looks the easiest and affordable we probably will keep it like that for awhile.

Thanks a lot once again for explaining the server stuff to me.

-Toxikr3