The Dedicated Server Is Back Up!

[PropNut]

The server had a hardware crash but the hosting company has moved our information to a new server so we are back up and running. We added a batch file that will automatically restart the server if it is interrupted for any reason.

Tomorrow we need to discuss how many people should have access to the server to reset it, add missions, etc. I spoke with Rog about it and he indicated that the fewer the better. Right now Rico, Rog and I have access but it would be nice if at least two others who are regular pilots would also volunteer to help take care of the system.

Another question, should we open the server to the public as a recruitment tool? We have several hard-core pilots now and several from a visiting group that join us regularly. The question was raised on comms the other night so I thought I would throw it out there.

[B16Enk]

Fingers crossed it will stay up now

The DF will not restart if the system restarts, I have left it so it will be a manual job.

However if it crashes then yes it restarts.

Make it a public server?

Would like to see it load tested first!

If it holds up (it should) then you could consider opening it up to the public.

Downside is if full how do you kick clients off?

[PropNut]

You can kick or ban people through the multi-player interface or anyone with server admin rights can kick players. But I doubt that will ever be a problem. There are so few people who fly online (or so it seems) that I doubt we will ever be full up. I have heard rumors of the WarHawks joining us full-time for our Monday or Friday night RoF games and that would bring our number up into the 20's or so. Someone with the Warhawks might jump into this thread and let us know if this is true or not.

Edit: Just read this on the War-Hawk webpage:

Rise of Flight moves to Monday better serve those members wanting to fly jointly with the Danger Dogs. Remember when flying outside our own missions, you are a representative of the War Hawks community and should conduct yourself accordingly.

(really? Worried about making a good impression with the likes of us?!! lol)

Any group is always welcome to join in on our RoF game nights, the more the merrier..er..er..

[MadTrooper]

Fingers crossed it will stay up now

The DF will not restart if the system restarts, I have left it so it will be a manual job.

However if it crashes then yes it restarts.

Make it a public server?

Would like to see it load tested first!

If it holds up (it should) then you could consider opening it up to the public.

Downside is if full how do you kick clients off?

I think that if the server is capable of hosting a lot of pilots without experiencing lag issues etc. then as a recruiting tool we should be able to open it up to the public during most of the week. We should also keep it under password for our Monday nights flying coop missions and may be also Friday nights depending if we want to fly coop then too. Kicking clients off when full, isn't there priorities you can set for the DD members so that when the server is full and one of us joins, the last guy that connected is kicked automatically. There should be such a setting.

On the other hand, if you open it up to the public, you pretty much have to police the server so that when some kids decide to join and start trouble like shooting friendly pilots, destroying a bomber's tail with the rear gunner's machine gun etc. then you are ble to kick him and keep the server playable for everyone else. If we dont police it then the DDz Server's reputation could become affected.

All this to say, right now this is not a problem because there are a lot of empty servers out there, most of the nights, specially on Saterday nights. But in the event that pilots get out of their carreer modes and decide to play online, this place could become really bussy. Anyways, this is my 2 cents.

MT