Some questions to get the ball rolling.
What's the current spec of the Meat Hook?
Assuming the spec hasn't changed why have we only recently seen a degradation in performance?
What's causing the packet loss at Crosswired?
Would upgrading the MH solve the lag spikes and PL?
What have I forgot?
1) The spec is as it was when we first put it into service.
2) I've noticed a definate b/w hike so MH is busier? Also were all LPBs meaning more work for homer. Hmm I did up the rate a while back meaning peeps can demand a higher rate from MH, perhaps this could be causing the cpu spikes.
3) I need some cooperation for this... info gained from your end at the very time you spot the packet loss. Linx (the mayjor ISP peering point) was down some time yesterday.
4) Like I said, I've CPU spikes so maybe that could be the cause of those periodic lags... I did notice it seemed to happen at the beggining of a round or in a major firefight when the server was most busy.
Also it was hitting the swap space a little meaning that nasty hard disk was chugging away choking the CPU... however as doggers said the meat hook was due a restart.... so that was most likley causing the swap space hits.
How much RAM does the MH have and would more help?
You guys know a lot more than me on this so what do you suggest needs doing?
Great! Let's get to the bottom of this!
The spec of Homer would be useful. Also, I know the owner of our computer hardware supplier and can get components at near cost price. So if you don't have a preferred supplier, or have prices on components, let me know and I'll see if I can better them.
I still think a donation system would be useful. Hardware breaks. Computers are mechanical devices and will wear out! So we should have a fund to call on when things need replacing!
Ok. I've done some research and I think I can put together a new box to replace the MH.
P4 1.5GHz
The only problem is that it takes RIMMS in pairs and i've only got 2X64Mb.
Gandy - How much for two 256Mb RIMMS?
If we're going to do this right, can I put in a plea for a rack-mounted case? Assuming a P4 1.5 is going to be the usual heat-monster, it would have to be at least 2U to allow for proper cooling - a 1U case just don't cut it in the airflow department.
I know homer is currently in a desktop case, but (I'm glad to say) we're running out of space in the rack as we add new servers. A 2U case will help.
Give me a wish list guys and I'll get prices.
Quote
Gandy - How much for two 256Mb RIMMS?
I'll find out on monday. Probably wont be cheap though. RDRAM is rather obscure now. All going DDR
256MB 133Mhz SDR is about £35 (Last time I brought some a month ago. May have changed!!)
ok.... homer has 512MB I think. DRAMS of course.
Guys, next time you play on a busy MH will you also run ping plotter?
thanks.
Shoppinglist.
We have:
ATX mobo housing a P4 1.5 with chip mounted fan (not the heat monster you think Doggers).
2X64Mb RIMMS
HDD
FDD
CD-ROM
We'd like:
Compatible 2U case (see issues)
2X256Mb RIMMS
Issues:
The mobo I have does not have on-board gfx.
OK Oldie, I'll get some prices monday. I'll also see if I can source a mobo with onboard Vid and network.
Quote
Issues:
The mobo I have does not have on-board gfx.
Not a problem in a 2u case. It can have 2 or even 3 cards in it. Does it have onboard lan?
GFX are AGP, LAN is PCI.
QuoteGFX are AGP, LAN is PCI.
so it does have onboard graphics? if not the graphics card has to be PCI.
You see, a pci riser card is used in the first pci slot, the riser card has 3 pci slots of which at least 2 are usually usable.
Quote... so it does have onboard graphics?
No. The gfx are not onboard i.e. they are not built into the mobo. In this case they are provided by a Matrox AGP card. The LAN card is PCI. :?
Don't worry, I've got loads of old crappy ati PCI cards at work. I'll dig out some tomorrow and let you know the model numbers.
ok, I've got an ATI 3d rage pro PCI card, pn 109-41900-00
or an ATI @work 2MB pn 109-40600-00
I think I've thrown the others away.
I've also got an assortment of intel pro 100 network cards if needed.
I should have prices on the memory and case later. Oldie, how many rimm slots are on the mobo? I'm thinking 1Gig of ram!
4 slots
ok, got a price for the 256mb rimms.
£67 each.
I should have the 2U price later.
From what I've been told so far it seems meat hook players have been happy while mh has had 10ish players on it.
where are when there have been around 16 players there has been some stuttering around round starts and mass skirmishes.
Am I right?
IE if its been random stuttering then it could mean somthing else.
OR if there has been stuttering during small games then there could be problems.
Doggers, can you confirm you've stopped the processes on homer that were periodicly grabbing 99% of the cpu time?
Before we splash out we want to be sure it is server related problems....
The phrase "I've shut it down" was the big clue...
Well I'll be damned, I've never seen a dog with a handbag before.
OK, I've got some prices from my supplier. The case prices aren't that great, but there are several types of 2U cases apparantly. If you could let me know the exact spec required I'll get a re-quote.
2U Rackmount Case (1 x 5¼ & 1 x 3½) £235.00 plus VAT
for full size motherboards
256MB RD RAM Memory £67.00 plus VAT
Also I'm going to be placing a large order soon so may be able to get some more knocked off of those prices.
I think the last 2u case we ordered was around £170 am I right doggers? the PCI-case one?
Less than that, I think. Around £165 incl. VAT. Hell, you signed the cheque... :roll:
What's the latest info?
BTW, the ED Cup match we were supposed to host last week has been re-scheduled for Sunday 18th (not confirmed yet).
Hello? Anyone? Update?
dunno. Last I heard, the mobo was supposed to be replaced... TL? News?
Mobo is currently back with the retailer (Stryker returned it last week) and we are wating for them to confirm it as knackered. When that is done they will then send us a replacement.
Updates have been posted to the public section of the forum to save duplicating my typing here :lol:
TL. 8)