After many weeks researching and searching the web to find a place to host my online game hosting business, There is no better that I know of as of yet than RackShack, as far as prices, reviews, customer testimonials, and web hosting businesses. BAR NONE.

The only sector of this business I have not heard from in the gaming server hosts, I know there are game servers hosted at rackshack namely (Counter-Strike) a Half-Life modification, this game takes trumenouse bandwidth as compared to regular web hosting.

here are my questions:

1. Are there any counter-strike game hosts here in the forum, if so could you post your thoughts about how your server runs, bandwidth, connection, latency, and so forth, and mabee a IP for a server that you host counter-strike on I could test.
If not would one of the rackshack staff members be able to get me a IP fron a server to test, or is that against the rules? it would be apreciated.

2.I know alot about the game and what the server needs itself, but am lacking knowledge on the remote access side of it. I will also be doing gaming websites for clans/guilds/leagues, But im not to worried about that as I will het the hosting part of it going then hire a webmaster to do the web accounts. I guess what im trying to say is, can someone try to explain what I would and would not need for the game hosting, as far as everything that comes with the servers if it is possible...........I been reading these forums for along time now, just now registered and there are some brilliant people here, I know if I need somthing answered, you guys can do it.

Lastley, if you all can take it, i know im annoying. I can use tellnet and shell, but its not a favorate of mine, would I be able to use.......damn dont remember name, that remote program that lets you onto the servers desktop, you see it on your desktop,,,,,,i think you know what i mean, anyways I want to go with linux, can such a remote access be used with linux, or do i have to go with windows? Does rackshack even offer it?

I think thats it for now but im sure I will be back....hehehehehe If i could get a test gaming server IP I would order my servers as soon as possible as im sure the speed more than enough, but better to be safe than sorry,,,,,,,oh and great job rackshack, im impressed with all the awsome reviews and and customer testimonials Ive heard about you, from what ive read in all the forums its hard to get that in this business, and you got it.

I didn't read your whole post because I am not into game servers, but I do know that Mike @ WebAuthorities.com is currently hosting many game servers. ALthough he does not show on his site that he offers it, send him an email and I am sure he can get you a good deal.

Patrick

The desktop idea will probably work best with Windows platforms. The Rackshack servers won't come with desktops as most linux servers don't so the remote desktop is out of the question. For game serving needs you will probably have to use the shell to install whatever server you will use and run it from there.


I am not totally familiar with game servers but I would imagine you would have to do something like that.

Edit: Just for clarification, by desktop I am talking about the GUI interface that OS's like windows have. Webservers configured using the Linux OS normally don't come with a gui. There is a command prompt in this case and much of the work you need to do will probably be handled best with the control panel and unix shell combo.

I think you will get used to it but it does take effort.

well, game servers run best on linux,,,,,,,,,,,,linux is the cadillac of game servers as windows has too many conflicts that are easably fixable, Ill try the the shell and if i learn it and have no probs, great, if not ill either go to windows, or hire someone that knows shelll........damn I really liked the GUI idea though......oh well ill research it, thanks for your reply,,,,,,,anyone else feel free to reply if you have more input into this for me.

Your going to need most of that 300GB that rackshack offers, a busy CS server will consume ALOT, there are several companys that will let you have a gaming server for whatever price per month (less than a rackshack server I belive) and will have an extra option to debrand it, therefore no-one would know who hosts it. I cant really give you much of an example because im in the UK, and I assume your not (most ppl on these board s are not) but if you are in the uk have a look at:

http://www.barrysworld.com/barryservers/default.asp

If you do a search there are a few UK based ones such as Jolt and WorldWarX but then again it is most likely you are in the USA if you are looking at US servers.

If your players are mostly from the US (or that region) then get a server from that region or Ping and Packet Loss will go through the roof for 56k'ers.

Hey acidHL, thanks for the info, But im not looking for a host to get a server from to play on, Im starting my own game hosting business, and want my servers to be the best and fastest I can get them for a cheaper price than most competitors.

thanks for your reply it is greatly appreciated.

I too didn't read your whole post. I (and my partner) run PWNZ.net and here is what I can tell you:

(1) A 1 GHz ,1 GB RAM, 18 GB SCSI HD can run about 5 to 7 - 18 player gameservers. Your average monthly usage for a server like this is around 400 GB's.

(2) An 18 player public server (doesn't matter what game, execpt for wolf) uses 70 - 80 GB of bandwidth per month

(3) If you are looking for a business that is already started up, PWNZ is considering selling off it's client base. Send an e-mail to sales@pwnz.net.

Thanks for all the info MikeA, it is greatly apreciated,I will get with you via email on pwnz.net as soon as I can, give me a day or so to get things I allready got rolling slowed down a bit:D

I tried to calculate the usage myself and believe it or not I did come up with a figure close to that, it was probly a fluke though....hehe