Dedicated server - Future of FAF.

[Ze_PilOt]

FAF is currently running on a dedicated server gracefully offered by Wolfmic.

It was great for the beta test, but there are some problems :

- We are dependent of a third party server.
- There is a minecraft server running on his server, taking a lot of memory and CPU. Even FAF need a small amount of these, we ran into some problems where FAF was unresponsive because of it.
- Wolfmic wants his server back for himself (I can't blame him, FAF is taking most of his space), for testing purpose, and maybe stop it definitively on November.

Problem is that he wants to try another linux distro really soon, so I don't really have a lot of time for moving the server elsewhere (about a week or two).

I've already got several propositions of hosting from various members.
The problem is : FAF will still be dependent of a third party host, that can stop at any time. Also, FAF requests a lot of services to run (mysql, python, java, irc, apache,....), that's not a little thing to move/accept for a server. And I don't feel very comfortable changing every config file I find to run the whole thing smoothly on a server that's not mine.

The actual server is running on a Nano U2250 with 2go of ram.
The cost per month is 17,93 €, tax included.

I've took a dedicated server for FAF, the first one here : http://www.firstheberg.com/dedies/

It's around 17 euros a month, you can contribute here :
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?c ... 7FP86AEJBW

Contributors will get a special avatar (it's not a retribution but a way to thanks you), so give me your nickname in private if you want it. As I can only see your true name on the donation, I need your real name, unless you want to be anonymous.

The server is up thanks to :
- Wolfmic (let's not forget all he has done for the project)
- PsychoBoB
- Benoker
- TTPlayer
- Unconsumerable
- Frits
- D10ny5u5
- Toejams
- M0zart
- In-Com
- Mag
- Gowerly
- AppleSucks
- Spindrah
- cptwhite
- TA4Life

We have currently enough to run the server until end of june 2012.

[Gowerly]

Of course, running your own server is the best way. If you can run it from your house even better, but then you need to build the machine and hope that your internet lets the connections through.
I have enough spare hardware to build a machine to run it, but my internet at home is
a) bad (currently)
b) not letting connections in (as far as I'm aware)

Maybe we can find someone nice to run the server like that? I don't mind donating some of my spare hardware for it.

Failing that, I'm not opposed to a few Euros a month to help the project for a while.

[Ze_PilOt]

My first idea was to run the beta on my mediacenter. Problem is, long term-wise, that a private connection doesn't have a lot of upload : problematic for map upload and updates.

[Gowerly]

*HOPEFULLY* I can get a 34/7 connection soon. I can keep you posted, and I don't mind running the box while I'm here. Obviously if I move, etc there will be downtime. That is if we can get past the problem of connecting to me.

[Reddev32]

i Can host of my VPS uplads fine and so on also if need be i can run my gaming pc with a linux verion with plenty of space on and it has a connection of 50/5 meg.

And if u need help playing for your server i be more than happy 2.

[TAG_ROCK]

I am willing to pay towards this too, we should pay a year ahead between all of us.

[ttplayer]

between all of us

Possible idea, but, who controls paying? Players who didn't pay will be kicked out? Maybe the "dead" for your project, cause gpg is free of charge.

G
TTplayer

[Ze_PilOt]

between all of us

Possible idea, but, who controls paying? Players who didn't pay will be kicked out? Maybe the "dead" for your project, cause gpg is free of charge.

G
TTplayer

I will never ask mandatory payment in order to use FAF.

[Reddev32]

So hows going to get this setup then? eg be the main buyer?

[PsychoBoB]

between all of us.

We're talking about 250,- € (12x 17,93€ + odds and ends) per year. So i think it should be possible to find 25 people paying 10,- € for a year.
(I would pay 5,- € a month for a good project like this!)