RE: [Nub] Can you set up a server on a website?

[willpower101]

Well, I really love how an admin can just take it upon himself to close a discussion that's not doing anything wrong or violating any rules of the forum, legal rules, or EVEN ethics in general.

I was going to go back to that thread above and add to my answer, since the op and everyone claiming that it wasn't possible didn't specify if it was to be done on a shared account, or a dedicated account. But of course I couldn't because Mooga decided that he personally didn't like the thread.

So I'll clarify here.

You can run a server on a dedicated account.
In fact, I BET that there are some share accounts out that that don't care if you run a server either as long as you're not killing their system and you put processing restrictions on it. You'll just need to check out all their terms of service individually to find out. However there is NOTHING wrong or illegal with discussing the possibility of this.

My source?
The STAFF at hostgator who host my site.
http://forums.hostgator.com/gaming-server-t17510.html?t=17510

Quote: 05-30-2007, 07:11 PM

slapshotw
Veteran Croc

Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,165
Re: Gaming Server?
On your dedicated you're welcome to do that. You may want to consider installting cPanel GS (Game Server) to help you, if you haven't heard about that. But it's not necessary.

Just because you can't run a server on ONE site's shared account, doesn't mean there's not other ways to legitimately run one with that company or another.

[Spartanfrog]

I cannot speak for Mooga why anything was closed or etc but I am sure he mean't no disrespect towards you. However, I do think you have over-reacted and you can ask anyone here, Mooga is a source of much information.

Now in regards to the issue at hand, yes of course if it is a dedicated server you would be able to run a website. That's obvious. However, like you said, the OP did not state whether it is a shared account or dedicated. I highly doubt it is about a dedicated server, as why would he ask the question to begin with, and especially because he said "on my website." Also, since you used Hostgator as your source to see if you were allowed to run servers on a dedicated machine, look at their TOS:
7a.) Resource Usage
User may not:
1) Use 25% or more of system resources for longer then 90 seconds. There are numerous activities that could cause such problems; these include: CGI scripts, FTP, PHP, HTTP, etc.
2) Run stand-alone, unattended server-side processes at any point in time on the server. This includes any and all daemons, such as IRCD.
3) Run any type of web spider or indexer (including Google Cash / AdSpy) on shared servers.
4) Run any software that interfaces with an IRC (Internet Relay Chat) network.
5) Run any bit torrent application, tracker, or client. You may link to legal torrents off-site, but may not host or store them on our shared servers.
6) Participate in any file-sharing/peer-to-peer activities
7) Run any gaming servers such as counter-strike, half-life, battlefield1942, etc
8) Run cron entries with intervals of less than 15 minutes.

Specifically, #1 and #8 would disallow any thoughts of hosting a game server. Now maybe some host would allow it, but it is doubtful.

[willpower101]

yes, I agree. The hostgator staff even said as much, and it's more likely that you won't find a host on a shared account who would allow it. Although I haven't researched the topic in depth to determine if maybe one of those hybrid accounts would allow it. (you know the type at some companies that's like 20 bucks instead of 10 and you're supposed to be guaranteed to more than 4 to a box etc)

However I did take it personally when the thread was closed with a declarative "End of Story". It's NOT the end of story and in fact it's kind of silly that it was even closed. I would have never even made such a big deal about it if the conversation had just been been allowed to freely progress. Now I'm sure Mooga has his own justifications for what he did, and that's ok, but closing such a thread is overstepping bounds just a bit.

It would be akin to coming to the thread about running client and server on the same pc and saying, 'can't be done - closed'.

[Spartanfrog]

Let Mooga provide his justifications, I'm sure he will .

[loopyman]

I believe it was closed to prevent others from getting the wrong idea about web hosting packages offered by various companies.

[Arjen]

Pfff ... it's possible to host a game on a webserver ... that was the question .. close and move on

[loopyman]

Need to clarify the difference between web server and shared hosting package.

[Beaverbeliever]

(05-21-2010, 05:50 AM)willpower101 Wrote:  Now I'm sure Mooga has his own justifications for what he did, and that's ok, but closing such a thread is overstepping bounds just a bit.

He's one of 3 admins that oversee all activity in these forums, and I believe his boundaries are the sky. Mooga is a highly trusted member of our forums, and if you don't agree with him, don't agree; but whining in new threads are really not going to get you any mutual respect on these forums.

[Mooga]

Willpower101, as I also responded to your tweet earlier today, you are confusing a webhost and a dedicated host.
A webhost as one in which the user has FTP access and generally some type of web back-end to manage databases and other website features. A webhost will NOT give you SSH access, nor RDP. Now, even if you used a script to gain SSH access, this will generally be against the TOS. Also, with a webhost you also are not given the access to run a program. Even if you did manager to get a game server installed and running on a webhost, you would never get able to get the CPU usage that is required.

With a dedicated server, you are given "full" access to the server and can install and run software without any issues.

I locked the thread because it was a clear answer and one that has been answered many times.

It's like a flash drive. You can put the game server software onto a thumb drive, but you can't run the server without a computer that can RUN it. Webhosting is STORAGE. You can't run a server off storage.



...it would have been more epic if I just posted "YOU'RE WRONG FOOL" and locked this thread...

[loopyman]

Quote:...it would have been more epic if I just posted "YOU'RE WRONG FOOL" and locked this thread...

This.

[willpower101]

(05-22-2010, 12:18 AM)loopyman Wrote:  

Quote:...it would have been more epic if I just posted "YOU'RE WRONG FOOL" and locked this thread...

This.

roger

[Darksoul]

Yes, you can setup a gameserver on a webhost. It would probably violate their terms of service, but it is "Possible".

The best way to do it would be to use shell_exec() or exec() with PHP if the host hasn't secured their php install.

Unfortunately I really can't go into more detail as I have never tried it.