Windows Source Dropping

[madaajr]

Hey Guys!

I've got a HP DL 360 Dual Xeon 3.06ghz, 2GB RAM, 2x 74GB 15k rpm SCSI's with 200gb bandwidth running from TSN Internet in Sydney.

I've got a cronic problem with my servers dropping in/out rate goes below 66 while the servers running 66tic. I have 6 css servers running on the box, all at 66tic and when even 1 of them are running with 10 people, the cpu is using inexcess of 20% and the servers drop to as low as 30tic and get choke at the worst times.

Here is my cfg;

hostname " velox-Servers.net | vEx Clan Server [66tic]"

// Set the rcon password
rcon_password ****

// Lower rcon ban time to 2 minutes
sv_rcon_banpenalty 2

// Exec files on startup
exec banned_user.cfg
exec listip.cfg

// Server Logging
log off
mp_logdetail 0
mp_logmessages 0

// Server Variables
mp_forcecamera 0
mp_timelimit 30
mp_winlimit 99
mp_autokick 0
mp_autoteambalance 1
mp_c4timer 35
mp_flashlight 1
mp_footsteps 1
mp_forcechasecam 0
mp_freezetime 3
mp_friendlyfire 0
mp_hostagepenalty 0
mp_limitteams 1
mp_roundtime 1.75
mp_tkpunish 0
sv_restartround 0
sv_maxspeed 320
sv_proxies 1
allow_spectators 1
mp_startmoney 800
mp_chattime 5
sv_allowupload 1
sv_voiceenable 1
sv_alltalk 1
mp_dynamicpricing 0
sv_airaccelerate 90
mp_buytime 30
mp_dynamicpricing 0
fps_max 300
mp_allowspectators 1
sv_specaccelerate 5
sv_specnoclip 1

pausable 0
decalfrequency 90
mp_falldamage 1

// cheat and fun modes
sv_aim 0
sv_cheats 0

// bandwidth rates/settings
sv_client_interpolate 1
sv_client_max_interp_ratio 1
sv_client_min_interp_ratio 1
sv_unlag 1
sv_maxunlag .5
sv_pure 0
sv_minrate 8000
sv_maxrate 20000
sv_maxupdaterate 101
sv_minupdaterate 67
sv_maxcmdrate 101
sv_mincmdrate 67

// Enable/Disable LAN mode
sv_lan 0
sv_region 5
sv_contact support@velox-servers.net

Here are my source server Ips;
210.14.111.100:27024
210.14.111.100:27041
210.14.111.100:27042
210.14.111.100:27044
210.14.111.100:27045
210.14.111.100:27046

I've tried running that fpsboost program, im currently running server checker as the boost program, I run all my servers in Firedaemon trinity.

I've tested the network, which is fine, there server holds 300fps consistantly. Whats my problem? I've heard it could be something todo with how windows was installed?

Any ideas to fix will be helpful, thanks very much

[Spartanfrog]

Well FPS staying contant is a good sign, but just curious what is your core archeticure?
Back on topic, so the choke only happens when X number of people join the servers you are running? If that is true, it could be TSN blocking ports or capping bandwidth if the notice a whole lot of traffic going through.

[madaajr]

Yea it's really weird, it's fine when theres 6 people in the server, but seriously when its hits 10, get in/out loss and choke, not really good when trying to sell war servers

As for TSN blocking the bandwidth, I have graph's monitoring all bandwidth in/out and its normal. Although, I know tsn only buy internet from Optus, Sole (I think its called) and one other provider, not Telstra/Internode etc.. could that cause a problem?

[fqdn]

xeon 3.06 should be gallatin core and will run source fine. 6 servers may be a bit much for a dual proc machine, don't be fooled but hyperthreading it's not the same as an extra core. what happens when you run only 1 server? choke is a network issue on the server side and if you get loss it's an issue on the client side, looks like you have both so i would look at your isp.

[EGL]

Hi,

Madaajr actually purchases his hosting from us (EGL). I work for the ISP in question aswell. I've done a lot of testing with the network, there should be nothing blocking any number of udp streams for the game.

We've got plenty of head room just for the IP subnet Madaajr is on, approx 20mbit+ inbound and 75mbit+ outbound. I'm not sure it could be a network issue as he is also connected to a gig-e interface on a Cisco 3750G switch which is connected to our main transit switch and using a Cisco 7206VXR for the gateway which commonly runs a max of 40-50% CPU.

I've also got SNMP graphs (cacti) so that I can see network, CPU etc. Madaajr is using Win 2k3 Enterprise 32-bit. I have also disabled HT.

The weird thing is, the server holds fps, it holds tickrate but the in/out go down. As I understand he could have 10 servers running with 4 people in each (total of 40) and maintain a 66/66 in/out. When he has 1 server with 12 players in it, that's when the in/out starts dropping.

The rates that are in the config are quite high, would that make things choke for clients without a decent connection? Also, what rates would you suggest?

Any help would be great as I am running out of ideas on this one myself.

Thanks
[#EGL.NSW]

[EGL]

Any ideas guys?

Thanks,
[#EGL.NSW]

[madaajr]

Bump? Still getting the same problems guys, any help appreciated!

[Drocona]

Are there any other applications on this server (like MySQL and other heavy apps)?

What CPU priority has the SRCDS?

[madaajr]

The only app's running are Firedaemon Trinity, Server Checker and Filezilla. All the servers are set on high priority and running off both cpu's.

[Spartanfrog]

Whats the core?

[EGL]

fqdn Wrote:xeon 3.06 should be gallatin core and will run source fine.

I guess that possibly answers the question about the core.

Should the instances of srcds or hlds be set to a particular core instead of being allowed to run on both?

Thanks,
[#EGL.NSW]

[Drocona]

It's better to manually keep it at one core but I doubt that's the problem.

What I'm afraid of is that the problem lies with the CPU (XEON), we don't know what Valve/microsoft did to make them so trashy but as you can see on these forums, there have been 10 times as many XEON problems past months!!

As far as I know there is NO solution yet, a lot of people are having problems, I don't know where to start nor can I try since I don't own a xeon.

[Spartanfrog]

EGL Wrote:

fqdn Wrote:xeon 3.06 should be gallatin core and will run source fine.

I guess that possibly answers the question about the core.

Should the instances of srcds or hlds be set to a particular core instead of being allowed to run on both?

Thanks,
[#EGL.NSW]

Hehe sorry I was asleep. I would put my money that whatever Valve has done to srcds (the Xeon problem), is your problem.