Intermittent High Pings and Round Start/End AND Decoding mdmp Files Request

[spunkster21]

Hi all,

I have a dedicated server running 4 game servers, 3 are CS:Source based and one is TF2.

Server Specs
Processor: Intel Core2Duo E7200 2x 2.53 L2: 3Mo FSB: 1066MHz
RAM: 3 GB
Hard disk: 500 GB SATA2
Connection: 100Mbps up/down
OS: Windows 2003 Server SP2, all updates

3 of my servers run without a hitch (CS:Source 66 tick 18 slots, CS:Source Zombie Reloaded 20 slots, TF2 24 slots) - no lag, no ping spikes, no freezing, no crashes, nothing, nada, couldn't be happier.

The problem is my zombie mod server, details below.

CS:Source - Zombie Mod
Tickrate: 33
Max players: 50
Plugins: Zombie Mod, Mani, Metamod, EventScripts, EST (all latest versions)
IP:Port 87.98.250.40:27015
Command Line: -console -game cstrike -tickrate 33 +fps_max 600 -ip 87.98.250.40 -port 27015 -verify_all +map de_dust +maxplayers 50 +exec server.cfg

This server intermittently lags out (900+ pings) so bad it kicks all players and requires a restart, it also suffers from freezing during round end and round start and finally it crashes at least once per day, which is actually bearable.

Now to make things clear CPU utilisation during these lag spikes is < 30% RAM usage < 1GB, network utilisation < 10% of available.

The maximum slots filled across all servers never exceeds 70, the problems with the ZM server have happened when there are 70 players across all 4 servers or only 10 players on the ZM server with the other 3 empty.

When the lag spikes occur on the ZM server there is NO lag whatsoever on ANY of my other servers.

I don't understand how 1 server can lag and have ping spikes while 3 others remain perfectly fine.

I would be very grateful if anyone has any suggestions that might help me resolve these problems.

I've uploaded the mini dump files for the last three crashes, found here. If anyone is able to tell me what caused the crashes I'd be very grateful.

http://www.vs3-clan.co.uk/spunky_temp/minidumps.rar

Thanks,

Spunky

PS. I have assigned 1 core to the ZM server with the other 3 assigned to the second core, all at normal priority.

[Hazz]

If its only doing it on certain servers, make sure you have them all set to high priority, however it could also be plugins causing it.

[Spartanfrog]

Zombie Mod pretty much always lags but obviously not that bad. I would say its something to do with your plugin. Maybe its corrupt or something?

[spunkster21]

Thanks, I'll try setting it to high priority and see if that makes a difference.

I'm pretty sure it's Zombie Mod as well, but I don't get why it causes the high pings when all the other servers are fine. I really need to swap Zombie Mod out for a better mod tbh.

I've uploaded the mini dump files for the last three crashes, found here. If anyone is able to tell me what caused the crashes I'd be very grateful.

http://www.vs3-clan.co.uk/spunky_temp/minidumps.rar

Thanks,

Spunky

[raydan]

you don't know EventScripts and EST are suck?

[spunkster21]

raydan Wrote:you don't know EventScripts and EST are suck?

I know they are both installed on my 3 other servers which have no problems. And I know if I fuck Zombie Mod off, 99.99% of all my server problems disappear. It's just a pity my members like the piece of shit mod.

But thanks for the biased and completely useless response...

[css]

spunkster21 Wrote:

raydan Wrote:you don't know EventScripts and EST are suck?

I know they are both installed on my 3 other servers which have no problems. And I know if I fuck Zombie Mod off, 99.99% of all my server problems disappear. It's just a pity my members like the piece of shit mod.

ESTools are bitch. They caused lag on my server for quite long time. I had had them installed for ages, but then for some reason they slowly started to lag the server. I had several other plugins, custom made scripts, eventscripts, sourcemod and whatnot on the server, and one of the last guesses for the reason of the lag was EST. Eventually it turned out to be EST that was causing the lag. I don't know why it started to lag, but it did. After removing EST there was no lag. The lag on my server wasn't exactly the same kind of lag you described, though.

I recommend trying out plain ZM server without any other plugins - not even administration plugins. Then if the server lags there's nothing you can do. If it doesn't lag, then you're slightly wiser.

When I was solving the lag, I also thought that I can keep some 100% sure not-lag-causing plugins on the server. It was pain in the ass to restart the server and switch all the plugins and try to guess what's causing the lag. It's 1000x easier to do *plain* install and start building on that. The main point is that you have *p-l-a-i-n* install, which you can confirm to be lag-free. Do not install metamod or some other stuff and tell to yourself that "it's not this". Go plain. Then resolve the lag, and get rid of it.

Quote:But thanks for the biased and completely useless response...

I like your style, but this sort of answers aren't usually appreciated around here

[spunkster21]

Unfortantely Zombie Mod requires Metamod to be installed to work so no can do in removing that.

I'll give it a try without ES Tools and see how it gets on.

Not to be rude but when you say try keeping some 100% sure not-lag-causing plugins in the same sentence as mentioning Zombie Mod is funny ;-)

Zombie Mod is the single biggest pain in the arse mod I've ever used, it sucks from a stability point of view but it is fun to play

[Spartanfrog]

Which zombie mod are you running again?