Gameplay is choppy - having high pings

[Grunt]

Help!

Ok - got a dedicated server running from home on its own box. The server connects through a router to a cable conenction. (yes all the ports are open on the router for the game). The only other thing running on this server is teamspeak.

Most of the time everything is fine. But during gameplay (at times) the ping will shoot up to ~350 - 600 and cause poor gameplay (choppy movement) for those who are connected (also cable users). Also, our server will drop from the server list for the public to see (I changed it to be on port 28966 and it resolves to gamespy/activision, etc in the server cfg file). We are all conencting from our homes - not through a college campus type of setting.

Any suggestions for things to try to improve gameplay (from the server perspective)?

I figure it could be one of the following but am not experienced enough to know how to fix it...
1. Router is losing packets for some reason. I could try to run the dedicated server outside of the router/firewall.
2. Individuals connecting could have the issue and bring everyone else down (I usually kick these folks but the problem persists with folks that have a good ping)
3. I can increase my cable service from ~250 kbsp upload to ~350 for and extra $10/month - but want to hold off on that until I exhaust everything else
4. sv_maxrate??? Should this be set to 2100 for a ~250 upload connection? Default is like 25000

Thanks for any help you can provide

[MOMMA]

If your running more than about 4 people on a standard cable modem that might be why. There simply is not enough bandwidth in the upload speed of most cable modems to run a dedicated server without the ping going through the roof when you get over about 4 people.

[Cobra]

well i run a server at home with 18 people.
it uses on the most over 1.2 Mbit upload.
The download for my server is under 0.5 Mbit

[Grunt]

thanks fellas for responding....

any ideas if running the server directly to the modem (instead of through a router) would speed things up?

Also - is it possible to have one person in the clan with crappy hardware like low end processor/ram and even though they have a good cable connection to be causing high pings?

thanks for your time

[imported_Maxim]

Also make sure that no other computer on your network is running anything along the lines of Kazaa, I remember a while back I had a user that had Kazaa on my network and it KILLED, I'm telling you KILLED my pings, i'd be playing and all of a sudden pings would go up into the 1000's. Kazaa uses A LOT of bandwidth without asking, as other programs like that do also. Check the computers for spyware too just to make sure.

[Grunt]

good call about the spyware - i'll have the troops download ad-aware or something to clean up their systems just in case.

anybody know what I should set sv_maxrate at in the config file if upload speed is ~ 250? Right now I got it set to 10000.

Would this affect gameplay?

Thanks

[rudedog]

You can find a guide on setting max rate here (http://www.codadmin.com/nuke/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=6)

I would set your rate around 2700 for 8 players

Unlike cobra (you bastard :lol: ) His upload speed is awesome and rivals everyone here in the states. I have a very high upload speed and it's only rated at 320K or 32K compared to his 1.5 meg or 150K.
If I try and host a game with 5-6 players it gets very choppy.

Your really not going to get much more out of your cable modem even with the upgraded speed

good luck

[Grunt]

thanks everyone for your input.

i'm probably just trying to draw blood from a stone

:x(

[Cobra]

I would set your rate around 2700 for 8 players

Unlike cobra (you bastard :lol: ) His upload speed is awesome and rivals everyone here in the states. I have a very high upload speed and it's only rated at 320K or 32K compared to his 1.5 meg or 150K.


Yep it is nice to have some upload speed.
But the cool thing now.
Is that i have 1.1 Mbit more that i can upload beside the
1.2Mbit the Call of Duty Server are using.

I have 2.3 Mbit upload and download at the same time.

So when i host the server at home.
i can sit and download stuff from the internett With 1.7 Mbit speed.
And i can uploade with 1 Mbit speed with my ftp with out anyone of the people that plays in my server ever notis it.

So Rudedog i can upload 7.2 times faster than you. ::o):

I do like this connection.
:twisted:

But remeber this cost a lot of moeny this connection.
I have the internet provider giving me some free speed here becase i am head admin for the mohaa and Call of duty server they are running.

Normaly in US$ this Connection would be like 230 US $ amonth.

[Grunt]

You guys (cobra) make me sick with envy. :x(

I wish I could spend money on excellent connections like that... but instead I have to feed my kids. Oh well - maybe someday they will become rich and buy me everything I need and change my diapers.

Thanks for all your time/help with my issues.

Keep an eye out for the Clan of the Care Bear. Our mission is to embarass other clans (b/c if they lose to us - they have to say they lost to the Care Bears).