I can speak with some authority about game servers, having run a GSP for 8 years. I've seen all sorts of game server providers from the very best to the very worst. There are better practises for running a game server host, and very bad ones. Let's look at the way in which game servers operate.
Gameserver support for different operating systems is normally very good. The majority always run on Windows. For example, CSS servers run on both Windows and Linux. There are however some games that only run on Windows. Most Windows game server hosts run Windows 2003 server. There is plenty of squabbling as to which operating system is best. The hardcore server admin generally favours a Linux operating system. Linux is generally thought to be better performance wise, particularly when you want to run high FPS match servers. Linux is always considered to be smoother and more secure. You can always choose to run Wine on Linux in order to emulate Windows. Do be aware though, Wine isn't as stable as running Windows.
So why would you use a game server provider? Surely it would make sense to run it yourself on dedicated servers? Probably if you are a legendary server admin. Let's assume you are going to manage your game servers on a Linux server. Security and patching will be your responsibility. You will need to know what to fix when the dedicated server breaks. If you don't know how to mend it, you'll have the option from your dedicated server provider to either have a clean format (make sure you have backups, and are ready for the painful process of uploading maps!), or pay the dedicated server provider to try and troubleshoot the problem. Of course knowing what you are doing, and not chowning the Linux operating system to another user generally helps!
A game server host will spend all their hours fixing mods on your behalf. Mods or addons are made by community members. Consider, they aren't being developed in software houses, and with that they come with bugs. Team Fortress 2 servers always break on update because of mods being installed. Then you have to wait for the mod makers to fix the mod and release an update that works with the newest version of the server software. It's not fun because you'll get shouted at by those that play for free on the game server, and burst into tears if they cant play games 2am on a Sunday morning.
In short a game server provider does all the above. They deal with all the hassle for you. Given how cheap game servers are these days, you may as well pay a provider anyway. Happy fragging!
Gameserver support for different operating systems is normally very good. The majority always run on Windows. For example, CSS servers run on both Windows and Linux. There are however some games that only run on Windows. Most Windows game server hosts run Windows 2003 server. There is plenty of squabbling as to which operating system is best. The hardcore server admin generally favours a Linux operating system. Linux is generally thought to be better performance wise, particularly when you want to run high FPS match servers. Linux is always considered to be smoother and more secure. You can always choose to run Wine on Linux in order to emulate Windows. Do be aware though, Wine isn't as stable as running Windows.
So why would you use a game server provider? Surely it would make sense to run it yourself on dedicated servers? Probably if you are a legendary server admin. Let's assume you are going to manage your game servers on a Linux server. Security and patching will be your responsibility. You will need to know what to fix when the dedicated server breaks. If you don't know how to mend it, you'll have the option from your dedicated server provider to either have a clean format (make sure you have backups, and are ready for the painful process of uploading maps!), or pay the dedicated server provider to try and troubleshoot the problem. Of course knowing what you are doing, and not chowning the Linux operating system to another user generally helps!
A game server host will spend all their hours fixing mods on your behalf. Mods or addons are made by community members. Consider, they aren't being developed in software houses, and with that they come with bugs. Team Fortress 2 servers always break on update because of mods being installed. Then you have to wait for the mod makers to fix the mod and release an update that works with the newest version of the server software. It's not fun because you'll get shouted at by those that play for free on the game server, and burst into tears if they cant play games 2am on a Sunday morning.
In short a game server provider does all the above. They deal with all the hassle for you. Given how cheap game servers are these days, you may as well pay a provider anyway. Happy fragging!
About the Author:
For CSS servers, visit INX-Gaming . INX also specialise in providing game servers.
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