best setting for sv_maxRate?
 

Hello all, sorry if this has been covered before, but I am running a small 8 client dedicated Spear Head server and want to know what is the best setting for sv_maxRate? By default it is set to 0 and I have changed this to 5000. The server is running Windows XP pro on a P3 1Ghz w/ 1024MB RAM and a cable connection w/ 256kbps Up and 2600kbps Down. Any helpful info would help. Also, how do I increase the amount of info displayed in the server console? I want to be able to see what the clients are saying, who got shot, ect... Thanks in advance.

Thats kinda pushing it for 8 players. 6 might be better. You can play with lower settings to see how it works, if no one complains, you'll be ok.

sv_chatter 1 should let you see chat in the console.

Thank you for your reply. Actually I think you are right. My server servers 8 clients pretty good for awhile then , after an hour or so, client pings hit the roof and everyone times out. After reseting the server, things go back to normal and I start the vicious circle all over again:) I will try your advise and lower the clients to 6 max and see if that helps the stability. Thanks again:)

The equation is:
(#of players) X 8 X (maxrate) = (total Upstream in bits)
-or- in your case
(total upstream in bits/(# of players X 8) = (maxrate)

so convert your up stream first 256kbps=256,000bps. Then:
256,000/(8players X 8) = 4000
That's too low of a maxrate you need to be between 5000 and 8000 (yes too high can cause lag too!), so:
256,000/(6players X 8) = 5333

Not the best... but 6 players will get you into the 5000 range. Now another thing to consider is any other programs that maybe running on the server that might be grabbing a piece of your bandwidth (rogerwilco base, Teamspeak server etc). If you're running anything else you need to subtract a little from your total upstream.

My server is 1 MB (both ways) and I host a Teamspeak server too, so here's what I did. Instead of using the 1MB (100,000b) I used the values 786k (786,000b) for my calculation (just to be safe).

786,000/(12players X 8) = 8187.5

so I just set sv_maxRate to 8000 (it's not enough to squeeze in another 2 players so hell with it!)

...also it's a good idea to do a speed test (at someplace like dslreports.com) for a more accurate picture of you bandwidth because "residential" networks can loose a bit of bandwidth to overhead

Thank you very much, that helps put things into perspective. I do actually test my bandwith quite often at DSLreports, its a great website. Just wish I could afford a more bandwidth! Thanks again:)

...at a certain point you'll find it just becomes cheaper to rent a game server! Get 3 or 4 trusted friends together, set up some paypal accounts and split the cost!!