I thought I'd add my 2 cents to the 'server' debate and whether DnL will run on a single UBER server or a cluster system.

The correct answer is the CLUSTER SYSTEM. So, that means the world of DnL, and all its information and mechanics, is spread over an undefined number of individual machines. This clustering is achieved through the use of BigWorld technology and means that we all login to the same world, but that world is load balanced aross a veritable 'sea' of server computers.

Please go here for indepth information.

The following is a quote from the website:

"These tools allow a system administrator to monitor the entire cluster of machines used to run the world."

Hopefully that puts to rest the 'server' question and the flames associated with it and if I got anything wrong, let me know.

Cheers,

Tane

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There actually was a server debate?

It has to run on a server cluster purely because of cost and scalability reason. It would be insane to go out buy a monster server and have it run 90% idle because you dont get the amounth of players.

cluster = scalability
cluster = stability

Maybe this should be stickied so people understand how the architecture works...

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I wasn't actually aware of one myself. I have visited the BigWorld tech site many times already. And as the site proclaims, it looks "revolutionary".

However if you are looking for a debate on servers here's one.

Servers are the manifestation of men attempting to emulate deities of ancient history. Intra-celestrial virtual counterparts apropos to this technological age. An age where information is money and knowledge is power. As long as we pay homage at thier alters we are afforded thier peculiar blessings.

They know all, they see all. And their ways are mysterious to the vast majority. Also......

I think I just stepped off the deep end. Man it's dark down here. Oh well...gotta go.

Cluster ideaology is a CLUSTER of machines working as one UBER server.

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Please take the time to read the following first:
The FAQ died.
Search doesn't exist anymore.
Good luck finding information about this game.

*bump* cause the issue has come up again...

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Why didn't someone think of this before? So I understand it uses all the computers playing the game as servers, but there must be some type of main DnL server to help it go along correct?

Im going to guess you didnt actually read about what a server cluster is at all. I'll try not to flame you, but post like this make me want to. Anyways DnL will have a "Cluster" of servers meaning more than one server, working together to run the game world. They do not use your computer to run their servers..

Clustering
The use of two or more systems that work together. Often, it consists multiple computer systems that are linked together in order to handle variable workloads or to provide continued operation in the event one fails.
Also called: Server Clustering and Storage Clustering


"The revolutionary BigWorld™ Technology server utilises a dynamic load balancing infrastructure to remove the arbitrary zone limitations implicit in conventional MMOG server technology. BigWorld's server infrastructure assigns and reassigns servers to game world areas (Cells) based on CPU usage. The server infrastructure is constantly monitoring CPU usage in the game world and is constantly balancing server resource allocation to optimise coverage throughout the entire game world. Conventional MMOG server technology on the other hand uses a static server infrastructure that imposes arbitrary restrictions on players by coercing them into one shard or another. Player interaction between shards is impossible. These shards are further broken down into zones of a fixed size. Passage between zones is possible, but only by interrupting game play while the new zone is loaded on the client.

A BigWorld is a single contiguous world in which millions of players can interact with each other, travel to wherever they want, whenever they want. "

It doesnt use client machines for anything. What it looks to be doing is taking say 10 servers and managing those servers to best optimize the game world.

Same you have 1000 people in the main city and it was spiking the machine hosting it. The software will automatically pull a free server or a server with a low load and stick 500 players on it without anybody knowing and reallocating anybody that was on the server somewhere else.

A system like this is a requirement for a MMORPG like this. If the system is lagged it should allow for a seemlesss integration of more servers to balance the load. And if you lose a single server the people who were on it will be distributed to another server without a hitch.

I think every MMORPG should use something like this in the future. With the technology we have today individual shards are a waste of resources, time, and cuts into the feel of the game for the end users.

The use of clusters for servers isn't really that new. I know SWG uses clusters for each server & other MMO probably do aswell. I'm not really that savy when it comes to servers but my guess is that the size and structure of the cluster is what they are refearing to as "revolutionary"

I think about every mmog runs on clusters, in fact almost all servers in existence run in a clustered sence, you can add new "servers" and they automatically load balance, and you can remove one and everything runs fine...its a lot like hot swap raid drives in the realm of storage.

EVE Second genesis have used it for 2,5 years now.

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Its full of stars.

Clustering for failure redundancy and clustering for load balancing are two separate things. There are Active-active clusters, and active-passive clusters. The software and configuration that DnL uses hasn't been used before in any MMORPG online.

Sure I read that there were 25 servers in the cluster though this was a while ago - maybe it grew since then.

Clusters sound great - allowing more processing power to go to where the action is.

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Whether it's a cluster or a [something that goes with cluster], if they don't deal with the need for a North American server they might as well be running it on an Apple.

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/agrees

One more thing about this that absraction of the software and the operating system is more closely aligned to optimize the critical areas of the servers that needs the most cpu proccessing at any given time.

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Would love this argument to go away for good.

If you have anything that resembles ADSL you won't even notice the lag. I played SWG on eclipse with a 56k modem and still pinged at 170. As soon as I went ADSL my ping was less than 30. This is good enough to play any game, and not be the limiting factor.

One world wins. Game over. Thats it. Everyone else seems happy with it.

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its nothing new, i dont know why people get confused by it.

its the way to go though.


www.eve-online.com

last mmo i played that uses one world, no shards, on server cluster. each solar system is an instance though unlike with DNL.

I hate shards with a passion, the server setup for DNL is a big + in my book.

/agreed.

I love Eve's system of servers although to improve it I would have one big galaxy with no servers but meh.

One world on one server. worked on so many other games I see no reason why DnL should differ!

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Eve's server is in Iceland and I never noticed any real lag when I played it. This is not a FPS so as long as your ping is under about 250 you shouldn't notice any real lag.