BF2 Lags at 40+ Players

[CrimsonGT]

We recently rented a quad core machine out to a client, and his sole purpose for renting the machine was to run a 64 slot Project Reality server (BF2 mod).

 

At first he complained of connection drops and lag at 30+ players, which we resolved by disabling the NAT setting in the server configuration file. After he tested this, he said he was able to get 40-45 on without any problems, then at about 50 players or so the server went nuts.

 

The CPU usage is hitting about 15% usage when he has 40-45 players on, so this isn't an issue. The network usage is not very bad at all either, so I am at a loss as to what the issue might be.

 

We have the firewall disabled so I don't think it is a port issue. He is on server 2003 but I can't think of any settings that would be causing problems.

[CrimsonGT]

After reading some more and thinking a bit, I am assuming the issues are because it is maxing out one core.

 

He is on a Q8400 processor which is 2.66ghz, although it seems like this should be able to handle it.

[peace]

Set CPU affinity in service settings.

[ViolentCrimes]

Hey crimson is that server at continuum?

[CrimsonGT]

No, but I know Continuum has been having some severe network issues. They have told us that they need to replace a router but they have no ETA. We have had problems with them for the past couple of months.

 

peace: The customer said they already tried that with no luck.

[leetservers]

Is he streaming and taking shots?

Whats the framerate at 45+ players?

-bobby

[CrimsonGT]

I don't believe so. He is using the built in VOIP which I am going to change over to a remote VOIP shortly. Aside from that, I don't think he has anything else on that could be disabled/migrated to other cores.

 

Here is his server configuration. Does anything look off in that at all?

 

As far as the framerate, are you talking about clientside or server side? I am not too familiar with the BF2/BF2142 games (mostly just did source support until recently) but I was actually wondering if there was server side FPS that could be lowered and/or viewed on BF2.

 

http://pastebin.com/BgJd74Mz

[leetservers]

Put up a stock server on the next ip and tell him to load it with 50 players.

Dont give him rcon.

Bet its the mod.

-bobby

[Monk]

Too much context switching.

[peace]

Make a traceroute with WinMTR tool so you can see any losses that might be causing lags.

[DougK94]

Punkbuster settings can cause lag too

[CrimsonGT]

Just to follow up, we tried him on an X3450 and they were able to get the full 64 players on without any problems at all. We are moving him to one of these machines now, but it looks like the issue was Hyperthreading.

[leetservers]

After reading some more and thinking a bit, I am assuming the issues are because it is maxing out one core.

 

He is on a Q8400 processor which is 2.66ghz, although it seems like this should be able to handle it.

 

Thought you had him on a Q8400, They chip don't have hyperthreading.

-bobby