Starting a Multiplayer Game hosting business

[DHM2]

This is what im trying to do and need some answers, Im trying to get a game server hosting business going for games like Half-Life, Quake and what i need to know is what my best options are, The real dalima right now is finding a host or provider that will let me host gaming for one, another is i need at a minimum 500Gigs of transfer a month, at least 256mb ram and from 600mhz to 900mhz prossesor.

I was looking into colacation as then i could load all the software and would not have to worry about the host or provider knowing anything about gaming software, BUT i live in a area where there are no major providers or hosts and i would not be able to service my servers without paying big bucks for them to do it.

Also where does gaming software fall in? is it a application service, inother words what plan would i look under, dedicated, virtual, application.

I know this is a big request but i would be forever greatfull if you guys could help, im new to all this and i see there are alot of knowlwdgable peeps in here.

PS. Is a reseller account a option for me as i will be charging my clients to access the server to personalize there game server.

[Mr Chunder]

A few things:

1. A dedicated, colo or even a virtual private server is what you require. Shared/virtual would not be suitable because you want to install game server software.

2. I don't believe many hosts will care if you are running gaming servers. You will need a full server and it is up to your what you do with it - usually hosts only worry about adult content - these are written in the Acceptable Use Policies (AUP).

3. You could try colo "from afar" if it really, really suits you because all you need is remote access to administer it (on Unix servers you have telnet/ssh and on Windows servers, you have Terminal Services /PC Anywhere etc.) and ftp new files to it. You can always post CDs to them to load into the CD drive so you can install new games. Just make one trip to install the server at the colo facility and if you get it right, you shouldn't need to visit their again. The host only has to put the CD into the CD drawer. He does not have to know what is on CD !

4. I do believe there are many gaming hosting sites if you really want specialised hosting - I don't think it is necessary - I think you can pick any reasonable dedicated host for the job.

[DHM2]

Ya, see what im doing is starting my own game hosting business and need a data center that has backbone connection to the internet. i think your right though a colo is my best bet, i have not researched the virtual private servers what is the diff between them and dedicated???

this will give you a idea what i need or somewhat.......i will be renting counter-strike game servers out, each box will gave 4 games on it,,,,,meaning 4 potentual customers,,,,,,,,,each game will hold a max of 21 online players so what i basically will be doing is turning 1 server/system into 4 servers that need to be run completely seperate..........did i loos ya or you know a little bit about it.........thanks for your reply any more info would be great.

[Mr Chunder]

check this rather long thread out on the subject of virtual servers:

http://forums.webhostdir.com/showthread.php?threadid=2289

I get a feeling that for your requirement, a full dedi/colo is what you need and load on your own virtual server software but in truth, I don't know much about games hosting.

[wowewo]

I've done some game hosting and plenty of web hosting. You'd be looking for a dedicated server for lowest costs. Colocation basically means you have YOUR server in their facilities. Dedicated means you rent their server in their facilities. You get root access with either so if you know how to remote administer a dedicated would be your choice.

I used to run a game server on the same server as I used for hosting but be advised game servers open up ports to hackers so you gotta know what your doing or say hi to hacker joe.