I'm pulling a machine out of the closet to set up as a DEDICATED TWGS server. The machine is 400MHz, 120MB RAM, and will be running Windows 2000 Professional (unless someone recommends that I run Server, or XP -- I'm all ears).

I'll be running TWGS Lite at first running only 2 games at most, but if the server gets even slightly popular I'll spring for the full version.

My questions are:
1) How many simultaneous games/connections/etc can I expect to support on this machine, excluding bandwidth issues? I can probably double the RAM if that will help TWGS.

2) Should I run Win2k Professional, 2000 Server, 2003 Server, XP Pro??? I think that 2k Pro will have good stability without the overhead of server OS's, and XP is just a resource hog. I'll even run Linux if that's possible and recommended.

Please share your experience, and let me know what to look out for.

Thanks! [:D]
-Chris

You should not have a problem running 2000 pro on that machine for the server.....The main thing that will effect game connectons will be you bandwith.....I also recommend you go for the full version of twgs the reason is because if people try your server right away because it is something new, and then you on;y have room for 4 people at a time because you only have twgs lite they might shy away from you server and not even try it out because there are so many other servers out there.
STRIDER

I can't ever remember for sure, but I think the general rule on ram is 2 meg for each player node... plus some (don't remember how much) for each alien race. 120mb ram should be fine if all you have is twgs lite, but if ever you upgrade to the full version, investing in some more ram wouldn't hurt. The same sort of thing for your processor... 400 mhz should be fine but if you host a lot of unlimited turn games or highly competative games, you may need to upgrade at a future point. I'd suggest just keep an eye on your resourse usage and worry about upgrading later if your server usage warrents it.

Well I've already purchased the full version (if you're gonna do something, do it right). I'll probably limit the server to 20 or so connections at first, not that I'm expecting to max that out initially.

Anyone have any idea on the alien thing? I'm probably going to just start with two Gold games, and I think I'll stick to just Gold Alien Traders and Ferrengi, unless that's too boring.

Any Gold settings suggestions? I was going to borrow some of oldtimers settings for one of the games... the other might just be 80% stock Gold (I can't help but tweak some settings).

I'm still open to more suggestions if people have them! I'm hoping to put together some games that most everyone will want to play!

Thanks,
Chris