For those that play on Outpost-4 TradeWars, you may have noticed we've been experiencing some lag issues. The reason for this is quite simple, and I felt it was important to bring you up to speed on what is happening.

In the beginning, we had 2 systems on the network splitting resources. One system was responsible for the mail/DNS/webserver. The second machine ran TWGS, BBS, and I was able to do some tasks in the background.

In Aug 2006, our webserver crashed. Our webserver had been serving us for approx 5 years and finally packed it in, which forced me as an IT person to create a temporary solution. Using a program called VMWare, this allowed me to get the webserver/mail/DNS back up and running quickly. For those that are not aware of this program, VMWare allows you to "run a computer inside a computer". However, it may have slowed my 2 GHZ down from what it once was. The other issue is the websites. Because I host more than just Outpost-4, we get a lot of daily traffic which also contributes to the lag. Then add email and DNS, and you get the picture.

There are two solutions I am looking at, but right now I'm on a time constraint. The solutions I am looking into are:

1. I may get a new machine that will handle the webserver/mail/DNS again as it was before. This may help, but no guarantees.

2. I will revert the Outpost-4 TradeWars SVR#1 into an OCS server. This means we will have both our TW servers as Academy servers, not for general play as we have in past. This will mean that there will be two servers on two different machines running OCS servers for the Academy.

Until I figure out what I will do, I am thankful to those that have been patient with me. I realize the importance of being able to play in a lag-free or almost lag-free game. If we can't provide this, then I may have no choice but to use the servers for strictly "learning" only.

I do apologize for any inconvenience this has caused players.

Thrawn - np on the issues. I appreciate your providing the servers in the first place and I know others do as well. It has to be frustrating for you as the admin to know the issues but have other conflicts that prevent your addressing them in a manner you want.

Thank you for what you have provided us.

               / Promethius / Enigma / Wolfen /

"A man who has no skills can be taught, a man who has no honor has nothing."

I love your site, but appreciate your problem as well. Whatever you have to do, I hope you put the server back up for general play whan you can. I still need to take advantage of your academy anyway.

I can host your website and mail for you. But I am not running DNS.

Promethius,I appreciate the support. I have tried to strive and provide the best I could for players, and it's players like yourself and others that appreciate our efforts and can give support.

Darkstar, thanks for the offer, but I could not ask that of you. I run multiple domains and e-mail accounts and would hate to tax your end out. I'm certain I'm on the right trail to tracking the issue. It seems in 2 hours the webserver in VMWare has sent 25 million bytes out in 2 hours. Mind you with 11 domains, it is not an unusual thing. I mean a lot of the domains I host do get a lot of traffic. I have checked using some software to monitor what ports are open, and everything is normal (in other words no DoS attacks or anything of that nature).

Rest assured I'm not giving in. I just do not have much to pull in for another machine, and running the server in VMWare on the same machine as the TWGS may not have been the best issue. However, it's all I have, and the idea of making our main TWGS a part of the OCS just might have to happen; I will post if it will become this way ahead of time. Please bear with the timing, as I am out on field-ex right now and on down time try to access and investigate further.

Either way thank you for all your hard work and what you do for newer players.

You can just take the domain and get standard hosting services like mail, web and DNS. Then adjust the DNS to route appropriately, twgs to the tw server, etc.

Using VMWare to run my W2K server to host web/mail services has caused me more problems. Having to run DNS/web/mail on this "virtual computer" puts load on the host machine, which also hosts our TWGS. This in turn causes lag for players, which is not fair to them. With so many better sites out there, players should be able to enjoy an open game without the headaches put on them because of my error.

Therefore, I have decided to withdraw our TWGS from open public games. Once I resolve the issues, the TWGS will be reverted to an OCS server, which ties in with TradeWars Academy. This means I will have two twgs on two machines for the Academy. Once all our issues are resolved, I will post and announce the Academy's official opening. This also means I have removed our server from the StarDock search site. All games will also cease on the main server.

I am very grateful and wish to thank all of the TW Community for the help, support, and laughs. I've learned a lot from all of you, both on how to be a player and a SysOp. I look forward to a fresh return, and will endeavor to return as fast as possible. I want to see the TradeWars Academy site through to completion. Having a site completely dedicated to learning is a good focus for me, and I feel it would be a valuable asset back to the TW Community.

Cheers.

Well, let me know what I can do for you benny!

I may have a option for you Thrawn.. ICQ me and I think we can work something out.

Hey, dark, can you turn up the max commands from 4?

They are set to 100 and its a global setting (I thought) Where did you see 4? I also have no ship delay.

You may have seen it when I installed Jumpgate Beta, as a default it reset a few settings.. I changed them back and they have been there ever since. I keep it at 100/cycle.

It was in the game setting.
Max commands=4

Bah. Guess there goes that pirates game I was dinking around in. Have you considered just getting someone else to host your DNS/mail/etc ?

I understand the issues... But from a player's perspective... what good is an Academy or an OCS without the excellent games on your TWGS to practice in? The loss of your TWGS, that is a tragedy.
Again that is just a player perspective. I don't know about the other pressures you face. Thanks for your server I really enjoyed playing there.

C