Dedicated Servers For Computer Games
Much like a gaming website that would require hosting like Hostinger (read hostinger review), playing computer games with friends online will require you to have a dedicated server or a virtual server.
Many video games offer the option of renting the manufacturer’s own servers. This is the case with Minecraft which is practical because you can assume that this server is optimally adapted to the requirements of the game. However, at some point, you will be restricted in the settings of the server.
If you have your own server, you can configure it to your liking. You can configure the number of players on the server, the game mode, or even the number of lives – you have sole control over the settings.
Advantages and disadvantages of a home PC as a server
So if you decide to have your own server, the question arises as to where you want to place it. Thanks to software like LogMeIn Hamachi, it is possible to build a network between you and your friends that only you have access to. So you could install a server at home. The advantage here is obvious: You are in control of the hardware.
Nowadays, however, it usually no longer makes sense to install the server on the PC on which you are also playing. The server’s performance is simply not enough. So you can either install a second PC, which only serves the purpose of the server, or you can opt for an external server that is located at a provider in the data center.
Note that in both cases you are usually responsible for updates to the server and also for the installation and updates of the game service.
Choosing the right server
Depending on the game, the required performance may depend on certain factors. Using the example of Minecraft, these are the number of simultaneously loaded chunks (part of the world you are currently in), the plugins used or the number of Redstone elements used. To estimate the approximate consumption, it is best to use the standard settings. You can find this in the server configuration file when you reinstall the Minecraft server.
Dedicated servers and virtual data center
In principle, our virtual servers are best suited for computer games. You are on the safe side even with varying performance. Should you nevertheless reach the limits of the performance, you can upgrade the server and immediately have more performance available.
The storage space required for games like this is usually limited: With six or more players, you need around 35 GB of storage space. So if you want to play with five friends, for example, a virtual server is the ideal place to start. Dedicated servers or virtual data centers are suitable for more demanding installations.
Virtual servers for gaming
A new trend is emerging in the gaming industry that could make virtual servers more efficient than physical ones.
Virtual server technology has come a long way in recent years, and it’s now possible to have your computer host a game without actually having to purchase a physical machine. This has been made possible by the increasing popularity of cloud computing, which allows people with enough space on their hard drive or SSD to rent out space for games instead of purchasing one themselves. These “virtual” machines can be hosted either locally or remotely, meaning they don’t require expensive hardware as dedicated servers do.