LANfest 08: Direct Connect vs IRC?

gizmoguy


Posts: 17





Admin, Staff

So its that time again for me this year, preparing the various backend servers to make sure the LANfest network works smoothly and securely.

In the past I've always setup a DC server but I've found that no more than say 2 people even bother to sign in and the hub is left empty most of the day.

So I am wondering if I bother again with a DC server, or maybe do a IRC server instead just for chatting?

Could you share your thoughts/opinions so I can make sure I'm not wasting my time this year by setting up things that won't be used.
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I'd say we promo leeching

ballzak


Posts: 56





Admin, Staff

I'd say we promo leeching over the DC++ server as windows file sharing is as slow as f***.


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Leeching :S

FRAGGINATOR


Posts: 45





Admin, Staff

we aren't gonna turn into an event like hamlan are we :(
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I'm not slacking off........ My code is compiling

No but people will still need

ballzak


Posts: 56





Admin, Staff

No but people will still need to leech s*** ;)
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So 1 vote for DC (cr@!g) 1

gizmoguy


Posts: 17





Admin, Staff

So 1 vote for DC (cr@!g) 1 vote for don't bother with either (fraggy)
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DC++ OK not over or above gaming

gunny


Posts: 66





Staff

I want leechers to get there pr0n just not at the expense of the gaming. Apparently QOS'ing the gaming ports helps. Also limit/monitor for excessive bandwidth us.

I remember 900 pings on quake 3 arena at lanfest 1. I WILL NEVER FORGET


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DC++ over IRC IMO. DC++ is

evasion


Posts: 5

DC++ over IRC IMO. DC++ is primarily for file sharing but it also has the added chat support which you get joined in automatically anyway so its less hassle.

Yes, IRC does have DCC support but its much more hassle than DC++. :)
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sila.logitech ~ www.sila.net.nz

IRC would be for chat and no

gizmoguy


Posts: 17





Admin, Staff

IRC would be for chat and no filesharing as I know there are lots of people out there who think leeching shouldn't be the main purpose of a LAN network (I tend to agree as well)

>> Apparently QOS'ing the gaming ports helps. Also limit/monitor for excessive bandwidth us.

We won't be QOSing the network as it can cause more hassles then it solves sometimes, you need fairly powerful network equipment to handle QOSing at high throughputs and at LANfest we prefer to make use of cheaper components to keep the cost of the tickets down.

So I think the consensus at this stage is roll with a DC server and monitor for overuse, thanks for your input guys.
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Yeah. I don't see it as the

ballzak


Posts: 56





Admin, Staff

Yeah. I don't see it as the main purpose, but there will be games that some will need to leech on the day. And we all got to admit that My Network Places is sh*tty for finding stuff ;)

Besides, our network is improved so we shouldn't have the problems we had at first LAN. We can monitor the DC++ and limit speed if we need to.

Hence why I think DC could be the best way to manage leeching at this LAN.
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A preferred dc++ CLIENT

gunny


Posts: 66





Staff

should we have a preferred client? And will hashing be enabled, otherwise searching DOES NOT WORK, which ruins it as a downloader. you have to browse each user .... which is gay

BTW I will be sharing only a few freeware game installers and patches :)

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A preferred DC client could

ballzak


Posts: 56





Admin, Staff

A preferred DC client could be good. Let's see what Gizmoguy likes. I am sure he will enable searching. Me and him will test it before LANfest.
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Well I've always used DC++,

gizmoguy


Posts: 17





Admin, Staff

Well I've always used DC++, so that will probably be floating around on a fileserver somewhere for people without a DC client.

>>Yeah. I don't see it as the main purpose, but there will be games that some will need to leech on the day. And we all got to admit that My Network Places is sh*tty for finding stuff ;)

I liked Gunny's portable HDDs at last lanfest, was a great alternative to leeching off each other over the network I thought.

>>We can monitor the DC++ and limit speed if we need to.

Yeah... that won't work as DC is a peer-to-peer type system, means that traffic doesn't actually go through the hub each client connects to each other to download files, that means we can't actually limit the speed without having all the QoS jazzy switch/routing gear.
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Well, I can limit the speed

ballzak


Posts: 56





Admin, Staff

Well, I can limit the speed of actually network ports down to 10mbit if I want on our managed switches ;)
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Yeah but that affects ALL

gizmoguy


Posts: 17





Admin, Staff

Yeah but that affects ALL traffic not just DC traffic.

I would recommend limiting the port speed from 100mbit down to something more manageable (gaming doesn't need 100mbit to function).

I will hop on MSN soon to continue discussions ;)
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Well. It's their problem for

ballzak


Posts: 56





Admin, Staff

Well. It's their problem for leeching so much ;)
Besides... you can game easy on a 10mbit connection. :P
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