Howdy there survivors! Noize here with an update on the Rust server setup. It’s been a challenging week, and I want to keep you informed about the progress and hurdles we’ve encountered.
Custom Map Upload Challenges
Last week, I aimed to enhance our gameplay experience by implementing a custom map. However, we faced a significant issue: the map wouldn’t load. After two days of troubleshooting, we discovered that the problem was due to the method of uploading the custom map. Rust servers require the map file to be hosted on a public URL, allowing players to download it directly. This setup facilitates faster loading times for users joining the game. Unfortunately, both I and our hosting provider overlooked this requirement, leading to the loading failure. Once we corrected this by properly hosting the map file online, the custom map began to load successfully.
Understanding CPU Usage
After resolving the map loading issue, we encountered another challenge: excessive CPU usage. To provide some context, the Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the primary component of a server that performs most of the processing inside a computer. In a gaming server like Rust, the CPU handles numerous tasks, including:
- Player Interactions: Managing real-time actions and movements of players.
- World Simulation: Processing environmental changes, physics, and in-game events.
- Plugin Operations: Running additional server modifications that enhance gameplay.
Introducing a custom map increases the complexity of these tasks. Custom maps often have unique features and additional content, which demand more processing power. Consequently, the server’s CPU usage spiked to levels four times higher than normal, straining our current server capabilities.
Financial Considerations
To mitigate the high CPU usage, we considered updating the server’s mods, hoping for better optimization. Unfortunately, this approach backfired, leading to even higher CPU consumption. The ideal solution would be to upgrade to a dedicated server with more robust processing power. However, the cost of such an upgrade is approximately $110 per month, which is beyond our current budget.
Given these constraints, I’ve decided to temporarily halt hosting the Rust server. As an alternative, I’m considering deploying a standard 3k generated map, which is less demanding on the CPU. This approach would allow us to run the server with minimal plugins and accommodate a small number of players without significant performance issues.
Exploring Alternative Solutions
On a positive note, we’re currently testing a private server provided by one of our staff members. While we cannot guarantee that this will become our new hosting solution, it opens up possibilities for future plans. We’re committed to finding a viable path forward and will keep you updated on any developments.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate these challenges. Your support is invaluable, and we’re dedicated to providing the best possible gaming experience.
