State of the Server Address

[Aidden]

Ok folks,

Here is the scoop. Apparently the ICB is happening as soon as the 32nd login is registered, not the 32nd person to join the server, but the 32 accumulated login.

So 1 person could login and then out and repeat 32 times and the server would lock up and/or give the “Invalid Character” bug.

Patch 1.22 is very close to release (like today or tomorrow) and it doesn’t look like the fix for this will be in it (although a couple of memory leak issues are resolved).

I am not sure how I will be proceeding, but it is clear that for now, the server is unplayable.

We will not be giving up. But having to request a server reboot ever 12 hours from my host is getting both annoying, and eventually will result in me having to pay for them..

I wish I could simply lower the allowed members to 10, but even that wouldn’t stop this problem as it count the accumulated logins not currently logged in.

I should know more in a few days, but for now I will be bringing the server down. In the mean time I will be taking this time to better balance the server for playing, and maybe even let those level 1's get some killing time

[EZ_Sneakster Shenanigans]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Ok. Do what ya gotta do Aidden. I know this is more frustrating for you than any of us. BioWare is the devil. At least we know that when the server comes back up, it will be better than ever. Any idea how long it will be down?

* grovels before O Mighty Aidden *


Sneakster

edit--edited out some "O's" is NOOOO...etc = ) Edited by: Sneakster Shenanigans at: 8/1/02 2:55:55 pm

[Aidden]

Unlike most people on their forums, I think Bioware has done a kick ass job of supporting its game..

its jsut unfortunate that the most serious bug is one that limits the server uptime...

[Kroe]

aye it's too bad it has to happen, but it is understandable. keep us updated Aidden, maybe you can hold an eent and just let everyone know that only the first "x" amount of people who log in will be able to participate and Dm them through. it.

I dunno,
edit: heh Sneaskter fixed it before I finished typing heheh 1 Crow bad news
2 Crows myrth
3 Crows a wedding
4 Crows a birth
5 Crows for riches
6 Crows a thief
Edited by: Kroe Magnon at: 8/1/02 2:57:31 pm

[EZ_Sneakster Shenanigans]

I'm not a big fan of their forums, but that's just me. Have they even acknowledged the existence of the server bugs, and have they set a time frame in which to fix them?

[Lisboa]

Hmm, all my logging in and out going LD didn't help last night.

[Ryana]

Tis a disappointment, to be sure, but I can understand your reasons. I suppose I can have Celawyn take a vacation from my fletching store until the world stabilizes.


Ryana

[Aidden]

Aye, Bioware has announced they are aware of the Bugs, they are working on the Bugs, and they are top priorities....

[Lisboa]

Can you request that the server be sort of like a store, run from x Am to y Am or something?

[Aidden]

only if I could keep 5 people form logging in 6 times each within that time period..

I will give you an example..

The server came up fresh this morning and ran fine all morning. At noon, I noticed there had only been a total of 20 logins all morning.. Currently 2 people were on.

I went and ate My chinease food in the break room at work. Came back to my desk and there were 10 more logins and the server had crashed...

Its not a time thing, its a number of logins that accumulate. ~30 could happen in 3 days, 3 hours or 3 minutes... There is simply no way of telling..

[EZ_MalachiteSilvyrfrost]

Some people have been logging out then back in once they die to avoid a death penalty. Perhaps you could remove the exp/gold penalty until Bioware releases the 1.22 patch which sounds like it should be soon. It is a bit extreme but it might help with the resets.

[Aidden]

1.22 wont fix this bug...

Unless they can pull a miracle...

[Lisboa]

Is the server just going to stay down from now on?

[Aidden]

Temporarliy...
I dont see a point of puttin it up..

I honestly cannot sit here watching for the 29th person to log in then reboot it..

Id like to be able to do that for you all, but I simply am not man enough..

[EZ_Slyy Daugg]

Can't blame you there.

SD

[EZ_Syllestrae FV]

The server I play on has a script that automatically reboots the server every 2 hours. You might consider doing that as an option until they fix it.

[Aidden]

what happens if there are 30 logins in 20 minutes?

[Llabak Tharr]

Then people suck it up for the hour and 40 minutes until the next reboot?

LOL

[Aidden]

That would be fine if when NWN went down it didnt take the entire server with it...
It is remotely hosted about 1800 miles away from me. I jsut cant lean over and hit the power switch..

If the server didnt go down with NWN that would be fine.. I could cron a job to restart it every 2 hours..

[Llabak Tharr]

How bout this...

Is it possible for the game to count the logins, and then automatically reset itself after (say) 28 logins?

After the 28th login occurs, flash a system message to everyone saying the game will come down in 30 seconds for a reset, and then reset it? Or would that still not fix the problem with the server needing to be rebooted too?

disclaimer: I have no idea what I"m talking about, I just thought I'd suggest it in case it's feasible

[Aidden]

That would be a workable solution...

Unfortunately there are 2 issues with it..

1. in theory, that could happen within the first 5 minutes of the server coming up..

2. There is no functionality in the game to do that.

[Llabak Tharr]

Curse you number 2! Curse you I say!

[EZ_Sneakster Shenanigans]

<sighs>
As much as I hate to go to Plan B, it looks like we have to. Aidden, put the server up and mail me the super-secret-Sneakster-only password. I will use my 30 logins sparingly. To everyone else, I'll send you postcards. Be strong!

[Elerion]

Is it Fluffy?