I rather doubt it- FL was written for win9x, not NT(2k, XP), and the 9x series doesn't understand SMP. The advantage to using a dual-processor system for a server comes from having the 2nd processor free to run things like IFSO or FLCD- things that would otherwise cause lag if run on a single processor machine.

Chris Bates
Lead scripter,
Stargate BFM: Freelancer

Ok but can you set specifically what processor does what? Ie. One running the back ground stuff windows adminware etc and one totally devoted to the game?

Also the memory is that processor specific eg. You have 4 gig in total and 1 gig on the processor running window and the adminware for the game. The 3 gig on the so called free processor running the game?

Memory is not processor specific. The process itself determines how much memory it uses. Once I get home (about 8hrs or so), I'll double-check the steps for setting processor affinity (that's what what you want to do is called, BTW) and post how to set flserver.exe to run on an "idle" CPU.

Unless someone beats me to it, that is.

Chris Bates
Lead scripter,
Stargate BFM: Freelancer

Yeah thats it cheers

cjabates, I'd have to disagree with you in theory. flserver runs on either of my servers about 7-8 threads. As long as there is MORE than one thread, a dual processor system in theory will run two threads at the same speed a single processor system runs a single thread.

Of course it's more complicated than that and possibly what you see if you have a dual processor intel system. There is memory sharing that intel does (yeck!) but in AMD Opteron systems each processor has their own memory.

Still how does this show up as true performance in a FL server? Only a side-by-side comparison will do. I know of others with dual Xeons and such intel stuff but not a dual Opteron. I happen to be in the market for one but they are rarer than hens teeth and I have not the time to build one. I DO have the cash to buy one! See? Work too much and you have money but no time to spend it! *sigh*

_____________
Earendil
SysAdmin of Boston Freelancer server
Server community website & forum: EarendilsPlace.net (server rules)

Right, it runs in multiple threads. However, if these threads aren't programmed to be run on multiple CPUs, they just won't. The problem using multiple CPUs is synching those threads, which is why so few programs are designed for it, since it's not easy to get that synchronization done. It only makes sense for real server applications, because that's the only field of operation for multiple CPU systems and where there is enough cash flow to pay programmers for their increased time needed to get that synchronization done. Well, until now. With both Intel and AMD pushing their dual-core CPUs for home users, more and more programs will be created to make use of both cores, resulting in better compilers to handle this synching, reducing costs and time needed.

Using a multi CPU system for a freelancer server, you're nevertheless going to have improved performance over a single CPU system, because at least Windows itself will take some of its load to the 2nd CPU, leaving more cycles for the apps running on the first CPU.

Edited by - Preacher0815 on 5/11/2005 1:36:57 AM

Preacher, I was about to get all hot and bothered in a post telling you how wrong you are! Then some of my past programming experience and microprocessor classes from my distant past came bubbling (struggling?) up to the surface and I realize you are right. Most threads in a program are not written for seperate, stand-alone programming tasks. Instead most threads are used as a way to serialize a task or many of the same task which are (usually) by the fact it's in a program, interdependant. Since it isn't important it's actually in a thread, it becomes more important that the tasks are clear, defined and seperated in mind and in practice. This really isn't what threads were designed for. Yet today's 'puter systems this is not much of a problem as the speed of programming is so fast switching from one task to another and back again is is only a minor performance hit. Thus the code gathers some threads that really shouldn't be threads at all.

I sincerely agree with you on one point. With the dual-processor systems coming, I hope programmers are more aware of thread interdependance and independance so that programs will run much more efficiently on multi-processor systems.

_____________
Earendil
SysAdmin of Boston Freelancer server
Server community website & forum: EarendilsPlace.net (server rules)

Interesting reading guys but in summary, does freelancer benefit from a dual processor system?

I am currently running my server on a 3.2 P4 with 1Gb DDR400 and XP Pro. It maxes out at about 20 players, I have a capacity of 64. Would a dual processor setup allow me to run a 64 player server with cycles to spare.

If not what would you recommend?

Buck Rogers
Server Admin
Colours Elite UK
www.colourselite.co.uk

On Windows OSes, each Application can use up to 2GB RAM. It won't use more even if you have 4 gigs. This limit is taken care of in Win x64.

I ran a server for a ISP for nearly 2 years on a aging server box - win 2000 Server(which does support dual CPU's if the software does note FL doesn't) / Dual p3 1gig's / Gig of ram, using FLadmin / IFSO and lastly FLAC

Now origionally it was a standard FL with No mods and fine for about 24 players with no lag but more and then the hardware load would increase. It origionally ran with 32 slots but once I had Admin of, I soon dropped that to 28 - 26 - 24.

Then starting using a server side Mod that changed the difficulty of the game which inturn added extra load so dropped the slots again to 20 players. Now that mod I know was run a compareable system with a single cpu, but with the same admin utils runnning it suffered more from hardware lag. So with the extra admin utils required to police the server use of Dual CPU's does help.

Yes, FLServer will benefit from a dual-processor system, but only insofar as the admin tools and *most* other Windows functions can be set to run on CPU0 with FLServer being able to run on either CPU1(by itself) or on both CPUs.

Note: I did say most because there are some processes that even the local administrator cannot change processor affinity on.

To set processor affinity for a process:
1. Open Task Manager (ctl-shft-esc is a quick shortcut)
2. Click on 'Processes' tab
3. Click on the name of the process you want to change
4. Right-click the process, select 'affinity'
5. Un-check the processor you do not want the process to run on and click 'OK'

Thx guys

Well it been brought and Built so will will have to see what it does

Hey, Sorry for the gravedigging, but I was just checking this forum because I threw FLserver (vanilla) onto a dual Celeron-366 system, and I noticed the processor "load" didn't seem to distribute evenly when I would watch the stats in Task Manager. XP Pro, 512 megs RAM, if you're curious.

So I guess my questions are already answered as to how well-designed FLServer was with respect to being dual-proc aware.