To create a game server, you can use a computer at home or a data center. Building a server from scratch requires typical computer components except for a graphics card. You can also rent a dedicated game server from a gaming service provider.
If you want to create a game server, you generally have several options. The two main methods are to use a computer connected to your home or business Internet connection, or to use a data center. A game server you run out of at home or business can use an extra computer you already have, or you can build one from scratch. If you build a game server from scratch, it generally needs everything any other computer does except a graphics card. When using a data center, you can place your own machine, use a managed hosting service, or rent a dedicated server box.
The least expensive way to build a game server is to use a computer or components you already own. Start by checking with the publisher of the game in question to see what the system requirements are. If information is missing, you can ask other people who are already successfully running servers. In some cases you may find that an older computer that you no longer use will be able to run the server, although you may need to upgrade some components. It’s also quite common for publishers to provide a Linux binary of the game server files, so you can save some money by not paying for an operating system (OS) for your server.
If you don’t already have computers or components, you’ll need to look for parts. To build a game server that will run out of steam in your house, you’ll typically just want to buy a regular or mini tower case. You’ll also need components like a motherboard, central processing unit (CPU), random access memory (RAM), and hard drive. A game server doesn’t require a graphics card, although you may need to install one if you don’t know how to operate a computer remotely.
Another option when building a game server is to place it in a data center. When building a server box for this purpose, it is usually necessary to use a rack-mountable case. Since you typically only interact with the server remotely, you don’t need a video card. All other typical computer components are still required.
Instead of building your own server and placing it in a colocation data center, you can choose to use managed or dedicated server hosting. If you do this, you can usually install the game server binaries on a machine that someone else is responsible for building and maintaining. An easier option is to rent a dedicated game server. Most gaming service providers (GSPs) offer dedicated rentals on a monthly basis, based on how many players you want to host at the same time.
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