What are the necessary server features to support a game server and its corresponding website for 10 players?

If you're familiar with building a computer from scratch, you'll have some idea of what's required to run a virtual private server (VPS) for a game server. The main difference is that you need to be mindful of the components needed to assemble a virtual machine, not a physical one. This includes knowledge of computing resources, operating system and application installation and configuration (including the game to be hosted), as well as network connection for the game.

Specific types of server resources for a game server are a priority. A stable internet connection is essential for online multiplayer games to ensure that no critical game data is lost. The ping rate of data packet transmission between the user's PC and server determines the gameplay experience, so a channel width of about 1000 Mbit/sec is preferable for gameplay without freezes.

In order to find an online entertainment platform, gamers require a permanent IP address - this is a necessity for any dedicated game server. VPS service providers typically provide clients with this feature, with some assigning not only a static but also a white IP to the virtual server.

High computing power with a fast processor is necessary to quickly respond to requests from numerous users of an online game. RAM requirement depends on the estimated number of gamers and the size of the game world being created. For game hosting, at least 12 GB of RAM is needed.

Disk space requirements depend on the game itself, plug-ins and mods, as well as the number of participants. Fast SSD or NVMe disks are required for network games due to their high speed file system.

Security and quality of service provided by the hosting provider are also key factors to consider before hosting a game server. Knowing the response rate of technical support, frequency of free backups, and protection against DDoS attacks can make a difference.

For example, to host a Minecraft game server for 10-25 players, a clock speed of 2.8 GHz, 2 GB of RAM, and 15 GB of disk space is needed, with an internet channel of 10 Mbit/s. The official Vanilla game developer platform requires players to add an additional 50 MB of RAM to the calculation for each participant. On the Bukkit platform, 5-50 MB of RAM is allocated to each user for a comfortable Minecraft gameplay.

Renting a Dedicated Server for Game Hosting:

One can rent a dedicated server from companies that have visual servers which are capable of accommodating current server capacities. These servers are also suitable for game hosting. Typically, these servers are xxeon-based.

To support a game server and its corresponding website for 10 players, you would need several necessary server features. Here are some of the key features to consider:

1. Adequate CPU and RAM: Ensure that your server has enough processing power and memory to handle the game server and website simultaneously. The specific requirements will depend on the game and website's complexity.

2. Stable Internet Connection: A reliable and fast internet connection is crucial to provide smooth gameplay and website access for all players.

3. Network Security: Implement robust security measures to protect against hacking attempts, DDoS attacks, and unauthorized access to both the game server and the website. This can include firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and regular security updates.

4. Storage Capacity: Depending on the size and complexity of the game and website, you may need sufficient storage space for game files, player data, website code, media content, and backups.

5. Bandwidth: Adequate bandwidth is necessary to handle incoming and outgoing data traffic from both the game server and website. Make sure your server plan offers sufficient bandwidth to prevent lag or slow response times.

6. Scalability: Consider whether the server can accommodate potential future growth in player numbers or additional features without significant performance degradation.

7. Server Management Tools: Utilize server management tools to monitor performance, security, and resource usage, enabling you to optimize the server's operation efficiently.

8. Regular Backups: Implement a backup strategy to protect game and website data from loss or corruption. Regularly schedule automated backups to ensure minimal data loss in case of any unforeseen events.

9. Content Delivery Network (CDN): If your game or website has global reach, consider using a CDN to deliver content quickly to players worldwide by distributing it across multiple servers strategically.

10. Support and Maintenance: Ensure that you have access to technical support and ongoing server maintenance to promptly address any issues that may arise, allowing the game and website to stay operational.

11. Low Latency: Minimize network latency by choosing a server location that is geographically close to the majority of your player base. This helps reduce lag and improves the overall gaming experience.

12. Game-specific Requirements: Different games have varying server requirements. Research the specific system requirements for your chosen game to ensure your server meets or exceeds those recommendations.

13. Database Support: If your game or website relies on a database, ensure that your server has support for the necessary database management system (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL) and enough storage capacity to handle the anticipated data load.

14. Web Server Software: Choose a reliable web server software (such as Apache or Nginx) that can efficiently serve your website's content and handle concurrent connections from players.

15. Domain Name and DNS: Obtain a domain name for your website and configure the domain's DNS settings to point to your server's IP address. This enables players to access your website easily using a memorable URL.

16. SSL/TLS Certificate: Implement SSL/TLS encryption for your website to secure communication between players and the server. This is especially important if you handle sensitive player information like login credentials or payment details.

17. Monitoring and Logging: Deploy monitoring tools to keep track of the server's performance, uptime, and potential bottlenecks. Also, enable logging to help diagnose any issues or investigate security incidents.

18. Community Management: Consider implementing features like forums, chat systems, or user profiles to facilitate player interaction and community building around your game and website.

19. Content Management System (CMS): If your website requires frequent updates or content additions, consider using a CMS like WordPress or Joomla to simplify the process and allow multiple contributors to manage the site's content.

20. Regular Updates and Patches: Stay current with game server software, website frameworks, and security patches to maintain a stable and secure environment for players.