The online multiplayer video game trend is still growing exponentially. For example, as of April 2021, Call of Duty: Warzone reached 100 million players. The idea of playing together with other people despite the distance attracts many people to play online games, especially during the pandemic.
Amidst this rapid growth, more experienced players decided to create private servers to host their favorite video games. However, using a dedicated server as a game server can be quite costly; this is where virtual private servers (VPS) come into play.
This article will look at what VPS is and what advantages and requirements it holds for gaming. We will also compare Windows and Linux VPS and share some tips on how to secure your server.
What Is a Virtual Private Server?
VPS is a type of server typically offered by hosting providers. It is virtual because you use a partition within a powerful physical server. All resources such as RAM and CPU are dedicated to you, which makes it private.
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VPS works by dividing a single physical server into several compartments using virtualization technology. Since your data and files are separated on the OS level from other users, your privacy and security are guaranteed.
VPS is a good alternative to a dedicated server since it emulates the experience with a lower price point.
Advantages of a VPS for Gaming
Using a VPS as a gaming server can give you several advantages. In this part of the article, we will look at three main benefits of using a VPS for your online gaming experience.
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Customization
When using a VPS, you are given full root access, allowing you to completely control the server. Because of that, you have more customization settings, ranging from OS options to the exact configuration of every single port on the server.
It is also possible to install various services and applications into your server and possibly enhance your gaming experience. A VPS offers a capability and freedom close to that of a dedicated server.
Maintaining a VPS is also arguably easier than handling a dedicated server since the VPS provider will help you do all the hard work.
Resources
Running a game server sometimes requires a considerable amount of server resources. For example, to run a Minecraft server with modded content and enable several dozens of players to join, you might need around 24GB of RAM and 120 to 160 GB storage.
This can be hard to do on a shared hosting server where you have to share your resources with other users. However, resources like RAM, CPU, and storage are entirely dedicated to you when using a VPS. Because of that, you have the ability to run a game server properly.
Cost
Using a VPS is more affordable than a dedicated server because you share a single physical server with other people. However, with the advanced virtualization technology, you don’t have to share your resources with other customers.
This makes VPS perform a lot better than a shared server or running a game server out of your own home. If you want to get the best out of your budget, VPS might be your best answer.
Requirements for a Game Server on a VPS
Since providers offer different specifications for their VPS, it is essential to know if your VPS can run a game server. Here are some of the requirements.
Sufficient Storage
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Having a large storage capacity is one of the most basic requirements for installing most modern video games. This is especially true when hosting multiplayer games, as they typically have large amounts of data.
Make sure that your VPS has enough storage to install any other services you might need to run the game itself. Also, pay attention to the storage type used by your VPS; solid-state drives (SSD) are better than regular hard drives since they can read and write data faster.
Fast Processor and Memory
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A fast processor and RAM are required to get a smooth gaming session. However, depending on how many players you let join your game, it can generate a heavier load for your server. When your server overloads, your game might encounter performance issues such as lags or even crashes.
If you start noticing those issues during your gaming session, you might want to consider upgrading your server’s specifications. Since VPS is highly scalable, solving performance issues will not be too much of a problem.
Reliable Internet Connection
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Online multiplayer games require your computer and the game server to exchange data constantly through the Internet. If this data transfer is disrupted, it will cause your game to have higher latency.
This can be important, especially if you host competitive first-person shooter games such as Counter-Strike on your server. You wouldn’t want the game to give you a late response because of an unreliable internet connection.
Make sure your provider can give you the appropriate bandwidth and pay attention to where your VPS is located. Try to pick a server located as close as possible to your location.
Windows vs. Linux VPS
Windows and Linux as your server OS come with their own pros and cons. Make a choice based on your preferences and conditions.
Windows is the most popular operating system for PC gaming. It is supported by almost all game producers and generally easier to set up.
However, the code used in Windows is copyrighted and can’t be openly accessed and changed. Using windows as your server’s OS also costs more because the license needs to be purchased.
On the other hand, Linux is an open-source operating system. It is developed by a large group that provides you with updates and technical support. Linux is highly customizable since you are not tied to many configuration defaults.
Linux users have more OS to choose from, including Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, and CentOS. All of these OS can be used without an additional fee to purchase the license. However, you might have limited games to play if you choose to use Linux.
Securing Your VPS
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Server security should also be one of your primary considerations when choosing which VPS to use. There are several measures to help you enhance your server security and protect yourself from cyberattacks.
- Use strong passwords. Make sure to use unique and complex passwords to protect your system from being breached. Try to have at least 12 characters for your passwords and include numbers, lower and upper case letters, and symbols.
- Only use crucial services. Each service you install on your server can become a potential entry for hackers. We recommend you uninstall or deactivate unnecessary services to protect your system further.
- Keep your system up-to-date. Hackers will constantly try to find new ways to breach users’ systems. Therefore, updating your OS and other software regularly is recommended since it can help you eliminate various vulnerabilities on your system.
- Install additional firewalls. A firewall can help you secure your network by controlling which software can send and receive data through your network. Most operating systems come with a firewall, but it might be good to install additional firewall software and hardware.
- Create backups. Even after numerous security measures, the chance of getting cyberattacks will always be there. Because of that, secure your data by creating system backups frequently and store them in different locations.
Conclusion
Using VPS as a game server can be a great alternative to using a dedicated server. It offers a similar experience and performance to a dedicated server at a much cheaper cost.
In this article, we have learned about how VPS works, and the advantages of using it as a game server, including:
- Sufficient storage.
- Fast processor and memory.
- Reliable internet connection.
We also learned about the difference between Windows and Linux VPS and provided several tips for securing your server.
Conduct further research before deciding which VPS to use and make sure everything suits your needs and preferences. Hopefully, this article helped you to decide if VPS is suitable for you.