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Warhawk PS3 Server Clusters

Posted by Zonk on from the off-the-rack-racks dept.

News for nerds writes "The official Sony Playstation blog posted the game server details of the upcoming online shooter game Warhawk. Interestingly the game's Ranked Dedicated servers, available in addition to user-hosted PS3 servers, are hosted in rack-mounted PS3 clusters."

66 comments

  1. Wow! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Rack mounted clusters of thrown away money!

  2. 6 in a row by R00BYtheN00BY · · Score: -1

    black people
    blughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

  3. Queue the usual by Dancindan84 · · Score: 3, Funny

    "Imagine a Beowulf clust... oh wait."

    --
    "Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much." - Oscar Wilde
  4. Obligatory post by InfinityWpi · · Score: -1, Redundant

    Can you imagine a Beowulf of rack-mounted PS3s?

  5. Well... by Duffy13 · · Score: 1

    Hmmm, not a bad idea in all honesty, I wonder what the cost trade-off is? Worse case they shut them down and sell the clusters to medical research or power computing.

    --
    "Now you know, and knowing is half the battle!"
    1. Re:Well... by fistfullast33l · · Score: 2, Informative

      I think the article summary/article itself is a little misleading - my understanding is that these machines aren't necessarily creating a distributed network of nodes in one server as we would think of it. Instead it's just a bunch of PS3s running their own dedicated Warhawk servers individually. They're put in racks and spread around the globe to provide low latency connections to many different dedicated servers so that no matter where you are, you have access to at least a few dedicated servers that are constantly running with players on them. They're basically eliminating the need for you to run your own game and allow people to connect to you. You can still do this if you'd like, but it's not required if you're looking to get into a game quickly.

      Note they also hype the fact that you have a list of eligible servers when you go looking to connect to a game - most of the PS3 games available today (The Darkness, Rainbow Six, Resistance) just randomly connect you to a game based on some search criteria you put in. It's actually rather annoying and I'm glad they're doing this for Warhawk.

  6. Of course I didn't RTFA by ArcadeX · · Score: 1

    Can anyone not behind a retarded proxy post any specs on why PS3 clusters, besides geek value? I'd be interested in knowing more about heat issue, what type of actual performance, etc. Game consoles are one thing I honestly never expected to see a cluster of done outside of a basement.

    --
    An I.T. motto in the hands of an idiot is a dangerous thing...
    1. Re:Of course I didn't RTFA by Jeff+DeMaagd · · Score: 1

      If one thinks about it a bit, it's not that bad of a proposition. PS3 has a powerful main processor and a GigE network link. If they make a version with a regular CD or DVD drive for clustering uses, then they can probably have an infrastructure of very compact, inexpensive, yet potent server systems.

    2. Re:Of course I didn't RTFA by faloi · · Score: 2, Funny

      The best reason is that there are plenty of PS3's sitting around collecting dust on store shelves. Should get some use out of them, anyway :)

      --
      "It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education." -Albert Einstein
    3. Re:Of course I didn't RTFA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I run Gentoo on my PS3, and for the most part it's great. The biggest drawback to the PS3 is the system RAM. 256MB is a joke - cluster or not, RAM is the bottle neck. Some of the packages on Gentoo take HOURS UPON HOURS to compile (insert Gentoo joke here) that take all of 5 minutes on my old 1Ghz Athlon machine with 768MB of RAM.

      I think the Cell could go a long way in terms of servers, but hooking up a bunch of PS3s would only get you results provided you weren't doing memory intensive calculations.

      Now if I can find a way to mod the available RAM in the PS3... then we'd be in business.

    4. Re:Of course I didn't RTFA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

      Bwahahaha, ooh you're soooo funnneeeee. Take it up the dirt box do ya? Up hill gardener per chance?

    5. Re:Of course I didn't RTFA by Emetophobe · · Score: 1

      Warhawk comes with the server code built into the game (so that users can host a game if they want). My guess is the developer saves time and money by not having to write and test a seperate server application to run on a different architecture (most likely a bunch of x86 servers). So it makes sense to just use the server code already built into the game and just host dedicated servers using a bunch of Playstation 3s.

      Also, Sony has lots of extra Playstations laying around that they can turn into dedicated servers for a relatively low cost.

    6. Re:Of course I didn't RTFA by Ixpath · · Score: 1

      The thing to understand here is that cell blades are difficult to get a hold of and cost $18k. Even the
      linux on cell group at IBM (where I currently work) uses ps3s for their development as a result. I know
      IBM is developing cell big iron to market as mmporg host. I wouldnt be surprised if this was part
      of that effort. Performance per watt and reliability I was told was quite favorable when compared to
      traditional x86 clusters.

    7. Re:Of course I didn't RTFA by powerlord · · Score: 1

      Well ... the other benefit of the included server is that it allows more flexibility to the end user.

      - Have a Clan and enough bandwidth and want to host a server for your clan? No problem (you can host a game and play on it at the same time).
      - The number of servers should (theoretically) scale with the number of users, since any user can host an "official game" (locked parameters).
      - There is little(to no) danger of someone shutting off the servers (such as was done recently), since even if all the official servers went away, there would still be the unofficial ones.

      I applaud the developers decision.

      --
      This space for rent. All reasonable inquiries will be entertained at proprietors discretion.
    8. Re:Of course I didn't RTFA by KDR_11k · · Score: 1

      - There is little(to no) danger of someone shutting off the servers (such as was done recently), since even if all the official servers went away, there would still be the unofficial ones.

      Only true if it uses a P2P sructure or player-run masterservers to tell people about the servers that run, otherwise once the masterserver goes down all your player servers won't do anything because the client cannot connect to them (directly entering the IP of the server might be supported but don't count on it).

      --
      Justice is the sheep getting arrested while an impartial judge declares the vote void.
    9. Re:Of course I didn't RTFA by donaldm · · Score: 1

      The PS3 can read CD and DVD disks as well as Blu-ray disks (I am amazed people don't know this). You can install Linux from DVD or CD if you wish. In addition you can play PS2 (DVD/CD) or PS1 (CD) games, not to mention playing PS3 games on Blu-ray. You can even play DVD movies and it will upscale them as well.

      The only thing the PS3 drive cannot do is burn disks but put on Linux and plug in a BD/DVD/CD burner via USB and it should work (I have not tried this though). I am not sure about HD-DVD but if you have Linux plus the appropriate software and a USB HD-DVD drive I can't see why not. Blu-ray and HD-DVD media is not cheap but then again neither was DVD media in 2000 and if you go back to the early 1990's neither was CD media. I can even go back to the 1980's and Betamax and VHS blank tapes were not what I would call cheap either.

      --
      There ain't no such thing as proprietary standards only proprietary formats. Standards are by definition open.
    10. Re:Of course I didn't RTFA by powerlord · · Score: 1

      You're absolutely correct. If there is a master server to list then you are right. The cost required to operate/maintain a master server though is probably quite a bit less than maintaining dedicated servers, which should provide less incentive for a company to "pull support".

      The game itself supports LAN play so I would assume that directly entering the IP of the server should work though.

      --
      This space for rent. All reasonable inquiries will be entertained at proprietors discretion.
    11. Re:Of course I didn't RTFA by MrOnline · · Score: 1

      Warhawk uses a master server for authentication and matchmaking services. The game uses a client server architecture for in-game play. PS3 systems can be run as a server, or dedicated server. The number of players allowed on a server depends on the machines bandwidth. They do not allow entering an IP address directly. LAN play uses a broadcasst so all machines in a lan game have to be on the same LAN segment.

    12. Re:Of course I didn't RTFA by powerlord · · Score: 1

      They've been ways around things like this for a long time.

      Take a look at things like Kali.

      It might take setting up some sort of routing software on a local PC for each person involved in the game, but it should be very doable to make the PS3 think its playing locally against people from across the country/globe. Wether the LAN game can support the response times and how bandwidth requirements will be impacted is a different question.

      --
      This space for rent. All reasonable inquiries will be entertained at proprietors discretion.
    13. Re:Of course I didn't RTFA by G+Fab · · Score: 1

      You didn't understand the parent. He didn't claim the PS3 can't read dvds or cds. And frankly, it's not that impressive that the PS3 can do so. Yes, USB peripherals, be them HD DVD players or dvd burners, do work fine.

      The parent thinks that skipping the components in the PS3 not related to this game would save money. IE, no need for the optical audio output or the flash card readers or any optical disc reader. Makes sense, but it may be cheaper not to go through the customization trouble since Sony has plenty of stock (and there was that 20 gig return issue).

  7. price/performance ratio? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I have a hard time understanding how dedicated servers on PS3s could possibly be cheaper than (insert random bargain x86 box running linux here)?

    1. Re:price/performance ratio? by Duffy13 · · Score: 1

      Well PS3s do have the option to install Linux on them out of the box, my guess is that's what they did. In terms of price, I'm pretty sure to build a machine as powerful as a PS3 would cost more then $500. IBM and Mercury sell Cell Processor server blades, however I can't find a price or specs page. (Didn't really try all that hard.) However need more info about performance to determine if it is a "better" option for servers.

      --
      "Now you know, and knowing is half the battle!"
    2. Re:price/performance ratio? by Weslee · · Score: 2, Informative

      No linux on those PS3s. If you read the article, you'll notice that the game ships with a server mode. I'm guessing they just load a modified version of the game that ships (one that skips the graphics and runs in only dedicated mode), and just let it run.

    3. Re:price/performance ratio? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      One thought: The $500 price is retail on a PS3. We know of course that Sony subsidizes them. From reading TFA I got the impression that Sony paid for the servers, at least in part; so the price they'd see to build a cluster of PS3s would be higher than $500/ea, since the subsidy would come from their own pockets. But this could be explained by different departments operating on different budget books, or a motivation to clear out old PS3 inventory; in either case bringing the percieved cost down.

    4. Re:price/performance ratio? by Duffy13 · · Score: 1

      Touche. Teach me to post before reading.

      Though the possibility remains for other games. Or even Sony itself to setup dedicated clusters.

      --
      "Now you know, and knowing is half the battle!"
    5. Re:price/performance ratio? by DrEldarion · · Score: 1

      Since when do we "know" that Sony subsidizes them? Last I checked, the only people that said that were clueless analysts.

    6. Re:price/performance ratio? by mwvdlee · · Score: 1

      I wouldn't be surprised if the shipped game could run as a dedicated server as well. Boot up the disc, do some weird "combo-move" on the controller (so you won't need to plug in a TV), and dedicated server mode starts. Would probably be cheaper than building, testing and publishing two separate releases, no matter how similar they would be.

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  8. Well... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    They had to do something with all the PS3's that no one's buying.

  9. This explains a lot! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    I was wondering how Sony were selling as many PS3s as they are!

    1. Re:This explains a lot! by The+MAZZTer · · Score: 1

      Err... I don't think it counts when they sell them to themselves because... nothing actually changes hands, so it's not legally* a transaction...

      * - IANAL

    2. Re:This explains a lot! by Jeff+DeMaagd · · Score: 1

      In accounting terms, it might actually be a sale, depending on the laws and how the company is set up. I don't know how Japanese accounting works, but in the US, I don't think one subsidiary can just "give" its products to another subsidiary, it has to count as a sale and the accounting must show that money was taken from the accounts of one subsidiary to another. It's still empty paper work in this case.

    3. Re:This explains a lot! by ivan256 · · Score: 1

      There are 180 PS3s in that picture (15 per rack side/30 per rack. 6 racks). If they build one of these "clusters" for each region, or even a few per region, you're still talking less than 1000 PS3s. That's hardly a blip in the sales numbers either way.

  10. been done before... by everphilski · · Score: 1

    ... PS2 clusters have been used for calculations by the NCSA. And supooosedly (insert grain of salt) Saddam Hussein was buying up PS2's to get around those pesky export restrictions to build a computing cluster for a weapons program.

    But it makes sense. There are a lot of parallels between scientific and game/graphics computing, intense mathematical operations namely. So it would make sense that a processor optimized for gaming would be good for scientific research. Look at the folding at home project, for example.

    1. Re:been done before... by nuzak · · Score: 1

      And supooosedly (insert grain of salt) Saddam Hussein was buying up PS2's to get around those pesky export restrictions to build a computing cluster for a weapons program.

      Erm, despite all the other whoppers we were told, that one actually was a hoax. Of the joke kind. Of the hah-hah could anyone possibly take it seriously kind. Um, lemme think some more and try again.

      --
      Done with slashdot, done with nerds, getting a life.
    2. Re:been done before... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ... PS2 clusters have been used for calculations by the NCSA. And supooosedly (insert grain of salt) Saddam Hussein was buying up PS2's to get around those pesky export restrictions to build a computing cluster for a weapons program.
      Why would he as the US sold him the equipment he needed.

      http://www.laweekly.com/general/features/made-in-t he-usa/3025/
      http://www.ph.ucla.edu/EPI/bioter/iraqgermsusfranc e.html
  11. Sony Giving Microsoft A Lesson In Online Gaming by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    The only question is will Microsoft listen and learn how to do online right from Sony?

    Sony is the gold standard in console online play:

    # Free online play for everyone who owns a console for the life of the system - some 7 to 10 years
    # Dedicated servers for lagfree gaming
    # High player counts for games, 32 to 40 player games with zero lag thanks to the dedicated servers
    # And of course Home, the virtual online world created by Sony for developers to create custom spaces for their games
    # Home will have custom spaces for clans that can be used as a meeting place for before and after matches, the spaces will of course be able to be decked out in the clans theme and various screenshots from previous games and streaming movies up on the walls
    # Home will have matchmaking for players who meet while in home and have the ability to launch right into games together as a group right from Home

    Absolutely amazing.

    Microsoft is lucky Nintendo is around because otherwise they would be the worst online service

    # Forces players to pay 50 dollars every year - don't pay, your console is gimped to sit there and play nothing but single player games
    # Ends up tacking on hundreds of dollars to the price of the console over the life of the system
    # No dedicated servers, even though you are forced by Microsoft to pay money every year they don't give you dedicated servers for games like Gears of War and Halo 3
    # Low player counts, Gears of War can only handle 8 players at a time, and Halo 3 can only handle 16 players per game due to the outdated P2P networking setups in those games
    # No answer to Home, just plain old menus

    It's like Microsoft isn't even trying to make a competitive online service to Sony's. They appear to only care about bilking players out of 50 bucks a year.

    Warhawk is easily the best console online game this year from everyone who played the beta. Dedicated servers, 32 players per game, one disc is all that is needed for LAN parties(everyone can install from the just one disc), player's can setup their own dedicated server at home on their PS3. Awesome, just fucking awesome. And the game only costs 40 buck or 60 bucks for the BluRay version with a really good headset.

    1. Re:Sony Giving Microsoft A Lesson In Online Gaming by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Delicious copypasta! I must eat it!

    2. Re:Sony Giving Microsoft A Lesson In Online Gaming by Pojut · · Score: -1, Flamebait

      When are you shills going to stop fucking about and actually post with a log-in name?

      I mean, if what you have to say is so true, shouldn't we know who you are?

      Unless of course you are just ashamed of being a whore

      --
      Living With a Nerd
    3. Re:Sony Giving Microsoft A Lesson In Online Gaming by KDR_11k · · Score: 1

      If they log in we can tag them as foes (and their karma would go down for the constant insults), if they don't we have to rate ACs down to avoid them.

      --
      Justice is the sheep getting arrested while an impartial judge declares the vote void.
    4. Re:Sony Giving Microsoft A Lesson In Online Gaming by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

      So basically(in the tone of voice of Charlie Sheen in Ferris Bueller's Day Off), your problem is you.

      You are upset that Microsoft has a crappy online service and you want to direct you anger at someone other than Microsoft by mod-bombing someone down?

    5. Re:Sony Giving Microsoft A Lesson In Online Gaming by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

      Here come the Xbots, right on schedule :)

      They must have plenty of time on their hands sitting around waiting for the 360 to be returned(once again) from Microsoft and have plenty of time to troll Slashdot console stories...

    6. Re:Sony Giving Microsoft A Lesson In Online Gaming by Pojut · · Score: -1, Troll

      No, I want someone to not be a pussy and show their name. Is that unreasonable? After all, if they truly believe what they are saying, then they should have no problem if I know who they are.

      Unless they either are ashamed or don't actually believe what they are typing...in which case they should look for another job.

      --
      Living With a Nerd
    7. Re:Sony Giving Microsoft A Lesson In Online Gaming by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

      40% Troll
      40% Interesting
      20% Flamebait

      Looks like the Xbots are ahead 60-40 right now. I think they are a bit grumpy these days:

      Most defective POS console ever with the 360
      Disc scratching 360 drives
      Noisy as fuck 360 drives
      Crappy 360 graphics
      HD-DVD dead
      Sony outselling the 360 2 to 1 worldwide even with the much higher price

    8. Re:Sony Giving Microsoft A Lesson In Online Gaming by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I think what he is trying to say is he would actually respect their opinions if they posted under a log in name, as opposed to (most likely correctly) assuming they are a payed shill simply because they are posting AC.

      But I could be wrong of course.

    9. Re:Sony Giving Microsoft A Lesson In Online Gaming by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1

      You probably have some type of mental problem to be so paranoid.

      I post AC because I don't care to have a login. I simply do not have one.

      I'm not the parent AC, but damn, all he's saying is that Sony has a better online service than MS. You're paranoid enough to think there is more to his opinion that that. You actually claim his employment is to post on Slashdot (where Zonk is bought and paid for, why would Sony bother with trolling the forums?)

      He just thinks free online with more players is better. All his claims are true. You seem to dispute that, but all you do is insult hte guy instead of pointing out that XBOX is free, PS3 online costs money, or those games let you use more players...

      You can't dispute his facts. The PS3 costs more upfront and the XBOX costs more over time (but you can pick and choose, I guess...? not to have wifi a hard drive, online play).

      It's ok for folks to know the different opinions. You don't have to mod people down who have valid opinions. It's not like you actually want one console to beat down the other right? You do realize that would suck for gamers... right?

    10. Re:Sony Giving Microsoft A Lesson In Online Gaming by Pojut · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Number one, I couldn't have modded him down and posted in the same article.

      Number two, I NEVER ONCE said he was right or wrong. You find where I said he was either right or wrong, or where I support one system more than the other, and I'll clip my balls.

      Number three, you cannot sit there and honestly tell me that you think that post was constructed out of someone's own personal opinion unless they are either A. a raving fanboy (which you yourself even spoke against in your own post) or B. are a payed shill.

      The AC that posted above me was correct though. Had that very same thing been posted by a logged-in screen name, I would have simply responded to his claims (which, as you have already addressed, are indeed accurate) and treated it as a person's opinion. But seeing a post with that style of formatting and wording posted by an AC...come on.

      --
      Living With a Nerd
    11. Re:Sony Giving Microsoft A Lesson In Online Gaming by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Thanks Sony Fanbot!

      As we all know, the only reason you put up such FUD filled posts all the time is because there aren't any decent games out for the PS3, so you have nothing to do with your time.

      Its going to be mighty fun seeing your ass handed to you when sales of the 360 and the Wii go through the roof with Halo 3, Mario Galaxy and Smash Bros come out.

      Retard!

    12. Re:Sony Giving Microsoft A Lesson In Online Gaming by bigstrat2003 · · Score: 1
      Well, it could be legit. I mean, as the other AC said, those are all valid points for Sony's and against Microsoft's online plan. I actually didn't know some of that, if true (does Microsoft really have no dedicated servers? That seems like quite the cheesy deal to me, when you're paying for the online service), so it's interesting to read.

      On the other hand, you could be right, too. I imagine that the low player counts of GoW and Halo 2/3 are deliberate, and not a technical limitation, and I certainly think that invoking Home makes you a raving fanboy, at least. Home doesn't really have anything to do with gaming, imo.

      Either way, he does have some valid points (paying to play my shooters online = icky), and some stupid ones. Hard to say whether he's a fanboy, a shill, or just misguided. Also... clip your balls? o.O

      --
      "16MB (fuck off, MiB fascists)" - The Mighty Buzzard
    13. Re:Sony Giving Microsoft A Lesson In Online Gaming by thatguywhoiam · · Score: 1

      Well, it could be legit. I mean, as the other AC said, those are all valid points for Sony's and against Microsoft's online plan. I actually didn't know some of that, if true (does Microsoft really have no dedicated servers? That seems like quite the cheesy deal to me, when you're paying for the online service), so it's interesting to read.

      Actually - that is true. All Live connections are peer-to-peer. Which is cheesy in a for-pay service, I agree. Supposedly Halo 3 will be the first to have dedicated servers but that's just a rumour at this point.

      On the other hand, you could be right, too. I imagine that the low player counts of GoW and Halo 2/3 are deliberate, and not a technical limitation, and I certainly think that invoking Home makes you a raving fanboy, at least. Home doesn't really have anything to do with gaming, imo.
      Well yes and no. You can ostensibly use Home as a lobby system - the people in your "room" can all connect seamlessly to the same multiplayer game, assuming they all have copies. They did demo that at E3. No comment on the fanboy, though. :)
      --
      If Jesus wants me it knows where to find me.
    14. Re:Sony Giving Microsoft A Lesson In Online Gaming by SuperBanana · · Score: 1

      No, I want someone to not be a pussy and show their name. Is that unreasonable?

      What's your name?

      --
      Please help metamoderate.
    15. Re:Sony Giving Microsoft A Lesson In Online Gaming by G+Fab · · Score: 1

      You're truly a psycho paranoid. I'm sorry, but you really think attacking people as paid shills is effective? Argue with the merits of his claims. I think that shouldn't be hard to do, XBOX live is very popular and that speaks for itself. But dedicated servers, 40 man games, and free access are all cool. Home is probably cool too (not really relevant, but it's free and online and second life is popular with weirdos, so sort of)

      Also, some people don't want to bother registering if they don't have to. Sony fans get attacked here, so you have to expect some normal folks to post AC. Certainty Sony isn't above the viral marketing we see from it and its competitors, but I'm sure they could just pay for friendlier articles like Microsoft seems to. Do you really think it's worth Sony's time to come here, where they are hated, and try to convince you to buy a PS3? No, if that's occurring it's on youtube, fark, myspace, etc.

      Am I a paid shill or a raving fanboy? No, of course not. Is it possible in your world for someone to be a Sony fan without being raving and evil? I like some of Sony's cool stuff. I like Nintendo's recent console for it's ingenuity, and I like how Sony has made a system that is quite versatile. The XBOX isn't too appealing to me, though it's obviously very appealing to many, and I wouldn't say that someone who claims to love it is a paid shill.

      What's with this "shill" word, by the way. It's used so frequently by the anti-Sony contigent. Is that supposed to be irritating? It makes you look uncreative and easy to mentally filter as a wacko. Anyway, the PS3 is superior in many ways to the XBOX (and also inferior). IF you have nothing to say when someone points out why the Sony is his preference beyond accusing him of being paid or raving, then you are admitting you have no real argument. And frankly you don't. There is no reason for anyone to contend that Sony's online experience is not a better value than XBOX's expensive and limited version. Sony has idiot marketing and a terrible attitude, but on this issue they seem to have the better argument.

    16. Re:Sony Giving Microsoft A Lesson In Online Gaming by Pojut · · Score: 1

      ::sigh:: once again, find somewhere in my post where I said he was wrong.

      You won't, because he isn't. I own every console/handheld Sony has released, just like I own every Microsoft console (all two of them, lol) just like I own every Nintendo console/handheld (yes, even a virtual boy)

      Once again, look at the way his post was worded, formatted, and constructed. You cannot sit there and tell me that was an everday joe-blow kind of post unless, once again, it was either A. a payed shill or B. a raving fanboy.

      Just like no one talks lawyer-speak that you see on a contract in every day conversation, no one rails a product so entirely without acknowledging a single positive thing about it (once again) unless they are a shill or a fanboy.

      In either case, It doesn't even matter. I never agreed nor disagreed with the guy (or gal, as it were) I simply commented on how every time someone on here speaks that way with that formatting about one company or another, it is ALWAYS posted by an AC. I think that's bullshit.

      'Scuse me for wanting someone to have the balls to take credit for their "own" words.

      --
      Living With a Nerd
  12. ISPs and Servers by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    FTA: "We also wanted to make sure people could host *and* play on their own servers. After all, why should you have to connect to a server a gazillion hops away when you know that there are Warhawk servers running in your state or city? Possibly on your same ISP? Maybe even friends in your neighborhood or buddies in your dorm?"

    Except for the fact that in many cases you are violating terms of agreement with your ISP that prevents you from hosting a server and most upload speeds are throttled way down.

    I'm sure they are really happy with this "story" from Sony.

  13. PS3 Really is a Supercomputer by Dr+Kool,+PhD · · Score: -1, Troll

    The Cell is an amazing piece of technology... this is a great PR move by Sony hosting servers off PS3s. Warhawk is going to be an amazing game.

  14. No, It's a cluster of PS3's because.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    When it's all said and done, Warhawk is a Peer-to-Peer network game, and the "Servers" have to be running Warhawk, and the only real way to do that, is to run them on actual PS3 hardware.

    1. Re:No, It's a cluster of PS3's because.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      When it's all said and done, Warhawk is a Peer-to-Peer network game, and the "Servers" have to be running Warhawk, and the only real way to do that, is to run them on actual PS3 hardware. Uh, no. Tbey have the source code, they can port/recompile/test on any system they want. Sure, that has an associated cost, but running it on commodity hardware - or even just on hardware that'll rackmount better - will pay for it eventually.

    2. Re:No, It's a cluster of PS3's because.. by powerlord · · Score: 1

      When it's all said and done, Warhawk is a Peer-to-Peer network game, and the "Servers" have to be running Warhawk, and the only real way to do that, is to run them on actual PS3 hardware.

      Uh, no. Tbey have the source code, they can port/recompile/test on any system they want. Sure, that has an associated cost, but running it on commodity hardware - or even just on hardware that'll rackmount better - will pay for it eventually.


      Well ... there IS something to be said for only having ONE codebase to have to test against (as well as one target architecture).

      While they COULD recompile, etc. they would then have to make sure that the code runs okay on the servers, and that it also runs on the PS3s (if they keep the peer-server feature). Yeah, if it was running on commodity hardware, they might save some (although a PS3 is only $500 retail, so I don't think commodity hardware will save you that much), but there would be an increased expenditure in porting, and maintaining the codebase.
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  15. Absolutely Pathetic that this is modded down by G+Fab · · Score: 1

    You XBOX shills need to calm down and take a breather. This is a great PR move, and this again highlights that the Cell is a great and versatile processor. Yeah, I know this is probably just a PS3 running a PS3 game, but from a PR standpoint, using the PS3 as a server makes it sound like a computer and highlights that it has a neat processor. And frankly, the fact that it has a fast processor is a good reason to own a PS3, even if it doesn't translate into better games (though I'm sure it does). Cool technology is cool to play with. Things like this and folding at home make a difference, and Sony obviously knows that. Remember all the crazy talk about Emotion Engines used for weapons development by Saddam? Yeah, it was silly (though it was also true that Saddam wanted to use them for this for some stupid reason). This story made the playstation seem like an cool piece of technology. This guy is just pointing out his opinion and is modded down because some clown wants to censor him. That's just crazy. You guys are looking like Ron Paul supporters.

    1. Re:Absolutely Pathetic that this is modded down by Jeff+DeMaagd · · Score: 1

      Cell is a nice processor and the PS3 can function as a server, but that doesn't mean that the XBox 360 can't.

      I wonder if the 3-core CPU in the X360 reflects the ideas represented in the 3-way AMD server story. I hadn't thought of the one-hop idea. I can't tell if the X360 has a Gig-E jack on it (PS3 has Gig-E), but otherwise it appears that the X360 can be used to do pretty much the same thing.

    2. Re:Absolutely Pathetic that this is modded down by powerlord · · Score: 1

      I wonder if the 3-core CPU in the X360 reflects the ideas represented in the 3-way AMD server story. I hadn't thought of the one-hop idea. I can't tell if the X360 has a Gig-E jack on it (PS3 has Gig-E), but otherwise it appears that the X360 can be used to do pretty much the same thing.


      Yeah ... IBM has been doing 3-way chip design for a bit, and since the 360's chips are from IBM ... I wouldn't be surprised if this is part of why they went that route.

      On the other hand I think the XBox 360's reliability would prevent it from being used like this. There have been too many RRoD stories for MS to use server clusters like this.

      Their rate of failure would kill them (in terms of $$$ lost and publicity), if they had a fraction of the reported unit failures.
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    3. Re:Absolutely Pathetic that this is modded down by bigstrat2003 · · Score: 1

      Cell is a nice processor and the PS3 can function as a server, but that doesn't mean that the XBox 360 can't. You're absolutely right, but I think you missed the GP's point. The GGP got modded -1 troll for saying that the Cell processor is cool. Anyone who moderates like that has to have some other reason for doing so, maybe a personal grudge against the poster (Slashdot is serious business, after all), or maybe they're a hardcore Xbox fanboy. I really don't know what that moderator's reason was, but it can't have been actually based on the post. That's what the GP was bitching about, not saying that the 360 isn't capable of being a server.

      Oh well, I guess stuff like that is why we have meta-moderation (if it actually works, which I wouldn't know).

      --
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  16. ... of XBox360 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1

    It says a lot about the stability of the PS3 that they can do something like this. If it was done with the XBox 360, they would be replacing boxes left and right (due to an unacceptable RRoD failure rate).

  17. Blu-ray makes it cheaper... by PhoenixOne · · Score: 1

    Replacing the Blu-ray drive with a regular CD (or no drive at all) would make it cheaper to build but wouldn't reduce the end-user cost. Part of the reason Sony can sell the PS3 at a loss is because they see it as an investment in the HD-media war (Blu-ray vs. HD-DVD, iTunes video vs. Sony, etc.).

    There are already Cell Based Servers on the market. But, given that you have to ask for a price quote, I expect they cost more than $600 (and don't come with "Motostorm" ;)).

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    Spell cheek you've failed me four the last thyme!
  18. Prior art... by obeythefist · · Score: 1

    Warhawk was a great shooter on the C64.

    Surely this game represents prior art and the trademark and so on is the property of the company/individual that originally developed it?

    Or is Sony pulling a Disney or something?

    I thought companies like Sony were supposed to respect copyright.

    --
    I am government man, come from the government. The government has sent me. -- G.I.R.
  19. Does that mean PS3 games by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    are so horrible even normal PCs won't run them in server mode?

  20. Re: [AC]been done before... by everphilski · · Score: 1

    these rumors waaay predate those articles, think before Y2K...