posted 03-11-99 02:45 PM ET (US)        

FYI, the "rate" command sets the max number of bytes your client will take in per server frame. Reducing this too much (3500 or less) can cause packet retention, which is when the server withholds packets from a client because it's already sent to allowed number of bytes. Setting it to high (5000 or more) on a bad connection such as a 28.8 can cause lost packets because the server is sending more packets than the client's connection can handle.

From tests done here, 1.0 Sin's original "rate" setting of 3000 is generally far too low. Sin 1.01, I believe, set it to 3500, which is fine for regular Sin DM, but still low for hoverbike DMing. In Sin 1.03 and WOS, the "rate" setting is 5000, which will definatly let everything get to the client that's needed, but apparently tends to choke modems and other low bandwidth connections.

Here's where you guys come in, and please note that people with T1 or LAN type connections need not bother with this.

You need to see how low you can get the "rate" setting before you start getting the server retaining packets from you. A visual cue that packets are being retained is that objects are jittering periodically and things with particle trails keep redrawing them back to some far away point in the map (most noticable with hoverbike trails). Once you find the lowest possible "rate" setting that still gives you as good or better game play than you had before. Post here what sort of connection you have, how many players were on the server, and what the rate setting was. It's just an educated guess, but you may want to start somewhere around 4000 probably. Consider this performance tweaking akin to what we all do with our Voodoo cards.

Lemme know of any and all results.

posted 03-11-99 03:28 PM ET (US)            

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Da B.M.G. Man (ZSS)
Zommed Sin Soldiers

posted 03-11-99 07:38 PM ET (US)            

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"who's yer God???" "yes i am yes i am!!"

God[TNT]

posted 03-11-99 10:33 PM ET (US)            

My server "Kicked in the Crotch" will be up Friday morning Thru Saturday morning for your twisted pleasure.

I will set my rate at 4000 as General WarT mentioned above^. So, for all you sinners who dont understand what to do. When you enter the game pull down the console(~)and enter "rate 4000" {without the quotation marks}duh. To match my server's send rate of 4 bells for less packet loss and smoother gameplay.

And Smack you can bring your goat too if you'd like : )

The IP is 24.2.44.150:22450

posted 03-12-99 04:33 PM ET (US)            

The rate command is a client-side command. It does absolutly nothing when entered on the server, unless it's a listen server, in which case it only affects the player on the server. When connecting to a server, the client's "rate" setting is sent to the server. This is then used from then on by the server to determine how much packet information (max number of bytes) it is allowed to send to that client each server frame. It has no effect on any other players. It is only updated to the server when connecting, so if you want to try a different setting, you'll have to reconnect to the server.