Thread: Mathematical proof we need dedicated hosting

I copied this from Infinity Ward so full credit goes to the original poster ActionMan.

First some definitions:
8 bits = 1 byte
1 kilobyte (KB) = 1024 bytes
1 megabyte (MB) = 1024 kilobytes
1 kilobit (kb) = 1000 bits
1 megabit (mb) = 1000 kilobits
ps = per second

Then some data:
CoD4 has two types of packets:
Game-update packets, sent from the host to all clients. These use 5KBps.
Input-update packets, send from all clients to the host. These use 1KBps.

The server sends game-updates to all clients, and receives input-updates from all clients.

Total update bandwidth per client = 5+1 = 6KBps
Host bandwidth = 6KB * (number of players - 1) per second

We're assuming that the person with the best connection will be chosen to be the host.

In a place where 2 megabit per second (2mbps) connections are common:
Available bandwidth = 2mpbs = 2000000 bps = 250000 bytes per second = 244 KBps
Number of players supported = 244/6 = 40 clients
Ok. Full 32 player matches should actually work in this case (assuming the host's room-mate doesn't start downloading anything faster than 52KBps...)

In a place where 256 kilobit per second (256kbps) connections are common:
Available bandwidth = 256kbps = 256000 bps = 32000 bytes per second = 31 KBps
Number of players supported = 31/6 = 5 clients

This means that in most of the world, the biggest multi-player match you will have is 3 vs 3!!!

With dedicated hosts, everyone can play full 32-player matches, not just the people who live in places with great broadband.


Oh, and everyone who has a monthly data limit -- hosting a 32-player match will chew up ~650MB of your quota per hour.

woah...never thought about that. Smart guy this ActionMan that PROVES we need dedis! if we dont get it ill pull this on IW and theyll end up like this dead thing

Edit: post this on Weplayedcod.com or i will

Haha, everybody who hosts a listen server should mail IW an Invoice for 650MB/ hour of bandwidth!

lol....