Netrek Metaserver Overhaul

Project Overview

Internet Project Name

Netrek Metaserver Overhaul 1995

Internet Project Team Members

Nick Trown              nicolas.trown@etak.com
Frank Niessink          frankn@cs.vu.nl
James Cameron           cameron@stl.dec.com
Bob Glamm               glamm@mountains.ee.umn.edu
Sujal Patel             smpatel@umiacs.umd.edu

Other Contributors/Reviewers

Allan Small             s3118606@mpce.mq.edu.au
Steve Ollis             ollis@ozemail.com.au
Vanilla Server Team     vanilla-l@anthrax.ecst.csuchico.edu

Environmental Changes

The Internet is growing. More Netrek Servers are being placed online. The cost of maintaining the Metaserver list of servers will grow. The network bandwidth available is growing, but the Metaserver will typically experience a growth-lag compared to the rest of the network.

Project Goal

Overhaul the Metaserver program, passing responsibility for data provision to the Netrek servers in order to

• reduce network load,

• reduce metaserver running costs,

• improve code simplicity,

• make metaserver information more up to date,

• provide more information to players, if possible.

Project Plan

1. Publish a user requirements list and approve it, [approved]

2. Publish a functional specification and approve it, [approved]

3. Publish a design specification and approve it, [approved]

4. Code Metaserver and a test transmit tool,

5. Code Vanilla updated/newstartd modifications,

6. Code Paradise modifications,

7. Run test Metaserver for a week or so,

8. Cutover to new Metaserver(s).

--
James Cameron
Digital Equipment Corporation (Australia) Pty. Ltd. A.C.N. 000 446 800
(cameron@stl.dec.com)