Counter strike servers are stopping

[filth80]

1. Hello, I have a problem.My clients cs servers are stopping and i don't know why.It's not a hardware issue,because i have a very good server and only a few servers online.What could be the cause?
2. Second question: how many cs 1.6 servers should i run on a quad core(4 core 2.00ghz) and 6 gb ram?

[darren]

There are public exploits that Valve have not fixed yet that let anyone crash a cstrike server, I just did it to mine, the log file shows this:

L 03/09/2010 - 15:58:03: World triggered "Round_Start"
L 03/09/2010 - 15:58:49: "J0vXSRT<1><STEAM_0:0:14473480><>" connected, address "X.X.X.X:46960"
Host_Error: SV_ParseVoiceData: invalid incoming packet.

Dropped J0vXSRT from server
Reason: Server shutting down
L 03/09/2010 - 15:58:49: Server shutdown
L 03/09/2010 - 15:58:49: Log file closed
L 03/09/2010 - 15:58:49: FATAL ERROR (shutting down): Host_Error: SV_ParseVoiceData: invalid incoming packet.


FATAL ERROR (shutting down): Host_Error: SV_ParseVoiceData: invalid incoming packet.


It could be that you are being targeted by someone in which case you need to find the IP (seen above with X.X.X.X) and block it using a firewall. Some of these exploits have been known about for quite some time so I wouldn't hold my breath waiting on a vendor fix.
You may also have an issue with an addon module causing problems, failing ram, etc.

The number of servers you can run entirely depends on the population of those servers at max capacity. I'd imagine you can run quite a lot of cstrike servers based on that hardware, the best advice I can offer however is to create servers one at a time and keep an eye on resources, when you see it getting close to full, stop. Someone else may have more concrete numbers for you, such as ~20 cstrike servers with 24 player limits and 70% average capacity or whatever. It's more of an art than a science

[filth80]

Thank you for your quick reply

[darren]

Of course just a day after I mention how you shouldn't expect a vendor fix, they release an update for at least one of the more popular exploits
Just set autoupdate to enabled and stop/start the server to get the update.

VAC secure mode is activated.
L 03/10/2010 - 16:44:09: World triggered "Round_Start"
L 03/10/2010 - 16:45:44: "EzXp8qBuQsQtu<1><STEAM_0:0:14473480><>" connected, address "X.X.X.X:35253"
Dropped EzXp8qBuQsQtu from server
Reason: Invalid voice data

[filth80]

Now, that's good news.Thanks again.