Re: [Nel] Dynamic load balancing?

[Vincent Archer]

According to Glaze:
> Hello,
> 
> I have one "small" question and I hope this is the right place to ask it. I
> was just wonder how (or if) you will solve the question of how to balance
> the workload on the game servers, will you use some kind of dynamic load
> balancing or have you opted for another approach.

Hmm, I realise I've explained what is dynamic load balancing, but I
haven't answered this question.

Let's hope we have a good discussion on this :)

If you look at some of the basics in the... ok in the future design
documents, you see we're working with a kind of ORB approach, with
a naming service, which lets you discuss with specific services.

We're aiming for a functional approach, not the classic EQ/UO/AC
geographical approach. In that classic model, each processus is a
complete copy of the code. It contains everything, from spell effects
to pathfinding to combat code. Each process serves a specific "area",
which is defined by an X/Y/Z box (or, for EQ, a zone ID number, since
each area is strictly separate).

We're not going to use this approach. Chiefly because static allocation
fails when you put too many objects in the same area (be it because a
guild has decided to hold a meeting of all its 350 members there, or
because we want to have an event with an army of 100 mobs spawning).
And, as I explained somewhere else, dynamic allocation means:
1) A complete lack of control on what process is doing what, and
2) A need for a very fast way of finding who is near you and under
   which process control

What we're aiming for is a functional approach. That is, each service
provides specific functions. For example, all items in the game are
handled by a single service. Combat runs on a separate service.
And so on.

I'll let you imagine how this works, and then will further explain as
you try to shoot holes into that design. :)

-- 
Vincent Archer                                         Email: address@hidden

Nevrax France.                              Off on the yellow brick road we go!