What does a dedicated server mean when playing games online?

[adfunk]

Specifically i'm playing NWN as an online rental and was wondering if having a dedicated server would be good for me. Sounds nice but i hate to push buttons that i'm unsure of and my computers Chinese so i have a hard time in the menus.

[ides]

A dedicated server is basically one that runs practically 24/7 day and night, so you can just hop right on when you feel like it.

[orionsb]

I DONT NO BUT ITS 2 POINTS FOR ME

[marmo]

A dedicated server usually refers to a system set up for multiple users to connect to so that they can interact during game play. It wouldn't make any difference in your computer's performance, because you'd still be playing the game on your machine. The server just keeps you informed of the other players' actions and scores, etc.

[DrFrank]

A dedicated server brings you your drinks while you are playing the game.

Just kidding. It just means the machine's only purpose is hosting that game. It does not do anything else. Makes the game play faster. If it is your personal machine, and not one you are hosting other people on, it does not make any difference. If you are trying to host a number of online sessions at the same time, it makes a lot of difference.

[Hulkster]

A dedicated server means that the computer is working on hosting the game.

Definately NOT advisable. It opens your PC to a host of problems and makes it much easier to attack.

Better to play on someone elses.

-- Alan

[mybizmakers]

Game servers come in two types:

1. Listen Server - This is when you play the game *and* you're the server at the same time, a listen server is basically when the program runs both the server and one client simultaneously.

2. Dedicated Server - All the program is doing is running the game, you can't actually play on a dedicated server unless you launch the program again and connect to it like everyone else would have to.

In Never WInter Nights, you'd only want a dedicated server if you wanted people to be able to play on your server when you're not there. You'd have to run the server yourself, so you'd be responsible for making sure it was running the right maps, the right mods etc...

[india]

well its just like having a real server without the hard wok. you can see every thing you do on a consel that shows up.