=SM= SneakyMonkeys.com server shut down

[=SM= MonkeyFiend™]

Crosspost from the SM forums. (http://www.sneakymonkeys.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=3887)

I know there will be some trolls posting that don't like the SM, but this post is not for you, but instead the many thousands of happy players we've had over the last decade of running as the world number 1 server.

So.. I've closed the SM chivalry server indefinitely.

For most of this year we've been on the receiving end of a DDOS type attack.
The originator of the attack is probably some butthurt incel kid we've banned, however the attacks are directed from VPN endpoints, so we can't easily block them.
Additionally Chivalry (on UE3 code over a decade old) has little protection against such attacks.

Some of this may be that they want the removal of particular admins. I will not allow this under any circumstances.

The lag outs of the server will eventually mean the server doesn't populate and that was always my stipulation for running the servers.

Having a young family, I don't have the hours to dedicate to trying to keep an unstable server functioning.

If we reach a point where we can stop the attacks I'd reopen the server. However I suspect this is unlikely.

Thanks,

MonkeyFiend

p.s. to muddy the waters someone who plays on SM has started attacking other populated servers. Their logic, in an anonymous spoofed email, was that the person attacking SM must play Chivalry and if SM is brought down they'd not want to move to other servers and so would bring down the other servers like Brokeback and UK officials in reprisal.

[Zug Zug]

Is this what we were experiencing in the Brokeback server just now. That ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ sucks man, I never played much on your server(due to location) but it was one of the most popular.

[=SM= MonkeyFiend™]

Originally posted by Zug Zug:

Is this what we were experiencing in the Brokeback server just now. That ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ sucks man, I never played much on your server(due to location) but it was one of the most popular.

I assume it was linked. I'll contact Brokeback and see what's going on

[Zug Zug]

Originally posted by =SM= MonkeyFiend™:

Originally posted by Zug Zug:

Is this what we were experiencing in the Brokeback server just now. That ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ sucks man, I never played much on your server(due to location) but it was one of the most popular.

I assume it was linked. I'll contact Brokeback and see what's going on

Thank you kindly sir, hopefully everything gets straightened out.

[Gandadorf]

It's like that crying baby on an airplane throwing a tantrum on everyone because their mother told them to stop kicking the seat in front of them. Well it was a good time nonetheless, quite impressive how long one server could keep the game alive for so long, you should be proud of that. Cheers

[=SM= MonkeyFiend™]

Actually going to try one more thing - new server, new IP but with different networking that we think should block the attacks. Testing it at the moment

[Mr.Firefox]

so gem is ded then?

[TestTestTest]

Contact the VPN providers. There are ways to track down contact info.

Also, for problematic players that use VPNs, it's actually a violation of Steam terms of service to use VPNs. You can use that. You can also often find out if they are using the same VPN service that the DDOS attacks are coming from.

However, you really have to marvel at some of these trolls. Seems like there have been people trolling the mostly abandoned Deadliest Warrior servers day and night almost 24/7 for several years now.

That's a whole special level of pathetic crazy psychopath.

[=SM= MonkeyFiend™]

Originally posted by TestTestTest:

Contact the VPN providers. There are ways to track down contact info.

Also, for problematic players that use VPNs, it's actually a violation of Steam terms of service to use VPNs. You can use that. You can also often find out if they are using the same VPN service that the DDOS attacks are coming from.

However, you really have to marvel at some of these trolls. Seems like there have been people trolling the mostly abandoned Deadliest Warrior servers day and night almost 24/7 for several years now.

That's a whole special level of pathetic crazy psychopath.

Yep, we've been down this route before. People can use free trials of VPNs with spoofed details. Ultimately it could go back to a controller IP, but realistically for anything legal we'd be in country A, contacting a VPN provider in country B, for a VPN in country C, being used by an arsehole in country D.

Hell we trace controllers back to virused machines, or the more recent trend of compromised email accounts being used to spin up Azure trials of linux boxes used for mischief

Realistically no one is going to do anything for the grand crime of an incel kid attacking a game server.

Likewise the VPN provider have fobbed off with the "we keep no logs" etc., The attacks themselves are small but destabilise the servers. The VPN providers will only start caring if it effects their bandwidth, which these don't.

We're trialling new firewalls and I reckon we can eventually stop these attacks.

At this point it was either quit the game or double down. I absolutely hate to be forced out of a game by some little scrote kids, so I've purchased the servers for another year at least.

[Caleb of 300]

RIP in peace!

[♠KANE †]

Originally posted by =SM= MonkeyFiend™:

Actually going to try one more thing - new server, new IP but with different networking that we think should block the attacks. Testing it at the moment

how much would you say the server has cost you/SM per year out of curiousity?

[=SM= MonkeyFiend™]

They're not cheap.

The old server through NFO servers was 64 slots, INAP, High CPU priority would be $73.34 per month. The server that runs that bots, xlrstats and database is a VM 4 core, windows $35.99 (although the bot isn't strictly required it does make everything easier)

So basically $110 per month for the core services.

Obviously this goes up with additional servers. We're currently running a 32 slot FFA, 40 slot TO server in the US. The old 64 slot server listed above is now the locked tournament server (although this will be going in a weeks time). We also spin up specific servers for things like low rank, no archers, custom maps, duel as required.

The new server is similar spec but running on a VM to give us complete control of networking.

I'm lucky enough to be in a well paid job, so cost of servers has never been an issue. The recent issue of an incel kid attacking the servers is it costs me time that I'd prefer to spend with family, or even playing some games! :P

Either way changes to networking seem to be holding up against the attacks; the server doesn't crash or kick everyone out when attacked so we'll just hope that continues :) Even if they start a new attack that works, we'll deal with as best we can

MonkeyFiend

P.S. You can absolutely get cheaper servers from other providers. For 24-32 slots I'd recommend that. The higher cost on NFO is also down to much higher specs. After trying several providers none have been even close to that level of performance for large (50-64 slot) servers. Getting Chivalry to work even passably well at 64 slots has always been a bit of black magic. For large servers I'd recommend NFO, for small servers I'd recommend Simrai

[♠KANE †]

Great thanks good info. Bit more expensive than i thought. I imagine different providers provide different level of support. I had a cs server a few years back which was less than 30 UKP a month (use adminmod) and remote access. I didnt realize your stats server cost quite a bit as well as the main chivalry server wow.

[Random]

Originally posted by ♠KANE †:

Great thanks good info. Bit more expensive than i thought. I imagine different providers provide different level of support. I had a cs server a few years back which was less than 30 UKP a month (use adminmod) and remote access. I didnt realize your stats server cost quite a bit as well as the main chivalry server wow.

The easiest and cheapest way to host your own server for 24p or 32p is with Simrai. They were always the best EU hosts for Chiv. Most duelyards were hosted with them and I had a few servers with them when I tried running a 24p TO server.

They charge 50 cents per slot per month for Chiv 1 so I paid 12 euros per month for a 24p server.

https://www.simrai.com/