Need server expert: CPU time usage.

[Shevron]

Details first!

Host: verygames.co.uk
Modpack: Monster 1.0.5
Mods added: Archimedes Ships, Traincraft, Ars Magicka 2, Binnie's Mods (latest 1.6.4 approved version).
Players: 16-slot, 7 players active.

Now before getting the obvious "check with your host" reply, I already opened a ticket with them and awaiting a reply. Just thought I'd bounce it off you guys too, as I'm pretty sure I'm gonna get the "it's the modpack's fault" reply from my hosts.

In the past few days, I had noticed a severe server degradation to be point of being unplayable. A /forge tps gave me like 6tps, which is appalling. Tweaking here and there and exploring heavy chunks with Opis did improve slightly, but was still giving me 45ms in the overworld.

This morning I decided to reinstall the server (and keep the map of course) and all the performance problems went away. It's a steady 20tps, at 26ms'ish, so I'd say it's more than fine.

However I keep finding my server being shut down by my host automatic "protection" with the below history:

[02-03-2014] [06:31:30 PM]
[Automatic - VeryGames] Problem: CPU usage abnormal: 151% (RAM: 1256 MB, 0 players, ptime 45:57). Map corrupted or plugin problem. Server paused.

[02-03-2014] [05:30:31 PM]
[Automatic - VeryGames] Problem: CPU usage abnormal: 152% (RAM: 1216 MB, 0 players, ptime 18:10). Map corrupted or plugin problem. Server paused.

[02-03-2014] [05:10:20 PM]
[Automatic - VeryGames] Problem: CPU usage abnormal: 148% (RAM: 1226 MB, 0 players, ptime 19:01). Map corrupted or plugin problem. Server paused.

[02-03-2014] [04:30:33 PM]
[Automatic - VeryGames] Problem: CPU usage abnormal: 144% (RAM: 1251 MB, 0 players, ptime 19:36). Map corrupted or plugin problem. Server paused.

[02-03-2014] [12:40:24 PM]
[Automatic - VeryGames] Problem: CPU usage abnormal: 142% (RAM: 1190 MB, 0 players, ptime 21:56). Map corrupted or plugin problem. Server paused.

[02-03-2014] [12:15:25 PM]
[Automatic - VeryGames] Problem: CPU usage abnormal: 148% (RAM: 1190 MB, 0 players, ptime 18:37). Map corrupted or plugin problem. Server paused.

[02-03-2014] [11:45:22 AM]
[Automatic - VeryGames] Problem: CPU usage abnormal: 162% (RAM: 1242 MB, 0 players, ptime 18:50). Map corrupted or plugin problem. Server paused.

[02-03-2014] [10:35:17 AM]
[Automatic - VeryGames] Problem: CPU usage abnormal: 161% (RAM: 1230 MB, 0 players, ptime 18:56). Map corrupted or plugin problem. Server paused.

[02-02-2014] [11:00:36 PM]
[Automatic - VeryGames] Problem: CPU usage abnormal: 167% (RAM: 1208 MB, 0 players, ptime 19:33). Map corrupted or plugin problem. Server paused.

[02-02-2014] [02:40:25 PM]
[Automatic - VeryGames] Problem: CPU usage abnormal: 149% (RAM: 1246 MB, 0 players, ptime 25:16). Map corrupted or plugin problem. Server paused.

I cannot understand what could be causing such a heavy CPU load, when ingame everything seems all fine and dandy. It's a relatively young map too, so there's not much technology going on except the usual starter TE machines, and a bit of IC2, but nothing big really.

The funny thing is, that this seems to happen only when there are no players online. If there are 1 or more players online, the server stays up for hours without a single complaint. The moment there are no players, it shuts down again with the same error.

Even if you see our server logs, it never complains of being overloaded with the usual "cannot keep up messages".

I'd really appreciate the opinion of you guys.

Thanks.

 

[Shevron]

Update: Server just crashed with this crashlog http://pastebin.com/yzCbiBw3

 

[Bigglesworth]

http://www.minecraftforum.net/topic/2104497-164server-admin-opis-112-alpha-now-with-entity-support/

 

[Shevron]

Did run an Opis profile - and can't find anything out the ordinary. Been messing around in-game without issues for over an hour. The second it's empty, it'll get shutdown for excessive CPU.

 

[Harvest88]

Did run an Opis profile - and can't find anything out the ordinary. Been messing around in-game without issues for over an hour. The second it's empty, it'll get shutdown for excessive CPU.

I suggest get yourself a better host with better and quicker support and a better CPU as I said here http://forum.feed-the-beast.com/thr...ds-what-hosting-should-i-pick-up.31095/page-3 , I been tired of idiots not helping me and not selling good hardware. Oh and as far as pricing they are very affordable considering what kind of service they actually offers.

 

[MigukNamja]

Update: Server just crashed with this crashlog http://pastebin.com/yzCbiBw3

       at calclavia.lib.prefab.block.BlockAdvanced.isUsableWrench(BlockAdvanced.java:87)
       at calclavia.lib.prefab.block.BlockAdvanced.func_71903_a(BlockAdvanced.java:41)

Looks like MFFS, which you are indeed using:

       MFFS{3.6.1} [Modular Force Field System] (MFFS_v3.6.1.313.jar) Unloaded->Constructed->Pre-initialized->Initialized->Post-initialized->Available->Available->Available->Available

But, I'm puzzled why the *server* would be trying to render an icon:

       java.lang.NoClassDefFoundError: net/minecraft/client/renderer/texture/IconRegister

Edit : checked the hosting site and they seem to lean heavily towards server plug-ins being enabled *by default*. Please verify what/which plugins are running on this server. They may be trying to do something like tricking MFFS into thinking it's running on a client.

Not sure if these guys *really* support modded MC. They seem to lean heavily towards vanilla MC hosting.

 

[Harvest88]

Not sure if these guys *really* support modded MC. They seem to lean heavily towards vanilla MC hosting.

That what I tried with Thesmelters "if they have so many mod packs on the automated installs then they gotta know what they are doing" and no they literally dumped me as explained on the constructive criticized review I posted on that link I provided. All those [people] are doing is lying their ways to "big money", thanks god I countered EVERY argument every host faced me with the new awesome host I am at. So as said there it may be the host not really supporting modded MC.

Note: I edited one word to make this more in-line with the Forum Rules. Let's keep our noses clean, folks. --Vauthil

 

[PsionicArchon]

It sounds like your host may be overselling their hardware. This is common when dealing with shared hosting. I can't imagine the type of hardware they would need to be running if they're struggling to maintain a barely populated server.

I'm hosting on a budget VPS plan that totals a whopping seven dollars a month and, I can maintain a steady ten players at any given time without a hitch. Hell, my base fills an entire mountain, sprawling with ME cables, UE Cables and, hundreds of tickrate gobbling machines and, we never drop below twenty tps.

I'd look elsewhere for your Minecraft hosting needs. If you're willing to learn (it isn't that difficult), go with a VPS plan. Not only do you have the freedom to choose your preferred Linux distro, you can install the most up to date version of the sun jvm. Beyond that, you can grab the latest version of mcpc+ available. In almost two years of using mcpc+ I haven't noticed any compatibility issues glaring enough to warrant dealing with the vanilla server.

Most VPS providers are willing to transfer your VPS container to a dedicated server should the need ever arise (20+ players) as an added bonus.

 

[Shevron]

I found the problem.

An MFFS item (forgot its name) was pushing CPU usage sky high. Broke the block and now it's stable. I would change host, but it just got renewed for 3 months, so it's not an option.

Suggestions for a better host to move to when this one expires, that doesn't rape my wallet are welcome. EU based please

 

[MigukNamja]

Which MFFS block ?

According to your crash log, it looks like it was crashing trying to *render* an icon. The rendering code should only ever run in client mode. Since other Monster people have not reported this issue and the hosting site seems to had server plug-in mandatory, I suspect one of its plug-ins was doing something like putting the server into a psuedo-client mode or some such. Just a theory.

Thanks,
MigukNamja

 

[Harvest88]

I found the problem.
Suggestions for a better host to move to when this one expires, that doesn't rape my wallet are welcome. EU based please

try my suggestion, the cheapest solution for the best support I came across from 8 providers, E3 1240v3 CPU, and yep under $8.25 a GB on the 3.5GB sized plan. But they only have US servers but hey they have a week money back no Qs refund policy.

 

[Shevron]

Started again this morning.

This is the hosts' reply, which obviously is unhelpful as ever:

Hello,

These messages are generated on our side.

They do not indicate an overload, but rather, an abnormal resources usage.

In your case, they indicate that the server is using very large amount of CPU processing time, although there's no players online.

In your case, it's extremely likely that your mods, or maybe some machines that you may have built on the map (but it comes back to the mods since they allow you to do this) are the reason your server uses so much CPU.

In fact, you can switch your server to vanilla, craftbukkit or similar, and you'll find that the problems disappear.

Our servers are hosted in a shared environment. With this in mind, we cannot allow an empty server to use that much resources.

That's why the problem only occurs if there's no players.

Unfortunately, it's not possible to disable this.
We have no solution to offer for this particular problem. The server will keep being shut down as long as it keeps using so much resources while empty, and it will keep using that much resources as long as you have a modded server.

 

[UnionCraft]

Ridiculous reply from the hosting company, FTB Monster doesnt use that much CPU unless its a poorly configured machine and/or over-shared CPU/RAM.

We dont go through a hosting company (we rent a server directly) but I can tell you our cpu usage on Monster barely goes above 5% and usually sits happily at 0-1% with 10+ players online.

Move to a better host or do yourself a huge favour and rent a server for your sole use.

 

[Shevron]

Yeah I think so too. As I said however, you guys might probably be able to point me in the right direction towards good Linux hosts that are proven to be able to handle the load.

I know @Harvest88 suggested one, but US based hosts are no good to me. We're all EU players, so the lag would be too much.

 

[UnionCraft]

Hetzner all the way (Intel servers tho)
https://robot.your-server.de/order/market

 

[Shevron]

Trying to ask for a refund. Wish me luck.

 

[Shevron]

Good news: I'm getting a full refund.

Bad news: I have to take it down by tonite, and I'm still without a new host -_-

 

[Harvest88]

Yeah I think so too. As I said however, you guys might probably be able to point me in the right direction towards good Linux hosts that are proven to be able to handle the load.

I know @Harvest88 suggested one, but US based hosts are no good to me. We're all EU players, so the lag would be too much.

What you can try to do is ask them to go on a test server and see how it goes anyways. Difference providers use difference bandwidth providers.

 

[Shevron]

Moved to FragNet, and I am very impressed.

I was doing 40ms and over per tick on previous host. Now on same map, I'm getting 8ms.

 

[Harvest88]

Moved to FragNet, and I am very impressed.

I was doing 40ms and over per tick on previous host. Now on same map, I'm getting 8ms.

That's all I got from them was their quality bandwidth but as far as their support to help me they were crap. All they said about my CPU overload that their CPU goes 3.8ghz (lying they use E3 1270v2 and those only operates at 3.5ghz) and that should be enough and that it's my mods and plugins (which I had no plugins what so ever). For $13.20 a GB I expects to get top grade support not crap on a ticket.