Monitoring Rust Game Servers: Tracking Ram Usage

how to monitor rust ram usage gameservers

Monitoring RAM usage for gameservers is a critical task for any system administrator. Rust is a RAM-intensive game, and ensuring optimal performance requires careful management of server resources. While there are no one-size-fits-all solutions, several tools and techniques can aid in optimising Rust gameserver performance. This includes using RAM calculators, performance-monitoring plugins, and understanding the impact of map sizes, player counts, and plugins on memory consumption. Additionally, techniques such as heap parsing and instrumenting allocation and deallocation routines provide insights into memory usage, helping administrators make informed decisions about resource allocation.

Characteristics Values
RAM usage Varies depending on the server, but can be estimated using a calculator
Factors affecting RAM usage Map size, number of players, types of plugins, map seed, number of monuments and structures
Recommended RAM A minimum of 8GB of RAM, with 10GB+ being optimal
Reducing RAM usage Decrease map size, use entity controlling plugins, remove memory-heavy plugins
Monitoring tools Performance Monitor Plugin for uMod, heaptrack, memory_stats crate, sysinfo crate

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Using a Rust RAM usage calculator

A Rust RAM usage calculator is a handy tool that can help you estimate the amount of RAM your Rust server will utilise. This is especially useful as the amount of RAM a Rust server uses has long been a confusing topic, with various sites claiming different, often outdated, figures.

How to Use the Calculator

The calculator will have sliders for different variables, such as the number of players, the size of the map, and the number of plugins. By adjusting these sliders, you can see how much RAM your server will use. For example, you will be able to see how even small changes, such as adding a few more players, can affect your RAM usage.

Understanding the Estimate

It's important to remember that the calculator will only provide an estimate. This is because maps, players, and different plugins can use varying amounts of system resources. For example, the map seed can play a large role in memory usage, as some seeds have more monuments and structures that increase memory usage, even if the map size remains the same.

Reducing RAM Usage

If you find that your RAM usage is higher than expected, there are ways to reduce it. The main method is to reduce the size of your Rust server map. You can also use entity-controlling plugins to reduce or remove naturally spawning entities, especially those outside of the TC range. Additionally, removing memory-heavy plugins can help lower RAM usage.

Recommended RAM for Rust

For optimal performance, it is recommended to have at least 16 GB of RAM and 25 GB of SSD storage space. Rust dedicated server requirements depend on the specific use case, but a minimum of 8 GB of RAM is recommended, with 10 GB or more being more optimal for most users.

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Reducing the map size

One of the main ways to reduce RAM usage for a Rust game server is to reduce the map size. This is because maps, players, and the types of plugins on your server can all use varying amounts of system resources. The map seed also plays a large role in the server's memory usage.

  • Use a smaller map: Opt for a smaller map size that covers a smaller area but provides more detail. This can be useful if you want to focus on a specific area of the game.
  • Limit the number of monuments and structures: Even if the map size remains the same, the number of monuments and structures can increase memory usage.
  • Use a lower-resolution texture pack: If you are using a custom texture pack, consider using one with lower resolution textures to reduce the overall map size.
  • Remove unnecessary map elements: Review the map and remove any elements that are not essential to the gameplay. This could include decorative features, custom terrain, or other non-essential elements.
  • Optimize the map generation: If you are generating the map procedurally, review the generation settings and optimize them to reduce the overall map size.

By following these steps, you can reduce the map size and lower the RAM usage of your Rust game server.

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Removing memory-heavy plugins

To reduce Rust server RAM usage, you can remove memory-heavy plugins such as QuickSmelt or any other automation-style plugins. Automation plugins, in particular, can be heavy on server resources as they automate tasks such as interacting with doors or furnaces, increasing the load on the server.

It's important to note that the impact of plugins on server performance depends on various factors, including the number of plugins, their functionality, how well they are coded, and their configuration. Therefore, it is recommended to monitor your server's performance and resource usage to identify any plugins that may be causing high memory usage.

In addition to removing memory-heavy plugins, you can also consider using entity-controlling plugins such as Entity Reducer, which allows you to reduce the number of naturally spawning entities, or Entity Cleanup, which lets you remove entities outside of TC range. These plugins can help you manage your entity count and optimize your server's performance.

By combining these strategies, you can effectively reduce memory usage and improve the overall performance of your Rust game server.

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Using a performance monitor plugin

While there is no direct mention of a plugin that can monitor RAM usage for Rust game servers, there are some general tools and methods that can be used to monitor server performance, including RAM usage. Here is a detailed description of using a performance monitor plugin:

Performance monitor plugins are tools designed to provide insights into the resource utilisation of your game server, including RAM usage. These plugins can offer a comprehensive view of your server's health and performance, helping you identify potential bottlenecks and optimise your server configuration.

To use a performance monitor plugin for your Rust game server, follow these steps:

  • Choose a suitable performance monitor plugin: Research and select a plugin that is compatible with your game server environment and offers the features you need. Look for plugins that provide real-time monitoring, detailed resource usage statistics, and easy-to-understand visual representations of data.
  • Install and configure the plugin: Follow the installation instructions provided by the plugin developer. This may involve downloading and installing the plugin files on your server or integrating the plugin with your server management platform. Ensure that the plugin is correctly configured to monitor the specific resources you are interested in, including RAM usage.
  • Access the plugin interface: Once installed, access the plugin's interface, which is typically web-based. Log in using the credentials provided during the installation process.
  • Monitor RAM usage: The plugin should provide a dashboard or similar interface that displays real-time information about your server's performance, including RAM usage. This information may be presented in graphs, charts, or numerical values. Look for trends, spikes, or anomalies in RAM usage that could indicate areas for optimisation.
  • Set up alerts and notifications: Many performance monitor plugins allow you to set custom alerts and notifications for specific resource usage thresholds. For example, you can set an alert to notify you if the server's RAM usage exceeds a certain percentage, helping you take proactive measures to avoid performance issues.
  • Analyse historical data: Performance monitor plugins typically log and store historical performance data. Use this data to analyse long-term trends in RAM usage and identify any persistent issues or areas for improvement. This data can also help you optimise your server configuration and resource allocation.
  • Compare performance with other servers: Some performance monitor plugins offer the ability to compare your server's performance with that of similar servers or industry benchmarks. This comparative analysis can provide insights into areas where your server may be underperforming and help you set performance improvement goals.
  • Optimise server configuration: Based on the insights gained from the performance monitor plugin, make informed decisions about optimising your server configuration. This may include adjusting the server's RAM allocation, reducing the number or impact of plugins, or upgrading to a more powerful server plan.

By following these steps and utilising a performance monitor plugin, you can effectively monitor and optimise the RAM usage of your Rust game server, ensuring a smooth and efficient gaming experience for your players.

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Limiting the server's FPS

Rust's server FPS is capped at 256 FPS by default, but it is recommended to set a lower limit to reduce CPU usage and improve server performance. Facepunch, the developers of Rust, have stated that capping the server FPS at 30 will not impact the player experience. This can be done by setting the "fps.max" value between 30 and 100.

The "fps" command via RCON can be used to poll the server's current FPS. Additionally, enabling time warnings using the "global.timewarning 1" setting will help identify performance issues, as any value over 2 seconds indicates a problem.

It is worth noting that while limiting the server's FPS can improve performance and reduce hardware load, it is also important to consider other factors such as the number of entities on the map, collider limits, and the use of well-optimised plugins.

By following these guidelines and monitoring server performance, you can ensure that your Rust server runs smoothly and efficiently, providing an enjoyable experience for your players.

Frequently asked questions

The amount of RAM used by a Rust server will vary depending on factors such as the number of players, the size of the map, and the number of plugins. It is recommended to have a minimum of 8GB of RAM, with 10GB or more being optimal for most users.

You can use a tool such as the Performance Monitor plugin for uMod, which provides real-time data about your server's memory usage, plugin hook time, and other metrics that impact performance.

To reduce RAM usage, you can consider reducing the map size, using entity-controlling plugins, or removing memory-intensive plugins.

In addition to server hardware, the performance of a Rust server can be influenced by factors such as the number of entities on the map, collider limits, and the use of plugins.

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