LEARSCAPE SERVER version 3

As some of you may already know, Learscape version 3 is under construction.  In a couple of days the server will be moved to a new location that is better catered for a server.

I have outlined below some of the things that will be in the new server when it is released.  Their will be a lot more added ingame but Lear is taking care of that.

The new location for the server has an increased bandwidth and download limit which is better suited to run the Learscape SERVER version 3.

• Integrated Learscape Server and vBulletin – One username and password will be required for you to log into the new server and forums.  These are linked and players MUST register a forums account before being able to log into the server with the same username and password.
• Staff rights inherited from forums – Now if you are a player and you are promoted, you will have the same status on the forums as in game as the forum is what sets the permissions for the players.
• Banuser command removed – Players can now be banned from the forums, which is better as they can be temporarily banned or permanently banned.  This will be still available to STAFF but it must be done from the forums, then use the kick command to kick the player.
• Highscores ONLINE – Players highscores will now be able to be viewed online.  You will be able to:
• SEE YOUR RANK
• SEE YOUR STATS
• COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS
• SEE OTHER PLAYERS RANK AND STATS
• CREATE A SIGNATURE TO TELL EVERYONE YOUR LEARSCAPE STATS
• Total online players + currently online players – You will be able to view currently logged in player’s names and the total number of currently playing players.
• Membership introduced – The exact criteria to obtain membership has not been decided on yet, but their will be more than one way to obtain a membership.  Being a member means:  Direct support for your client installation and character file.  Certain member items in game.  Forum benefits.
• Support desk implemented – This will be available to everyone, but members accounts get direct and priority in support cases.  A email form to send a correctly formatted response with your fault to our support desk application that can track and trend similar faults and distinguish between one-time and on-going support cases.
• Alarm monitoring application – SNMP monitoring for all network devices servicing LEARSCAPE.  This logs CPU, RAM and bandwidth load, also corrupted processes and log downtime.  All critical faults will be automatically emailed to the support desk application and linked with major player faults to determine the cause.

• Webclient release – The Learscape WEBCLIENT will also be introduced and this will allow for users who are new to Learscape to experience the TRUE Learscape before downloading the Stand-a-lone client.  The Webclient version will deliberately be one or two version behind the Stand-a-lone client.  This is because the load on the Webclient server is a lot if everyone uses it so the stand-a-lone client is the one to use when you have been playing for a little while.
• Online LEARSCAPE reference guide – An online guide to Learscape.  This will be your on stop for all info on Learscape.  Example of some titles in the reference guide:  “How to use command xxxxx”, “How to ban a player”, “How to get item xxxxx”. etc

	Learscape Server	MySQL/vBulletin Server
CPU	2.2 Ghz	1.8 Ghz
RAM	3 GB	3 GB
Operating Sys.	Windows 2003 Server	CENTOS 5
Internet interface*	100 Mbit/s	100 Mbit/s
WIN ßà CENTOS**	1 Gbit/s	1 Gbit/s
Adv. CPU load^	32%	12%
Adv. RAM load^	25%	36%

*   Based on interface speed.  Due to this being the main interfaces serving the    Learscape community the speeds will vary greatly and due to this being a internet link it will not reach anywhere near  100Mbit/s.

**  Based on interface speed.  This link is to connect the Learscape server with the MySQL database located on the CENTOS server.  This is a high-speed link to accommodate any high data loads if there is a large amount of players logged in. 

^   Based on tests provided under REAL-WORLD situations

NOTE:  All passwords and data transmitted between the MySQL server and the Learscape server is encrypted using MD5 hashing.  The link is also not visible from the internet so noone can see your password.

In the next couple of weeks I will release a document like this one entailing the new things to be added in game.