Aws Server Hosting is a robust solution, especially when leveraging services like GameLift. It’s essential to understand that while GameLift servers are built upon Amazon’s EC2 infrastructure – the very foundation of AWS Services – they are specifically enhanced for game hosting. These aren’t just standard servers; they come pre-configured with the GameLift Framework. This framework is a game-changer, as it automates server administration, handles updates seamlessly, and provides a streamlined connection framework, simplifying how players connect to your game servers.
GameLift: More Than Just Servers
GameLift’s architecture is flexible, accommodating both long-term persistent servers and session-based server needs, or even a combination of both. For scenarios requiring a dedicated, always-on game world, you can easily establish a “persistent server” by designating a fleet specifically for this purpose. By setting the minimum number of servers to one and disabling auto-scaling, you ensure your game world remains consistently available.
Data Management and Security Considerations
Regardless of whether you opt for persistent or session-based servers, secure data management is paramount. Best practice dictates that your game server client should transmit crucial game data to an external database or a secure HTTP endpoint. Directly reading memory data from a server process is generally discouraged by operating systems due to significant security risks. Allowing such access would create enormous vulnerabilities, making servers susceptible to exploitation.
Game-related data typically falls into two categories: static and changing data. Static data, which includes information like server name, region, last wipe time, and maximum player capacity, can be submitted by the server client upon server boot-up. Assigning a unique ID to each server client, linked to your server records (containing details like server name and region), allows for efficient tracking. Upon each boot-up, the server client can report its status, enabling your records to calculate uptime and next boot times. This approach centralizes critical server information in a database, safeguarding it even in the event of server compromise. For dynamic, frequently changing data such as the current player count, the server can provide updates at regular intervals, for example, every 5 minutes, ensuring you have a near real-time view of server activity.
