IL-2 Dedicated Server Docker / IL-2 Hosting on Linux

[-332FG-ServError]

In an effort to make IL-2 hosting available to more people, and inspired by Aterfax's work on https://github.com/Aterfax/DCS-World-Dedicated-Server-Docker , I present

 

https://github.com/ServError/IL2-GB-Dedicated-Server-Docker

 

An IL-2 GB and SRS server contained in a docker image and almost entirely automated for deploying on VPS/cloud servers or your local network.

 

This removes the need to rent Windows servers and also removes any gpu processing requirements.

 

The docker image creates a remote desktop accessible from a browser (port 3000) where you can upload your mission and SDS files, manage the DServer manually, and more. Once fully configured, you can change your `.env` file to point to a specific SDS file after which the server will boot up, check/install updates, and then automatically load your mission without any intervention.

 

Due to a quirk in IL-2's networking code, pay special attention to the readme if running this on your home network, as some tweaks are required.

 

Feedback welcome.

Edited February 18, 2024 by -332FG-ServError

[Alonzo]

This is really cool! Out of curiosity, has anyone used Docker (or another VM) for high-volume dserver use? Ages ago when I was running a copy of Windows in VMWare on my gaming rig, the virtualization overhead was about 20% or so, but that was a long time ago and the tech has gotten a lot better. It would be really cool to be able to dump our Windows dedicated servers and switch to either a single beefy Linux box with a couple of these on it, or even to go to full shared hosting.

[-332FG-ServError]

35 minutes ago, Alonzo said:

This is really cool! Out of curiosity, has anyone used Docker (or another VM) for high-volume dserver use? Ages ago when I was running a copy of Windows in VMWare on my gaming rig, the virtualization overhead was about 20% or so, but that was a long time ago and the tech has gotten a lot better. It would be really cool to be able to dump our Windows dedicated servers and switch to either a single beefy Linux box with a couple of these on it, or even to go to full shared hosting.

 

I haven't done it personally, but from what I understand minecraft and various source engine games do this (on linux hosts) on a large scale with minimal overhead. In a perfect world this docker image could both let people do high volume usage on powerful machines and also let small groups rent a cheap VPS and deploy this to it to host a few friends.

 

In general this setup needs load testing. I've put it on a 12th gen i5 rig with DDR5 and performance looked good in basic tests on a busy training map, but that doesn't speak to how it'll do with 80 clients.

Edited February 18, 2024 by -332FG-ServError

[HazMatt]

Good stuff!

 

I run Mint Linux on most of my computers and I'd be willing to help with testing or whatever is needed.

[-332FG-ServError]

Some testing since release yielded a new major issue. Clients with worse pings (especially those across an ocean) seemed to get kicked once they were in the server and about to load map objectives. There's a bad interaction between the DServer and network bridges/virtual networks. This was observed with docker's bridge and virtual interfaces, as well as a virtual network in a datacenter when bypassing the virtual Docker network entirely. From early packet captures it seems like a loss of TCP communication while UDP packets continue.

 

Any support from the devs or those in the know would be appreciated.

 

For users not dealing with another bridge/virtual net aside from docker's, this issue can be worked around by running the docker image in host network mode.

Edited February 21, 2024 by -332FG-ServError

[LLv34_Temuri]

Maybe it’s related to the same issues as the 32 player limitation if hosting behind a NAT.

[=DW=_BIRDD0G]

I'm glad someone is thinking big-picture like you :).  I'm getting ready to try this on my Unraid box.  I'm hoping to run a PWCB campaign for some friends.  Excuse my ignorance, how does this jive with PWCB?  

 

Nvm, I have a better understanding of PWCB now.  You run PWCB to create new missions and have the missions written or copied to a location visible to this container.  perhaps even run PWCB in the container.  Let the container run the mission, then apply the results in PWCB.

Edited April 25, 2024 by VA_BIRDD0G

[=DW=_BIRDD0G]

Actually, I was just getting ready to download and noticed another option is on dockerhub.  Here's the github website: https://github.com/IL2HorusTeam

 

Don't know what to do now :)

[=DW=_BIRDD0G]

Meanwhile, I went ahead with your container.  Of course, I'm trying to run this on my home LAN, so I've been trying to follow the details of your readme instructions.  However, I keep getting an error: 

 

Error failed to create network il2-server_il2-0-net: Error response from daemon: Pool overlaps with other one on this address space

 

Of course, my home network pool is already known to docker, so I can see the conflict.  What am I missing?

 

EDIT: I discovered the issue, I already have the host network (home network) shared with my docker in Unraid.  Adding the network again as a custom network specific to the container only causes errors since the network already exists.  Since my docker already can use the host network the workaround is unnecessary, but I realized I didn't need this enabled anymore and removed the host network visibility from docker.  Now the published workaround for the custom network is necessary and working.

Edited April 25, 2024 by VA_BIRDD0G

[=DW=_BIRDD0G]

So far I haven't been successful getting dserver fully installed in the container.  I think I'm fighting user access permission issues between the root unraid user and the container abc user.  I'll update again if I find the solution for Unraid users, but the motivation has diminished a bit since I realized my 2021 laptop has better single thread performance than the 2012 i7 in my unraid server 🙃.  Perhaps if I start to host a 24/7 multiplayer server it will become relevant again.

[-332FG-ServError]

On 4/25/2024 at 9:30 AM, VA_BIRDD0G said:

So far I haven't been successful getting dserver fully installed in the container.  I think I'm fighting user access permission issues between the root unraid user and the container abc user.  I'll update again if I find the solution for Unraid users, but the motivation has diminished a bit since I realized my 2021 laptop has better single thread performance than the 2012 i7 in my unraid server 🙃.  Perhaps if I start to host a 24/7 multiplayer server it will become relevant again.

Hey Birddog, apologies, I hadn't been following this thread lately.

 

Regarding which box has more performance, you're probably right that the laptop has better single core performance and memory which IL2 greatly prefers.

 

If you do end up testing again, I might suggest avoiding host mode and trying the default networking setup, at least to see if DServer starts correctly. Host mode can get a bit nasty since it lacks the same level of isolation. Do you remember what was failing in particular during your install?