There is nothing more fun than organizing a LAN game with friends. The best part is being able to see your friends in the face as you clap them loudly in your basement.
Hosting a LAN party isn't difficult. Follow the steps below to learn how to get enough bandwidth and fix the other technicalities.
Steps
Step 1. Decide how big your LAN will be
You can probably create a LAN that can accommodate a small number of people (6-16) with the devices you already have. For larger LANs (16 or more people) you may need to purchase or rent more equipment. The other limiting factor is space. A good way to figure out how much space you will need is to assign 2 people to each 2m table.
Step 2. Find a suitable place
A garage is perfect for small LAN games. It is usually possible to accommodate 20 players in a classic two-car garage. If you need more space, look for conference rooms. Try asking churches, schools and other public bodies. Finding a free venue is the best choice, but if no one is willing to lend you a venue, you might want to think about a hotel conference room. It can cost you a lot, but you won't have problems with electricity and air conditioning, or a shortage of chairs or tables.
Step 3. Get all the necessary network devices
You will need at least a router (for example: Linksys BEFSR41 or0D-Link EBR-2310). Most routers only have 4 ethernet ports, so if you have invited more than 3 people, you will also need a switch (for example: Linksys EZXS16W or D-Link DES-1024D). You should dedicate an ethernet port to each person. 10 / 100BaseT devices are more than suitable for gaming, although transfer speeds in the order of gigabits will allow you to copy files between computers on the network very quickly. But if you want to save money (and who doesn't want to?), You can find cheap 48-port 10 / 100 switches on eBay. Just connect the switch to the router and all players to the switch. Below you will find some guidelines for the network according to the size of your LAN:
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Up to 10 PCs - Each PC will need a network card, a small 100BASE-TX Ethernet switch, and at least two 100BASE-TX network cables; you may find everything you need in a kit to build a network.
11-40 PCs - Get a 100BASE-TX switch with enough ports for all your guests (or multiple switches with connecting ports) and enough cables to connect the computers to the switches. To save time and headaches, ask players to take care of their network card and install TCP / IP on their systems before starting. You might ask that your guests bring their own switches and cables as well, but you should still have some extra
- 41-200 PC - In addition to the equipment listed above, you will need switches (preferably 10 / 100, with at least one port every 40 people) and dedicated servers to avoid lag. You should equip all your servers with 100Base-TX or gigabit technology.
Step 4. Get all necessary electrical equipment
If you overload your system, the main switch will trip and you will have little time to fix the problem. The best solution is to be prepared.
- If you are hosting LAN in your garage or home, you will need extension cables to connect computers to home outlets. This is because you will not be able to connect all the computers in one circuit. To figure out which circuit the sockets belong to, you will need to find the electrical panel. If you're lucky, the circuits will be labeled. Otherwise, you'll need the help of a second person to tell you which lights go out every time you flip a switch.
- If you are in a hotel or using a generator (read the Tips), you will have distribution boxes available, which have multiple 20 amp circuits. A good rule of thumb is to accommodate 4 players on a 15 amp circuit and 6 on a 20 amp circuit. Run extension cords from each table to distribute the power evenly, and make sure the players know which outlet they are connecting to.
- It is a good idea to check all the circuits and draw them on a sheet of paper, give everyone a copy of the schematic, and label each socket. Be careful if there are refrigerators or air conditioners on the same circuit as the computers. When the compressor starts, these appliances absorb a lot of energy.
Step 5. Get some chairs
For a small LAN, your dining table and desk may be enough for you. For a LAN in the garage, you may need to rent folding tables and chairs. You should be able to get everything you need for less than € 100. The 2 meter tables are perfect for two players. The 2.5 meter tables can accommodate three players willing to huddle a little. As mentioned above, chairs and tables will already be provided in hotel conference rooms.
Step 6. Decide what game to play
Choose a variety of play styles (shooter, strategy, car racing). Remember that choosing only new games is to exclude people with old computers. If you are organizing a tournament, you decide on the game, format, rules and maps. You could use programs like LanHUB or Autonomous LAN Party, which will help you keep track of the tournament stats.
Step 7. Set up dedicated game servers
Most of today's games will perform better when run on a dedicated server, even if it's a modest PC. Search the internet for configuration files and take care of installing and testing all programs. Learn the commands to manage the server. You shouldn't make these preparations on the day of the event.
Step 8. Plan other activities besides play
No one can sit at a computer for 24 consecutive hours (or at least they shouldn't). Try playing traditional games like ping-pong or billiards.
Step 9. Plan lunch and dinner
You could just order some pizzas or reserve a table for everyone at a restaurant. Alternatively, you could prepare a barbecue or hire a catering service.
Step 10. Set the date and other details
The date may depend on the availability of the location. For small LANs, try to organize the event at least 3 weeks in advance (2 months for larger ones), so as to avoid people making other commitments.
Step 11. Find a sponsor
It is not as difficult as you think. Companies like Intel, AMD, nVidia, Antec, OCZ, and Alienware] will send you small gadgets like stickers, posters and t-shirts. If your LAN is a good size, you might even get free hardware. Rewards can make your LAN game more interesting, but they should never be the center of attention. The key part is the game!
Step 12. Promote the event
This is the most important step! Post the event on the forums, LANparty.com, LANparty Map, Blue's News, and post flyers in your area. Ask your friends to invite other people. Clearly indicate the time of the event, the game chosen, and what the participants will have to bring.
Step 13. A few days before the LAN, download the latest patches, mods and maps of the games you want to play
Order them in a shared folder on your computer or on a dedicated server. This way players will be able to update their games without taking up your internet connection. You could also write these files to CD, and then distribute them to attendees.
Step 14. Prepare the room the night before the event
- Prepare chairs, tables, and baskets.
- Prepare a subscription sheet and assign an IP address to each name (assigning IPs is not necessary if your server has DHCP).
- Print flyers that welcome guests and describe rules and guidelines.
- Set up and connect networks and servers and run tests.
Advice
- While you shouldn't be providing network and power cables to every player, someone will always forget them. Always have spare cables ready.
- Do not drink or smoke; LAN events are bad enough even without these substances.
- Don't do it all by yourself. Find people who can help you and delegate.
- The costs of a LAN event can add up quickly. Consider asking for an entrance fee or donations. It will be easier to make events regular if you don't have to lose money every time.
- When the event begins, greet each guest upon arrival and hand out the instructions you have printed so everyone knows what to do and where to stand.
- If you plan on hosting LAN events on a regular basis, you might consider buying tables and chairs instead of renting them.
- If there will be minors at the event, make sure they have parental permission.
- Be prepared for blackouts, lack of space, and unwilling guests to cooperate; plan how to address these issues in time.
- Remember to bring snacks. People can't play on an empty stomach!
- A microphone and speakers can be useful for announcing future winners and events.
Warnings
- Don't let people connect computers to other people's power strips. This would almost certainly cause overload.
- Try to keep cables tidy and not run them where people walk. If not, someone will almost certainly trip over it. Consider using tape to hold the cables in place. Tightly tighten the bundles of cables that pass through the same routes and secure them with tape.
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Unfortunately, LAN hosts often steal something.
- Try to limit the passage of people to a single exit and ask a person to check that no one steals anything.
- Label anything that isn't fixed, especially if it's small and expensive items (your USB sticks need to be labeled, tables probably don't).
- Unreliable nutrition is a problem that can mean the failure of your event. People will get angry if their computers shut down without warning. Make sure everyone has plugged their computer into the right outlet.
- When dealing with switches, generators or distribution boxes, remember that these are high voltage elements. Electricity can be fatal! If you feel uncomfortable, ask a professional electrician for help.
- For larger events, insurance is required. Even if you get your guests to sign a release, that doesn't mean they won't have rights. A few hundred euros of insurance can allow you to avoid thousands of euros in damages.
- The organizer (you!) Is responsible for all problems that arise, and there will always be problems. You may not have much time to play, but that's the fate of all organizers.
- Cheating players can also be a problem, so be sure to install an anti-cheat program on the server hosting the game.
