Packet Flooding

idwilson

The only way I can explain sudden freezes and ping spikes when around certain players when the server is low population is that they are using some kind of Packet Flooding exploit, which is well understood in networking terms and responses include server side kicking of players using this exploit on other games.

usmguy1234

https://youtu.be/VY6mxiNzd7E

zaria

idwilson wrote: »

The only way I can explain sudden freezes and ping spikes when around certain players when the server is low population is that they are using some kind of Packet Flooding exploit, which is well understood in networking terms and responses include server side kicking of players using this exploit on other games.

This is well known in many shooters as clients communicate with each others directly
So if you DDoS them they get lots of lag or even disconnect.

However ESO clients only communicate with the server so its no way to get other players IP address.

Nestor

The answer is rather simple.

The Ping delays are caused by the client or the server calculating and handling the scripts that are generated by the games content. During this time, Client/Server communication can be put on hold. Scripting Load goes up when players or NPCs are in view. Once initialized the game responds normally again.

The most common example is the brief spike when you load a cell. Some Addons on PC make this even worse, which is why folks use a lean addon loadout during PvP.

Red_Feather

What causes something like my game pausing briefly as I run through Rimmen city. Was happening yesterday. I don't really remember it happening noticeably before that.

idwilson

I 'invented' a phrase and should have checked if it already existed. This is a well known problem with client server relationships with fast paced games.

It explains the networking issue. Simply, it comes down to when a server synchronises with the clients and some code does this based on the worst connection, which causes all manner of client issues if a player were to artificially increase their latency by flooding their own upload stream. Of course, people may have traffic jams on route that cause issues with the quality of their connection or may simply be connecting from far afield. Packet loss can be very disruptive to everyone.

https://medium.com/@qingweilim/how-do-multiplayer-games-sync-their-state-part-1-ab72d6a54043

Given the age of the network code in use here and the symptoms (I often know that there is an enemy player close because my latency increases) suggests that there are players with either very poor connections that affect when the server decides to synchronise. In FPS games, there would often be rules on maximum latency and packet loss before automatic kicking by the server.

My understanding is that the game uses third part network code, not unusually.

I don't know the specifics of how they connect players to the PVP but if the server code is synchronising dynamically based on the worst ping, more or less, then a strategy for removing players with poor connections might go a long way towards improving the game experience for everyone.

ZOS_Hadeostry

Greetings,

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