Upcoming PC NA Datacenter Hardware Replacement

Tornaad

Gaeliannas wrote: »

Zuboko wrote: »

When I first read this I replaced word data center with the word server. And started to do a quick search on line to see how long server hardware lasts. Thankfully, after a few minutes of getting a lot of conflicting information, I realized what I did and then started to do a search for how long datacenter hardware lasts, and one of the top results I found claims that data center hardware will last between 10 to 15 years. Which means that Zos is in the average range for replacing their hardware.
https://info.pcxcorp.com/blog/when-is-the-right-time-to-expand-your-companys-data-center-design

You looked up when to rebuild a data center, which is the building where ZOS puts all their hardware. You need to look up the average lifespan of servers, storage arrays and network equipment, which is considerably shorter, like 2/3 shorter for servers. Historically somewhere in the 5-7 year range it becomes less expensive to replace your equipment than to renew the maintenance contracts on it, because even the manufacturer knows it is going to constantly break after that point. Yes, it can last much longer with a lot of part replacements, but is usually a poor choice to push it this far.

Here is a start:
https://www.promax.com/blog/how-long-do-servers-last

So what is the difference between a data center and a server?

dPilgrim

"So what is the difference between a data center and a server?"

Difference Between Server and Data Centre

FlopsyPrince

Gaeliannas wrote: »

Zuboko wrote: »

When I first read this I replaced word data center with the word server. And started to do a quick search on line to see how long server hardware lasts. Thankfully, after a few minutes of getting a lot of conflicting information, I realized what I did and then started to do a search for how long datacenter hardware lasts, and one of the top results I found claims that data center hardware will last between 10 to 15 years. Which means that Zos is in the average range for replacing their hardware.
https://info.pcxcorp.com/blog/when-is-the-right-time-to-expand-your-companys-data-center-design

You looked up when to rebuild a data center, which is the building where ZOS puts all their hardware. You need to look up the average lifespan of servers, storage arrays and network equipment, which is considerably shorter, like 2/3 shorter for servers. Historically somewhere in the 5-7 year range it becomes less expensive to replace your equipment than to renew the maintenance contracts on it, because even the manufacturer knows it is going to constantly break after that point. Yes, it can last much longer with a lot of part replacements, but is usually a poor choice to push it this far.

Here is a start:
https://www.promax.com/blog/how-long-do-servers-last

Some companies are more aggressive in their rotations, something like 3-5 years instead. That can make sense in many cases.

FlopsyPrince

dPilgrim wrote: »

"So what is the difference between a data center and a server?"

Difference Between Server and Data Centre

Don't need a whole article:

A server is a single "computer" (real or virtual) that hosts something. A datacenter will have a BUNCH of computer hardware "boxes" with wiring, power and such connecting them all to each other and the outside.

(Simplistic definition.)

It is basically a 1 vs the entire population question.

Kind of like what is the difference between a character and an alliance.

Elsonso

.

FlopsyPrince wrote: »

dPilgrim wrote: »

"So what is the difference between a data center and a server?"

Difference Between Server and Data Centre

Don't need a whole article:

A server is a single "computer" (real or virtual) that hosts something. A datacenter will have a BUNCH of computer hardware "boxes" with wiring, power and such connecting them all to each other and the outside.

(Simplistic definition.)

It is basically a 1 vs the entire population question.

Kind of like what is the difference between a character and an alliance.

The difference between furniture and a house.

Gaeliannas

Is this still happening this evening? I don't see a maint announcement about it, other than this thread.

TechMaybeHic

Gaeliannas wrote: »

Is this still happening this evening? I don't see a maint announcement about it, other than this thread.

There's a banner for me at community home.
https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/

remosito

Replacing 10 year old hardware without getting performance improvements? Quite the achievement..

TechMaybeHic

https://twitter.com/TESOnline/status/1354891564447911940?t=hSgr3Ne7OEpDIoPIAINCqw&s=19

Really seems confusing. Replacing 2012 servers according to the OP but tweet says data center and no new servers.

Maybe just DC switches and not drives or actual servers? Neat.

blktauna

seems odd they'd be responsible for DC infrastructure... I mean that's why you house in one right????

Elsonso

Gaeliannas wrote: »

TechMaybeHic wrote: »

https://twitter.com/TESOnline/status/1354891564447911940?t=hSgr3Ne7OEpDIoPIAINCqw&s=19

Really seems confusing. Replacing 2012 servers according to the OP but tweet says data center and no new servers.

Maybe just DC switches and not drives or actual servers? Neat.

That post literally makes zero sense on so many levels. The most glaring being there is no such thing as a mega-server, it is simply a term used to describe how they are linking their "actual" servers together to host the game world. They really need to let a systems engineer write these sort of things, because their marketing folks are making them look like they don't have a clue.

The Tweet is a bit poorly worded, but only when talking about "new/more megaservers". I think that merely means that they do not intend to add another megaserver, or in the case of PC NA, do something like split Japan/Asia off onto their own megaserver.

Gaeliannas

Elsonso wrote: »

Gaeliannas wrote: »

TechMaybeHic wrote: »

https://twitter.com/TESOnline/status/1354891564447911940?t=hSgr3Ne7OEpDIoPIAINCqw&s=19

Really seems confusing. Replacing 2012 servers according to the OP but tweet says data center and no new servers.

Maybe just DC switches and not drives or actual servers? Neat.

That post literally makes zero sense on so many levels. The most glaring being there is no such thing as a mega-server, it is simply a term used to describe how they are linking their "actual" servers together to host the game world. They really need to let a systems engineer write these sort of things, because their marketing folks are making them look like they don't have a clue.

The Tweet is a bit poorly worded, but only when talking about "new/more megaservers". I think that merely means that they do not intend to add another megaserver, or in the case of PC NA, do something like split Japan/Asia off onto their own megaserver.

I deleted my post, but it is in fact a new megaserver, since all the parts that it is made of will be new. But it is par for the course, much like no performance increase, so I give up, their explanations make my head spin.

Tenthirty2

Thank you Matt for the update, very appreciated!
Improved stability and fewer maintenance sessions will be well received by players and I suspect, by your teams as well
Thanks again for the communication!

AyeshaBelladonna

ApoAlaia wrote: »

FeedbackOnly wrote: »

ApoAlaia wrote: »

thejadefalcon wrote: »

Can we ask why you're doing PC NA first, when PC EU historically has, by far, the most problems? Particularly with unplanned maintenance, which you say this will help to solve?

It did cause me to raise an eyebrow too.

PC/EU is the most populous and the most troublesome of all the megaservers.

Oh well, at least we won't have maintenance on May Day so we have that going for us I guess.

NA had some worse problems of late then EU.

Not sure about that, both Jester's and Anniversary were pretty ropey in PC/EU.

Regardless, that is irrelevant to the matter at hand because:

timelines for ordering/sourcing server hardware is still incredibly long

Which means that this was a decision that was made a long time ago. Replacing the hardware in the NA datacentre first that is.

As mentioned, it was planned for during the pandemic. Now, whether or not this decision was made BEFORE pandemic hit I can't say.... but the US was FAR more _lax_ (no, not a good thing...but in regards to the upgrades planned ....) with lockdowns and other restrictions than EU, which might have been why they planned to do those first. They would have had a better chance at getting a limited staff into the building together to install the hardware. That side of the pond just happened to get their orders filled first then, because their orders were made first.

Another possible angle if the decision was made pre-pandemic... most of EU has one Primetime load. so PTS is the basic test to try it on NA, and NA is the acid test to work out any remaining kinks before the MEGA load that is EU. As NA spans several timezones and as such has a much more evenly distributed load. This is also why EU has historically had more issues and failures than na.

Tiggledorf

Reapply that thermal paste, give it a good dusting and you're good.

moleculardrugs

this is so exciting!! thank you for posting this

heinousmoz

Decides to refresh the NA server first.
EU server craps istelf the same day as the maintenance.

Yep sounds about right...

EramTheLiar

This is always the most terrifying part of an upgrade or migration...

Elsonso

EramTheLiar wrote: »

This is always the most terrifying part of an upgrade or migration...

I always found the most terrifying part of a major system upgrade was when the coffee machine stopped working.
To me, it feels like most of the time I am sitting around waiting for something to finish. Backups. Restores. POST. etc. Gotta have my coffee.

ph8te

So here's my assumption regarding the performance:

If ZOS promises performance improvements to individual users, and these then don't come to pass, because of some obscure local configuration, they will have a massive backlash. So, they don't promise any noticeable performance improvement and then the users that to get a bump are happy, whilst those that don't, have nothing to complain about.

fgoron2000

Tiggledorf wrote: »

Reapply that thermal paste, give it a good dusting and you're good.

And don't forget to reboot, LOL.

mekops_ESO

Back in my day we stuffed one of the days newspapers in the server so future generations could look back and see what was going on when the place was built.

Keep an eye out.

mabdastardseb17_ESO

I'm sitting' on me computer seat
waiting for the update to complete
replete with datacenter new
I am sat here waiting just for you
And every step i've neatly planned
For my warrior's from Eso's lands

I wish I was
Tamriel bound
Eso, where my thought's escaping
There, where the music's playing
Where the Castles lie waiting
Silently for me

Everyday's an endless stream
Of Castle walll's and resourcing
And each town looks the same to me
The fodder and the cavalry
And every stranger's place I see
Reminds me that I long to be

Tamriel bound
I wish I was
Tamriel bound
but I am here where my thought's escaping
Here, where my music's playing
To be there, where the castle's lie waiting
Silently for me.

Vonkarolinas

ph8te wrote: »

So here's my assumption regarding the performance:

If ZOS promises performance improvements to individual users, and these then don't come to pass, because of some obscure local configuration, they will have a massive backlash. So, they don't promise any noticeable performance improvement and then the users that to get a bump are happy, whilst those that don't, have nothing to complain about.

This was exactly my thinking. But, never underestimate the ability of the some in the fanbase to find something to complain about.

Vonkarolinas

fgoron2000 wrote: »

Tiggledorf wrote: »

Reapply that thermal paste, give it a good dusting and you're good.

And don't forget to reboot, LOL.

Yes, definitely turn it off and back on again.

mekops_ESO

mabdastardseb17_ESO wrote: »

I'm sitting' on me computer seat
waiting for the update to complete
replete with datacenter new
I am sat here waiting just for you
And every step i've neatly planned
For my warrior's from Eso's lands

I wish I was
Tamriel bound
Eso, where my thought's escaping
There, where the music's playing
Where the Castles lie waiting
Silently for me

Everyday's an endless stream
Of Castle walll's and resourcing
And each town looks the same to me
The fodder and the cavalry
And every stranger's place I see
Reminds me that I long to be

Tamriel bound
I wish I was
Tamriel bound
but I am here where my thought's escaping
Here, where my music's playing
To be there, where the castle's lie waiting
Silently for me.

This was a lot better than it had any business being XD

deleted221205-002626

Vonkarolinas wrote: »

ph8te wrote: »

So here's my assumption regarding the performance:

If ZOS promises performance improvements to individual users, and these then don't come to pass, because of some obscure local configuration, they will have a massive backlash. So, they don't promise any noticeable performance improvement and then the users that to get a bump are happy, whilst those that don't, have nothing to complain about.

This was exactly my thinking. But, never underestimate the ability of the some in the fanbase to find something to complain about.

Well ZOS has a plan for where ESO is going and alot of the new features are great but unfortunatly decrease performance at the same time theyre trying to improve it leaving us where we've always been.

Things like more proc set and companions etc will strain the system more but are also great to have and more fun. ESO has highly accurate positioning, mechanics avoidance and effects etc which increases the data load as well which IMO is the main culprit which we just cant do without.

* By highly accurate I'm talking about things like NEVER seeing people facing the wrong directions or effects going backwards etc etc like u do often in many games.. Only weird thing I have seen is people standing ONTOP of they're horse rarely otherwise its near perfection.

folko

Will EU servers also be getting a hardware update sometime in the future?

Vonkarolinas

mabdastardseb17_ESO wrote: »

I'm sitting' on me computer seat
waiting for the update to complete
replete with datacenter new
I am sat here waiting just for you
And every step i've neatly planned
For my warrior's from Eso's lands

I wish I was
Tamriel bound
Eso, where my thought's escaping
There, where the music's playing
Where the Castles lie waiting
Silently for me

Everyday's an endless stream
Of Castle walll's and resourcing
And each town looks the same to me
The fodder and the cavalry
And every stranger's place I see
Reminds me that I long to be

Tamriel bound
I wish I was
Tamriel bound
but I am here where my thought's escaping
Here, where my music's playing
To be there, where the castle's lie waiting
Silently for me.

Near Aetherius, Western Skyrim, Druadach Mountains, icy Karth River
Life is old there, older than the trees, younger than the mountains, blowing like a breeze

ESO, take me home to the place I belong
Datacenter, refreshed hardware, take me home, ESO

All my memories gather round her, gamer's lady, stranger to fresh air
Dark and dusty, P.C. rarin' to go, misty taste of Dewshine, teardrop in my eye

ESO, take me home to the place I belong
Datacenter, refreshed hardware, take me home, ESO

I hear her voice in the morning hour, she calls me,
ouroboros reminds me of my home far away
And sitting at my desk I get a feeling that I should have been home yesterday, yesterday

ESO, take me home to the place I belong
Datacenter, refreshed hardware, take me home, ESO

ESO, take me home to the place I belong
Datacenter, refreshed hardware, take me home, ESO

Take me home, ESO
Take me home, ESO

Vonkarolinas

folko wrote: »

Will EU servers also be getting a hardware update sometime in the future?

Yes, that is the plan.