Factorio Headless on Google Compute Engine / Docker

[paquerette]

Hi,

I've managed to run Factorio Headless server on Google Compute Engine, Docker mode, and load my save game + mods and connect to it.
I'm using this docker image : https://hub.docker.com/r/factoriotools/factorio

here is the documentation I've made about it : (I'll make it readable later, when it works)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TqT ... 2SlN4/edit#

With an E2 instance (2vCPU, 4GB of Ram, SSD storage), I can connect to the server, but it lags a lot, like 1 second of delay if I instruct my spidertron to change direction, the graphics is also lagging, it's like we miss a few frames.

I've tried to upgrade the hardware to a N2 server (2vCPU, 4GB of Ram), and despite a more powerful CPU, I can connect, sync mode, load the save, but when it's catching up, the progress bar goes backward until it reach the left extremity and then I get an error message.


Any tips about this setup ?

Paquerette

[Loewchen]

What you describe is the experience of a client connected to your server, if it cannot keep up, get faster client hardware or slow down the server. For anything more detailed, follow: 68653.

[paquerette]

Thanks Loewchen,

I'm migrating from a private server where it was working correctly, could be better though.
the client were good (i9900, 16BG of RAM, 2080Ti, NVme...)

I'll try with C2 platform, but N2 is already very good.

[paquerette]

I've 30FPS (because 30Hz 4k) 60 UPS on the old server.
on the E2, it was 28/58 or something.

So i was wondering if it was network related.

[Loewchen]

Network problems should not present like this, especially depleting catch up suggest a performance limit of the client. You can check the server log for network issues between server and client. I would check first if running the client at 1080p changes things.

[paquerette]

I'll try to change the resolution, but really, I just change the server, not the client, and I've a high end computer.

Ok, I've restarted the server (not running when we're not playing), and it works well. Didn't change anything...

Thanks for your help, I hope it will stay stable

[paquerette]

well, now there's a doc to create a factorio server on Google Cloud compute engine
I'll spend some time making it more readable and share it on my blog.

[Zavian]

Depending on the size of the base (and possibly also mods), 4GB ram might not be enough.

[paquerette]

Yes, currently it's using 2.5GB I think.

However, on my previous server, I let the game run for a several weeks, and the game seems to grow in memory footprint as soon we discover new area, ending consuming about 11GB of ram.

After a restart it went down to 2GB.