Server crash: SZ_GetSpace: overflow

[Cobalt]

You guys probably remember this error?

***********************************
ERROR: SZ_GetSpace: overflow without allowoverflow set
Press Enter to exit
***********************************

Im getting this alot with my Tekbotctf+ mod using winquake_qip20000820.exe as the server client. I will try proquake to see if it helps, but I have a hunch my mod is a big factor. A websearch says this about the error:

--
These error messages indicate various memory buffers overflowing, typically in the protocol. The
major cause is too many things happening at startup, while playing or when loading saved games,
typically occurring when playing on Hard/Nightmare skill due to more entities. Enhanced
Win/GLQuake has higher limits and will print warnings when exceeding normal limits.
--

Any of the new clients solve this problem?

[Baker]

According to this, a new client doesn't properly solve the problem:

"SZ_GetSpace: x is > full buffer size"
"SZ_GetSpace: overflow without allowoverflow set"
These error messages indicate various memory buffers overflowing, typically in the protocol. The
major cause is too many things happening at startup, while playing or when loading saved games,
typically occurring when playing on Hard/Nightmare skill due to more entities. Enhanced
Win/GLQuake has higher limits and will print warnings when exceeding normal limits.

http://user.tninet.se/~xir870k/tooltips.txt

But using Enhanced GLQuake as both the client and server is probably 100% guarantee of the mod at least running. Possibly other engines like DarkPlaces and maybe possibly but I'm not quite sure ... FitzQuake 0.85.

You are busting up some peculiar protocol limits somewhere, but this isn't my strong suit because playing with QuakeC and mapping are not things I do often at all (one or twice a year).

I've had the problem before with mods and certain maps.

Anyway ... Enhanced GLQuake/Enhanced WinQuake will probably solve your problem and ... well .. you are using kind of an odd choice for a server and at least this engine I suggest is a lot more mainstream too.


Download at:

The Homepage of Bengt Jardrup

[Cobalt]

Hmm, yea I started running TOMAZquake as the server, seems to be a little more stable, but still crashes. Part of it is the Quake code for my mod it seems....I know one item was the bots spamming things, which I tested with 4 per team, but when I tested it with more than that, of course there was more spam, and got packet overflows, then eventually this error. So I guess the error has to do with too much information to put in a packet. Funny thing is it says you can SET the overflow, which leads you to think it can be prevented....but have never seen this option in any of the clients.

[metchsteekle]

you can set it, but there's a limit, i believe its a command line thing

[Baker]

Hmm, yea I started running TOMAZquake as the server ...

I mean this in the kindest possible way, but you can really can't use weird Quake engines to host servers AND expect to get quality help.

Simply because no one knows the answers.

Mainstream Quake engines with many users and lots of roadtesting:

winquake.exe
ProQuake
DarkPlaces
Qrack
JoeQuake
FitzQuake
Enhanced GLQuake/WinQuake

TomazQuake and QIP Quake are ancient engines that have not been updated in ages and virtually no one is using them. All engines have bugs or some sort of weirdness and for these 2 engines, for example, neither I nor anyone else knows what they would be for those.

Using them for single player is just fine or even as a multiplayer client, but running something mission critical like a server exposes you to many unknowns.

Servers can crash. It is best if you are using a common engines because that eliminates the possibility that it is the engine ITSELF that is your problem.

[Cobalt]

Its ok - I know its a lot to do with my Quake C code , and not the engine(s). I thought maybe one of the engines addressed this particular differently rather than crashing the server while displaying the message. From my experience its a Server side error message, and none of the clients I know of let you type in : sv_getspace , and change the variable. So I guess its not possible in any of these engines you mention in the list either. 'Without overflow set' seems to sugguest you can change it somehow, and I have looked through the original Quake C and not found any reference to it, so I thought there would be reference to it in one of the clients, as thats all that is remaining.

[Baker]

Did you try Enhanced GLQuake/Enhanced WinQuake? It has vastly greater limits for virtually everything.

But you are right that it is more likely to involve your QuakeC code. Inside3d.com is a great place for asking advanced QuakeC issues and has 10x the number of QuakeC people.