Project  : Netrek Metaserver Overhaul 1995
Document : User Requirements List
Revision : BX1
Dated    :  1-Aug-1996
Approved : (nobody)

Metaserver Requirements

1. Accept information from any running Netrek server, but not from other metaservers.

2. Provide captured information to any caller, in summary or detail.

Server Requirements

1. Send information about games in progress to server owner specified list of metaservers.

2. Allow server owner to specify update maximums tailored to their local network connections.

Data Model

{
        Metaserver usage counters
        {
                count of udp packets received
                count of tcp requests serviced
        }
        List of servers known to metaserver
        {
                server ip address (from UDP packet header, part one of key)
                server port number (part two of key)
                server observer port number
                
                metaserver opinion flag (dead, alive, bogus)
                server host name
                server type (bronco, paradise, base-practice, hockey, chaos)
                age of information
                number of players
                number of free slots (negative if queue positive)
                t-mode flag
                textual comment
                average lag of players
                list of players
                {
                        slot number
                        team character
                        ship class (special class for observer)
                        rank
                        login
                }
        }
}

--
James Cameron
Digital Equipment Corporation (Australia) Pty. Ltd. A.C.N. 000 446 800
(cameron@stl.dec.com)