So after trying MP on Linux with not so much result. I now have hired a Windows 2008 server and installed VMWareTools with VMware SVGA II video driver run a a7 mp enabled game on it to see if that would work.

Did have to start the server with -nv because even if i'd run it with -w3d it failed and said run with -w3d. Also I do not plan to run shaders etc on the server only on the clients and they can have their next-gen cards. In the manual the note said to only use -nv for testing and not in real life.

Do I really need to install a Geforce in the server to run server side mp game if the server does not use any shaders, but is just the server to accept clients? That I thought a server is used for.

if you run the server only as -sv you shouldnt need a graphics card at all

Furthermore, you should be able to install install DX on a Win Server Box... well at least you could with Server 2003... not sure with 2008...

Edit: -sv only works on W2008 Server in RDP now

Yes I could install DirectX9 on Windows 2003 server. Problem with 2003 server is that this particular company did not have vmware infrastructure only RDP. Also they manage it and TOS is not so friendly.

Windows 2008 server has it all. I mean this provider just started out with new service and has been very generous. They provided the right hardware and software. Already have DX10 on the box so I added the d3dx9_30.dll in my project. Could not run MP with -sv flag only. Maybe I did something wrong, but needed to use -sv -cl -nv otherwise it could not find the server. At least I have it running now

ps: with got it running i meant a little experiment demo using your chat-code converted by shadow to litec btw michael. seems to work good.