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Illustration of matrix hosts

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jknudsen

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« on: <11-23-15/0819:56> »
I find it easier to illustrate a particular host like a process diagram. And enter node, that maybe splits up in 3 areas. A hotel could have these branches: HR, Finance, security, facility management. I have looked for drawings and graphical layouts of matrix hosts but cannot find any. Does any of you have any examples of a host diagram with IC and security levels?

I ahve attached a very high level and not finished excample

Jack_Spade

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« Reply #1 on: <11-23-15/0928:04> »
It's a nice diagram, but not how the new matrix works. Once you have the marks to enter the host, you have access everywhere.
Files might be secured through encryption and data bombs, but they can be found from the lobby so to speak. Datatrails describes in fluff text that there are demarcation lines inside a host so that visitors know that they'll provoke a hostile response if they step over the line, but there are no additional firewalls to get over.
talk think matrix

To strive, to seek, to find and not to yield
Revenant Kynos Isaint Rex

jknudsen

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« Reply #2 on: <11-23-15/0940:00> »
hmm ok. But then again, we might have IC patrolling the host. With different locations within the host, the hacker could hide somewhere else. It might ad some flavour to the matrix session as you are being kind of hunted. I think it is a little difficult to DM if everything is just in one location?

Jack_Spade

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« Reply #3 on: <11-23-15/1026:15> »
Yeah, but it's a huge location filled with a shit load of icons and personas. Hiding is done by being inconspicious or trying to become invisible and not by standing behind objects  ;)
talk think matrix

To strive, to seek, to find and not to yield
Revenant Kynos Isaint Rex

jknudsen

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« Reply #4 on: <11-23-15/1334:14> »
Thank you for the input. I appreciate it very much.

In the IT business you often separate logical and physical views of data. So I was thinking more like the map/illustration is the logical view, while the room with the host, data, files, avatars are the physical views of data. But it am very interested in knowing how others play it out.

CitizenJoe

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« Reply #5 on: <11-23-15/1437:46> »
You can have a host inside a host.  But more likely what you have is device/icons of the specific types you described.  So a corporation may have a public global host, or it might be a public regional or subdivision host.  The public hosts are for the consumers so expect lots of adbots in place of IC and agents handling tech support.  This also acts a a forum for users and typically hosts reviews. The public hosts are likely visible from outside, whereas the private hosts are likely hidden on the grid but visible from inside the public host.  Private hosts would be the executive and operations hosts.  They don't invite marks generally speaking, so you either need to hack in or have a legit account.  The sensitive stuff is inside the private hosts. 

Perhaps the hardest hack would go something like, public grid to global corporate grid to public host to executive host to CEO's private database to encrypted databombed file.  Obviously,  it is an easier hack if you plug right into the database, but that means dealing with physical security.

Stoneglobe

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« Reply #6 on: <11-24-15/1146:42> »
I find it easier to illustrate a particular host like a process diagram. And enter node, that maybe splits up in 3 areas. A hotel could have these branches: HR, Finance, security, facility management. I have looked for drawings and graphical layouts of matrix hosts but cannot find any. Does any of you have any examples of a host diagram with IC and security levels?

I ahve attached a very high level and not finished excample

Ah, now this takes me back to the good ol' days of 1st and 2nd edition where hosts were mapped out with datalines connecting them and ICE was set a each individual point.
´Wonderful´, the Flatline said,´I never did like to do anything simple when I could do it ass-backwards.´ - William Gibson, Neuromancer
“Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self-esteem, first make sure that you are not, in fact, just surrounded by assholes.” - William Gibson

TheWayfinder

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« Reply #7 on: <11-24-15/2159:21> »
As others have already pointed out, the way the new Matrix works makes things a lot more flexible for you as the GM.  You can still go with a diagram of systems, because it's good to at least have a frame of reference to go on so that you, at least, know what your players have to get to and why.  And I think it's particularly a good approach just so you can manage the host and its defenses, not to mention to determine who else might be using the systems in case the players indicate their presence and they have to react. 

One word of advice.  I made the mistake of making a host too complicated, mainly out of a drive to make the host a bit challenging.  Most of the time, unless you're talking about a major secure facility or something, most places, like your hotel, shouldn't have the best of security, unless your hotel caters to exclusive clientele, and even then what do they have to do?  Mainly, keep their records of who's there safe and secure, and control access to rooms and the whole hotel.  That narrows down your host structure considerably and actually can make it easier to defend, since you know where to put your best available defenses. 

You really want to throw your players for a loop?  Just have your hotel with rooms that require a physical, metal key to get into and out of.  Sure, the PCs could pick the locks, but at least they won't do that through the host, right?  You'd be surprised how often this messes up PCs plans.  However, doing something like this should be done sparingly.  If your players are used to getting their way through the Matrix, you might throw this at them to keep them on their toes, but don't do it too often. 

jknudsen

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« Reply #8 on: <12-02-15/0334:41> »
U guys are awesome - Thanks.

Last time I played Shadowrun was edition 1 or 2, so I guess I need some structure to guide me as a storyteller/GM. I totally get the keep it basic and to integrate the Matrix in the game overall and not set it up as a parallel activities that take to much time. Played our first mission last night - omg what a thrill to be back.