(18 July, 2000)
By: Blakfish
(Former [TiC]Clan ServerAdmin and Guest)

Half-Life Dedicated Server:

My recommendation for running a server is to get the Dedicated Server versions of the game. The reason for this is to minimize the amount of unnecessary memory usage that running a server through the game menu will cause. The latest versions of these dedicated server files are 3103 for Linux and 4102 for Win32 (Win 95/98/NT.) You can get these files at planetfortress, fileplanet, etc. Keep in mind that the file sizes run about 85 MB.

After you have the right files you have to setup the command line to tell the exe file what game you want to run. For example if you want to run TFC you need to add "-game tfc" after the exe. If you want to run Half-Life leave the "-game ??" out. For Counter-Strike add "-game cstrike." For Firearms Mod add "-game firearms." Make sure you have all the required mod files for Counter-Strike and Firearms before you try to run the server. You also need to know how many players you want on your server. This parameter can be added to the command line exe as well with "+maxplayers XX." Then you need to tell the server what map to start with. Again this can be done on the command line with "+map <mapname>." The command line for my Linux server look like this:

"hlds_l.run -game tfc +maxplayers 16 +map rock2"

The exe for Win32 will be different. I think it is hlds.exe. With exception to the "-game" variable all other can be put into the autoexec.cfg file. This file is located in the TFC directory or mod directory for the type of game server you want to run. Open this file and at the bottom you can add the "+maxplayer XX" and "+map <mapname>" variables NOT "-game XXXX" along with a whole slew of other commands.

RECAP
1) Get Files
2) Configure exe command line options

Config Files:

The next step is to setup the config files. These files are located in the mod directory for the game server you want to run, i.e. TFC, Counter-Strike, DoD, or Firearms Mod, to name a few. Below are the server.cfg, motd.txt, and mapcycle.txt files for the [TiC] Clan's TFC 1.5 server.

SERVER.CFG File:

"Server.cfg"


// Use this file to configure your DEDICATED server.
// This config file is executed everytime the server changes levels.

//----------
// IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT LOGGING!: if you want to enable logging
// on your server do NOT do it in this file. Instead, do it in
// autoexec.cfg. Putting "log on" in this file can mess up your
// log files. E-mail hlds@valvesoftware.com with questions.
//---------


// auto-aim 1 is on 0 is off
sv_aim 0

//cheats 0 is off 1 is on and allows cheats
sv_cheats 0

//the amount of time after a player joint to wait before the motd displays
motd_display_time 30

// player bounding boxes (collisions, not clipping)
sv_clienttrace 3.5

// disable clients' ability to pause the server
pausable 0

// default server name. Change to "Bob's Server", etc.
hostname "[TiC] Clan's TFC 1.5"

// maximum client movement speed
sv_maxspeed 500

//this allows player to up/download custom decals and such. Set it to 0 if you don't want to allow this

sv_allowupload 1
sv_allowdownload 1

// Set up teamplay variables. The amount of FF damage, if any, is changed here.
mp_teamplay 21

// 30 minute timelimit. The maps play for 30 minutes
mp_timelimit 30

//the map will change if 120 frags, by a team, is reached before the 30 minutes
mp_fraglimit 120

// footsteps 0 is off 1 is on
mp_footsteps 1

// Turn off autoteam
tfc_autoteam 0

sv_challengetime 30

//set this to enable [TiC] members to control the server and to help police the server
rcon_password XXXX

//bullet holes and blood splatter type stuff sticks around for 30 seconds
decalfrequency 30

//keeps armor and ammo packs around after someone picks them up. Otherwise there is a 5 second (I think) delay before they respawn. 0 is off.
mp_weaponstay 1

// Turn on a prematch
//tfc_clanbattle 1
//tfc_clanbattle_prematch 2

MOTD.TXT file:
(message of the day)

What ever you put in this file will display when a player logs onto the server. Change things as necessary for your server. For example: map rotation files.

"Motd.txt"


Welcome to [TiC] Clan's TFC 1.5

Talk Is Cheap!!

www.ticclan.com

Map Rotation For This Server:

Dustbowl
Warpath
Epicenter
Badlands
Crossover 2
2 Fort
Canalzone 2
Well
Rock2

MAPCYCLE.TXT:

The order is from top to bottom. Dustbowl for 30 minutes then warpath for 30, epicenter for 30..and so on. If you remove a map name it doesn't get played. For example: no hunted on this server. You can check out the Command Center at http://www.planetHalf-Life.com/server/ for a lot more information on setups and console commands.

"Mapcycle.txt"


dustbowl
warpath
epicenter
badlands
crossover2
2fort
cz2
well
rock2

Just the Tip:

This is just the tip of the iceberg and will get you up and running. There is plenty of other customization abilities.

Remember to KISS (keep it simple stupid...hehe)

I will happily try to answer any question you have.

Email me at blakfish@whale-rock.com


Hope this helps!!!!
[TiC-G] blakfish
Admin of the former [TiC]Clan TFC 1.5 Server.

This page was originally created by [TiC-G]Blakfish8-4-00. Last updated 05/30/04.