[b] How To Set Up A Dedicated Server[/b] Do you want a server that is always running even if you aren't in the game? Do you to set up map rotations without the hassel of remembering all the gametypes? Do you want to play gametypes of your choosing? If the answer to any of those questions is yes, you should consider setting up a dedicated server. Some people think that setting up a dedicated server (DS from now on) is complicated. This is not the case. Actually, it is quite easy. [b]Before Setting Up Your Server[/b] [b]The Console[/b] For those of you who don't know what the console is, it is used ingame to manipulate the server. To activate the console, right click on your Halo or Halo CE shortcut and in the target line add -console. Don't forget to add the space. In game you may bring up the console by pressing the ~ key. (the button to the left of the 1 key) [b]The DS executable[/b] For a Halo PC DS you will need the [url=http://www.microsoft.com/games/halo/downloads.asp]Dedicated Server Update v1.07[/url] For a Halo CE DS you will need to download the [url=http://haloce.gearboxgamezone.com/index.cfm?pg=3&fid=1057]HaloCE Dedicated Server Hot-Fix v1.07[/url]. [b][i][u]You do NOT need the maps file if you have Halo PC installed[/b][/i][/u] [b]Internet Connection:[/b] *[i]these are aproximate values, all speeds are in kilo[b]bits[/b] not kilo[b]bytes[/b], and "no lag" means no lag caused by your connection[/i] <128K Upload ~ 2-4 players with or without lag depending on the connection. 128K Upload ~ 2-6 players with no lag 350K Upload ~ 2-8 players with no lag 512K Upload ~ 2-10 players with no lag 756K Upload ~ 2-12 (maybe 14) players with no lag higher than 756K upload will allow you to make a server for the maximum of 16 players with no lag [b]Hardware:[/b] You do not need a top of the line computer to have a good DS. A recent processor (within the last 2 maybe even 3 years) along with 512MB of RAM will do nicely. You do not need a sound card or video card to make a DS!!! [b]Setting Up Your Server[/b] [b]The Init.txt File[/b] For the PC DS the Init.txt file is created for you but it is blank, for CE you need to create the file yourself. Just create a .txt file with the name init. Every command you enter must be on its own line. If the name of the server or gametype has a space in it you must put quotations around it. [b]PC init.txt commands[/b] [u]sv_name *insert name here*[/u] - The name of your server [u]sv_public (1 or 0)[/u] - Indicates whether your server will show up on the Gamespy lobby. 1 is yes and 0 is no. [u]sv_password *password*[/u] - The password needed to enter your server. [u]sv_maxplayers 2-16[/u] - The max number of players allowed on your server. [u]sv_mapcycle_timeout #[/u] - the amount of time, in seconds, that the carnage report will be shown, [u]sv_tk_ban #[/u] - the number of Team Kills before someone is banned automaticaly. [u]sv_tk_penalty #[/u] - this will set how long a person is banned for. you can have up to 4 different ban periods before they are banned permanently. You must put "m" after the number for minutes, "h" for hours, and "d" for days. [u]sv_tk_cooldown #[/u] - this is how long a person must go without making a TK for them to be forgiven for 1 TK. You must put "m" after the number for minutes, "h" for hours, and "d" for days. [u]sv_tk_grace #[/u] - Once a TK has happened, that person cannot get another TK point for this amount of time. You must put "m" after the number for minutes, "h" for hours, and "d" for days. [u]sv_rcon_password *insert up to 8 letters*[/u] - this is the RCON for your server. You must know this password to use the console while in your server. [u]sv_mapcycle_add *name of map* *name of gametype*[/u] - You must put this line in for each map you want your server to use. Once it has reached the end of this list it will start at the beginning again. [u]sv_mapcycle_begin[/u] - you must put this at the end of your map and gametypes list. [b]CE init.txt commands[/b] [i]these are commands will only work for a CE DS. You must also use the PC commands in you init.txt file.[/i] [u]sv_log_file *name*[/u] - this is the name of the log file your DS will create. [u]sv_log_enabled 1[/u] - this is the command that makes the DS create a log file. [u]sv_log_chat_echo 1[/u] - this will show the chat in the DS window [u]sv_motd *name of file*[/u] - this command specifies what file to use for the motd. To create a motd file, create a .txt file and name is what ever you like. The motd can have only 4 lines with around 62 characters per line. Motd for those who don't know is message of the day. It will appear when you join a CE server and every time you press F2. You can say who's server it is, some rules you would like followed and other stuff like that in the motd. The init.txt and the motd file must be in the same folder as the DS executable. [b]Default Game Type Names[/b] [i]These are the names of the gametypes that come with Halo[/i] [i]Custom gametypes are used the same way. If it has a space remember to put quotations around it.[/i] classic_slayer classic_slayer_pro classic_elimination classic_phantoms classic_endurance classic_rockets classic_snipers classic_team_slayer classic_oddball classic_team_oddball classic_reverse_tag classic_accumulation classic_juggernaut classic_stalker classic_king classic_king_pro classic_crazy_king classic_team_king classic_ctf classic_ctf_pro classic_invasion classic_iron_ctf classic_race classic_rally classic_team_race classic_team_rally team_slayer team_race team_oddball team_king slayer race oddball king juggernaut ctf crazy_king assault[/list] [b]Default Map Names[/b] [i]These are the maps the come with Halo[/i] [i]Using custom maps is done the same way. Remember to put quotations around names with spaces[/i] [u]In-game name[/u].................. [u]File name[/u] Battle Creek..................... beavercreek Sidewinder....................... sidewinder Damnation....................... damnation Rat Race.......................... ratrace Prisoner........................... prisoner Hang ‘Em High.................. hamgemhigh Chill Out........................... chillout Derelict............................ carousel Boarding Action................ boardingaction Blood Gulch.......................bloodgulch Wizard..............................wizard Chiron TL34.......................putput Longest.............................longest Ice Fields...........................icefields Death Island......................deathisland Danger Canyon..................dangercanyon Infinity...............................infinity Timberland.........................timberland Gephyrophobia...................gephyrophobia [b]Running Your Server[/b] [b]Running Your Server[/b] This is the easy part. Just click on the DS execuable and a window that contains what looks like old DOS stuff will come up. This means the the server is running. You cannot log off or turn off your computer while the server is running or it will close. If you are using Windows XP, and you need to switch profiles, use Switch User instead of Log Off. While running your DS it is probably not a good idea to surf the web or use any CPU intensive applications nor play any games requiring the internet as this may (probably will) cause lag for people on your server. [b]Moderating Your Server[/b] These commands can be used to kick, ban, and do other things to the server. In game you must have the console up by pressing the ~ key. If you set an RCON password you must put "rcon *password*" before the command. To play on your server you need to change the ports you connect with in-game. Just change them to two higher than the default. Make sure they are open on your firewall aswell. [u]cls[/u]- clears the all the text caused by the console [u]help *command*[/u] - gives a brief description of the command [u]sv_players[/u] - gives a list of all the players as well as their player number, number of TK points, and TK cooldown time left [u]sv_kick *player name or player number*[/u] - this will kick the player from the server [u]sv_ban *player name or player number*[/u] - this will ban the player for the amount of time set in the init file or permenantly if there is no set time [u]sv_banlist[/u] - this will show the people currently banned from the server [u]sv_unban *player name* - this will unban the player from the server [u]sv_map_next[/u] - this will end the current game and move on to the next game in the map cycle [u]sv_map_restart[/u] - this will restart the current game [u]sv_mapcycle[/u] - this will show you the map cycle that is being used [b][i][u]If you have suggestions just post them[/b][/i][/u] [Edited on 7/5/2005]