02-24-2009, 03:02 AM
Ok, for many questions lately, I've had to answer that it is bad to run SRCDS and play on the same computer, so I am making this post to correctly define just what you should do in the scenario if you only have 1 computer.
Background Info:
If you host SRCDS and the game on the same computer, you are entitled to many issues with ports, hardware, firewalls, and many other problems. It is SUPER HIGHLY UNRECOMMENDED to run SRCDS and play on the same computer.
Solution 1:
Instead, run a listen server. You can do this in game by clicking the little "Create Server" button. The pros of this is that it will actually run better, since it runs inside the HL2 engine compared to running SRCDS. It's easier to maintain, since anything you download from other servers can be applied to your server (ex. Quake Sounds, Models, etc.). The cons is that if you want to run the server 24/7, you will have to leave the game running, because if you leave the game, the server will shut down.
Solution 2:
It's ok to buy a game server from a game server provider! They are usually very helpful, and can help you install mods and help fix problems you might have. The pros are that you can run pretty much as many slots as you can afford, without any lag imposed by your home connection. You also don't have to worry about problems that come up with internet and hardware. The cons, cost. It can be expensive to get a 32 slot server! Another con, is that it can take longer to upload files via FTP compared to downloading it directly to your hard drive.
My Opinion:
When I am in a server, I would rather save a server to favorites that is up 24/7, and has a lot of quality; compared to a server that is horrible, and isn't up longer that 6 hours a day. Renting is the best way, if you lack good internet and an extra computer to run the server.
To wrap it all up, this is all based off fact I have read in many places all over the internet, including what I've learned off these forums. Please don't be to brutal on responses, but I think all experts in SRCDS will agree that it is HORRIBLE to host a server and play on the same computer.
Background Info:
If you host SRCDS and the game on the same computer, you are entitled to many issues with ports, hardware, firewalls, and many other problems. It is SUPER HIGHLY UNRECOMMENDED to run SRCDS and play on the same computer.
Solution 1:
Instead, run a listen server. You can do this in game by clicking the little "Create Server" button. The pros of this is that it will actually run better, since it runs inside the HL2 engine compared to running SRCDS. It's easier to maintain, since anything you download from other servers can be applied to your server (ex. Quake Sounds, Models, etc.). The cons is that if you want to run the server 24/7, you will have to leave the game running, because if you leave the game, the server will shut down.
Solution 2:
It's ok to buy a game server from a game server provider! They are usually very helpful, and can help you install mods and help fix problems you might have. The pros are that you can run pretty much as many slots as you can afford, without any lag imposed by your home connection. You also don't have to worry about problems that come up with internet and hardware. The cons, cost. It can be expensive to get a 32 slot server! Another con, is that it can take longer to upload files via FTP compared to downloading it directly to your hard drive.
My Opinion:
When I am in a server, I would rather save a server to favorites that is up 24/7, and has a lot of quality; compared to a server that is horrible, and isn't up longer that 6 hours a day. Renting is the best way, if you lack good internet and an extra computer to run the server.
To wrap it all up, this is all based off fact I have read in many places all over the internet, including what I've learned off these forums. Please don't be to brutal on responses, but I think all experts in SRCDS will agree that it is HORRIBLE to host a server and play on the same computer.