setting up a TF2 server

[Che]

hi all,
I know this are all newby questions but it seems that everyone rans into specific problems, here mine, if you dont mind....

My situation:

- 4gb internet connection
- 1 game pc behind router (XP)
- 1 other pc behind same router (XP)

what I did:
-installed TF2 dedicated server on the 'other' pc trough steam (same steam account as I use on the game pc). This put a shortcut on the desktop.
-changed xp firewall on other pc to accept the server stuff.
-forwarded udp port 27015 (used by default).
-copied the server.cfg from this forum and put it (of-course as server.cfg) under the required directory. First changed some things like name password etc.
-started the dedicated server on the other computer trough the desktop icon, seems without problems.

result/questions:
-server was not visible on the TF2 servers. I've read here that you will not find your server on the internet list, is this true?
-how can I check if it is visible for others?
-when I start the dedicated server it ask me for the steam account. Since I only have one so I give in my username/password. Can I play without problems on the game pc with the same account on my own server?
-on the first tab of the dedicated server window it shows the internal ip address (192.168.1.102 i.e. of my external IP) is this okay? if not what should I do about it?
-from CS I know you can make a file containing the maps cycle from the server, is this possible for TF2 also? ifso, how?

Any help, reference or info you can provide me will be much appreciated!!

[woody]

Che Wrote:-when I start the dedicated server it ask me for the steam account. Since I only have one so I give in my username/password. Can I play without problems on the game pc with the same account on my own server?

mmmm... You are begging to get instructed on the "search" feature of the website. (it's at the upper right BTW.)

First step GO HERE and read, then read it again. Really, use the hldsupdatetool.exe rather than steam, you will be much happier. Follow the instructions and you will be ok.

Second step, verify your router is configured correctly. READ MORE HERE.

HTH

[Che]

woody Wrote:First step GO HERE and read, then read it again. Really, use the hldsupdatetool.exe rather than steam, you will be much happier. Follow the instructions and you will be ok.

Second step, verify your router is configured correctly. READ MORE HERE.

HTH

Great, thanks.
Didn't found that thread before, will try the suggested tool and work out the list of steps defined.

[Che]

I've done the initial steps.
Loaded the tool, made a server.cfg and a bat file to start it.
However the srcds.exe was not under ...orangebox\ but under steam
put the bat file under steam, start again and it cannot find steam.dll
started again from where the steam.dll is and now he cannot find the scripts/surfaceproperties_manifest.txt

Have to go now so cannot test further, I suppose some paths variables need to be set here, right ?
any advice to short my quest will be mutch appreciated.

regards,

che.

[woody]

You will need to re-run the updater tool (unfortunately) several times. Delete the file you copied over, and move the .bat out of steam. Re-run the update with the -verify_all command.

Code:

c:\HLServer\hldsupdatetool -command update -game tf -verify_all -dir c:\HLServer

You may have to run this stinking thing five or six times. It's a pain. You may have to look for 0 byte files as well, delete them and re-run.
Watch it go thru the update process, if it hits each part and doesn't download anything you know it's ok. If it hits it and starts downloading more, you know that you will want to run it again. (and again...)

HTH

[Che]

update:

actions done

-Ran the update with the verify option several times (also check for null files and removed). No changes, the srcds.exe didn't appear
-deinstalled everything what had to do with dedicated server (had installed trough steam/tools at te beginning)
-installed the hldstoolupdate.exe again
-ran a fet times the update again with the verify option. Looks like everything is there now
-put the server.cfg in place again
-also made the game and other (server) pc with fixed lan IP to make sure my dns didn't change it.

After this the server was started and it seems to be up and running.
A few error messages appear:

#1: couldn't exec skill1.cfg
#2: particles: missing 'particles/error.pcf'

I've leaved the server running, the name is: NL-LiMaSoL-TF2-RoCk*-sErVeR

-Are the error messages a sign I need to run the update a few times more?
-can someone check if the server is visible on the tf2 server list and, ifso, you can join the game without problems?
-you named the beetlesmod. I've beeing looking at that site but couldn't find what it exactly does, can please anyone give me a short update? Is it just install and run or does it need special settings?

A lot of questions, I know.
I want to provide a big thanks to you all and this forum in general for the help provided without flaming me for being a newby..... very appreciated!!

[Muppet]

Che Wrote:#1: couldn't exec skill1.cfg
#2: particles: missing 'particles/error.pcf'

Both can be ignored - they pose no harm.

[woody]

Che Wrote:#1: couldn't exec skill1.cfg
#2: particles: missing 'particles/error.pcf'

As mentioned, you can ignore those.

Che Wrote:I've leaved the server running, the name is: NL-LiMaSoL-TF2-RoCk*-sErVeR

It's not showing up, what is your external IP? PM me if you don't want to post it.

Che Wrote:you named the beetlesmod. I've beeing looking at that site but couldn't find what it exactly does, can please anyone give me a short update? Is it just install and run or does it need special settings?

Basicly, Beetlesmod and Mani are admin helpers that allow you to script events (like voting) and manage players (kick, ban, slap). Pretty handy if you are serious about running a server. Like TF2 and Source it uses config files that need to be tweaked to meet your needs.

It's always nice to help someone who wants to be helped.

[Che]

got actually stucked now.
so far I know everything is set-up well but server is not visible for the outside world........
server running, port forwarded, ip's correct.... I don't know anymore...

[Che]

can anyone please check if the server is available:
NL-LiMaSoL-TF2-RoCk*-sErVeR

thanks!

[woody]

Che Wrote:can anyone please check if the server is available:
NL-LiMaSoL-TF2-RoCk*-sErVeR

It has a high ping for me, but it is listed!

[Che]

have made some additional changes and relying on the different visitors displayed on the console it should be visible now on the server list.
can someone please check it and let me know if it works okay and with what ping?

info: server is located in the Netherlands[/i]

[Drocona]

Give us the external Ip address from http://www.whatismyip.com and I can check it out

[Che]

Drocona Wrote:Give us the external Ip address from http://www.whatismyip.com and I can check it out

You're right, sorry for that.
Server name is [NL]-LiMaSoL-TF2-RoCk*-sErVeR-2fOrT
IP: 80.61.101.169:27015

Server is[/b] down right now.
Will be up after about 17:30 CET time (GMT+1)

greetz.

[Che]

For people that want to set-up a server like me in the future and don't know what to do best or ran into some issues like me.

-Don't use the server tools under steam/tools

-Read THIS TOPIC on the SRCDS.COM forum.

-Download the HDLSTOOL that you can find HERE.

-make a .bat file with or run the following command:
c:\HLServer\hldsupdatetool -command update -game tf -verify_all -dir c:\HLServer
I ran this about 4 or 5 times before all needed file where (I think, because I don't know that you need or not) installed.

-create the server.cfg file under orangebox/tf/cfg with the info as in THIS THREAD. or THIS THREAD.

-change the line hostname "whatever is here" in the name you want jou server to be called. Example:
hostname "[NL] 24/7 TF2 Fragger Clanserver"

-set remote control password if you want by changing
rcon_password "zxzxzx" to whatever you want
I provide my computers with a fixed LAN IP address. This is not the IP known for the outside world but the IP provided by the dhcp on the modem/router. This works like a server and provides every device connected to it (modem and or router) with a local (LAN=local area network) IP addres. In my case as example 168.160.1.100 for one computer, 168.160.1.101 for the second one and so fw.
Instructions how to set your to work with fixed LAN IP can BE FOUND HERE.

-Forward port 27015 (default used by TF2 in you router to the appropriate computer. I fw a lot of ports because I've read that TF2 uses more ports than that one only. I've fw ports 27000 to 27030, both UDP and TCP.

-I use a e-tech modem with a linksys router behind. In my case I found out that the ps's where getting their ip from the modem (primary dhcp server). I change this when setting the fixed LAN IP on the computer to the linksys router (every device has an internal address, in this case something as 10.0.0.7)

-make a .bat file on your desktop on wherever you want with the following command line:
c:\HLserver\orangebox\srcds.exe -console -game tf -hostport 27015 +maxplayers 24 +map ctf_2fort
You can now start your server by starting this .bat file.

-error messages as couldn't exec skill1.cfg or particles: missing 'particles/error.pcf' can be ignored. Not if it says there is a folder missing. Then close the server and run the update again.

- the file maplist.txt defines what maps you want to play and mapcycle.txt the sequence of them.
My server is NOT listed on the internet tab on the server list.
This because I'm NOT accessing the server outside my LAN but inside my LAN. Remember? example: from pc 168.160.1.101 (where I play the game) to 168.160.1.100 (dedicated server PC).
People outside my LAN (or if I'm playing outside the LAN where the server is, should see the server listed. Everyone can always also add the server providing the IP address. Under tab favorites push the add server button and give in the IP address of the server followed by :27015
Example 54.65.121.23:27015
However, if you are on the SAME LAN as the server you must give in the LAN IP (p.e. 168.160.1.100:27015) and not the internet IP.

-If you don't know, you can see what your external IP address is by visiting THIS PAGE

Otherwise the people in this forum can always help you out!!

Thanks to all!!

greetz.