The Complete Idiot's Guide To Setting Up A Server. CFG, Rentals, Home Hosting. w/pics

lavacano-legacy · August 8, 2009, 1:47am

OK, I realize there’s already a good guide for setting it up at home. In fact, since I can’t be assed to write my own, and it’s a really good one, I’m going to quote it in here.

[ If You Are Going To Rent ]
First, find a host that’s cheap and reliable. I will set up a list of hosts here, and their prices

http://www.xenonservers.com - $1.50 / slot - Requires PayPal
http://www.gmodhosting.com - Site appeared down at the moment, couldn’t retrieve price
http://www.artofwarcentral.com - $2.00 / slot - Automatic Mod Installer only good for game content

Then, just figure out a good balance between price and slot amount.

[ If You Are Going To Host From Home]
Here is the real good guide I mentioned.

How-To Easily Make Your Own Dedicated Server! [With Pictures]

Hey everybody! First tutorial here, but even so, it should be totally helpful to anybody wanting to make their own GMod server. I am going to write this tutorial in steps for Vista and XP, because they are slightly different. Sorry, but I will only have Vista screenies. I am also going to you to make a Dedicated Server using the Command Prompt, no flashy GUI Installer. [In example, armpit’s GUI Installer.] Even if you have never used the Command Prompt, it should be fairly easy for you to use. So, enough with the pre-talk, lets get onto the tutorial!

First off, you need to download the HLDS Update Tool from here: http://www.steampowered.com/download/hldsupdatetool.exe Be sure to save this, don’t just click on “Open”.

[Getting The Files] [XP Version][Scroll For Vista Version]

Click on Start, [In the bottom-left corner of your screen.], and then click on Run. Then type, “cmd”. [Without the quotations of course.]

Type in these commands, and end each line with an “Enter” key.
[lua]C:
cd \srcds
hldsupdatetool[/lua]

This will update the HLDSUpdateTool. When it’s done updating, exit out of the Command Prompt.

Go to Start, and then Run. Type in this following command:
[lua]hldsupdatetool -command update -game garrysmod -dir C:\srcds[/lua]

This is going to download all of the necessary GMod files that your server will use to host a game. This is going to take a while, [Roughly 30-40 minutes, maybe more depending on your connection.] so go do something like watch TV.

[End of “Getting The Files” for XP Users. “Getting The Files” for Vista Users begins here.]

[Getting The Files] [Vista Version][Scroll Down For The Next Part Of The XP Tutorial]

Click on “Computer” and go to “Local Disk ©”.

Create a folder called “srcds”.

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/448/creatingsrcdssz6.jpg

Put the HLDSUpdateTool in that folder.

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/4132/hldsupdatetoolmovesrcdsfy4.jpg

Go back to “Computer”. Press and hold “Shift”, and right-click the “srcds” folder. You should get a menu that has more options that normal. One of these new options is “Open Command Window Here”, click that. Your Command Prompt window should look like this:

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/5694/cmdwindowsrcdsbp6.jpg

Type in this command:
[lua]hldsupdatetool -command update -game garrysmod -dir C:\srcds[/lua]

This will download all of the GMod files your server needs to host a game. This will take roughly 30-40 minutes, so go watch TV.

[End of “Getting The Files” for Vista. “Server Configuration” for XP and Vista starts here.]

[Server Configuration] [XP and Vista Version]

Open the program “Notepad”.

Paste the following code into Notepad:
[lua]@echo off
cls
echo Protecting srcds from crashes…
echo If you want to close srcds and this script, close the srcds window and type Y depending on your language followed by Enter.
title srcds.com Watchdog
:srcds
echo (%time%) srcds started.
start /wait srcds.exe -console -game garrysmod +map X +maxplayers X
echo (%time%) WARNING: srcds closed or crashed, restarting.
goto srcds[/lua]

Replace the X’s in Line 8 with whatever map you want your server to run and how many players you want in your server.

Save the file as “srcds.bat”. Be ABSOLUTELY SURE it isn’t a .txt file, otherwise it won’t work. Also, save it into this location: C:\srcds\orangebox\srcds.bat

This script will automatically restart srcds.exe [Your server program] if it happens to crash.

Now you need a Server Administration Tool. I highly recommend ASSMod, but you are free to use whatever you want. ASSMod link here: http://forums.facepunchstudios.com/showthread.php?t=412591 . It is a very easy to use SAT that uses an in-game GUI instead of an annoying in-game console. You don’t have to use it, I would just recommend it. I’m not going to explain installation any further than that you put the files in your “addons” folder. If you don’t know how to do that, you probably shouldn’t be making a server.

[“Server Configuration” for XP and Vista ends here. “Port Forwarding” for XP and Vistas starts here.]

[Port Forwarding] [XP and Vista Version]

First off, Port Forwarding is something that is different for every router, so don’t expect your routers inter-face to be exactly like mine, but fill it in accordingly. We’re going to start off by running srcds, and that’s just to get an IP, so don’t worry.

Run “srcds” with the command:
[lua]srcds.exe -console -game garrysmod +map X +maxplayers X[/lua]

Once again, replace the X’s with whatever you want.

Open up Steam. Go to “Servers”. Click on the “LAN” tab.

Your server should be in there, labeled defaultly as “Garrys Mod” unless you have already set your Server Name. [We will get to this later.]

Right-click it, and you should see something like this:

http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/5552/lanserveripmf8.jpg

In my photo, my server’s ip is: 192.168.1.100:27015. Yours won’t necessarily be this, but its possible. I drew a red arrow under the 100, because that is the number that you are going to pay attention to for Port Forwarding. Mine happened to be 100, but yours could easily 101, 102, etc. The number you will need to know is the number that follows the 3rd period in the server address. Which, once again, is 100 for me.

Open up Internet Explorer and go to the address: 192.168.1.1

Don’t put anything for your username, but for the password put in “admin”. This is the default password and address for most routers, but it might not be the case for you, so be sure to check your router’s manual.

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/1442/19216811passwordfm9.jpg

I am using a WRT54G router from Linksys, which just happens to be a popular one for most people. Go to “Applications & Gaming” on the menu.
You should have someting similar to my screenshot.

http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/4458/portforwardingfv1.jpg

In the “Application” box, put in “Gmod Server”.

In “Start” and “End”, put in the value “27015”.

In “Protocol”, select “Both”.

In “IP Address”, change the last value to whatever value you got in Step 6, mine was 100, so I put 100 there.

Select “Enable”.

Repeat this step, but change the “Start” and “End” box values to 27005. For some reason, my server only started to work after I put in that value.

Congrats! Your Port Forwarding should be complete! If you still have trouble with this, find steps on how to forward your port here: http://www.portforward.com/english/routers/port_forwarding/routerindex.htm

[“Port Forwarding” ends here. “Server Administration” for XP and Vista Users begins here.]

[Server Administration] [XP and Vista Version]

ASSMod is a great Server Administration Tool. They have a guide on how to use it already on their forum thread, so I’ll just give you a link: http://forums.facepunchstudios.com/showthread.php?t=412591.

ULX is also a nice Server Administration Tool, you can find it here: http://www.ulyssesmod.net/

[“Server Administration” for XP and Vista Users ends here. “Extras” for XP and Vista Users begins here.]

[Extras] [XP and Vista Version]
 Section 1: Addons
Addons are essential in servers. Some good/useful ones are listed here:

PHX Model Pack
WireMod
56 Tools Pack
HoverBoard

You can download all of these at http://www.garrysmod.org/, just give them a search!
 Section 2: More SAT Help
The GMod Wiki has a vast amount of information about Server Administration, to find out more about this, follow this link: http://www.garrysmod.com/wiki/?title=Admin
 Section 3: Credit
PortForward.com - For helping me figure out Port Forwarding.
ASSMod Team - For making a great SAT.
GMod - For being awesome.

Well, I guess that wraps it up! Contact me if you have questions or something that I left out in the tutorial.

I hope this helped everybody, so yeah.

Thanks for reading.

onacaval-legacy · August 8, 2009, 1:48am

[ Setting Up Your server.cfg File ]

Whether you are hosting a server or renting, the server.cfg file is muy importante. I will copy paste my server.cfg file from my server to teach you.


"ServerSettings"
{
	"hostname"				"Lavacano's Madhouse [ http://www.netswim.net/forum ]"
	"sv_lan"				"0"
	"maxplayers"			        "12"
	"sbox_allownpcs"			"0"
	"sbox_maxprops"				"175"
	"sbox_maxragdolls"			"4"
	"sbox_maxnpcs"				"3"
	"sbox_maxballoons"			"10"
	"sbox_maxeffects"			"10"
	"sbox_maxdynamite"			"1"
	"sbox_maxlamps"				"5"
	"sbox_maxthrusters"			"35"
	"sbox_maxwheels"			"20"
	"sbox_godmode"				"0"
	"sbox_plpldamage"			"0"
	"sbox_playergod"			"0"
	"sbox_noclip"				"1"
	"sbox_maxhoverballs"			"20"
	"sbox_maxvehicles"			"3"
	"sbox_maxbuttons"			"20"
	"sbox_maxsents"				"10"
	"sbox_maxemitters"			"5"
	"sbox_maxspawners"			"3"
	"sbox_maxturrets"			"3"
	"sbox_maxwire_thrusters"		"35"
	"contraptionary_intermission_time"	"120"
	"contraptionary_guess_time"		"600"
	"contraptionary_max_guesses"		"10"
        "rcon_password"				"sex_muffins" # No, that's not my real password
	"sv_allowdownload"			"1"
	"net_maxfilesize"			"200"
	"sv_voiceenable"			"1"
	"sv_alltalk"				"1"
	"lua_log_sv"				 "1"
}

hostname: This is the actual name of the server. Name it whatever.
sv_lan: Leave at 0
maxplayers: If you’re hosting, this is the number of slots you have. If you’re renting, leave it alone or you’ll get a bitchy host
sbox_allownpcs: 0 appears to enable them
sbox_max:* Limits.
contraptionary_*: Leave as is.
rcon_password: Self explanatory
sv_voiceenable: Set to 0 if you don’t want voice chat on your server
sv_alltalk: Leave at 1 if you use ASSmod or UTeam, or different ranks won’t be able to hear each other.
lua_log_sv: Ignore.

This concludes my guide. Anything need added? Let me know.

lavacano-legacy · August 8, 2009, 1:56am

reserved for extra room if needed

compwhizii-legacy · August 8, 2009, 1:59am

http://www.facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=719324

lavacano-legacy · August 8, 2009, 2:05am

Fuck my fail at searching.

Oh well, never hurts to have more than one guide lying around

[editline]07:08PM[/editline]

Also, I’ll add GModHosting.com to my list there

UberMensch-legacy · August 8, 2009, 10:57am

onacaval:

[ Setting Up Your server.cfg File ]

Whether you are hosting a server or renting, the server.cfg file is muy importante. I will copy paste my server.cfg file from my server to teach you.
"ServerSettings"
{
	"hostname"				"Lavacano's Madhouse [ http://www.netswim.net/forum ]"
	"sv_lan"				"0"
	"maxplayers"			        "12"
	"sbox_allownpcs"			"0"
	"sbox_maxprops"				"175"
	"sbox_maxragdolls"			"4"
	"sbox_maxnpcs"				"3"
	"sbox_maxballoons"			"10"
	"sbox_maxeffects"			"10"
	"sbox_maxdynamite"			"1"
	"sbox_maxlamps"				"5"
	"sbox_maxthrusters"			"35"
	"sbox_maxwheels"			"20"
	"sbox_godmode"				"0"
	"sbox_plpldamage"			"0"
	"sbox_playergod"			"0"
	"sbox_noclip"				"1"
	"sbox_maxhoverballs"			"20"
	"sbox_maxvehicles"			"3"
	"sbox_maxbuttons"			"20"
	"sbox_maxsents"				"10"
	"sbox_maxemitters"			"5"
	"sbox_maxspawners"			"3"
	"sbox_maxturrets"			"3"
	"sbox_maxwire_thrusters"		"35"
	"contraptionary_intermission_time"	"120"
	"contraptionary_guess_time"		"600"
	"contraptionary_max_guesses"		"10"
        "rcon_password"				"sex_muffins" # No, that's not my real password
	"sv_allowdownload"			"1"
	"net_maxfilesize"			"200"
	"sv_voiceenable"			"1"
	"sv_alltalk"				"1"
	"lua_log_sv"				 "1"
}
hostname: This is the actual name of the server. Name it whatever.
sv_lan: Leave at 0
maxplayers: If you’re hosting, this is the number of slots you have. If you’re renting, leave it alone or you’ll get a bitchy host
sbox_allownpcs: 0 appears to enable them
sbox_max:* Limits.
contraptionary_*: Leave as is.
rcon_password: Self explanatory
sv_voiceenable: Set to 0 if you don’t want voice chat on your server
sv_alltalk: Leave at 1 if you use ASSmod or UTeam, or different ranks won’t be able to hear each other.
lua_log_sv: Ignore.

This concludes my guide. Anything need added? Let me know.

Just so you know, this isn’t what a proper server.cfg should look like, this is server_cfg.txt

While the layout of server_cfg.txt will mostly work fine as server.cfg, a few syntax differences will throw up errors and some commands might not work.