Hey there.
Things happened lately in my virtual life, I end up with a server package that could host up to 6~7 TF2 servers in France. I'm interested in selling those, because I have no use for them, but I still own them.
More to the point, I was wondering if you could tell me what you would expect from a server host, considering it's not automated (except for a few things), and that it cannot be automated yet.
I've got a lot of experience dealing with TF2 server management, and I wouldn't want to give you ideas and/or features that are available on the servers right now, but I'd like to hear from you, as you're more than one.
Hey there.
Things happened lately in my virtual life, I end up with a server package that could host up to 6~7 TF2 servers in France. I'm interested in selling those, because I have no use for them, but I still own them.
More to the point, I was wondering if you could tell me what you would expect from a server host, considering it's not automated (except for a few things), and that it cannot be automated yet.
I've got a lot of experience dealing with TF2 server management, and I wouldn't want to give you ideas and/or features that are available on the servers right now, but I'd like to hear from you, as you're more than one.
Speaking from an NA player's perspective:
- Having stuff like TFTrue, SourceMod installed and configured the way we like it (whatever settings your region uses, for TFTrue, and proper access for SourceMod)
- Making sure the server doesn't do anything stupidly unexpected (changing maps even though a scrim/PCW/match is still being played HEH OOPS)
- UP TO DATE maps. It pains me to see how many servers still run cp_process_rc2 and cp_metalworks_rc3 (hi Fog).
- Configs, of course.
- Possibly a custom config for PCWs (from what I've seen, PCWs run first to 5 with a 30 min limit)
- Answering stupid questions with "did you do rcon_password password first?"
- STV running and working, no question (HEH OOPS #2)
- Making sure TFTrue automatically uploads logs.
- Even better, having a web host that publicly lists the demo associated with it and a link of the logs.
That's as far as I know, regarding the server itself. I think most of the INTERESTING parts of server management comes from the stuff outside of it, like doing stuff with demos and logs, almost like what Crack Clan is doing (and they are definitely top notch A++ when it comes to this stuff).
Speaking from an NA player's perspective:
- Having stuff like TFTrue, SourceMod installed and configured the way we like it (whatever settings your region uses, for TFTrue, and proper access for SourceMod)
- Making sure the server doesn't do anything stupidly unexpected (changing maps even though a scrim/PCW/match is still being played HEH OOPS)
- UP TO DATE maps. It pains me to see how many servers still run cp_process_rc2 and cp_metalworks_rc3 (hi Fog).
- Configs, of course.
- Possibly a custom config for PCWs (from what I've seen, PCWs run first to 5 with a 30 min limit)
- Answering stupid questions with "did you do rcon_password [i]password[/i] first?"
- STV running and working, no question (HEH OOPS #2)
- Making sure TFTrue automatically uploads logs.
- Even better, having a web host that publicly lists the demo associated with it and a link of the logs.
That's as far as I know, regarding the server itself. I think most of the INTERESTING parts of server management comes from the stuff outside of it, like doing stuff with demos and logs, almost like what Crack Clan is doing (and they are definitely top notch A++ when it comes to this stuff).
First of all, thanks a lot for answering.
mana- Having stuff like TFTrue, SourceMod installed and configured the way we like it (whatever settings your region uses, for TFTrue, and proper access for SourceMod)
I was thinking about let people chose between TFTrue and the combo MM:Src/SrcMod on signup, or when the server is requested to be created.
Could you be more precise about the settings? I don't really see what you're trying to point out.
As for access to the SourceMod, I guess you've meant the plugins, I'll be providing with an FTP of the server(s).
- Making sure the server doesn't do anything stupidly unexpected (changing maps even though a scrim/PCW/match is still being played HEH OOPS)
As for control over the servers, the user will be the one doing stuff, I'll set up and provide help until things get stable, and will help when needed, but I won't take input on the server.
- UP TO DATE maps. It pains me to see how many servers still run cp_process_rc2 and cp_metalworks_rc3 (hi Fog).
- Configs, of course.
Sure, I'll provide with config packages, and the few custom maps that are played often.. User would have to uploads the maps/configs to the FTP when I'm not available, such things as these. Since the dedicated server used is shared, the FTP's speeds are capped.
- Possibly a custom config for PCWs (from what I've seen, PCWs run first to 5 with a 30 min limit)
User can do that :).
- Answering stupid questions with "did you do rcon_password password first?"
As long as I'm online, that should be good to go.
- STV running and working, no question (HEH OOPS #2)
STV demo recording will be enabled and available for sure, but STV listening to clients might be something else. I'll have to see with that.
- Making sure TFTrue automatically uploads logs.
The feature can be enabled, but I won't make a script to check if the logs were automatically uploaded. If anything wrong happens, the logs are available on the FTP.
- Even better, having a web host that publicly lists the demo associated with it and a link of the logs.
I'll see what I can do.
I was thinking about running an automatic Steam update every day at 6AM-ish? Would that be bad? The point is to make the server restart every to keep fresh, as you would open your windows in the morning, and make it hit two birds with one stone, checking if TF2 has been updated.
Any thoughts on the prices, and such? I was thinking about keeping the servers "private", as in not used to a 24/7 pub. I still don't know.
But thanks a lot for the answers!
First of all, thanks a lot for answering.
[quote=mana]- Having stuff like TFTrue, SourceMod installed and configured the way we like it (whatever settings your region uses, for TFTrue, and proper access for SourceMod)[/quote]
I was thinking about let people chose between TFTrue and the combo MM:Src/SrcMod on signup, or when the server is requested to be created.
Could you be more precise about the settings? I don't really see what you're trying to point out.
As for access to the SourceMod, I guess you've meant the plugins, I'll be providing with an FTP of the server(s).
[quote]- Making sure the server doesn't do anything stupidly unexpected (changing maps even though a scrim/PCW/match is still being played HEH OOPS)[/quote]
As for control over the servers, the user will be the one doing stuff, I'll set up and provide help until things get stable, and will help when needed, but I won't take input on the server.
[quote]- UP TO DATE maps. It pains me to see how many servers still run cp_process_rc2 and cp_metalworks_rc3 (hi Fog).
- Configs, of course.[/quote]
Sure, I'll provide with config packages, and the few custom maps that are played often.. User would have to uploads the maps/configs to the FTP when I'm not available, such things as these. Since the dedicated server used is shared, the FTP's speeds are capped.
[quote]- Possibly a custom config for PCWs (from what I've seen, PCWs run first to 5 with a 30 min limit)[/quote]
User can do that :).
[quote]- Answering stupid questions with "did you do rcon_password password first?"[/quote]
As long as I'm online, that should be good to go.
[quote]- STV running and working, no question (HEH OOPS #2)[/quote]
STV demo recording will be enabled and available for sure, but STV listening to clients might be something else. I'll have to see with that.
[quote]- Making sure TFTrue automatically uploads logs.[/quote]
The feature can be enabled, but I won't make a script to check if the logs were automatically uploaded. If anything wrong happens, the logs are available on the FTP.
[quote]- Even better, having a web host that publicly lists the demo associated with it and a link of the logs.[/quote]
I'll see what I can do.
I was thinking about running an automatic Steam update every day at 6AM-ish? Would that be bad? The point is to make the server restart every to keep fresh, as you would open your windows in the morning, and make it hit two birds with one stone, checking if TF2 has been updated.
Any thoughts on the prices, and such? I was thinking about keeping the servers "private", as in not used to a 24/7 pub. I still don't know.
But thanks a lot for the answers!