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Game Server Admin Opening
Looks like it’s time for me to learn about serving games. I have an idea that I am putting into action for the MODSonline.com website. The idea is to allow the members of the site to upload their custom game content and be able to play it right then and there. The trick is that I don’t have any game server experience.
Every time I have some free time, I’m working on getting the game servers working well. You’d think that running a server was simple, and perhaps it is when the server is sitting in your house. However, I am trying to administrate a server that I don’t fully own. It’s a sponsored server which means I can only access what they allow me to access.
The project entails three important functions, the third of which has me open to any ideas or suggestions you are willing to offer:
- Provide a means for the members to upload their content to me so that I can then dispurse it among the servers appropriately. This is really pretty simple since I have most of the code already in place for the downloads section of the website. Basically, I just allow members to upload their content and I send it out to two locations. One is the server for serving the content and the other is to the web server where other members can download the content being served.
- Dispursal of the content. Once the content is uploaded, I need to copy it to the game server. Again, I have experience with pushing files around via FTP and other methods without having to physically be the one to do it. In otherwords, I have scripts that can do it all for me.
- This is the part with which I have issues. I need to restart the server so the uploaded content is available to the players. I can rewrite the configurations files and FTP them to the server, but physically restart the server means I have to login somewhere and then press the reset button. Remember, I don’t own the server so I don’t have the means of automating this process the way I could on the web server which I do own. Hopefully I can come up with a solution.
Keep an eye on the MODsonline.com website for the release of these new features. Or, keep an eye on this site for records of my disasterous attempts at getting it to work.
2 Responses to “Game Server Admin Opening”
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December 8th, 2006 at 2:23 am
I’ve been messing around with Server admin issues for a bit now… Thought I might be able to offer some time to help accomplish your goals… Hopefully, you can find a sponsor in exchange for MODsOnline’ gameservers, seems like a great idea.
I’m not a mapper, but I’ll eventually learn. I prefer server setup & admin as I do 3D parametric solid modeling (fluid power systems) for a living, so I wouldn’t want to overdose on 3D work.
I’ve been a member of PotW (Call Of Duty Clan, http://www.potw-clan.us) for about 6 months now. NamVet (Roland) knows me, in case you know him.
I started up a new “MixedMap” server about 3 months ago, it’s taken off in popularity, usually full (24 slots) about 18-20 hours a day. It features custom maps only, primarily CTF gametype.
Im in the middle of deploying another server using the eXtreme MODS… Not overboard, just slightly enhanced with limited weapons loadouts. It should be open to the public in about a week.
Anyway, I might have some ideas… I’m using http://www.Gameservers.com right now. They use a simple HTML web site control panel interface which executes server restarts (via script ?). They also have an automated re-install process… I had one crash that corrupted the stock IWD’s or something, it wouldn’t restart. I deleted the entire COD2 folder using FTP and clicked a button on the control panel and it copied/reinstalled a complete stock server in about 30 mins, file structure and all, and I was back in business…
Obviously a server-side solution, but worth a look into to help launch your baby!
The hosting company you WERE going to use… How do they deal with game server restarts?
Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
SpamCan (Chris)
December 8th, 2006 at 8:37 am
We’ve got some sponsorship going for 5 game servers now. The sponsors are Art of War Central and Typhoon Servers. They are running quite well, but the trouble has been finding time to work on them. Isn’t that always the case? lol.
Anyway, it would appear that almost all game servers have a web control panel that will allow you to restart the game to enact any changes in the config files. The problem is that these actions are only available after logging in as an administrator and then pressing a button. I don’t want to have to sit there a monitor the uploads and restarts. This process should be made automatic.
I do have some ideas on how to do it. Now I just have to run some tests to see if they work. For example, I just might be able to write a script that logs into the system and presses the button without my intervention using a PHP and CURL (programming options).
Hey, thanks for popping in with some advice. It’s appreciated. And yes, I do know NamVet from MODSonline.com. Good man.