Hosting a DM server

I know it's an extremely basic and simple question, but because I've
never played any multiplayer games before, I am not sure how to do it.

How do I host a server for HL2DM so anyone over the internet can join
the game? I don't want to create just a LAN server, because I
don't have anyone locally to play the map. I want the server to
show up on the list of "Find Servers" in the HL2DM menu.

Thanks in advance.

asked..answered..asked..answered :/

1) go to www.whatismyip.com and write down your ip address.

2) load HL2dm

3) create a server, chose the options you prefer to have in it.. IE flashlight,blah,blah.

4) chose the map.

5) create it.

it is always best if you want people to specifically find you to name it something obvious/unique. and i assume you can still chose a server by ip address, so its wise to post yours that i told you to get.

it is also best to have at the very least, a good cable connection.. T1 is preferred.

have fun.

If you're doing something simple, you could always use the console to load your map, assuming that sv_lan is 0.

If you're wanting to run a proper server, I would guess that installing
the "Source Dedicated Server" tool would be the correct route.
It's above Source SDK in the Steam game menu.

<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting Joe-Bob</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>
If you're wanting to run a proper server, I would guess that installing the "Source Dedicated Server" tool would be the correct route. It's above Source SDK in the Steam game menu.
</DIV></DIV>
you do this, you cannot join on the same PC..

Orpheus said:
you do this, you cannot join on the same PC..

This is true, and your solution is definitely best if he wants to play
the maps while he hosts. However, if you happen to want a dedicated
server, you have to use Steam's tools.

2) load HL2dm

3) create a server, chose the options you prefer to have in it.. IE flashlight,blah,blah.

4) chose the map.

5) create it.

Thanks, Orph.

I did all these steps, but I never get the chance to put in the
server name or IP address. The map spawns and I'm walking around
as the lone player in it. Is that all? I'll set sv_lan to
"0" to see what happens.

if you have a firewall up, and the port to HL2 is closed, you will not get anyone to join.

i suggest you research what port it uses, and open it.

this will not create a hole, since only HL2 would use that specific port.

course, thats all your choice.

Thanks again. It's probably the DSL router firewall that's
blocking anyone from joining. I'll look into opening a port for
the game.

unless you have one humdinger of a dsl connection, it won't be suitable for a server. cable is barely enough for 5+ people.

Orph is right - professional servers are usually mounted into big
spools with huge data pipes. T1 is the bare minimum to run any kind of
decent server.

2mb DSL could just about cope with 3 players, assuming the people joining had fairly good connections themselves.

There are a lot of services that are set up to host a server for
you. Our clan has one, as do most that do not have access to high
bandwidth pipes and want a place to practice or build a community out
of. Generally you wind up paying between 10-30 dollars. The
price can be dependant on the max amount of players you want on the
server. You tell them what you want installed on the server,
Counterstrike, Half-Life, HL2, Call of Duty, etc etc etc, and they give
you admin access to change games, maps, get access to logs, etc etc.

Only downside is you have to pay for it, but such is life.
Generally they will have excellent internet connections. Running
a server of a DSL line, unfortunatly, does not cut it.

If you want to do this and are having trouble finding a site that
offers server hosting, let me know cause I can link you to the one we
use which is pretty reliable (Canada based, I believe). None off
the top of my head though.

Then, all you need to do is add my map, dm_casual, to your server rotation. :biggrin:

Orph is right - professional servers are usually mounted into big
spools with huge data pipes. T1 is the bare minimum to run any kind of
decent server.

2mb DSL could just about cope with 3 players, assuming the people joining had fairly good connections themselves.

T1 is 1.544 Mbit :smile:

The real problem with DSL is that it's usually ADSL, and the
upstream bandwidth is usually around 128~256 Kbit. That's not enough.
If you had 2Mbit upstream, that would be brilliant.

Informative. . .

Well, I just have this regular ol' DSL from Verizon. So I won't
be hosting any server anytime soon. All these are new (and
useful) information for me. Thanks a bunch.

And beyond that you will need one heck of a computer to run the server
and play at the same time, not counting your bandwidth. For example at
my college we get 10 Mbit duplex, plenty to run a good server on if I
am not downloading something. BUT at around 8 players or so my
computer just couldn't hack it anymore and my frame rate started
dropping (this was a HL mod) below acceptable levels and everyone was
all laggy n stuff. For HL2, I could probably only have about 4 people
or so.

My friend has about the same computer as me and with 8 people on a lan
game of HL2DM his computer just about hit critical mass. So keep
that in mind that running a server off your own computer is probably
not gonna work too well.