Map download from server

(BoomStick) #1

I want to run custom maps on my servers but even when the custom map isnt playing it makes everyone that trys to connect download the map. I tried turning off downloads and it would tell the clients they need to download the map and the server wouldnt let them. Is there any way to make it so it only starts a map download when the map is running?

(Depth_Charge) #2

u need them so clients can play i didnt pay much attention to what u said :eek:

(BoomStick) #3

Well then i couldnt exactly run custom maps on the server if i dont have the pk3 files in there now could I. lol

(Rippin Kitten) #4

In a word, no.

Under a pure server, all game elements in use on the server need to be on the client as well. Since most custom maps bundle a campaign file in with the map pk3 the server loads this campaign file (and all campaign files while under campaign mode) on startup. So even though a small 2kb campaign script is being used by the server, it will require that all clients have the big massive pk3 its located in.

Two things you can do.

One, deal with it. Hopefully all of your clients are willing to sit through the painfully slow download process and get every missing pk3. You can set up the http redirect which is a much faster transfer system, and if you can host it on a seperate connection you don’t tank the server with file requests. You can also post them on your website so your players can get them that way. Finally, pulling pk3s out of the etmain directory when you don’t plan on using them will help as well.

Second, you can run the server as unpure. This does introduce the possibility of clients running models, sounds, or voice mods that not everyone is running, potentially “unbalancing” the game. When the custom map gets called clients will download it then. So deciding to lose all your players from the get-go or weeding them out when the custom map finally comes up is a decision you need to make.

Its a pretty bad situation all around. Until a set of custom maps becomes “accepted” you’re probably better off sticking with the stock maps.

RK

(BoomStick) #5

Ok. i see that sucks. how do i redirect the download tho? any ideas?

(DG) #6

Rippen Kitten, ok to paste +credit that into my server guide? I’ll remove it if not:
http://www.rtcw.jolt.co.uk/index.php?page=&action=show&id=3357#autodl

BoomStick, the link should sort you out with setting up the http reditect.

(BoomStick) #7

That looks pretty straight forward. thanx.

(BoomStick) #8

I got the redirect working but even tho i set the server to unpure it still makes everyone download the maps. anyone know whats up?