How do you host a dedicated server and how much better is it?

[[KG]Destaex]

If I want to play and host at the same time. Like I have been doing in my tests. Is it worth getting a dedicated server?

If so how? Is their a thread describing this?

[Leon_Portier]

I'm interested too

[Thad]

Salutations,

 

Install and Update a Multiplayer Mission Server

 

Please refer to the games Mission Editor and Multiplayer Sever Manual. Page 167.

 

   You can install and update a free dedicated server (called a "DServer") to run multiplayer missions. You can install the server on a remote PC or on a local PC, including the same PC that IL-2 Sturmovik runs on. Note: • There is already a DServer in your IL-2 Sturmovik game directory under \bin\game. However, you cannot run that server and fly IL-2 Sturmovik at the same time.

 

   By installing a separate DServer, you can run it and IL-2 Sturmovik at the same time. If you just want to run the DServer included with IL-2 Sturmovik, proceed to Configure a Multiplayer Mission Server to Run Missions (pg. 169). • Running IL-2 Sturmovik and a DServer at the same time, on the same PC, can reduce the DServer performance. Performance reductions can cause visual problems and other adverse effects in the mission. The more complex the mission and the more players that join, the more the DServer performance is reduced.  

 

 

[Leon_Portier]

My big question is what to run the DServer on, I can't just keep it running on my personal computer 24/7, I gotta do other stuff with it too!

Edited July 20, 2020 by [N.O.G.F]Leon_Portier

[Thad]

You can install the server on a remote PC or on a local PC, including the same PC that IL-2 Sturmovik runs on. 

[[KG]Destaex]

I heard off somebody that flies that you must apply for some sort of special ID to run a dedicated server? 

I wonder if I should get one of my old computers up. Its just processing power that is needed rather than gpu.

 

 

Edited July 20, 2020 by [KG]Destaex

[Thad]

The details you seek are all presented in the Mission Editor and Multiplayer Server Manual. 

 

I think you are correct about processing power being more important that any GPU in a dedicated server computer.

[[KG]Destaex]

Will look thanks. Although I appreciate the manual. I do not find it very easy to follow usually, probably because it is potentially somebodies elses translated notes. I also find a few outdated or incorrect terms for in game objects. Its all a bit of a fun mystery to solve.

[Thad]

Pages 167-175

 

Yes, the manual is rather old and can come across as cryptic.

 

There is a deep dark secret rumor that JimTM is working on a updated version but said rumor may be a cruel myth. ?

Edited July 20, 2020 by Thad

[[KG]Destaex]

Is jimtm part of the dev team?

[Thad]

Only the demigods know for sure. ?

 

No, I think he is just a very dedicated contributor in support of the simulation. I try to give him some good natured ribbing about how long it is taking to update the manual.

 

Actually, the way the game is continually changing and improving makes his manual work very challenging.

[JimTM]

16 hours ago, Thad said:

Only the demigods know for sure. ?

 

No, I think he is just a very dedicated contributor in support of the simulation. I try to give him some good natured ribbing about how long it is taking to update the manual.

 

Actually, the way the game is continually changing and improving makes his manual work very challenging.

 

He's a legend in his own lunchtime. 

 

Yes, documenting the editor can be a challenge, especially where the AI behaviour plays a big role in a mission. Moving to a web-based manual will allow me to tweak the topics as I get time. There is still much work to do though, so Thad has plenty of rib-tickling opportunities left.

16 hours ago, [KG]Destaex said:

Will look thanks. Although I appreciate the manual. I do not find it very easy to follow usually, probably because it is potentially somebodies elses translated notes. I also find a few outdated or incorrect terms for in game objects. Its all a bit of a fun mystery to solve.

 

If you can point these out please, I can make sure that they are corrected in an updated manual. Thanks!

 

[Thad]

1 hour ago, JimTM said:

There is still much work to do though, so Thad has plenty of rib-tickling opportunities left.

 

So there is a silver lining around waiting for the updated manual afterall. 

[=RS=Stix_09]

On 7/21/2020 at 10:12 AM, [KG]Destaex said:

I heard off somebody that flies that you must apply for some sort of special ID to run a dedicated server? 

I wonder if I should get one of my old computers up. Its just processing power that is needed rather than gpu.

 

 

 

 

Dserver is headless , ie there is no GPU  load as no graphics engine is used.. Performance is all about CPU performance, and network (to a point)

[[KG]Destaex]

Yeah. The CPU power needed is what I was asking about. Would an older computer have enough grunt. Would it need much cpu power or is the main thing that the pc is not splitting itself between playing the game and hosting the server.

[LachenKrieg]

On 7/20/2020 at 9:41 AM, Thad said:

Salutations,

 

Install and Update a Multiplayer Mission Server

 

Please refer to the games Mission Editor and Multiplayer Sever Manual. Page 167.

 

   You can install and update a free dedicated server (called a "DServer") to run multiplayer missions. You can install the server on a remote PC or on a local PC, including the same PC that IL-2 Sturmovik runs on. Note: • There is already a DServer in your IL-2 Sturmovik game directory under \bin\game. However, you cannot run that server and fly IL-2 Sturmovik at the same time.

 

   By installing a separate DServer, you can run it and IL-2 Sturmovik at the same time. If you just want to run the DServer included with IL-2 Sturmovik, proceed to Configure a Multiplayer Mission Server to Run Missions (pg. 169). • Running IL-2 Sturmovik and a DServer at the same time, on the same PC, can reduce the DServer performance. Performance reductions can cause visual problems and other adverse effects in the mission. The more complex the mission and the more players that join, the more the DServer performance is reduced.  

 

 

I have received a key to run a dedicated server, have downloaded and installed another IL2 software using the login credentials for the DServer key so that I can host and play at the same time, but  there is no DServer.exe located in the bin/game directory of this new software install. Where is the DServer.exe supposed to be located? 

[Thad]

Under Bin/Game.

 

I have the latest (non Steam) version of the game.

 

Edited July 28, 2020 by Thad

[LachenKrieg]

Thanks for the reply Thad. I can see the DServer application in the original IL2 installation folder, but not in the second installation I downloaded using the separate login credentials created to obtain the DServer key. As you can see in the screen shot above, there is no DServer.exe included in this installation's bin/game directory. My understanding is if I use the DServer.exe included in the original installation, I will not be able to host and play at the same time. I have even deleted, and reinstalled the second installation, but there is no DServer.exe. What am I missing?

[DD_FT-]

Try and run the launcher, that secondary install will probably need some updating. The date/time stamp of the Launcher.exe is not really recent... 

[LachenKrieg]

2 minutes ago, DD_FT- said:

Try and run the launcher, that secondary install will probably need some updating. The date/time stamp of the Launcher.exe is not really recent... 

Yeah I just noticed that, thanks. I will try that. Isn't it weird that the last modified date of the launcher is 2019 when I just downloaded it last week?

[DD_FT-]

29 minutes ago, LachenKrieg said:

Yeah I just noticed that, thanks. I will try that. Isn't it weird that the last modified date of the launcher is 2019 when I just downloaded it last week?

Not really weird. Not in my opinion: It's a choice, as this way they do not have to update the downloadable installer after each and every update/patch. Saves them time   

[LachenKrieg]

9 minutes ago, DD_FT- said:

Not really weird. Not in my opinion: It's a choice, as this way they do not have to update the downloadable installer after each and every update/patch. Saves them time   

I would have thought that the majority of time spent would go into making each update/patch. not in providing the link to download it. I am just glad you pointed it out to me. Thanks again.