Hosting a Server?...

[xSOSxHawkens]

So I have searched the forums and online and have found conflicting reports on if it is posible to host your own server...

First, a preface:

I have already hosted game servers in the past, and currently host a Teamspeak 3 dedicated server. My server experiance in the past includes Halo PC, L4D, TS2 and 3, and minecraft.

I have three systems to serve off of, one of which is built using Server class hardware (Opteron), all three systems can run 24/7 and are dedicated servers.

I have a Buisness Class connection with my ISP (higher level routing, static IP, all ports eneabled) that is running on Fibre to the Wall that was laid ~13 months ago.

In Teamspeak 3, with 20+ connections, people average sub-40ms ping for west coast, sub 70 for east, and sub 200 for Aus/NZ, sup 300 for china. AKA, I have more than playable pings even under load.




Now to the questions...


I have researched if I can setup a Rust dedicated server. I have NO interest in renting a server, there is a reason I own my own hardware and pay for a Buisness Class fibre connection, and it is becuase I prefer to own my own servers. Period.

In the past this has never been a problem but more and more comapnies are locking out self hosted dedicated servers.

When researching Rust I have come across varried responces.

At first I came across these, which SEEM to indicate that you CAN host your own server, via windows or linux...

https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Rust_Dedicated_Server

http://rustdev.facepunchstudios.com/dedicated-server

Notice that one link is the instructions directly from the Valve site, which seems to lend some credibility to the "Yes" side of can I host or not?...


BUT


Then I found this one:

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=233764380

He says you need a beta key, but never mentions one in the instructions, leading me to belive perhaps he has slipstreamed it into the /zip he specifies you use for install.


THEN

I found this link. which seems to say that NO you cannot host a server yourself...

http://steamcommunity.com/app/252490/discussions/0/630800446050207792/





SO


The Valve Developer Community says YES YOU CAN HOST

The Steam Guides say MAYBE YOU CAN HOST (if ya do it this way)

The Steam Forums say NO YOU CANNOT HOST


Who is right?....


If I have the hardware AND the internet quality can I or can I not host my own servers?....

[Wartai]

I host my own server with no problems, but you can only seem to host either the Legacy version or the Beta Experimental, the Opt Out version seems to be only run by Server Hosters, the paying hosters. Gary Newman opened up the server software for all to use, its only him that can say yes or no, not Valve/Steam
http://facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=1414775

[xSOSxHawkens]

Originally posted by Wartai:

I host my own server with no problems, but you can only seem to host either the Legacy version or the Beta Experimental, the Opt Out version seems to be only run by Server Hosters, the paying hosters. Gary Newman opened up the server software for all to use, its only him that can say yes or no, not Valve/Steam

Sorry I admit I am a RUST noob, I am being drawn by the prospect that my clan and I could build our own base on our own server and such, but have no real game play knowledge.

What is the differance between the Legacy, Opt Out, and Beta versions?...

[Infected Mushroom]

http://rustdev.facepunchstudios.com/dedicated-server
is the experimental server. If you can get that working than you have your very server running locally.

The legacy rust requires a master key which FP only gave to select domain providers. So as it stands you cannot run a legacy server legit. There was a leak about some legacy dedicated server files, but I never cared for legacy.

So if you can get the experimental up, and running you have your very own true dedicated server at your fingertips. No master key, or beta key needed to run one.

[Wartai]

Legacy version is the version we all played before he decided to make a new Rust..
The Experimental Beta version is where you have to right click the Rust game , go to Beta tab and select Experimental - The latest updates, you can get like 3-4 updates a day..
The Opt out is where you dont use that Beta setting and just launch the game and join experimental branch. They update like once a week, seems to be only retail hosters that can run this version I think...
When You download teh experimental, you also get the Legacy server with it

[Spiderella the Original]

Originally posted by Jean-Luc Picard:

http://rustdev.facepunchstudios.com/dedicated-server
is the experimental server. If you can get that working than you have your very server running locally.

The legacy rust requires a master key which FP only gave to select domain providers. So as it stands you cannot run a legacy server legit. There was a leak about some legacy dedicated server files, but I never cared for legacy.

So if you can get the experimental up, and running you have your very own true dedicated server at your fingertips. No master key, or beta key needed to run one.

Garry Newman ‏@garrynewman

FYI the Rust legacy server files are included with the experimental server. Windows only though sorry :) http://facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=1414775 …
https://twitter.com/garrynewman/status/506083511502385152

[Wartai]

Originally posted by Jean-Luc Picard:

The legacy rust requires a master key which FP only gave to select domain providers. So as it stands you cannot run a legacy server legit. There was a leak about some legacy dedicated server files, but I never cared for legacy.

There is no Master key and also the Legacy branch can be run legit by anyone.
Even Gary has written guides on how to run Legacy and Experimental servers.
Also using the SteamCMD, which you use to get the server files, you also get the Legacy Server with it, no need to find some Leaked server files thats out of date when its distributed legally from Steam

[xSOSxHawkens]

Windows is no problem the server will run Windows 7 unless it requires a Server Specific OS.


So, say I setup and run one of the Experimental servers,

1) Is it a local only server or will it be accessable to others over the internet?

2) If it is accessable over the net, will it be published on a Master Server list of some type, or will players have to know an IP for a direct connect?

3) Will the server files update automatically with the game (as you said Experimental can recieve mutiple updates in a single day).

4) If the server files update automatically, will it require re-launching the server mutiple times a day between updates?

[Wartai]

1-2) the port 28015 you open to the net and dont forward port 28016 unless you want it shown in the server listing then your players can Press F1 then use the command client.connect xxx.xxx.xxx.xxxx (your IP)

3-4) The server will not update auto, but I just update the server when my client updates, its only two commands to update:

login anonymous
app_update 258550 -beta experimental validate

Normally alot of the time the client can update without the server doing update and still connect except when the patch contains a server update that is needed in order for client to connect

Also make sure you have the -load in the servers command line in the BAT file, or it wont load saved games, most guides dont tell you this

[xSOSxHawkens]

OK, thanks!


Final (maybe) question:

Does anyone know the Dev's plans regarding self-hosted servers.

I have no interest in getting my clan members to fork out the $$ for us all to play Rust, then have me spend the time to set up a server, just so that in a few months when its closer to release we have the Dev pull the option for self hosted servers.

My clan and I are not realy interested in paying some one else when I already have the means to setup whatever server is needed. No point in us wasting our time/$$ if we know we will lose the server anyway.


So has the Dev said which way?... It looks like it was closed off, and now he has released Server Files, does this mean he has specifically said that in the final release we will have our own servers?

Does anyone know?

[Wartai]

I have no idea what the long term for the servers will be, but I think you can rent one for about $150 for a year with 50 slots

[BABYBLUE]

Originally posted by xSOSxHawkens:

OK, thanks!


Final (maybe) question:

Does anyone know the Dev's plans regarding self-hosted servers.

I have no interest in getting my clan members to fork out the $$ for us all to play Rust, then have me spend the time to set up a server, just so that in a few months when its closer to release we have the Dev pull the option for self hosted servers.

My clan and I are not realy interested in paying some one else when I already have the means to setup whatever server is needed. No point in us wasting our time/$$ if we know we will lose the server anyway.


So has the Dev said which way?... It looks like it was closed off, and now he has released Server Files, does this mean he has specifically said that in the final release we will have our own servers?

Does anyone know?

I don't know if you're gonna read this but here goes:
Just recently they opened up for everyone to be able to host servers properly - not just the providers.

Just be sure NOT to include
the optional parameters when downloading the server software via steamcmd. I tried it out today and it worked like a charm.

login anonymous
app_update 258550

That's it! (Unless you wanted to force it into a specific folder)

Hope this helps ;)