Cluster on Lan not working

[Dizbit1980]

Having difficulty configuring a LAN cluster that will allow map transfer. If someone could point me in direction of correct tutorial or other guide for setting up it would be very much appreciated.
Here is where we are at:
Using Ark Server Manager.
Have followed multiple tutorials for the settings to do this. We have 3 PCs in the house. One is being used as a dedicated server.
Each time we have attempted to upload a survivor, we can't find our server in the list at all. We have tried copying player data to a new server and lost both characters.
Have then tried uploading character to a different server on the published lists to see if we could make this happen and get the character back to our maps, and lost the second character.
We have Spectrum Internet for the home and use Sagemcom F@st 5260 as our router.
Thank You for any help!

[ANUBIS]

I’m almost home , and then I’ll give you the solution ..I’ve done exactly what your trying to do with ASM

[MackMack]

Hello,

IDK about ASM GUI so I can't say much about it except - it is much complicated for twice nothing.

Anyways, what you need to have in order to see your different servers is simply to have the "-clusterid=SomethingUnique" in each startup line along with a shared folder.

(make sure to replace "SomethingUnique" with something unique to your cluster - and don't share that info)

From there, every server that will use the same clusterid will be listed there.

[ANUBIS]

MacMack is correct about the clusterid needing to be the same.

On Ark Server Manager it is Cross-Ark Data transfer cluster id..this can be as simple as test123, but make it the same for each profile..and check the box next to it that says cluster directory override. You dont need to put anything in the field above it called alternate save directory. These fields are up top in the adminstrative sections. In the Rules section make sure you have checked :enable tribute downloads..got to have that checked.

I'm assuming you've port forwareded correctly and are able to connect to each server individually, but when you go to an Obelisk and choose transfer character your other servers on the cluster don't show up.

When using ASM AND your on Lan, you will not be able to see your other servers on the cluster at the Obelisk unless you follow one of these solutions..I've spoken to the ASM developers and there are only a few ways, because (at least with ASM) the problem is.. cluster on Lan. Ark wont look for cluster on lan..if it knows all your pc's are on lan..wish I knew why, but it won't.

Either you Have to have a router that supports nat loopback (few do), or you have to use the solution Arzingoth descripes in his post which is installing the microsoft loopback adapter, and following his instructions for that.

3rd and last way for cluster on lan with ASM, is the way i do it. I simply run a vpn on the computer im playing on before launching steam and the game and joining my server. You don't run it on the dedicated server..just the pc you want to connect with. Then all the servers on your cluster will be at Obelisks and transfers will work correctly. I'm running a 3 map cluster with a seperate computer as the dedicated, and none of my players have lag..and I'm connecting on another computer..on the lan.
If anyone outside your house wants to join, they won't need a vpn, or the loopback
adapter..they can just add your server through ipaddress in steam favorites and join normally..and will see the different maps at the Obelisks.

Here is the post where we both discuss our solutions:

https://steamcommunity.com/app/346110/discussions/0/3200369647709961171/

..also you don't want to set any passwords on any of the servers..ASM and Cluster servers don't like it.
What you can do is list each player on the exluvie join list with their steam64id.
This way (even though you have no password), ONLY the people on the exclusive join list can join server..then you just choose join..and your in.

[Dizbit1980]

Thank You. We downloaded a VPN and magically- the server/cluster is there. This has been very difficult to get going and it is finally, actually working.

[ANUBIS]

Your welcome..It was frustrating for me too, when I attempted it.

[killashandrasings]

replying to hold my place