Question about Workshop and Server to Client-side downloads.

[Dr. Democracy]

This may seem an odd question, but is there a way to have a server force the client to download addons directly from the workshop instead of the alternatives (such as needing to subscribe to a collection, sv_downloadurl, ftp, or using the servers' own weak-sauce throughput to send the files?

After finalizing some of the details on my server, I'm looking to reduce overhead as much as possible. It's also apparent that without an ftp solution, the client takes forever to download the files needed to play.

This means that even with a functional workshop implemented, the client will either have to subscribe to the servers' collection before logging in, or wait the painfully slow amount of time it takes to download from the hosting server itself.

I've already attached my server to the workshop with a custom key and all that, so the server itself is just fine. Is there, or will there be any type of temporary key-share functionality for connecting clients to the server so that these clients can download updated revisions of addons directly from the workshop?

I know this is a bit cumbersome of a post, but I think now that Steam has provided some layer of integration with Garry's Mod that at least seems to work on a functional level (if only for the servers from what I understand) that it's time to fix one of the biggest hurdles people have in hosting a dedicated game server. Getting your server's files to the client in an efficient, flexible, and sustainable way.

Thanks.

[Jalapeno Business]

this happens to me, but i don't know the answer to your question. Sorry :(

[David Martin]

add you're self as an superadmin in ULX hit Q and settings under the admin tab hit allow client side scripts

[thimblemunch]

That won't do anything. Do you have a resource file made for your servers workshop addons? I only use a few cars, and needed addons from workshop. Most of the better addons are not in the workshop.

[David Martin]

Do you mean workshop.lua? - Fast DL?

[Dr. Democracy]

When a client connects to a dedicated game server for the first time, and hasn't subscribed to the group of required addons, is there a way to have the client download the addons via the workshops higher bandwidth as opposed to downloading the addons from the dedicated game server instead? The reason I ask, is because the game servers are throttle capped to prevent lag and ideally shouldn't be hosting addons for the clients to download when there is a perfectly serviceable, and much faster option of having the client download straight from the workshop instead.

Here's an example of what I mean:

1. The client sees the game server on the list of dedicated game servers and connects for the first time.

2. The server checks with the client to see if the client has all of the necessary addons.

3. SInce this is the clients' first time connecting, they do not have any of the required addons.

4. The the client takes the resource list from the server and connects to the Workshop, downloading the addons at a high speed.

5. When the download is complete, the client notifies the dedicated game server.

6. The dedicated game server again verifies the client has all of the necessary addons.

7. The client does, and can now play.

The way it currently works, is that during step #4, the client connects to the dedicated game server and not the Workshop. Since the dedicated game server can only allow addons to be downloaded from it at very low speeds compared to the Workshop (to prevent lag), it can take a VERY long time to complete this process. In some server, which use forced downloading, the addons must be downloaded every single time the user connects - even if they already have all of the addons that are necessary to play.

Is there a way to force the client to download from the Workshop in this manner instead?

In my opinion, the only reason the dedicated game server should be handling the download process for addons is if the game server requires addons that are not hosted on the Workshop.