HOW TO CREATE A TF2 SERVER!!! (May 2013)

[Patient]

Due to the Recent SteamPipe Conversion for basically many of the games we normally play, many other tools to create Servers are now becoming obsolete (i.e: HLDSUpdateTool). There may be others out there that have taught tutorials on how to make these recent servers for other games, but after looking at some of them, I just thought it would be nice to create my own tutorial on how to create your own server for Team Fortress 2 and how to optimize it.

Here is what I plan to cover (things may be added in the future):

1) Installing SteamCMD
2) Installing your TF2 Server
3) Checking to see if your server works and going through your RCON
4) Port Forwarding
5) Installing MetaMod and SourceMod
6) Customizing your server MOTD (Simple Text)
7) Customization 2
8) Other

At first, I think I will Create video tutorials, then move on to make a Full Guide and MAYBE a Wiki Page, if I have the Time.

I know there are Valve Developer Sites out there to help you, but in my opinion, I think it would be helpful to show people visually how to do these things, and I will do my best to show you how to create your server.

Come back once in a while as I cover each part and add videos to my Youtube Channel.
IF you have any questions, it is now OKAY to reply to this thread! I will do my best to help you out, if possible.

Sites to look at:
1) https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD
2) http://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Dedicated_server_configuration
3) https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamPipe
4) https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Source_Dedicated_Server
5) https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=7017-UJBN-6785
6) http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=44
7) http://www.sourcemod.net/
8) http://www.sourcemm.net/
9) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_forwarding
10) http://wiki.alliedmods.net/index.php/Installing_Metamod:Source
11) http://wiki.alliedmods.net/Installing_SourceMod

Here is the Playlist in general:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMOhfx4l6WDHYmrUNjCmoPaKCszMxk7rP

NOTE: Please Excuse my Dialog Mistakes Here, as I am trying my best to communicate the message to everyone to the best of my ability.

Video One: Installing SteamCMD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_OgT8Bp6Vo&list=PLMOhfx4l6WDHYmrUNjCmoPaKCszMxk7rP&index=1
Video 2: Installing your NON-PUBLIC (temporarily) TF2 srcds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWH4773KlFQ&list=PLMOhfx4l6WDHYmrUNjCmoPaKCszMxk7rP
Video Tres: Opening and Exploring your RCON
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydIsabXgzsM&list=PLMOhfx4l6WDHYmrUNjCmoPaKCszMxk7rP
Video 四: Knowing your Internet Setup (Port Forwarding Part 1)
http://youtu.be/hMpuvmCA7zI
Video V: Port Forwarding srcds's 27015 and DMZ-ing
http://youtu.be/crp9p8t8KpQ
Video Sechs: Adding MetaMod, SourceMod, and You as the Admin of your TF2 Server
http://youtu.be/yZ0QAHTR0GE
Video hét: Adding a Simple MOTD, Server.cfg, and your first Plugin
http://youtu.be/Ge63-ZPFf9o
Video ثمانية: MapCycle, TF_Server_Identity, and In-Game RCON
http://youtu.be/iiEKhcyKJ40

Server.cfg My Example (copy from First //) EDITS ARE NEEDED!!! Especially if you didn't add the Robot Plugin, delete the plugin CVARS:

// General Settings //


// Hostname for server.
hostname <servername>

// Set to lock per-frame time elapse
host_framerate 0
// Set the pause state of the server
setpause 0
// Control where the client gets content from 
// 0 = anywhere, 1 = anywhere listed in white list, 2 = steam official content only
sv_pure 0
// Is the server pausable
sv_pausable 0
// Type of server 0=internet 1=lan
sv_lan 0
// Whether the server enforces file consistency for critical files
sv_consistency 1
// Collect CPU usage stats
sv_stats 1
//Tags
sv_tags <your Tags>
//Server Player Password
//sv_password <your server password>

// Execute Banned Users //
exec banned_user.cfg
exec banned_ip.cfg
writeid
writeip

// Contact & Region //

// Contact email for server sysop
//sv_contact <your email>@gmail.com
// The region of the world to report this server in.
// -1 is the world, 0 is USA east coast, 1 is USA west coast
// 2 south america, 3 europe, 4 asia, 5 australia, 6 middle east, 7 africa
sv_region 0

// Rcon Settings //

// Password for rcon authentication
rcon_password <your RCON Password>
// Number of minutes to ban users who fail rcon authentication
sv_rcon_banpenalty 1440
// Max number of times a user can fail rcon authentication before being banned
sv_rcon_maxfailures 5

// Log Settings //

// Enables logging to file, console, and udp < on | off >.
log on
// Log server information to only one file.
sv_log_onefile 1
// Log server information in the log file.
sv_logfile 1
// Log server bans in the server logs.
sv_logbans 1
// Echo log information to the console.
sv_logecho 1

// Rate Settings //

// Frame rate limiter
fps_max 600
// Min bandwidth rate allowed on server, 0 == unlimited
sv_minrate 0
// Max bandwidth rate allowed on server, 0 == unlimited
sv_maxrate 20000
// Minimum updates per second that the server will allow
sv_minupdaterate 10
// Maximum updates per second that the server will allow
sv_maxupdaterate 66

// Download Settings //

// Allow clients to upload customizations files
sv_allowupload 1
// Allow clients to download files
sv_allowdownload 1
// Maximum allowed file size for uploading in MB
net_maxfilesize 64

//VOTING!//

//Enable Scramble Vote
sv_vote_issue_scramble_teams_allowed 0
//Enable Restart Game
sv_vote_issue_restart_game_allowed 0
//Enable NextLevel Vote
sv_vote_issue_nextlevel_allowed 0
//Enable Kick vote
sv_vote_issue_kick_allowed 1
//Kick Duration (0 for no ban time, non-0 for minutes to ban)
sv_vote_kick_ban_duration 10
//Allow Spectator Votes
sv_vote_allow_spectators 0
//Vote Timer Cooldown
sv_vote_failure_timer 360

// Team Balancing //

// Enable team balancing
mp_autoteambalance 1 
// Time after the teams become unbalanced to attempt to switch players.
//mp_autoteambalance_delay 30
// Time after the teams become unbalanced to print a balance warning
//mp_autoteambalance_warning_delay 5
// Teams are unbalanced when one team has this many more players than the other team. (0 disables check)
mp_teams_unbalance_limit 1

// Round and Game Times //

//Wait for Players
mp_waitingforplayers_cancel 1
// Enable timers to wait between rounds. WARNING: Setting this to 0 has been known to cause a bug with setup times lasting 5:20 (5 minutes 20 seconds) on some servers!
mp_enableroundwaittime 1
// Time after round win until round restarts
mp_bonusroundtime 10
// If non-zero, the current round will restart in the specified number of seconds
mp_restartround 0
//Enable sudden death
mp_stalemate_enable 1
// Timelimit (in seconds) of the stalemate round.
mp_stalemate_timelimit 300
// game time per map in minutes
mp_timelimit 20
//Max Round Wins
mp_winlimit 3
//Disable Respawn Times
mp_disable_respawn_times 1
// Overrides the max players reported to prospective clients
sv_visiblemaxplayers 24
// Maximum number of rounds to play before server changes maps
mp_maxrounds 5

// Client CVARS //

// Restricts spectator modes for dead players
mp_forcecamera 1
// toggles whether the server allows spectator mode or not
mp_allowspectators 1
// toggles footstep sounds
mp_footsteps 1
// toggles game cheats
sv_cheats 0
// After this many seconds without a message from a client, the client is dropped
sv_timeout 900
// Maximum time a player is allowed to be idle (in minutes), made this and sv_timeout equal same time?
mp_idlemaxtime 9
// Deals with idle players 1=send to spectator 2=kick
mp_idledealmethod 1
// time (seconds) between decal sprays
decalfrequency 10
//Overtime Nagging
tf_overtime_nag 1

// Communications //

// enable voice communications
sv_voiceenable 1
// Players can hear all other players, no team restrictions 0=off 1=on
sv_alltalk 1
// amount of time players can chat after the game is over
mp_chattime 10
// enable holiday modes: 0none,1birthday,2halloween,3birthday
tf_forced_holiday 0

//Plugins//

//Be The Robot! by MasterOfTheXP
//Plays Bot FootSteps
sm_betherobot_footsteps 1
//Robot when Joined?
sm_betherobot_default 0
//Restricted Classes? Add up the numbers for each class: 1Sco,2Sol,4Pyr,8Dem,16Hea,32Eng,64Med,128Sni,256Spy,0None
sm_betherobot_classes 0
//Voices be Robotic?
sm_betherobot_sounds 1
//Taunts?
sm_betherobot_taunts 1
//Cooldown, in Seconds
sm_betherobot_cooldown 10
//Wearables?
sm_betherobot_wearables 0
//Remove all Wearables on Unbot if above is 0?
sm_betherobot_wearables_kill 0

Valid mapcycle.txt for Quickplay Servers:

ctf_2fort
ctf_doublecross
ctf_sawmill
ctf_turbine
ctf_well
cp_5gorge
cp_badlands
cp_coldfront
cp_fastlane
cp_freight_final1
cp_foundry
cp_gullywash_final1
cp_granary
cp_well
cp_yukon_final
cp_dustbowl
cp_egypt_final
cp_gorge
cp_gravelpit
cp_junction_final
cp_mountainlab
cp_steel
pl_badwater
pl_barnblitz
pl_goldrush
pl_hoodoo_final
pl_thundermountain
pl_upward
pl_frontier_final
plr_pipeline
plr_hightower
plr_nightfall_final
koth_harvest_final
koth_nucleus
koth_sawmill
koth_viaduct
koth_lakeside_final
koth_badlands
koth_king
sd_doomsday

[Eastside_boy]

Excellent guide!! Nicely detailed. Going to test it out using these steps, thanks man.

[Patient]

Alright, I guess you can now respond to this thread as an option, since putting the videos within the original thread is perfectly acceptable, and easier to manage.

[Patient]

I still plan on trying to get this thread pinned either within the server forums or within the steam TF2 forums.

[Llamakazi]

Nice guide! I'm going to need this very soon

[Goat Boat]

You are a god. Thank you ;u;

[Patient]

Alright, the Final Main Video to the Tutorial is being placed up, Good Luck!

[Keyosuke]

This guide helped me get past a problem my old TF2 server had developed. Thanks for making it.

[morgpan]

http://qubecraft.com/home

[Patient]

Originally posted by Morgpan:

http://qubecraft.com/home

?

[Ńeolantis]

omg, where were you 6 months ago?
This is awesome and amazing that you put this together...I am going to put a link to this on my sites if you don't mind...
I can't wait to sit down and go through theese...I bet there is something I can use.
Thanks for the contribution. :-)

[Ńeolantis]

Do you know sounds in a server?....
I'm using saysounds on mine, and they are extremely temperamental...some work, some don't...Would be great to get together and talk if you have had success with sounds.

[lillard]

I'm trying to set up a server, but it won't show up in LAN or, well, anywhere? I don't know what the problem is... help?

[Patient]

Just keeping this up so people can see. Oh, and is there any way I can get this pinned by a Moderator?

[[e-mail]]

I am freaking trying to install the ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ steamCMD in RIGHT directory you said on the first video. But when I launch it, it's just..... says I don't have connection to steam, I am connected to steam well was by the time I write this comment, any way that you could help me? It's just says that I am not connected to steam and I need to check my internet if it's down , but rather than that it's just quits. :/

[Patient]

Originally posted by Bacca:

I am freaking trying to install the ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ steamCMD in RIGHT directory you said on the first video. But when I launch it, it's just..... says I don't have connection to steam, I am connected to steam well was by the time I write this comment, any way that you could help me? It's just says that I am not connected to steam and I need to check my internet if it's down , but rather than that it's just quits. :/

Log out of Steam, make sure your Internet Explorer settings are at Medium Security, set your Proxy Settings to "Automatically Detect Proxy Settings" in Internet Explorer, Extract the SteamCMD with only Windows Explorer, not WinRar or 7Zip. Then, try to launch the SteamCMD executable. That's the best advice I could give you until Steam fixes that problem...

Its the Internet Programs that are blocking Steam from Downloading Content to your Computer, I hope it works.