Deprecated -- Run a server, on Windows, properly

From the team that brought you NotObiGaming, the server collection that was not Obigaming.

With two simple downloads, you too can run a server on Windows (or Windows Server) but properly. Never touch the command line yourself. Learn to use system scheduler to schedule server updates, to automatically start server at boot, and to even play bb.

Introduction

For updated guide, click here

Welcome to the guide on server management, henceforth referred to as server manglement. In this tutorial we'll cover the basics: preparing, installing, and maintaining a fistful of frags server with simple scripts. This is really easy to do. This guide works best if you have administrator accounts on the computer or *ahem* server on which you're installing fistful of frags.

Required skills:
reading:grade 3 level

I: Setup

Step 1. Get my server manager script from here:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-KFgfwME6WLRXRYX2dmNU5IYjA

Step 2. Get steamcmd from valve here:
http://media.steampowered.com/installer/steamcmd.zip

Step 3. unzip steamcmd.zip and server_management.zip to C:\steamcmd\

Step 4. run server_manager.bat

II: Automation

Part 1: Run Server Manager at Logon
As administrator, open Task Scheduler from the Start Menu.


Choose "create basic task"


Name it start at boot. Press next.


Set it to At Log On. Press next.

Select Start a Program. Press next.


For program, set it to: C:\steamcmd\server_manager.bat
For Start In, set it: C:\steamcmd\

Press next/finish.

Part 2: Run Server Manager Daily

In Task Scheduler, create a basic task.

Name it, Update Fistful of Frags. Press next. Set it to Daily. Set time to 7AM EST - or your local equivalent.


Set it to Start a Program. Press next.


For program, set it to: C:\steamcmd\server_manager.bat
For Start In, set it: C:\steamcmd\

Part 3: Register for email notification of updates
Get R_Yell's email address from this thread:
https://steamcommunity.com/app/265630/discussions/6/522730535933273118/

Email him and ask to be added to his update notification list.

III: Administration

Setting up SourceMod and MetaMod
Rather than walk you through installing SourceMod and MetaMod, we'll use a pre-built server admin package, found here[drive.google.com]. Extract it to your C:\steamcmd\fof_server\fof\ folder.

Adding Server Admins and Moderators
You will want to add yourself to the server admins file, found in \addons\sourcemod\configs\admins_simple.txt

See the existing users?

Open up your Steam Profile. Right-click. Copy page URL.

Go to: http://steamidfinder.com/

Paste your URL there. This will give you your Steam ID.
Replace the existing admin (they have the abcdefghijklmnopqrst flags). Save.

Adding server moderators is almost as simple. Moderators will have the bcdegk flags.

IV: Profit!

Congratulations. You have reached the end of this guide. Whenever you need to manually update the server, simply run server_manager.bat. You have somehow managed to set up and run a fistful of frags server without entering a single command yourself. From here on out, it'll run itself automagically.

It's possible to improve on your setup, this is true. You could create a bat script that runs hourly to check if srcds.exe (the server program) is running, and if not, start it. But the basics are in place for a rock solid server.

Happy server administration!

[WACKY JIM]

How can my friends join? I'm trying to set up a Gun Game server.

[Lash [fof_bb]]

any server on your local network should show up under the LAN tab.

unless you're running a custom game mode or plugins, stick to the old "listen server" set-up

[Matiaslb]

How do I enter the server then? I want just a simple private server to play with friends

[Lash [fof_bb]]

@RainOfPain125:
I haven't been active on steam due to work.

This guide was oriented towards peope who have the time to set up a dedicated machine (or in my case, the funds to rent one) and want it automated. Port forwarding and the such-like simply weren't a consideration when I first wrote the guide, though I may add it in a future update.

Srcds watchdog is the script that you'll want to use to run the server; it restarts the server if/when it crashes terribly.

[RainOfPain125]

Thanks for getting back to me about this as quick as possible! :D (aka you didn't)

This guide doesn't explain portforwarding (and by extension, tell you how to change what ports fof uses instead of the default ports) so how do you expect people to join?

[RainOfPain125]

-=[Fistful of Frags Server Manglement Tool]=-
-
- Will try to download Fistful of Frags Dedicated Server.
- If installed, will try to update.
-
...
Begin server manglement!
ERROR: Invalid syntax. Value expected for '/im'.
Type "TASKKILL /?" for usage.
'"steamcmd.exe"' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.
Press any key to continue . . .

[RainOfPain125]

What even is the need for the server_manager.bat? I feel like this guide was over-simplified for the common user. If thats so, can you point me in the direction of a full guide on how to create the server the correct way, with shortcuts and target changes, etc

[RainOfPain125]

I don't get why you'd want to do the second step in automation, unless you really just wanna setup a computer and never, EVER touch it again once your done setting up the server

Why not just instruct people to make a shortcut to steam CMD so that they can manually update FoF? Or instruct them to do both, incase they're online when a new update comes out and they don't wanna wait for the task scheduler

[Lash [fof_bb]]

+BobbySandwich1, I now have a computer and will attempt to replicate the issue. Look for an update in the next 24 hours!

[Radon]

I think I found out the error Sir Crusher was having.
The two lines of code 'cd c:/steamcmd/' and 'steamcd' were not present in the fof.txt file.
I'll see if this is the cause of the problem.