I have written down how I configured my Half-Life Dedicated Server (HLDS) in a new Slackware Documentation article. You can find the article here: http://docs.slackware.com/howtos:software:halflife_dedicated_server
The reason why I felt compelled to write this, was that the information you can find using Google, and the information on Valve’s own developer Wiki, is not 100% accurate or even outdated.
Writing an article also allowed me to add some tips, like starting the game server in “screen”, and explaining how you can auto-start the game server when your Slackware server boots, and keep the game files updated using a daily cron job.
I hope that the new SlackDocs article will trigger fellow Slackers to create their own HLDS server, and invite each other for some fragging. Hint: you can use the Slackware SteamCommunity group to schedule events like these.
Next on the TODO list is documenting how I created the “minimal Slackware” 32-bits virtual machine (less than 500 MB of Slackware installation footprint) which I use to run my own HLDS at home.
And after that, I still have to document how I setup a TeamSpeak server on the same virtual machine, which can be used for quality in-game voice chat. Lots left to do when I get bored again…
Cheers, Eric
Why not murmur/mumble ?
Because I am trying to convert people from Windows to Linux. And TeamSpeak is common there.
Eric
Thanks a lot for this documentation.
I know from setting up a L4D2 server about 2 years ago, that their docs were sorely lacking.
I look forward to your “minimal Slackware” document. This is a question which I have seen many times in forums. It will be very useful to those working on embedded machines.
Eric
Very interested in how you setup the 32bit VM. I am trying hard to do the same on a 64bit host with very little success. Looking to do some development for my wife’s tablet. However what fun would it be if it worked the first time. Anxiously awaiting!
John
AlleyTrotter
Well, for starters you can find the package list which I used for my HLDS 32-bits Slackware 14 server:
http://taper.alienbase.nl/mirrors/people/alien/tools/minimalslack/
Both a tarball containing tagfiles to be used in the Slackware bootable installer – they are a bit different for 32-bit and 64-bit because of the kernels – and a slackpkg template which allows you to start with ah even more minimal installation and then use slackpkg to install the remaining packages.
Eric
Nice guide, ill try setting it up when I get home from work.
Eric
I translated this guide to Russian language, how to add it to wiki?
Hi StreamThreader
I have enabled your account (perhaps you tried editing the Wiki before I did that).
Open the link http://docs.slackware.com/start?id=ru:howtos:software:halflife_dedicated_server (which is the URL you will get when you are on the english page and select “ru” from the language drop-down menu to the left).
It will tell you that the page does not yet exist and that you should click on “create page” in order to start editing it. That is where you can enter your text and then save it.
Cheers, Eric
Hi Eric
Thanks, but “create page” not active (just plain text, not a link).
You have to login to the Wiki if you want to edit a page.
Eric
I login. Screenshot of my Firefox http://s60.radikal.ru/i170/1303/91/93185c75b8cb.png
You need to read a bit of how a Wiki works, I guess.
Just look for the *TAB* at the top of the page with the same name (I do not understand the russian but it will have the meaning of “create this page”) and click on that tab.
I think it is also wise to check out the Wiki syntax guide and/or the raw source of the existing Wiki page, before adding the russian translation.
Eric
I was not paying attention. “Create page” in TAB, all works, thanks. I working with WikiMedia. For work with DokuWiki I need read guide, and then edit page in wiki.