Custom content servers with fast download

[marco.nadal.75]

I am running a dedicated KF server from home.
People can connect to my server, but if I'm running mutes, download time is very slow (my upload speed is only 900 kbps).

I saw something about map compression on this page:
http://kf-wiki.com/wiki/Helpedicated_servers

Can I use the same method for mutes?

When hosting a Doom server, apps such as IDE and Doomseeker allow you to specify a WADURL so that clients connecting to your home server will download all custom content from a file repository at that address, which is much faster. This is implemented by the GetWAD.dll.

Is there a similar mechanism for Killing Floor servers?

Thanks for reading.

[FluX]

All servers with custom content should use redirection no matter what. If you don't, you're letting your server die off and letting your players down as an admin. You're there to provide a game service but without redirection, you're not.

Definately get redirection. Map compression is the same method.

[marco.nadal.75]

Originally Posted by FluX

All servers with custom content should use redirection no matter what. If you don't, you're letting your server die off and letting your players down as an admin. You're there to provide a game service but without redirection, you're not.

True, true, I agree.

In any case, guides such as this explain how to compress and redirect to custom maps, but what about mutes with multiple files in different folders? I tried the following method with the Doom3KF mute:

Start cmd.exe in killingfloor\System\
ucc compress ..\Animations\2009DoomMonstersAnims.ukx
ucc compress ..\KarmaData\Doom3Karma.ka
ucc compress ..\Sounds\2009DoomMonstersSounds.uax
ucc compress ..\StaticMeshes\2009DoomMonstersSM.usx
ucc compress ..\System\Doom3KFBeta4.u
ucc compress ..\Textures\2009DoomMonstersTex.utx

This produces compressed versions in each folder with the .uz2 extension on the end of the original filename.
I didn't bother with System\Doom3KFBeta4.int and System\Doom3KFBeta4.ucl, as they are only a few kilobytes. Obviously I don't include System\Doom3KF.ini in the procedure.

Installed Dropbox and copied the .uz2 files to the C:\Users\marco75\DropBox\OzzieMutate\ folder. Right click on the folder > DropBox > GetLink > https://www.dropbox.com/sh/u2yulhkk7lbk61c/jq8DnFMOof

Then, in killingfloor.ini,

[IpDrv.HTTPDownload]
RedirectToURL=https://www.dropbox.com/sh/u2yulhkk7lbk61c/jq8DnFMOof
ProxyServerHost=
ProxyServerPort=3128
UseCompression=True

Do that with all the mutes used on my server and clients should get quick download speeds.

Surely it can't be this simple?

If you would like to help, perhaps you could try connecting to my server?

Name is OzzieMutate, difficulty: Normal, non-VAC secured (can I have VAC with blacklisted mutes?)

I usually put my PC to sleep when I'm not using it, but I can leave it running for a couple of days if you would like to test.

[Sintaxx]

From my experience using dropbox as a redirect, as long as the folder where the uz2 files are stored is public, it should work. I personally use it on the server I host as a redirect as well, and it works like a charm.

[Skillz]

Just use my free public redirect.

[slavek]

Just picking up from the Doom 3 thread.

Originally Posted by marco.nadal.75

I had occasion to ask a Steam friend to test it for me, and he said the download was still slow. I think I set up the DropBox folder wrong, I created a new folder called OzzieMutate. I think I may have to move the files to the Public folder instead.

Correct, it must be in the public folder.

UPDATE: I changed my RedirectToURL according to this guide.

Also depending on what mods you use (not so much an issue if you don't make your own custom stuff) Skillz public redirect would also be a good option. I'd imagine most of the files you intend on using might already uploaded.

[marco.nadal.75]

Originally Posted by slavek

Also depending on what mods you use (not so much an issue if you don't make your own custom stuff) Skillz public redirect would also be a good option. I'd imagine most of the files you intend on using might already uploaded.

Thanks slavek, last night I had Anon connect to my server and the content (~90 MB) downloaded within minutes. So I'm pleased that OzzieMutate is providing an acceptable level of service, and I have learned how to run one more type of modded server. (The other is Skulltag) :-)

You might have provided a link to Skillz public redirect or the forum thread in your answer. Then again googling 'Skillz public redirect' took 2 seconds to get to correct page.

[Skillz]

Give a man a fish, you feed him for the day.
Teach a man to fish, you feed him a lifetime.