Servers
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Like all multiplayer games based on Valve's Source Engine, Team Fortress 2 is designed around the idea of a client/server architecture. The "client" in this case being simply being the copy of Team Fortress 2 running on a player's computer. However, the client will require a server with which it can connect, allowing the player to interact with other players over the internet. There are more than 3,000 Team Fortress 2 servers currently running worldwide.
A game server is what handles the virtual world in which an individual plays. It processes where players are in the game, what they are doing, and lets everyone see what everyone else is doing. The server manages a virtual map which everyone that is connected can interact within.
Contents
Benefits
Instead of circumnavigating and choosing through servers available, players can opt to create their own servers to host the game. This can allow the host player to set the map rotation, determining which particular maps and subsequent game modes are played. Additionally, other built in settings can be altered, such as gravity, class slot limit, Highlander limitations and so on. Custom modifications may also be installed on the server to provide alternate gameplay.
Types
There are 2 types of servers that can be run using the Source engine.
Listen/Local server
A Listen Server is a basic server running within a player's TF2 client. It can be easily created through selecting the Create Server button at the main menu. Other players can connect to the server, but the cost of maintaining the server will put pressure on the host player's hardware. These types of servers are suited for LAN based events.
Dedicated server
A dedicated server is a standalone server that does not require Steam to run. Typically they may run in a command line window, and are usually run on specialized high-end hardware dedicated to maintaining game servers. These are the preferred type of server as they are often hosted on suitable hardware and can be easily adjusted and modified to player needs.
Requirements
While GSPs (Game Server Providers) generally use high-end dedicated hardware to run game servers, individual players can create a server by using a computer running either Windows (XP or newer) or Linux (x86 or amd64) operating software. Currently, however, OSX dedicated server files are not available.
Update history
- Linux Dedicated Server beta release
- The affinity of the main thread is not set explicitly for dedicated servers. This will properly load balance multiple instances of the dedicated server running on a multi-processor machine. The affinity is still set to CPU 1 for clients and listen servers
- Removed mp_friendlyfire cvar for servers. Team Fortress 2 breaks in a number of ways if this is on
- Fixed rare server crash due to data corruption in networking
- Fixed server crash related to Spy Sappers
- Extra options added to 'Game' tab in "Create server" menu option
- Improved startup network initialization to catch issues with server firewalls popping up in the background
See also
External links
- Source Dedicated Server on the Valve Developer Community
- Setting up a Steam Source Dedicated Server – Steam Support Site