== Play and host dedicated server from same machine ==
What is the problem?
Listening servers tend to crash MUCH more often, mostly not because of a
server crash, but of a client crash - like a graphics problem. But... with a listening
server the server IS the client, too, so when one crashes, the other
inevitably goes down too. Other problems with listening servers are:
- you have to stay in the game for the server to continue operation
- less security (admining, cheaters...)
- you can't just change between spectator and player...
Now, some people start a dedicated server on their localhost. Then they start
Unreal again and join their own server locally. Basically, this works but usually
will cause extreme lag to all players connected from the internet and - ironically
- also to the localhost client! It can be more ugly than packet loss, and THAT
means something!
Solve:
The trick is simple... The client takes so much CPU power away with all the graphics
and sounds and all the other ("needless") shit so that the server comes short of
power and cannot process the important network data in time. All you have to do
is give the server process higher priority.
Once your server process is preferred, lag will decrease greatly for all players.
You will still encounter some odd things from time to time and playing from the
same machine where your dedicated server is on will NEVER be as good as
using 2 different machines for server/client, but this is the best you will ever
get if you do it!
The basic method is: Start your server first, then give it a better priority, then
join it. Now we assume your server is running, now how do we give it a better
priority?
On NT based and similar systems (NT, w2k, XP...) just open your task-manager
(right-click in task bar area, select "task manager"). Forget about the "running
programs" sheet, head over to "Processes". This will show all major running
tasks. One line should read "Unreal" or "Unreal.exe" (that's your server).
Right click on it and you should find a menu with something like "task-priority".
If you move the mouse over it another side menu will pop up showing possible
task priorities ranging from "low" to "realtime". Default is "normal", now select
a priority which is 1 step higher than that, it should be "above normal". Winblows
will ask if you are sure about this - damn yes we are. Done... now join :)
Win 95/98 - ouch!
Actually I would never recommend Win9X as a server, but what the heck, for playing
those versions are quite good so what... If you open the task-manager of these
Winblows versions, you will NOT find a process sheet where you can change the
priorities. Damn what a crap!
Good news... someone has made a program just for Win98/98 and called it "Another
Task Manager" - short "ATM" and that's just what you always needed. All you have
to do is, download ATM, unzip it and run - no installation required! When the
window opens, you will see all(!) running tasks. Let's forget about all the features
ATM has to offer (LOTS) - just find "UNREAL.EXE" in the column "Exe file" (3rd from
left), highlight it and move the slider in the lower center (which shows NORMAL at
first) one step right so it is HIGH. Done...
Where the hell do I get ATM from??
Right here: download ATM (Win9x only, 56kb). It is freeware
and you are allowed to distribute the zipfile anywhere you want.
What about Winblows-ME (or any other version not mentioned here)?
No idea!
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Usually you will exit your client engine first, then the server. Any changes
done in your (client) preferences will therefor be LOST when the server quits
(or when it changes maps), because whenever Unreal quits (or changes maps...),
User.ini and Unreal.ini are overwritten again, and the server is likely the
last engine to quit (...) so that's the one which overwrites those 2 config
files in the end. So if you have to fiddle around your own gaming
configuration, don't do it while your own server runs!
Also, normally Winblows won't remember that you changed the priority, so once
you quit the server and start it again at another time, you will have to set
the priority AGAIN. XP and NT have some function to store the process priority
change but I'm not quite sure... I believe on XP you can just create a shortcut
and do the setting via "Properties, Advanced" while with NT you will have to
mess with the command line starting up your server - don't know though :/
== Back to the [UNREAL REFERENCE] Index ==