[Guide] My server is working, Now What? - Info for GMs

[T313C0mun1s7]

This thread is an attempt to gather together everything a GM needs to run their pServer into one place. Along the way we will be collecting information already on the forums as well as seeking out information that is either missing or very hard to find. I will do my best to keep this first post updated, but please chime in if you find anything missing or incorrect so I can fix it.

This information is based on the EP4 database, but should be useful for others as well even if it is not 100% correct everywhere. I am attaching files that contain information in other threads mainly for reference and formatting purposes. My hope is that you will be able to download the zip file from this post and have everything you need in it.

To begin with this will not be exceedingly complete, as I am just getting started. With help and time hopefully this will become a sticky that you go to right after your server is setup to get everything you need in one spot.

Wish me luck.

To Do:

• How to create client from official download, maybe with an alternate download location of client
• Finish NPC Table - time consuming because I have to spawn every one and write them down
• Create all the maps with a X, Y coordinate overlay for easy /bmove
• Document all the GM Tools stored procedures
• Possibly create a web script or program for GM functions so you don't need to enter database and run stored procedures
• Determine hash type and include a hashing tool for database password in ini files so you don't need to use PSMServer_Mgr.exe to create a ini and copy/paste hash
• Determine if there is a way to run commands to Login01 and Game services without PSMServerMgr.exe
• Create web register form (PHP on web server) that fully populates dbo.Users_Detail with real name, email, etc... and possibly create instructions on how to use stand alone and how to integrate into popular CMS and Forum scripts.
• More . . . to be determined

Ok - New option to access files. In addition to the downloads, I have uploaded copies to my Office.Live.com account. If you have a Live (MSN, Hotmail) account you can access these files directly from the following links. THESE ARE NOT DIFFERENT FILES FROM THE DOWNLOAD - JUST A DIFFERENT WAY TO ACCESS THEM

• 
• 

[remnikalija]

i dont know where to put those files

[T313C0mun1s7]

Originally Posted by remnikalija

i dont know where to put those files

Really, I don't know where you should put them either - I mean it is YOUR computer. I might suggest the My Documents folder, but really it is up to you.

Of course you will need to pick which version you want to download first. Might I make a suggestion. If you have Microsoft Office 2007 installed (or you could use Microsoft Office 2010 for free online at ) you will probably want the one that says Microsoft Office in the title, and if not you will want to get the other one.

Once you have it downloaded you will need to unzip it. For this I like 7Zip which you can get from , but of course you will only need that if you don't already have something to unzip files, and I would suspect that you might. Also, if you don't have Microsoft Office then you will need OpenOffice to open the files. You can download that from .

I hope that gets you started. Oh, by the way - the text that is underlined above are links and you can click on them. Good luck running that server.

[Caroth]

xD

I've honestly never laughed so hard in my life =pp

But well done sir, this is going to be extremely helpful to alot of people =D

[sunder702]

Originally Posted by T313C0mun1s7

[*]Determine if there is a way to run commands to Login01 and Game services without PSMServerMgr.exe

from the looks of it in olly, PSMServerMgr.exe acts as a DDE Client, I can't test this because I'm using C# and it no longer supports dde.

[T313C0mun1s7]

Originally Posted by sunder702

from the looks of it in olly, PSMServerMgr.exe acts as a DDE Client, I can't test this because I'm using C# and it no longer supports dde.

I am not a programmer at all myself, so I had to do some Googling just to find out what it was. I quickly found out that it is a very old technology nobody is using anymore. I also found out that there are a lot of people that need to connect with legacy DDE servers and so a DDE library for .net (VB and C#) has been developed.

Check out -->

Note: This post is from another thread. It directly relates to this thread so I am posting a copy here as well.
================================================

Originally Posted by 13latrix

. . . Nice, a GM handbook. Could be useful. Highly doubtful tho. Great referance maybe. IMO its just going to make the lazy even more lazier.They need links to understanding SQL in most cases. I don't speak to be harsh but simply save time and headaches. A month ago I would laugh at this reply, but after understanding how to use SQL like it is suppose to be, my life as an "Admin" has gotten much easier. . .

~Phish

Here is my view. I have already broke my database a few times trying to figure things out - fortunately I am running my server in a virtual machine and I do frequent snapshots, so I can just roll it back. There is a reason that Database Administrators is a specialty profession that make 6 figures. Being a DBA is a complex specialty.

So while I might agree that running a PUBIC pServer like many here do (Alas poor Evo, we do so miss you) - would require you to take the time and be dedicated enough to learn enough about SQL to be a worthy GM to your community. On the other hand I am sure there are many like me that are just running a small pServer for themselves and close friends and family. My pServer has all of may 10 people on it. Not everyone wants to be a full-time GM and as such we need a much better and lower entry point into doing so.

Now if you actually want to run a public pServer that people will use there is competition out there, and you will need to learn more and get into this deeper than ANY guide can get you. However, right now my scouring the forums for days and putting together what I have thus far is proof positive that right now not even the basics are fully covered. I say we rectify that.

[ProfNerwosol]

How to create client from official download, maybe with an alternate download location of client
You don't need to 'create' a client from official download. Just edit IP in it to connect to your server. Unless you plan to do some editing that's all you need to do.

Create all the maps with a X, Y coordinate overlay for easy /bmove

This isn't all that difficult. Maps coordinates can be viewed by pressing 'H'. To /bmove you only need X and Z coordinate as Y is vertical showing how high above the sea level, or whatever that is, you are. With /bmove 'Y' is calculated for you. Now, every single map coordinates start from bottom-left corner and end in top-right corner . The biggest maps have X=2000 by Z=2000 coordinates. To move to desired location divide the map to four squares each with 500x500 then try to guess where you want to move. With enough practice you can pretty much get where you want.

This might sound fancy and hard, but once you try it a few times it gets pretty easy.

Possibly create a web script or program for GM functions so you don't need to enter database and run stored procedures

This isn't easy at all. You need someone to know how to communicate with SQL server out of PHP. With PHP it's really easy to run queries and work with the results, but regular programing language requires a lot more knowledge. The easiest way would be to use ODBC to connect to MSSQL (drives is installed once you install MSSQL). I tried with Delphi but it was too much for me.

Determine if there is a way to run commands to Login01 and Game services without PSMServerMgr.exe

There is. There was a post about it here or at r.a.g.e.z.o.n.e.c.o.m. Might be a good idea to check the other site. Look for posts wrote by Twilight.

Create web register form (PHP on web server) that fully populates dbo.Users_Detail with real name, email, etc... and possibly create instructions on how to use stand alone and how to integrate into popular CMS and Forum scripts.

Why do you want to fill in all the details? You don't need most of them and definitely you don't need Social Number as it is used in Korea.

[ProfNerwosol]

Did I kill this thread with my post?

[Clonaid]

u got ppl thinking now,hope your happy

[ProfNerwosol]

Is that a good thing or bad thing?

[[Dev]Ansem]

Originally Posted by ProfNerwosol

Is that a good thing or bad thing?

good thing lol .. im downloading his files now hope they are helpful^^

[Clonaid]

Originally Posted by ProfNerwosol

Is that a good thing or bad thing?

nea...your posts were always helpful Prof

[ProfNerwosol]

wohoo, I resurrected dead thread that's useful to someone :victorydance: