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How-To Section
CS Server Setup Section.

The Counter-Server team have devoted this section to the basic requirements of running your HLDS (Half-Life Dedicated Server).

Hopefully this will serve as a good basis for your server set-up. If you would like to see something else posted up here, let us know.

Basic Requirements
» Windows
» Linux/*nix
» The Configuration Files
» Maps
» Server and Client on Same Machine
» Rcon
» Kicking and Banning
» LAN Server

Server Tweaks
» Minimum/Maximum Rates
» Using Screen With Linux

Client Tweaks
» Enhancing Your XP Installation

Other
» Writing Progams/Scripts for hlds

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» Configuration Files

When a server runs, it reads from four basic configuration files – autoexec.cfg, server.cfg, motd.txt, and mapcycle.txt. For examples of these configs, go to the files page and check out the possibilities.

The autoexec.cfg is used for commands only, such as "maxplayers 12", "log on", or "map cstrike". If you do place the "map <mapname>" command in the autoexec.cfg, then it MUST be the very last line of the file. The autoexec.cfg executes only once when running a server, when the server is first initialized. The autoexec.cfg does not automatically come with the server, so you will have to make it yourself. Finally, there is nothing that the autoexec.cfg does that the target line of the server can not do. In fact, some addons I have tried (a few bot programs) have to be in the command line or the server does not boot.

The server.cfg, on the other hand, executes every time the map changes. The server.cfg takes advantage of both commands and variables, such as turning off decals, or setting the flags for your multiplayer game. This is where you set the name of your server, using "hostname <servername>". Please note that “log on” should never be put in the server.cfg or you will have an enormous amount of log files. Please take a look at the available commands and cvars. Here is the default server.cfg that your server comes with:

// Use this file to configure your DEDICATED server.
// This config file is executed everytime the server changes levels.

// disable autoaim
sv_aim 0

// disable clients' ability to pause the server
pausable 0

// default server name. Change to "Bob's Server", etc.
hostname "Counter-Strike 1.5 Server"

// maximum client movement speed
sv_maxspeed 320

// 20 minute timelimit
mp_timelimit 20

sv_cheats 0

The motd.txt file contains the text that people will read when the map changes - information like "Welcome to So and so's server - Have a fraggin' good day!". If memory serves me correctly you can have up to 155 characters. Here is the default motd.txt:

You are playing Counter-Strike v1.5
Visit the official CS web site @
www.counter-strike.net

Last is the mapcycle.txt. All of the maps you want rotated on your server should be placed in this file. Use the mapname without the ".bsp" extension. So, to place the map "de_chateau.bsp" into the mapcycle.txt, simply add "de_chateau" into the file. Also, each mapname goes on its own separate line of text. If you ever see you server playing “hldm1” that means your mapcycle.txt is incorrectly formatted. Please take a look at the mapping section for greater detail.

Although these are the four basic config files that a server uses, you can create other configs to run as well. There are some server manager type programs out there that will create their own config files, so don't be afraid of these files or wonder why they exist as the server manager program runs them in its own execution.