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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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» LAN Setup & Config

So, you want to run a LAN server, eh? Oh, wait....you don't know what a LAN server is? Well, let's explain the difference between a LAN server, and internet server, and the difference between the two. A LAN (local area network) is what you would find in an office, or someone at home who has WAY too much time on their hands. It's a group of computers connected together via a hub, some cat5 cable, and a lil bit of IP configuring in your OS. What’s the benefit to this? You are all connected together, and share all your stuff together. You're like the Brady Bunch. Since you are all on the same little network, one of you can create a LAN game, and the rest can join with the same happy ping that you have. The difference is, people on the internet will not be able to see your game, because you aren't accessing the internet to run the server. You're using your computers, Ethernet cards, cat5 cables, and your hub to connect to each other, which doesn't require an internet connection. An internet game, however, lets all those hungry CS players out there see your server, and let's them join it. How do you decide which to run? Well, if you meet all the minimum "CS Server Team" criteria, as listed above, run yourself an Internet server. If not, set that bad boy LAN up and rock it with your friends.

We are now going to assume that you want to play on that nifty LAN you’ve got going there. Good job you! Those 20 ping servers are the best ones to play on. "How do I do it?" you might ask. Well, it's simple enough. In your server.cfg, add this line: sv_lan 1. Ok, cya later......

Hehe...it's not THAT simple, but pretty close to it. One other adjustment should be made in the server.cfg.

sv_maxupdaterate 100

Also, to ensure that your LAN server isn't trying to be sneaky and make itself an internet server too, add “-nomaster” to your autoexec.cfg or target line as well. Those are the only real modifications that you need to make your internet server into a rockin’ LAN server.

Note: I e-mailed the Linux guru Leon Hartwig over at Valve Software, and he said that there is no need to specify an sv_maxrate / sv_minrate when running a LAN server. Every client is going to use a rate of 9999.