Dedicated server basic setup instructions by sledgehammer

[rudedog]

This document provides the basic steps to setup, host, and join a dedicated server in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3!
Table of Contents
Introduction
Recipes
Dedicated Server Playlist
Going Live!
Joining a Dedicated Server

Introduction



Welcome to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3! This is a quick look at how to setup, host, and join a dedicated server! You will learn about creating a recipe, a playlist, installing them on the server, and pushing the server live. SHG will be releasing part 2 of our guide soon detailing the more “Advanced” features of Dedicated Server including RCON, Voting, and more!
The “basic” steps of running a dedicated server are:

1. Create a set of recipes
2. Create a playlist
3. Start the dedicated server executable
4. Invoke the playlist on the server
5. Start the map rotation

Enjoy!

Recipes



1. A recipe is the match rules for a given map. In this section we show you how to create, save, modify, and load recipes. Using the Private Match feature you can easily create recipes to your liking. Additionally you can modify recipes in a text editor if you prefer. We’ve shipped with several example recipes found here:
<SteamRoot>\steamapps\common\modern warfare 3\admin\*.dsr
Creating a Recipe:
2. Access the recipe via the Private Match Game Setup Screen.
Select: PLAY ->PRIVATE MATCH ->GAME SETUP



3. Now select what type of mode you want to create a recipe for.
Select: MODE



4. Depending on the mode different options to tweak are available. Tweak those options on the Game Setup screen.
Select: OPTIONS

5. Tweak the options to your liking


6. Now save it to the Admin folder to be used by the Dedicated Server. The save location is:
a. <SteamRoot>\steamapps\common\modern warfare 3\admin\
Select: SAVE RECIPE TO DISK




7. Your newly created recipe is now saved to the admin folder in the game root.
a. <SteamRoot>\steamapps\common\modern warfare 3\admin\
b. Most likely <SteamRoot> corresponds to: C:\Program Files (x86)\
c. The .dsr files are text files editable in notepad
8. If you want to modify a previously saved recipe select the Load option from the main menu. And repeat step 4.
Select: LOAD RECIPE TO DISK


Dedicated Server Playlist



A Dedicated Server Playlist is a text file with a collection of map recipe pairs defining your map rotation. Additionally you determine a weight for each map recipe pair allowing you to increase or decrease the frequency a given pair is rotated to. The Playlist files have the extension .dspl (Dedicated Server Playlist)

1. A .dspl is a simple text file with the following format:

<level_name>, <recipe_name>, <weight>
<level_name>, <recipe_name>, <weight>
<level_name>, <recipe_name>, <weight>

2. You can use a * to denote a random map
3. We shipped with an example .dspl that has more info found
<SteamRoot>\steamapps\common\modern warfare 3\admin\default.dspl

4. While playing, editing the playlist or a recipewill not be reflected untilthe next map rotate.
Going Live!



Now that you’ve made your recipes and playlist, it’s time to install them on the server. Ensure all relevant files are in the admin directory:
<SteamRoot>\steamapps\common\modern warfare 3\admin
1. Launch the dedicated server from the Steam->Tools Menu


2. Name your dedicated server
Type in console: sv_hostname <myHostName>
3. Set the map rotation on your server.
Type in console: sv_maprotation<myrotation.dspl>
4. Start the map rotation and go live!
Type in console: start_map_rotate
5. To password protect your server.
Type in console: set g_password <myPassword>
For port setting and other information please see
<SteamRoot>\steamapps\common\modern warfare 3\admin\server.cfg

Joining a Dedicated Server



1. To join a dedicated server you need to enable the server browser in the options menu.
Select: OPTIONS -> DEDICATED SERVER



2. Now SERVERS is available in the MULTIPLAYER menu.
Select: SERVERS

3. Find the server you’d like to join and hit Connect

Written by Guy Beahm

[zeroy]

Sparks created a small video also, if it helps...

[Sh4rk]

So, you think with this type of support that non-ranked servers will create much of a draw? :confused:

[zeroy]

Originally Posted by Sh4rk

So, you think with this type of support that non-ranked servers will create much of a draw? :confused:

Not really the place for it but personally i cannot see the dedi been popular beyond Clans/Communities or Competition. Not after the unranked episode and now the fact that dedicated server isnt even an option unless enabled.

[stringo0]

Are there instructions for linux servers yet?

[rudedog]

There has not been any announcement regarding Linux servers. I would say there will not be linux support

[zeroy]

Originally Posted by rudedog

There has not been any announcement regarding Linux servers. I would say there will not be linux support

Guys on Icculus Mailing list are testing Linux via Wine.... no luck so far i think.

[rudedog]

ME3 via wine on Linux != Linux

Wish someone from Sledgehammer would help the GSPs and Admins out with all the issues they are having.

[centralnui]

Hello!
I got some troubles, today I've launched a new server, it works, but I can't find server in the server list, this is what I got in server console:

version 1.2.358
Connecting to online services....
Connected to online services.
Executing server config "server.cfg"
Error: default (65): map name 'mp_labmeth' is invalid. skipping
Succeeded reading from default.dspl
 Loaded 15 map entries
Loading DSR "TDM_default.dsr"...
Loading Succeeded for DSR "TDM_default.dsr"
-----------------------------------
Spawning map: mp_carbon, gametype war
Initializing Steam Game Server: game port 27014, auth port 8766, query port 27016, gamedir modernwarfare3, version 1.0.0.0
Steam Game Server initialized as Internet Server.
No Steam Master Servers found. Server will LAN visible only.
Steam Game Server connected. Local IP **.**.130.237, Public IP **.**.130.237, Game Port 27014
Steam Game Server is VAC Secure
Spawn map (mp_carbon, war) complete.
-----------------------------------

Anyone knows what's wrong?

[Eckse]

Looks like you may need to open some ports on your router to let the dedicated server communicate to the Steam Master server. If you read the console, it says "No Steam Master Servers found. Server will LAN visible only."

That would be my guess. Hope it helps.

[Drexx]

Hello guys,

We configured the server exactly like it says in the SledgeHammer guide, but once we are in the server, we can not use our Custom Classes, so, could anybody help me with this issue? any suggestion?

Already solved. Thanks anyways.

[zeroy]

Originally Posted by Drexx

Hello guys,

We configured the server exactly like it says in the SledgeHammer guide, but once we are in the server, we can not use our Custom Classes, so, could anybody help me with this issue? any suggestion?

Already solved. Thanks anyways.

The best for this is to create the Recipe file (DSR file) on your Pc at home. Configure the game how you want it ( in there you can allow for custom classes) then save the Recipe ingame and a DSR file will then appear in your /player2/ folder on PC. Use that file in /admin/ of server.

[centralnui]

Guys, I saw option in a private match (game):

Game Pause

So I think it's like pause between maps, to edit classes.
I've been searching everywhere, and cannot find how this option turn on in dedicated servers.
Anyone know how to use this option?

[vampiejay]

class editing can only be done in private match there is no option to do this under dedicated servers

[centralnui]

I've asked about game pause, do you know how to make it works?