If this is something that is going to be considered for a future patch, please consider that FTP could be problematic, since it uses two ports. Besides, it is a much more complicated protocol than is required anyway. The client doesn't need directory browsing or listing capabilities... it already knows what files it needs, it just needs to make a file request, and have the server feed the file to it.
A single-port protocol such as HTTP (or even better, TFTP) would be better, because it's easier to push those through a firewall. The port should definitely be configurable, however, because port 80 won't be acceptable on any server running a web server already. A sv_downloadserver cvar that takes a string like "MyHost:MyPort" would be ideal, because it would allow all of us with servers behind firewalls maximum flexibility. The server wouldn't even have to be the same PC, although the files between the server and the fileserver would need to be kept perfectly in sync. Additionally, if allowing certain types of files to be downloaded is required, there could be boolean cvars like sv_download_maps, sv_download_sounds, etc. for each type of file, or a single cvar with a bitmask, similar to mp_teamplay. Or even a string cvar with the file extension types allowed (ie: "bsp,hpk,pak,wav"). Just some suggestions... downloads have been fixed since id added them back in QW. It would be nice to see this long standing flaw corrected! Chris -----Original Message----- From: Napier, Kevin [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2001 2:49 PM To: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]' Subject: RE: Re: [hlds] Downloading Maps from server Yes I think an ftp solution would be best since, though I must say port 80\www might get more acceptance from a firewall in the middle type of standpoint. Hell either one would be nice.. perhaphs were dreaming. :) On a side note. This is how I currently handle this problem since I have sounds that need to be installed on the client. a) I provide a website will custom installers for most if not all of the custom maps on my servers. When the client connects he gets a console text message before connecting about the website and that custom maps are not downloadable in-game. b) server.cfg set to allow downloads. c) each custom map that I dont want downloaded has a map.cfg file turning off downloads. d) My rotation always alternates between a valve std. map and a custom map. So that in general we never have 2 back to back custom maps. the .res files for the standard maps are the ones that include the files I want downloaded. This seems to works well for my 2 servers (gp1\gp2). The solutions discusses here (ftpclient imbeeded in game) would surely help ignite the mapping community and make life easier for both admins and players. -kevin -----Original Message----- From: Perry, John [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2001 3:18 PM To: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]' Subject: RE: Re: [hlds] Downloading Maps from server It would generally be off of an anonymous FTP server. That would be far easier to use than having it try and pull off of a website (which is usually just a front-end for a FTP server anyway). I think this would help out the server admins a great deal. I finally took all custom maps off of my servers. Every time one would roll around, the server would clear for at least an hour. -----Original Message----- From: Marc A Messer [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2001 2:09 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Re: [hlds] Downloading Maps from server If you would redirect your maps off another server, would it be off of a website or another game server. and if it was off a website would that speed up the download. _______________________________________________ To unsubscribe, edit your list preferences, or view the list archives, please visit: http://list.valvesoftware.com/mailman/listinfo/hlds _______________________________________________ To unsubscribe, edit your list preferences, or view the list archives, please visit: http://list.valvesoftware.com/mailman/listinfo/hlds _______________________________________________ To unsubscribe, edit your list preferences, or view the list archives, please visit: http://list.valvesoftware.com/mailman/listinfo/hlds _______________________________________________ To unsubscribe, edit your list preferences, or view the list archives, please visit: http://list.valvesoftware.com/mailman/listinfo/hlds
