Windows Home server?

[nubbin77 0]

I just got a WHS. I have set up a dedicated server on my regular Pc before, by just installing arma on an old PC on an XP computer, as per normal way of doing so.

I have just finished building a WHS and am in the process of moving my data over. Will it be possible to use the server for other things (then I guess normally intended for this thing) like running a ventrillo server, and a arma? I have read up on setting it up to run as a service so it auto restarts etc. And I understand the configuration files for arma dedicated server itself. I guess my question is.. how do I mover the game files to the server itself? Do I just set up a folder and copy my arma install from my regular PC over? I guess I don't get how it would know where to point the exe to? I guess I'll be playing around with it, but if anyone has any insight, I'd appreciate it.

[SWAT_BigBear 0]

I copied my full ArmA directory to other pc's and our dedicated box,

I simply renamed mine "ArmA Sever".

Setup the server.cfg to your likes.

[bhaz 0]

The easiest way is probably just copying the entire ArmA folder accross the network, saves setting up addon folders twice. After that, just throw in a server.cfg and an ArmAprofile for difficulty (optional), then chuck in a shortcut to arma_server.exe.

I used to run an ArmA server as a service but it was a pain in the ass if you ever wanted to add / take away extra addons, since you need to go through a process just to change the -mod= param. I ended up making a batch file to restart the server whenever it kicked it, that way you can just edit the batch file for new addons, then #shutdown the server.

Example batch file:

<table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td>Code Sample </td></tr><tr><td id="CODE">echo off

cls

:start

arma_server.exe -config=server.cfg -mod=@zzzz

goto start

With a bit more work you can make it start without needing to log on. (The new task scheduler, assuming WHS is similar to Vista).

As for a Ventrilo server, I ran one off a second PC for about a year, the free server only holds 8 slots and there is no workaround, legally anyway. Depending on the codec you use (I used the lowest possible), it still ate through 40-60kB/s upload when 6-7 people talk at the same time, so running an ArmA and Vent server might not be an option depending on your connection. If the 8 user limit is a problem, the free Teamspeak server download has unlimited slots.

[nubbin77 0]

Thanks for the answers guys.  I figured it couldn't be too complicated.

Regarding Ventrillo or TS, I don't have a preference.  The 8 person limit isn't really a limit.  This is mostly for between 2 and 5 players (I built 2 friends computers, and wanted to get them into playing Arma - along with my brother.)

In any case, I am still moving data accross, I'll probably try this at the end of this week.

Edit: Oh and thanks for pointing out the issues with running as a service. That makes sense and probably would have been a real pain in the ass. The server would only be used for gaming when I was playing, so that would mean I would be at my computer and able to manually launch / relaunch the server every time I needed to, so running as a service probably isn't right for me.

[SWAT_BigBear 0]

I use FireDaemon Trinty for controlling all services.

It is to simple to add -mod=anything to a built in parameter line when adding a new service or editing it.

[nubbin77 0]

Well I copied everything over to the WHS, so it has its own complete folder on the server (not on the console).

I created a shortcut (on the server) to the arma_server.exe, put in all the parameters, etc. made sure everything was pointing to the right locations.

When I try to fire up the arma_server.exe's shortcut, it says "failed to initialize properly (0xc0000142) click on ok to terminate the program".

Anyone have any ideas? I know Arma doesn't support WHS, but I figure if its built primarily off the same kearnal as windows server 2003, it had a high probability of working.

If I try to start up arma (not the server exe) it says cannot find d3d.dll - which makes sense because I don't have video card drivers or anyting installed on the motherboard (it has onboard video). Should I try installing it directly on the server, rather then just copying all the files on? I know that theoretically I shouldn't have to do that, but I'm willing to do so if someone thinks that might be the answer...

[SWAT_BigBear 0]

Yes, it sounds like you will need a proper direct3d,

try updating the onboard 1st, otherwise install a better video card.

[nubbin77 0]

Well I did a full install on the server and that solved the issue. I don't understand why I had to install if your only supposed to have to copy the directory over. It works in any case so that's good news.