Dedicated Server Hosting Guide Who should use this guide? This guide is designed for dedicated server hosts. It is specifically tailored for those who prefer to run the dedicated server in an automated fashion. This guide will show you how to setup multiple profiles (i.e. one for general use, one for a specific league, one for a specific car, etc), which may be run manually, or on a scheduler (like FireDaemon). Getting Started . The Firewall First, you need to configure your firewall (if you run one). For setting up Windows XP firewalls, use the guide found in the /Support folder of rFactor. If you run a hardware firewall, you will need to configure the following ports: Protocol Port Description TCP 34297 RaceCast Ping Port Start with 34297. With each additional instance of a dedicated server (if you are running more than one on the same machine), increment this port by 1. So, if running two servers, you would need 34297-34298 open. TCP 34447 Session, Race and Chat Information Same as above. Increment by 1 for each additional server on the same machine. UDP 34297 LAN Query Information Same as above. Increment by 1 for each additional server on the same machine. UDP 34397 Race Event Information Same as above. Increment by 1 for each additional server on the same machine. Setting Up Profiles You will need to setup profiles for each server you want to run. The easiest way to do this is launch the dedicated server normally, using the DedicatedServer profile. Configure the server for the way you want your new profile setup, and then start the game (note: that includes actually loading the track). Exit the dedicated server, and navigate to the UserData folder (default path: C:\Program Files\rFactor\UserData). Copy the DedicatedServer folder (and contents) to the UserData folder, and give it a new name (for example: SRGP). Go into the copy folder, and rename the .PLR file to the same name as the folder you just renamed (example: SRGP.PLR). Repeat this process for each profile you want to setup, giving each a unique and identifiable name. I have created one for Open Wheel, SRGP, and a league-type setting. If you want to go back and make changes to one of your new profiles, you may do this by launching the Dedicated Server normally, and selecting the profile you want to edit (at the first step). Edit the profile and run it, then exit the dedicated server. Your profile is now edited. You may also manually edit profiles in Notepad or some text editor. The three files which mainly affect the server are: .PLR, Multiplayer.ini, and Dedicated.ini. Setting Up The Shortcut Once you have your profiles setup (you can always add more later, following the same process as described above), you can setup your rF Dedicated Server shortcut to launch the game in a single step (rather than having to configure it each time your run it). To do this, make a shortcut to the rFactor Dedicated.exe (default path to this file: C:\Program Files\rFactor) on your desktop (or wherever you would like to put it). Right-click on the shortcut, and select properties. With the properties box open, edit the target to look like this: "C:\Program Files\rFactor\rFactor Dedicated.exe" +profile "SRGP" +oneclick You will need to edit the profile to match what you setup in the UserData profiles. Also, maintain the quotation marks as shown above. There are more shortcut options available, which can be found in the rFactor ReadMe file. Repeat this process for each unique profile. Test and Task Now you should test your new shortcut(s) to make sure it works. The Dedicated Server should launch automatically after you click the shortcut. If it does, then you are now ready to setup a scheduler (if you want to), or you can simply manually launch it. If it doesnft work, go back and double-check each step. To setup on a scheduler (like FireDaemon), use the shortcut above as your template. For specific help with a scheduler, please use the associated documentation for the program you are using. Good luck and have fun! Sammie