Problems with the LAN Network and proposed solutions

[OldBloke]

Update ...

Problem: Getting our LAN based servers to appear in the server browsers.

Although the recent big L4D update and the CSS updates since the last LAN put a spanner in the works (basically, I had to totally rebuild the servers for L4D, L4D2 and CSS) l managed to get a lot of research and testing done this weekend. To cut a long story of trial and error short I think I've got a solution.
By removing the 'nomaster' command from the startup (you know? the one that says 'don't phone home cos this is a LAN server') the servers suddenly appeared in both the ingame browser and HLSW and correctly identified as LAN servers (designated by the sv_lan cvar). The good news is that this works on my W7 64bit PC, my wife's W7 32bit laptop and my XP Pro Laptop for both CSS and L4D1. L4D2 still doesn't want to appear but, as usual, you can connect via manual IP entry. COD4 works fine as does ArmA2OA.

I might need to do some more testing at the LAN due to the different switches involved as well as a greater range of PC configurations but before I tried removing the 'nomaster' startup parameter I wasn't seeing any LAN servers, now I see all the CSS and L4D1 servers both ingame and on HLSW. So we're getting somewhere.

Oh and this was an interesting read.

[Gone_Away]

WELL DONE OLDIE!!!

I commend your efforts sincerely. I think you've made a huge step forward for us..

If I'm reading your post correctly, what is left to test would be DogFighter and NFS Shift. I think that both of these can be tested at the LAN. Also, I think that Shift is better run off of a PC of a gamer as otherwise it will take up slot. I think what I'll do is run the time-trial from my PC directly and open it up for "Time Trial Slots" on my PC for people to rock up and grab the wheel.

If I've mis-understood please let me know. Also, if there's anything that I can do over the next day or so, please let me know.

NF

[OldBloke]

WELL DONE OLDIE!!!

I commend your efforts sincerely. I think you've made a huge step forward for us..

If I'm reading your post correctly, what is left to test would be DogFighter and NFS Shift. I think that both of these can be tested at the LAN. Also, I think that Shift is better run off of a PC of a gamer as otherwise it will take up slot. I think what I'll do is run the time-trial from my PC directly and open it up for "Time Trial Slots" on my PC for people to rock up and grab the wheel.

If I've mis-understood please let me know. Also, if there's anything that I can do over the next day or so, please let me know.

NF

Both Dogfighter and NFS Shift will need to be run from a member's PC as there's no dedicated server for either and, as such, they tend not to want to install on a server with a basic 2D gfx capability. Whoever runs them will probably need to stop their firewall to allow others to join. So, yeah, more testing needed at the LAN me thinks.

[BrotherTobious]

Great work oldie thanks for all the hard work.

Need for speed is defo a run off gamer pc as is dog.