NOVA if your out there buddy please reply to this .

I would like to know the following;

1/ Can I run maps through the hat.cfg without actually having the game isntalled ?

2/ If so what is teh command i have to type in hat.cfg to host maps on a dedicated server ?

Thanx. ArCaine ie; Syph3r

In response to your questions:

1. 'can you host maps without having the game installed'

-- Um, yes and no. The actual hat_eng.exe program (which is the account manager and central hub of any hat) WILL run as a stand alone program. All it needs is two files to run: the hat_eng.exe program and a hat.cfg config file. The config file contains all the data necessary to pre-configure the hat (such as registering servers that are allowed to connect to your hat and controlling what channels, ie. ports, will be used for communication). I call it pre-configure cuz you can register servers 'live' while the hat is running as well, but these registrations are lost if/when you shut down the hat program. Pre-configuring all of these in the config file makes them come back automatically every time you run the hat (much easier and quicker this way). So, this is the YES part of my answer.

Here's the NO part.... You may have the account manager running, but in order to actually run any maps, you will need essentially all the same support files that are required for the game to run as if you were gonna play the game (all the same .res files for instance). That's because the rom2server.exe file is really nothing more than a slightly modified version of the rom2.exe file (the one used to PLAY the game). It's modifed to run in the background and allow others to join. Think of it as a sort of special case of rom2 multiplayer running in the background. So, for every map you are running, it's like having a separate session of the game running....run 6 servers, you've got the game running 6 times in the background. And THIS is what takes up all the computer resources when running a hat...all those servers (or sessions of the game) running in the background. Of course, each server also needs a config file to give it the necessary info it needs to run and communicate. I would also strongly advise creating a .bat file to start each server as well....it saves on a LOT of typing. You can start the servers from the command line, but you gotta type a long line of crap to do it this way. Every server you plan to run has to have it's OWN .cfg and .bat file. Six servers means 6 .cfg files and 6 .bat files.

2. 'what's the command to type in the hat.cfg file to run the maps'

-- Well, the hat.cfg does NOT run the maps, so I can't answer that question as it was asked. The hat (and the hat.cfg) are JUST the account manager. The hat's only connection to the various servers (maps) running as part of that hat is to communicate/transfer player character information back and forth when someone moves between maps. The actual maps are run TOTALLY separate from the hat itself (see what I said above in response to question #1). Because of this fact, you can actually have the hat run on one computer and have ALL of the maps run on different computers (spread all over the world if you want). All you have to do is set up the proper communication channels between the hat.cfg and the server.cfg files so they can FIND each other over the network (either the internet or your LAN). Once they find each other (via IP address and port number), they act as if they are running on the same computer.

The help file that comes with the hat.zip file does a pretty good job of explaining how to set up a complete hat. Unfortunately, it can be confusing since it's speaking in generic language. It can be quite helpful to have either a working and running example of these configured files to look at and copy or even to talk to someone who has set these files up before.

If you're still serious and intent upon trying to run a hat and you can't quite figure out how to get one running, let me know. I'd be more than happy to help you set one up. I could send you a zipped package of pre-made hat files to get you jump started if you want. I could also walk you through setting up an autosignup page if you want one of those too. Plus, you will probably want to have and use a copy of the modified (patched) rom2server.exe file Defiant and I made that alters (or totally removes if you prefer) the ability to use the GM hack. This is the single most deadly rom2 game hack (effectively making any such hacker the defacto hat admin with the power to kill ANY creature or player with ONE command or to create ANY magic items they want out of thin air), and you'll want to protect your hat against it if you plan to offer access to the general (and often unscrupulous) public. One GM hacker will totally ruin your entire hat, believe me.

If you think you need or want my help, just message me in this forum or email me at the above email address. I'd say catch me on MSN sometime, but I'm almost never signed in there anymore. I just pop in/out to check my email and leave again.

Good luck,
NOVA

Thanx for all of the helpful information NOVA, and i will take you up on the run through if you don't mind.. thanx.

Can you add me to your hotmail list if you still have one and we can further this conversation there if you would like.

If not can you send a pre made server.cfg please...

I installed the game last nigth and downloaded the updated dedicated server. Having a slight problem, says it can't connect to the hat.

I will be home at 2:00 +10 GM

Teamferox@hotmail.com

Thanx ArCaine.