So you have been playing Counter Strike for a while and are thinking about setting up your own server. Then this is the tutorial for you.
Welcome to my second tutorial about setting up a Half Life Dedicated Server, HLDS for gaming. This tutorial will focus specifically on setting up a Counter Strike 1.6 server using Linux OS. This is going to be a long and tedious tutorial. There is a lot of setup that goes into a HLDS and then you have to add that to setting up a Linux server. That's right, in case you didn't read the title closely this tutorial will be using Linux to run the server. So if you are afraid of command lines now is a good time to head on over to my first HLDS tutorial that uses everyone's favorite OS, Windows XP Pro.
HLDS Counter Strike 1.6 [Windows]
Still here I see, guess command lines are not that scary after all. How about no graphical user interface... nothing, I see I can't scare you off so easily, guess you are here for the long haul.
Tutorial Goals:
Install Linux Server
Run Linux Server
Install HLDS
Run HLDS
The first part of this tutorial will focus on properly installing and setting up a Linux server. My distro of choice is Linux Ubuntu Server 10.10 but any server distro will work. You may be wondering why chose Linux over the more easier OS like Windows XP Pro. There are two major reasons besides the cost factor; Linux offers greater customization and Linux uses less system resources. Even though the initial set up is hard and maintenance could be a pain I hope that I will be able to show you some tools that makes Linux much easier to run then a windows server could ever hope to be.
The second part will focus on installing HLDS. HLDS is software that is freely distributed by Valve, the creator of Counter Strike 1.6. This software will allow us to run a Counter Strike server or any other type of game server that Valve makes. This includes; Day of Defeat, Counter Strike Source, Day of Defeat Source, Team Fortress 2, and Left 4 Dead 1/2. This list is by no means all that a HLDS will run, I have left out a few Valve games that I have never played and do not see a large player base but you can still install them. Aside from Valve games you can also install a few non-Valve game servers. Killing Floor is one example that uses the HLDS tool to install and run a game server. I don't know the complete list so you will have to Google the exact game you wish to install for the HLDS installer tool command.
Note:
I am not a Linux exert or advanced user. All that I write about in this tutorial regarding Linux has been extracted from MANY Google searches and other Linux server tutorials. If you are a Linux expert please share your knowledge if I make a mistake. If will be greatly appreciated by all.
Now let us begin...
Welcome to my second tutorial about setting up a Half Life Dedicated Server, HLDS for gaming. This tutorial will focus specifically on setting up a Counter Strike 1.6 server using Linux OS. This is going to be a long and tedious tutorial. There is a lot of setup that goes into a HLDS and then you have to add that to setting up a Linux server. That's right, in case you didn't read the title closely this tutorial will be using Linux to run the server. So if you are afraid of command lines now is a good time to head on over to my first HLDS tutorial that uses everyone's favorite OS, Windows XP Pro.
HLDS Counter Strike 1.6 [Windows]
Still here I see, guess command lines are not that scary after all. How about no graphical user interface... nothing, I see I can't scare you off so easily, guess you are here for the long haul.
Tutorial Goals:
Install Linux Server
Run Linux Server
Install HLDS
Run HLDS
The first part of this tutorial will focus on properly installing and setting up a Linux server. My distro of choice is Linux Ubuntu Server 10.10 but any server distro will work. You may be wondering why chose Linux over the more easier OS like Windows XP Pro. There are two major reasons besides the cost factor; Linux offers greater customization and Linux uses less system resources. Even though the initial set up is hard and maintenance could be a pain I hope that I will be able to show you some tools that makes Linux much easier to run then a windows server could ever hope to be.
The second part will focus on installing HLDS. HLDS is software that is freely distributed by Valve, the creator of Counter Strike 1.6. This software will allow us to run a Counter Strike server or any other type of game server that Valve makes. This includes; Day of Defeat, Counter Strike Source, Day of Defeat Source, Team Fortress 2, and Left 4 Dead 1/2. This list is by no means all that a HLDS will run, I have left out a few Valve games that I have never played and do not see a large player base but you can still install them. Aside from Valve games you can also install a few non-Valve game servers. Killing Floor is one example that uses the HLDS tool to install and run a game server. I don't know the complete list so you will have to Google the exact game you wish to install for the HLDS installer tool command.
Note:
I am not a Linux exert or advanced user. All that I write about in this tutorial regarding Linux has been extracted from MANY Google searches and other Linux server tutorials. If you are a Linux expert please share your knowledge if I make a mistake. If will be greatly appreciated by all.
Now let us begin...
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Signing UpStep 1: Obtian Copy of Linux Server
The distro of choice for me is Ubuntu Server Edition. I have found that being one of the most popular Liux distros, Ubuntu has great community support. Therefor if you ever have an issue most likely a quick Google search will help in solving your problem. Ubuntu also updates on a very strict schedule with a release schedule of every six months and constant automatic updates for up to five years. All of this is of course free so that makes Ubuntu a very good choice.
Now you need to obtain the latest copy of Ubuntu Server. At the time of this tutorial Ubuntu Server 10.10 is the latest edition. You can obtain a copy through a few ways:
To download follow the links. When you get to the download page chose the version of Ubuntu Server you want and also the edition. You are downloading this for your server so make sure you know if the server you have is 32 or 64 bit. Then hit the button and you should be set. The file is about 700Mb in size so you will have some wait time.
Now that you have a copy downloaded you need to burn the ISO image to a CD. If you have Windows 7 just right click on the downloaded file and chose Burn Disk Image. Any other version of Windows you will need to download third-party software to burn the image. I would suggest using InfraRecorder.
Make sure to burn the ISO at the slowest speed settings allowed. This will help prevent errors on the disk which will make you have to burn it all over again. Also verifying the files after burning is a good ideal to help prevent errors that will make installation a headache.
Now you need to obtain the latest copy of Ubuntu Server. At the time of this tutorial Ubuntu Server 10.10 is the latest edition. You can obtain a copy through a few ways:
- Download from Official Site: http://www.ubuntu.com/server
- Request a Free CD.
To download follow the links. When you get to the download page chose the version of Ubuntu Server you want and also the edition. You are downloading this for your server so make sure you know if the server you have is 32 or 64 bit. Then hit the button and you should be set. The file is about 700Mb in size so you will have some wait time.
Now that you have a copy downloaded you need to burn the ISO image to a CD. If you have Windows 7 just right click on the downloaded file and chose Burn Disk Image. Any other version of Windows you will need to download third-party software to burn the image. I would suggest using InfraRecorder.
Make sure to burn the ISO at the slowest speed settings allowed. This will help prevent errors on the disk which will make you have to burn it all over again. Also verifying the files after burning is a good ideal to help prevent errors that will make installation a headache.
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