How can you create a dedicated server without renting it?

[Mike808]

is it possible, if so i might wanna start a Hawaii one

[Vivi Hill]

It's actually relatively easy--the issue is your internet pipe and cpu need to be superb. I wouldn't suggest doing it on the same computer you play tf2 on, but if you happen to have an extra box lying around (Doesn't need to be THAT powerful) and you have quite fast internet, it could work out nicely.

Mind you, I've set up a dedicated server on the same computer I play the game on. The end result is fine for fooling around with one or two other people. But to have something of slaybox proportions is another story. A trading server-type thing would work (fps doesn't really matter on them).

Psyk, Nuke or I could help you set it up, or you can look into it yourself. Look up installing "Source Dedicated Server" (srcds). The standalone version is more flexible than the steam-only version as the standalone doesn't require a steam account.

The server is actually free of charge (don't have to own TF2 to make one).

The second step (and arguably the more difficult one) is getting your ports forwarded properly. You'll need to follow instructions for forwarding the correct ports (a couple somewhere around 27015) on your router so that your server can communicate with the outside world. Finally, a static IP is much better than a dynamic one, as a static one will remain in peoples' favorites.

[Mike808]

is there anyway to make a server out of an xbox?
i think i heard about that somewhere

sorry im a noob

[NuclearWatermelon]

is there anyway to make a server out of an xbox?
i think i heard about that somewhere

sorry im a noob

Reasonably: No

As said above Benny, Psyk, and myself can all help you get set up with the dedicated server if you want to give it a shot on a PC.

[Vivi Hill]

You can make a media server out of an xbox first gen (xbox media center). It's also possible with finagling to get Linux installed on the Xbox (I think) and theoretically that would allow you to run a dedicated server. However the process involved is not really feasible and I doubt the cpu on the Xbox is good enough to host a server nicely. So overall, I agree with Nuke on this one.

[Mike808]

ok thanks guys. ill get back to you in pm's if i ever do make a final decision

[Nikki Wolf]

Also, don't even try this: Run with wireless internet. I did that when I was wanting to try running a Nexuis server on my laptop, and latency was extremely high. But then again, I was just testing it. If I'm bored one day, I'll try again with running it and get an Ethernet switch in my room.

[NuclearWatermelon]

It's also possible with finagling to get Linux installed on the Xbox (I think) and theoretically that would allow you to run a dedicated server. However the process involved is not really feasible and I doubt the cpu on the Xbox is good enough to host a server nicely.

Also the Xbox CPU is not the correct architecture, so it would never run without an x86 emulator.

[Vivi Hill]

Ah, yes, very true. So it goes from not feasible to impossible.

[Mike808]

Ah, yes, very true. So it goes from not feasible to impossible.

dang, xbox would have been soooo much cheaper.