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  • Subject: '';aM;'' Inspire's Ultimate Rcon Guide
Subject: '';aM;'' Inspire's Ultimate Rcon Guide
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This guide was originally posted in The Halomapscouk Forums. I must apologize for the repeated posting, the character limit is very restrictive. Please understand.

'';aM;'' Inspire's Ultimate Guide to Understanding Rcon

Welcome to the world of Dedicated Servers. The are two ways to control a dedicated server in Halo. The first is to be at the computer running the Dedicated Server and input commands directly into the DS Console. The second is to use Rcon - short for Remote Control.

Now, nobody particularly wants to sit around at a DS Console all day waiting for someone in-game to tell them to kick so-and-so or change the map to this with that gametype. It's boring and, since Rcon is there, completely unnecessary.

However, just like any remote control, there's a lot of buttons. You need to know what they are, what they do, and how to use them - otherwise you'll inevitably end up playing the same game over and over, being stuck with some noobtard who kills his team-mates, or (worst case scenario) crashing the server.

Now that you know what Rcon is, let's talk about it some more. In this guide you will learn:

1. How to Enable and Access the Console
2. How to use Rcon Commands
3. Rcon Commands and What They Do
4. Basic Rcon Etiquette
5. Appendix I - Printer-Friendly List of Rcon Commands
6. Appendix II - List of Map Filenames
7. Basic Rcon Proficiecy Exam

Yes, there will be a test at the end. If you read all this and do well on the test, you will know how to effectively, and, moreover, safely, use Rcon. Let's get started.



1. How to Enable and Access the Console


Rcon can only be accessed through the Halo PC Console in-game. Unfortunately, the in-game console is not enabled by default. So, if the console is not enabled, you can't use rcon. :(

To enable the console in-game, you need to find your Halo or Halo Custom Edition Shortcut (usually on your desktop). Now, right click the icon and select 'Properties'. Now, in the 'Target' box, you should see:

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Halo\halo.exe"

Or something like that. Please note that the quotes are part of the Target and are not just for show. Now, after the last " you need to add the text -console. So, you're Target should now read:

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Halo\halo.exe" -console

Just like that. Click Apply, then Click OK. What this will do is enable the console every time you start Halo or Halo Custom Edition using that specific shortcut. If you open the game any other way, it won't work.

So what if you start your game through Xfire? I got you covered - Listen up. In the main windoe of Xfire, click 'Tools' and then select 'Options'. Now click on the 'Games' Tab. Find Halo (or Halo CE) in the list box on the left and click on it. Now, click on the 'Advanced Options button. You will see a text box apear under the heading 'Extra Command Line parameters'. In that text box, you should type:

-console

Great. Now you've enabled the console. To access the console in-game, just press the ` or ~ key. Likewise, to exit the console in-game, simply press the ` or ~ key again.



2. How to use Rcon Commands


Now, once you get into the console, the general syntax to use Rcon (what you have to type to use Rcon) is:

rcon [password] [command]

Where [password] is the Rcon password set by the Dedicated Server operator in the server's init.txt and [command] is the command you give to the server.

Right now, we'll talk about the password part. Let's say, for arguement's sake, that the Rcon password is frag (we'll use this as our password for the rest of the guide). Then, every Rcon command we submit must look like:

rcon frag [command]

Pretty straightforward, eh? Now let's talk about the command part. The commands you send the Dedicated Server via Rcon are the same commands that are entered directly into the Dedicated Server Console by the server operator. In other words, there's not a separate set of commands for Remote Console Control (Rcon) and Direct Console Control.

However, there console commands that cannot be used once the server has been started. These types of commands can only be submitted or edited by the server operators via editing the init.txt of the server. For example, submitting the following Rcon command while in-game:

rcon frag sv_name New_Halo_DS

will display a message that states that the Rcon command cannot be executed at this time. This is because the Server's name cannot be changed after the server has started. So, in short, there's a few things you just can't do with Rcon. What can you do? I'm glad you asked, because that brings us to our next section.

(Server operators please note that if you do not set an Rcon password in your server's init.txt that Rcon will be disabled by default.)




[Edited on 5/3/2006]

  • 05.03.2006 9:51 PM PDT
Subject: '';aM;'' Inspire's Ultimate Guide to Understand...
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3. Rcon Commands and What They Do


There's more than a few of these, so what I'm going to do is split them up into small groups by functionality. This format will make things easier to remember (for the test) and understand. Let's get started.

Listing Commands

* I want to see what maps and gametypes this server runs.

rcon frag sv_mapcycle

This will let you view the mapcycle.

* I want to see a list of the players.

rcon frag sv_players

Of course, your first thought is, 'If I wanted to see a list of the people playing, I'd just press f1.' Right, but this list also gives the number of the player slot, which is useful for kick/ban/unban commands, which we'll get to a little later.

* I want to see a list of the gametypes that are loaded on to this server.

rcon frag sv_gamelist

This is useful if you're planning to use rcon to change the map / gametype.

* I want to see a list of the players that are currently banned from playing on this server.

rcon frag sv_banlist

Simple as that.

Game Manipulation Commands

* I want to add a game to the mapcycle.

rcon frag sv_mapcycle_add "[mapname]" "[gametype]"

Where the mapname and gametype are typed with the brackets like rcon frag sv_mapcycle_add "bloodgulch" "ctf".

* I want to delete a map from the mapcycle.

rcon frag sv_mapcycle_del [gamenumber]

Where gamenumber is the number of the game given in the sv_mapcycle listing.

* I want to restart the current game.

rcon frag sv_map_reset

Pretty simple.

* I want to play another game not in or further along the map rotation.

rcon frag sv_map "[mapname]" "[gametype]"

This will stop the current mapcycle and start the game you specify. Once the game ends, it will restart and continue to play that same game. In order to go back to the server's mapcycle, you will need to restart the mapcycle.

* I want to skip this game in the mapcycle and and play the next one.

rcon frag sv_map_next

Pretty simple - the current game ends and the next one in the mapcycle begins.

* I want to restart the mapcycle.

rcon frag sv_mapcycle_begin

This will start the mapcycle again from the beginning. You should use this after you finish a game that was started outside the mapcycle.

Kick / Ban Commands

* I want to kick a player off the server.

rcon frag sv_kick [playernumber]
or
rcon frag sv_kick [playername]

So, you can accomplish kicking a player off the server by either of the two commands listed above. Most of the time, it's easier to use the player's name, but, occasionally, like when the player's name has alt-codes that cannot be deciphered, it's easier to use the player's number, which can be found using the sv_players command.

Let's take a quick break here. You need to know that player numbers changed between games. One time I went to ban a player with alt-codes in his name, so I brought up the players list. He was #7, so I started typing in the rcon command. While I was typing it in, the game ended and the next one started. When I submitted the rcon command, I was player #7 and I ended up banning myself. So, just a word of caution, be careful when you kick or ban via player number and try not to do it in-between games. Back to the grind.

* I want to ban a player from the server.

rcon frag sv_ban [playernumber]
or
rcon frag sv_ban [playername]

Again, there are two ways to ban a player. Please note that when you ban a player via rcon, you ban them permanently. Also, if the server operator runs more than one server and they are linked by a banlist, the player you ban will not be able to play on any of that operator's servers.

* I want to unban a player from the server.

rcon frag sv_unban [playername]

This will allow the player to join the server again and will work for any player who is banned - whether it be a permanent ban or temporary ban.

(I do not know if the unban command can be executed using an index number from the banlist. My intuition tells me it should work, but I've never seen a banlist before, so I don't even know if the players on the banlist are indexed by number - If you know or find out, please tell me.)

Other Commands

* I want to change the maximum number of players allowed in the server.

rcon frag sv_maxplayers [numberofplayers]

This does just what it says. However, if you set the maximum number of players to a number lower than the number of players currently in the server will continue to let everybody who is already in the server play, but no one else will be able to join the server again until it falls back below the new maximum number of players allowed.

* I want to set a password for the server so that only my friends can play.

rcon frag sv_password "[password]"

If you change the password in the middle of a game, the change will not take effect until the game is over. Thus, at the end of the current game, the server will kick everyone out and continue.

* I want to clear the password from the server so that anyone can play who wants to.

rcon frag sv_password ""

Simple.

[Edited on 5/3/2006]

  • 05.03.2006 9:51 PM PDT
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4. Basic Rcon Etiquette


Using Rcon generally means that you mess with another person's server and other people's gaming experience. There are a few general guidelines you should follow whenever you use Rcon.

#1 - If you move it, put if back after you're done.
This basic rule applies to almost everything. If you start a game outside the mapcycle, restart the mapcycle when you're done playing. If you set a password so you can play with your friends, clear the password when you're done. This rule also has other implications - It's not always a good idea to edit the mapcycle, sometimes it's better to just to start a game outside the mapcycle - unless you plan on adding a game after you delete it from the mapcycle or delete a game after you add it to the mapcycle.
What happens when you break this rule? It invariably pisses people off, whether it be people who come to their favorite server only to find it locked, only folks who come to play because they like the rotation only to find it changed, or worse, stuck playing one game.
Bottom Line - Follow this rule unless you want the server operator to change the Rcon password on you.

#2 - Be Tolerant
You have a reputation to keep up when you have Rcon. Most players will refer to you as an 'admin' - an enforcer of the rules - the head honcho - the one guy you do not want to piss off. But, if you abuse these powers, or use them to regulate the server too strictly, eventually people will not want to play on the server with you. Having and using Rcon makes you an ambassador of the server - you represent the server, it's clan, and it's operator. So, as a general rule, it's nice to give people a warning if they can't play nice - or kick them. Banning should never be used as a first punishment.

#3 - Cooperate
If you're in-game with other players who have Rcon, don't be a punk and undo their commands. Respect other people with Rcon. Players come to play, not to spectate a power struggle between two guys with Rcon. Chances are that if the operator finds out, you'll both lose your Rcon priviledges.

The basic gist of all this is that Rcon is to be used to make the gaming experience of everyone more enjoyable. Repsect the server, the other players, and the other people with Rcon, and you should be alright.



5. Appendix I - Printer-Friendly List of Rcon Commands


rcon [password] sv_mapcycle
(This will let you view the mapcycle)

rcon [password] sv_players
(This will bring up the player list)

rcon [password] sv_gamelist
(This will bring up a list of the gametypes currently loaded onto the server)

rcon [password] sv_banlist
(This will bring up the list of players that are currently banned from playing on the server)

rcon [password] sv_mapcycle_add "[mapname]" "[gametype]"
(This will add the game you specify to the end of the mapcycle)

rcon [password] sv_mapcycle_del [gamenumber]
(This will delete a game from the mapcycle. The gamenumber is found by using sv_mapcycle)

rcon [password] sv_mapcycle_begin
(This will restart the mapcycle)

rcon [password] sv_map_reset
(This will restart the current game)

rcon [password] sv_map "[mapname]" "[gametype]"
(This will start another game that you specify outside the current map rotation)

rcon [password] sv_map_next
(This will skip to the next map in the mapcycle)

rcon [password] sv_kick [playernumber or playername]
(This will kick the specified player. The playernumber is found by using sv_players)

rcon [password] sv_ban [playernumber or playername]
(This will permanently ban the specified player from playing on the server)

rcon [password] sv_unban [playernumber or playername]
(This will unban the specified player. The playernumber here is found by using sv_banlist)

rcon [password] sv_maxplayers [numberofplayers]
(This will set the maximum number of players allowed in the server, but will not kick any currently in the server)

rcon [password] sv_password "[server password]"
(This will require players to enter the server password before they can play on the server)

rcon [password] sv_password ""
(This will clear the current server password off the server)



6. Appendix II - List of Map Filenames


When you use rcon to change the game, you usually have to specify what map you'd like to play. When you do this, you must us the map's filename. This filename can be either very similar or very different from the actual map name. So, pay attention.

Map Name - Filename

Battle Creek - beavercreek

Blood Gulch - bloodgulch

Boarding Action - boardingaction

Chill Out - chillout

Chiron TL34 - putput

Damnation - damnation

Danger Canyon - dangercanyon

Death Island - deathisland

Derelict - carousel

Gephyrophobia - gephyrophobia

Hang 'Em High - hamgemhigh

Ice Fields - icefields

Infinity - infinity

Longest - longest

Prisoner - prisoner

Rat Race - ratrace

Sidewinder - sidewinder

Timberland - timberland

Wizard - wizard



7. Basic Rcon Proficiency Exam


Sure, you can go back and look everything up, but I'm going to jump around a lot, so it would take you longer to look up the answers than it would take you if you just read the guide. Take your time, and good luck.

1. In order to use Rcon, I must have the ___________ enabled.

2. To use the object referred to in #1, I must press the ___ or ___ key while in-game.

3. In order to enable the object referred to in #1, I must edit the __________ line in my _______________ Properties Window.

4. To do enable the object referred to in #1 through Xfire, I must add ___________ to the ______________________ box in my Games
Options window.

5. Every Rcon command must start with ___________.

6. It is imperative that you _______________ with other players who have Rcon.

7. If you start a game outside the default mapcycle, you should _____________________________ when you're done.

8. The syntax to accomplish #7 via Rcon is __________________________________.

9. To ban a player using their player number, you must first ____________________________ and then enter the following Rcon
command _________________________.

10. To start a Slayer game on Derelict, I must use the Rcon command: ____________________________________.

11. To start a Slayer game on Chiron TL34, I must use the Rcon command: _____________________________________.

12. The most fundamental rule of Rcon Etiquette is _______________________________________.

13. If I set a password on the server and later want to clear it, I must use the Rcon command: ___________________________.

14. Being a Tolerant Rcon user means _____________________________________________________________ __________.

15. Before banning a player, it is preferable that you either ______ or ______ them first.

16. I can set the server to play a custom gametype as long as I have it on my computer. (True / False)

17. The Rcon command rcon [password] sv_map_next will crash the server if I'm playing the last map in the mapcycle rotation.
(True / False)

18. The filename for Battle Creek is really straightforward. (True / False)

19. It's no big deal if I add or delete games from the mapcycle. (True / False)

20. If I ban a player via Rcon, that player is permanently banned from the server, and possibly others that are run by the same
operator. (True / False)

21. If I set a server password, everyone who is playing then can keep playing. (True / False)

22. There are certain commands that cannot be executed once the server is running. (True / False)

23. I can enable / disable Rcon using Rcon. (True / False)

24. If I set the maxplayers lower than the number of the players currently in the server, it will kick any extra players out. (True / False)

25. rcon [password] sv_echo_chat is a valid rcon command for the Halo Custom Edition Dedicated Server that copies all in-game chat
to the server log. (True / False)

No part of this guide may be distributed or reproduced, in any form, without the expressed written consent of its original author.

This guide is Copyright 2006, All Rights Reserved.



[Edited on 5/3/2006]

  • 05.03.2006 9:52 PM PDT

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Am Inspire your freaking rule! That is an awesome guide. I'll PM goweb so he can add that to the guide sticky.

  • 05.03.2006 10:24 PM PDT
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I must agree. I don't care if there is a already a sticky about this somewhere, this has all the details and information necessary for Rcon. Great job, Inspire.

  • 05.04.2006 4:10 AM PDT
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nice work! heehee thanks for the help! allso im a good lemon!!!

  • 05.04.2006 9:11 AM PDT
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yeah he's the man

he has made some of the best guides i have ever seen

  • 05.04.2006 8:02 PM PDT
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Awww.... Shucks, guys. =D

  • 05.04.2006 8:09 PM PDT
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OMG, re-welcomed with opened arms. Thats the exact respect he deserves. I mean... Amazing. Rejoin with Halo first strike inspire... after you left, it died out... I88pptu and I need help.

  • 05.04.2006 8:32 PM PDT
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he is still in it i think

we shouldn't talk about this here the thread might get locked for being off topic

  • 05.04.2006 8:35 PM PDT
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Yes, I need to watch it around the mods, for they seem to be bored with no one to smite. I'll tell you if I find anything worth altering once i read through carefully inspire. ;D

  • 05.04.2006 9:13 PM PDT