Techy question about FAD and missing files

Bloodspitter · Post by **Bloodspitter** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 7:36 am

Hi
I was missing some map gfx (.tga files) in the server directory, but the maps were still able to load. The files that were missing on the server directory were still on the FAD directory from a previous install. So the question is, what happens when a player does not have the map and tries to join, even though there are some non-critical files missing on the server? Will the files that are on the FAD directory still download for them? Or could this cause the player to be disconnected or have a bad effect on the server itself, such as lagging it while it searches for files that are missing?

I think we have replaced all the missing files, but there could be others I don't know about yet. Need to know how serious it might be. Could be related to previous problems.

thanks

bOoya · Post by **bOoya** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 8:53 am

It should automatically look in the web directory for all of the files before it aborts that method and starts downloading from the server. Our research shows that the server can definately manifest direct downloading as lag, but only when there is more than 1 person downloading off the server at the same time. If the files are in the FAD and are noted in a .res or in the map itself, they should be downloaded from the FAD and not the server.

Bloodspitter · Post by **Bloodspitter** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 9:02 am

OK, I understand that, but what if the files are in the FAD directory but NOT in the server directory?

bOoya · Post by **bOoya** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 9:06 am

Normally the files need to be on the server as well so that the server can load them. But like I said, it checks the FAD first, so as long as the files are there, you should be alright.

Bloodspitter · Post by **Bloodspitter** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 9:06 am

If I read that right, what you are saying is,
"If the files are in the FAD and in the map itself, they should be downloaded from the FAD and not the server."

Is there a way to verify if that is true? I mean, it sounds logical to me, but if we're wrong, it might explain a few things. There's a lot of emphasis when using FAD that the 2 directories (the server and the webspace) match exactly. So if there are missing files on the server that are on the FAD, that could throw a wrench in the works.

bOoya · Post by **bOoya** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 9:27 am

I suppose you could delete the files on your local machine and then connect to the server and check it out.
You should beable to see your little STEAM downloading window thingy connecting to the different servers. I see now where you are coming from and it would be interesting to see if that does indeed cause any problems, but for some reason I think it wont.