How do I go about setting up FastDL for my server?

[gordythepirate]

I've read through the Wiki guide provided here: http://maurits.tv/data/garrysmod/wiki/w ... x70e8.html, but I still don't entirely understand the process.

I need help setting up FastDL for my server step by step, if anyone has the time or patience for me (I'm a bit of a noob when it comes to all of this).

Currently I'm using sv_allowdownload 1 so my users can download necessary resources from the server, but I'm assuming this is the slow way of doing it, correct? I understand the process of adding sv_downloadurl "http://url.com/garrysmod/" to the server.cfg folder, but when it comes to the domain, what can I use exactly?

I know NFO provided me with a web host when I first ordered my server, so can I just use that domain name? In which case it would be something like sv_downloadurl "http://pixelpeople.site.nfoservers.com/garrysmod/", I'm assuming?

If this is the case, do I have to create a garrysmod folder in the domain, since it doesn't exist there? And then that folder is where I'll drop all of my files?

Again, sorry about the onslaught of questions. I'm having a tough time wrapping my head around all of this. But if anyone could help me out I'd really appreciate it!

[$atanic $pirit]

Currently I'm using sv_allowdownload 1 so my users can download necessary resources from the server, but I'm assuming this is the slow way of doing it, correct? I understand the process of adding sv_downloadurl "http://url.com/garrysmod/" to the server.cfg folder, but when it comes to the domain, what can I use exactly?

I know NFO provided me with a web host when I first ordered my server, so can I just use that domain name? In which case it would be something like sv_downloadurl "http://pixelpeople.site.nfoservers.com/garrysmod/", I'm assuming?

You can use that domain. Fastdl is one of the main reasons why nfo offer web hosting with your game server.

If this is the case, do I have to create a garrysmod folder in the domain, since it doesn't exist there? And then that folder is where I'll drop all of my files?

Again, sorry about the onslaught of questions. I'm having a tough time wrapping my head around all of this. But if anyone could help me out I'd really appreciate it!

Now you need to keep directory structure the same as in your game server folder. The folder can be named anything, but the file structure in web host should be exact as in game server.

Lets say you have added your custom content in your game server in following structure:

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server/garrysmod/

In garrysmod folder you have added all your custom content like your custom maps and sounds folder.

Now you have to keep the exact directory structure on web host. So you need to have it this way on your web host.

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http://pixelpeople.site.nfoservers.com/garrysmod/

Remember you must keep the same directory structure. So your public_html/garrysmod folder should contain maps and sounds folders for custom content.

I did take a look at your url that you provided above and it seems like you just made a tiny mistake.

You are using this address as your fastdl url http://pixelpeople.site.nfoservers.com/garrysmod/. When I try to open that it says address is not valid, so I went to look into your main url which is http://pixelpeople.site.nfoservers.com/. I found a folder named server in there which I assume holds all custom content.

If that's the case then your fastdl url will change to

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sv_downloadurl "http://pixelpeople.site.nfoservers.com/server/"

Your folder's name should not be garrysmod, it can be anything as in our case we are using server . But for the content inside, you must have exact same name and exact structure.

[gordythepirate]

Oh, that's perfect! Thank you so much for the explanation and for looking at the page for me--it made things so much easier to understand!

So because all of my content is already located on the web host, all I need to do is change the server.cfg file, right? So I'd just add the lines:

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    sv_downloadurl "http://pixelpeople.site.nfoservers/server/"
    sv_allowupload "0"
    sv_allowdownload "0"

And I'll be done?

[$atanic $pirit]

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 sv_allowdownload "1"

1 will enable the option to download content from server. This needs to be 1 for people to use fastdl.

Yes you just need to change url and then give your server a restart. That should fix your problem.

[gordythepirate]

Alright, thanks so much for the swift replies!

One last thing for anyone that happens to know, let's say I have some custom player models that I want clients to download. Is it possible to place those files in the FastDL folder too? Or is there no point to doing so? I'm mostly looking to cut down on the loading times for my server.

[$atanic $pirit]

I never installed or ran a Gmod server, so can't be 100% sure. But since it runs on source engine I take that you can put everything on Fastdl that client is supposed to download from server.

Give it a try and keep the directory structure same. The reason why I repeat "keep the structure" so many times is because that is where people mess the most.

Let us know if that works for you.

[gordythepirate]

You know what? I'm dumb. I was talking about placing the lua resource files in the FastDL folder to see if it would make download times faster, but that doesn't even make any sense. The files the clients download (like materials, models, etc.) are already uploaded to my FastDL folder via NFO's websync.

//facepalm

Anyways, thanks again for all the help Satanic!