Hosting a server?

[cheesus182]

Hi guys,
Quick question.
Is there a guide on how to host a server?
As in a server which people will be able to find when they check their server list.
I know dedicated servers can be hosted relatively easily but I have the impression you can not find them in the server list and you can only connect to them through an IP.
I heard of the fact that you need to apply for a license to host a PR server but that isn?t my first problem right now.
I know of buying servers, but is that really necessary?
I mean, I have fibre optics and a high end PC so shouldn?t that be enough?
Well then again im a complete newb on this part so help would be apreciated!
So a link to a guide or a nice detailed description would be AWESOME!
Thanks!

[cheesus182]

Ah well thats a start!
But how exactly do you host these servers?
With the ServerLauncher.exe or what?
Or do you get the server files and you basically just run the .exe and thats you server?
I again apologize for my incompetence on this subject!


EDIT:
Now thinking about it.
What exactly is the point in server licenses?

[Punkbuster]

Now thinking about it.
What exactly is the point in server licenses?

If I am not wrong, before Server Licenses were a must, server hosts used to modify the game the way they liked... And the Devs didn't like that, so they decided that each one must apply for a server license and by applying to a server license, you agree to follow specific rules and if you disobey those rules, the PR guys will have the right to take your server down

[Thermis]

Keeping control of server files allows us to do many things. The foremost of which is so that we can keep PR game play standard throughout servers, and in rare instances if a server is being run very badly we will not renew their server license. It also prevents the server files from winding up in the hands of people who would use them to try and find back doors to hack with.

[cheesus182]

Ah, that of course makes sense.
Hmm it would be so much better if people wouldn?t hack in general.
They ruin so many opportunities.
Anyhow,
Original question was, do you basically just get an .exe with the server files which you run in order to host a server.
I mean I always imagined it to include a load of setting up etc but with the dedicated server launcher of BF2 I am really wondering now.



Btw.
@[R-MOD]Thermis.
I see you live in Kansas, out of personal interest, do you live in Kansas City?
Because I heard GOOGLE were building fibre optics in kansas city.
Which I thought was ridiculous since its google so I wanted to know from someone who basically lives there or near it if its actually true?

[Doc.Pock]

Ah well thats a start!
But how exactly do you host these servers?
With the ServerLauncher.exe or what?
Or do you get the server files and you basically just run the .exe and thats you server? Prolly that, not sure though.
I again apologize for my incompetence on this subject!


EDIT:
Now thinking about it.
What exactly is the point in server licenses?

the bolded is my thinking of how it would be on your box at home.
but its waaay better just renting a server and installing PR there so it is their problem with server hardware and stuff, you get all administrative power on your server and can also give it to anyone plus you can play while you have the server up
hope this helpes

[cheesus182]

Hahaha
Yeah but the original idea was that if I have a spare PC or a high end PC which is capable of running a server and the game at the same time + a decent internet connection it would save me from having to pay for a server seing as I have everything I need at home.
Thanks for the help!

[BloodyDeed]

Before you think about a server you should gather some people too seed it every day.
A server wont fill up if there is only you playing. Most PR-Players are usually playing on their favorite server.

If you want to play alone on your own server a LAN server might be enough.

Second thing, homeservers normally do not work very well for games. Depending on your connection speed the server might be lagging for more than 10people.
Also keep in mind the additional energiecosts for running a server at home 24/7.
If you add these 2 things together (energie and a stronger broadband) you even have the money for a small rented server.

[Soppa]

Original question was, do you basically just get an .exe with the server files which you run in order to host a server.

Normal 64 PR server wont need any additional launcher. For 128 servers there will be launcher which will work with PR Server.

[MLGDeathWalk]

Is there a way that I can get a server for my friends an I to play on as training?

[Nate.]

The server files are included in your game directory. They can join via IP.

[Parshan]

And can i blacklist some of them so that they won't be able to join even if they know the IP?

[Mdx00]

The server files are included in your game directory. They can join via IP.

Is there any tutorial to do this?