feedback about clanforge and clanservers

[selassie]

Hi,

I'm new around here, finally decided to rent a server yeasterday and it's already online so all is fine. Or is it?

I was suprised to discover that i have no direct access to the server. I have already subscribed to other clanservers GSP's in the past and in some way or the other (direct FTP, shell access, etc) i could access the server directly, and in multiplay, i can't.

I'm a bit annoyed to discover that everytime i want to install some file on the server, i'll have to wait for you guys to install it (taking a whole working day to do that - and i guess that working day are week days, so weekends are no go).

Now i have to install etpro competition mod (i'm running an Enemy Territory server), i'll have to wait one day. Then i'll have to install maps, leagues configs, and so on, wasting some precious time (time is money right?) doing it and god, WAITING for you guys to do it (one thing i hate is waiting for other people - here or anywhere else).

Clanforge is a good tool if you're not aquainted with server management but cmon, ftp access could have at least access to the servers main directory. Right now it's pretty useless (yay download logs yay).

Right now i'm trying to upload ETpro mod to my server through clanforge and i don't know if it's uploaded already or not (i got no fancy bars showing upload progress - using latest firefox version which you said clanforge supports it). I tried to upload it a second time and now the upload button is grayed out (can't click it, it's disabled).

So, since i rented the server for clan playing, and since i need etpro and clanbase config's settings and maps and all to play (without them the server is pretty useless), i guess i will only have the server up next week. This is really annoying. I just wanted to upload everything i need, and restart the server. Simple right? NO!


Oh and btw, besides beeing the first clanserver service that i own that doesn't have direct access to the server, it's also the first one that don't have preconfigured "packages", with mods ready to run, and so on. So that it would make all of our lifes easier (most games have popular mods that should be already installed on servers and ready to run imho).


It's a long rant, but i am really annoyed with this. I rented a server that will be crippled untill i can get it to work (or untill you guys install all the files... gosh...).


For my first day as a multiplay customer, i must say that i'm truly disappointed. I hope it gets better than this.



J

[K]

Hi selassie I'll try to address each point in turn here.
Originally posted by selassie

I was suprised to discover that i have no direct access to the server. I have already subscribed to other clanservers GSP's in the past and in some way or the other (direct FTP, shell access, etc) i could access the server directly, and in multiplay, i can't.


This is correct we don't allow direct access to our clanservers. Why well the primary reason is to ensure that one persons mistakes doesn't break another's server or cause bad lag.

Originally posted by selassie
I'm a bit annoyed to discover that everytime i want to install some file on the server, i'll have to wait for you guys to install it (taking a whole working day to do that - and i guess that working day are week days, so weekends are no go).


Actually our support guys are on 7 days a week.

Originally posted by selassie
Now i have to install etpro competition mod (i'm running an Enemy Territory server), i'll have to wait one day. Then i'll have to install maps, leagues configs, and so on, wasting some precious time (time is money right?) doing it and god, WAITING for you guys to do it (one thing i hate is waiting for other people - here or anywhere else).


Etpro is already available, ready and waiting for you.

Originally posted by selassie
Clanforge is a good tool if you're not aquainted with server management but cmon, ftp access could have at least access to the servers main directory. Right now it's pretty useless (yay download logs yay).


You can actually configure all aspects of the way your server runs from which maps are select right down to the smallest cvar.

Originally posted by selassie
Right now i'm trying to upload ETpro mod to my server through clanforge and i don't know if it's uploaded already or not (i got no fancy bars showing upload progress - using latest firefox version which you said clanforge supports it). I tried to upload it a second time and now the upload button is grayed out (can't click it, it's disabled).


We're not aware of an issues with FireFox and uploads but if you can email in the details to clanservers@multiplay.co.uk we will of course investigate.

Originally posted by selassie
So, since i rented the server for clan playing, and since i need etpro and clanbase config's settings and maps and all to play (without them the server is pretty useless), i guess i will only have the server up next week. This is really annoying. I just wanted to upload everything i need, and restart the server. Simple right? NO!


Its even simpler, no need to spend ages uploading mods or maps or hand crafting configs simply:
* Create a new ETPro Profile
** Go to Profiles and click new
** Select ETPro in the mod
** Give your profile a name and save it.
** Make any customisations you want, maplist, timelimit etc
* Apply it to your server by:
** From Servers click Editing
** Select your new Profile and save


Originally posted by selassie
Oh and btw, besides beeing the first clanserver service that i own that doesn't have direct access to the server, it's also the first one that don't have preconfigured "packages", with mods ready to run, and so on. So that it would make all of our lifes easier (most games have popular mods that should be already installed on servers and ready to run imho).


As mentioned above this is all there ready and waiting from example profiles to little addons not to mention map packs which are automatically installed as required by your maplist.


Originally posted by selassie
It's a long rant, but i am really annoyed with this. I rented a server that will be crippled untill i can get it to work (or untill you guys install all the files... gosh...).

For my first day as a multiplay customer, i must say that i'm truly disappointed. I hope it gets better than this.


I hope the info I've provided helps you. We understand ClanForge is something new, but new can be good from the feedback we have had its leaps ahead of having to manually upload things which everyone else has already done :)
You may also find the userguide helpful:
ClanForge Userguide (http://clanforge.multiplay.co.uk/userguide/)

That said we are always looking to improve ClanForge and would welcome any feedback you have about its design / functionality.

[Elbonio]

Alternatively of course if all you're looking for is a machine that you have control over we do have a dedicated server (http://hosting.multiplay.co.uk/dedicatedinfo.php) service too for which you have total control over your machine and can do whatever you like with it, install whatever you like.

As mentioned though most popular mods are already there and waiting for you in Clanforge.

[selassie]

Originally posted by K
Its even simpler, no need to spend ages uploading mods or maps or hand crafting configs simply:
* Create a new ETPro Profile
** Go to Profiles and click new
** Select ETPro in the mod
** Give your profile a name and save it.
** Make any customisations you want, maplist, timelimit etc
* Apply it to your server by:
** From Servers click Editing
** Select your new Profile and save

this little bit of text should be in bold and on the first page of the clanforge manual, with huge letters in red.

i'm sorry to have missed that. Already got etpro running and maps added (and even got a reply from your staff @ 00:36pm about uploading files - ahah nice :D i'm suprised, working late? :) ).

Now i'm just waiting for some league specific config files that need to be updated on ETPro. But at least the server is playable atm (not for official clanmatches, but playable for praccys and such - 2 days to set it up, not too bad).

thanks for your quick (and full of info) reply :)




@Elbonio
other GSP's have direct ftp access at least to the gameserver (at least to it's main directory). there was one gsp (also from UK) that even had shell access. It wasn't a dedicated server and they had a "dedicated server" package also (i had the basic gameserver tho and could manage it all by myself through shell access and ftp).

Another example: if i rent a webserver (web host for websites) it comes with FTP access (whether it's dedicated or not - no argue there). I have never seen a webhost denying FTP access (well, maybe 8 years ago i would have) because it could cause "instability" with other customers webservers. And a webhost usually has a lot more processes running than a gameserver (webserver, databases, ftp server, mail server, etc).

I think it's a really basic setting that should be considered by MP - imho. At least somekind of FTP file access from the browser.



J