SMALL TUTORIAL
by Keiko123
(UPDATE1)
Personal note
I’ve ran a test with the given files by Flyer8472 flawlessly. The files will be referred to as “REPACK” in the further tutorial.
I’ve spent countless hours managing the server-related files and altering certain lines of text the way I saw fit to solve certain issues without altering the state of the server in the development options.
I’m sure that more is achieved through the development editor; however I’ve felt that it’s a longer process and demands a constant trial and error with files which are quite large and time consuming.
If you give yourself enough time to learn and evaluate the development editor you are bound to make a server to your own liking. This tutorial is solely focused on managing the server that Flyer8472 delivered to all of us and bear in mind that he used it for a period of time himself, proving that the repack is bound to work.
The following tutorial considers that you possess the bare minimum of computer knowledge and that you are able to follow the instructions without skipping a thing or two, unless it’s written otherwise or entitled as “optional”.
This tutorial also considers that you understand the terminology of the phrases such as “client”, “repack”, “server”, “console”, “SSD & HDD” and so forth. If you do not understand something then freely to ask in the topic and someone will answer to you. I’ll visit once or twice on a weekly basis, although I can’t promise that due to the personal life and obligations in the coming months.
Let’s get to it, shall we?
INSTALLATION
Requirements:
The PC specs I’ve used in testing and running the server and client at the same time are as follows:
- - CPU : AMD FX-83508core 4Ghz
- - RAM : 8Gb (also 16Gb)
- - GPU : AMD Radeon HD 5670 1GbDDR5 (You can try going lower than this GPU, but I wouldn't advise it.)
The server files and clients have been test ran on a SSD and HDD, both on C:/partition only, as well as other partitions, too! Each time it worked flawlessly.
Note: Bear in mind that repack contains the “src” folder which is used for extracting the original core files and is meant for those who’re code-friendly and want to learn stuff about the server’s architecture. The “src” folder is completely optional for extracting. If your goal is to play the game as soon as possible it is the best if you leave the “src” folder aside. In simpler terms, do not extract it.
STEPS FOR INSTALLATION:
1. Download the files
Download the given repack from the link in the first post in the topic.
Note: Files are pretty big for the current PC standard so consider that it might take some time to finalize the process of unpacking.
2. Unpack the files
Unpack
Nclient-20151111-UPDATED.part1.rar and
Night-20151111-UPDATED-FIXED.part1.rar to your chosen partition. When it finishes extracting, you will see two folders named
-Night
-NClient
Note: Make sure to have around 50 GB to 60 GB free at the bare minimum on your SSD/HDD partition!
3. Alter the hosts file
Leave the unpacked files for the time being and proceed to alter the windows host file located by default in “
C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts”
Right-click on the “hosts” and choose to edit it with a notepad (or other text editor of your preference).
Proceed to add these lines into the hosts file
192.168.0.12 code
192.168.0.12 code_server
192.168.0.12 code_game_server
127.0.0.1 crypticstudios.com
127.0.0.1 jira.crypticstudios.com
127.0.0.1 errortracker.crypticstudios.com
127.0.0.1 code.crypticstudios.com
127.0.0.1 local.host
127.0.0.1 errortracker.local.host
127.0.0.1 jira.local.host
127.0.0.1 code.local.host
Then save your hosts file as just “hosts” (don't add .txt on its end).
Note: Don't put “#” in front of the numbers that you're adding.
Note: My LAN IP is 192.168.0.12. You can check yours by running the Start > cmd
Type “ipconfig” (without the quotes).
A list will appear. Look for the IPV4 address and use the IP address listed there.
Optional Note: You can completely turn off the internet and play alone if that is what you wish to do. Instead of the usual IPV4 IP you may put 127.0.0.1. In fact, I URGE YOU to do so just in order to have the first TEST run.
Important Note: Upon starting the game client a GUI prompt will open asking you to input the IP of your preference, be it a localhost (127.0.0.1) or LAN (192.168.0.12)
4. STARTING THE SERVER
Note: when you start the Server for the first time there will be a lot of prompts asking for your permission to run many different sever-based processes. Shortly put - services ask to join the home network which you should allow.
a) Go to Night > Tools > bin and start the
_0 _ MCP.bat
Allow many different processes to run, they will run in CMD format, with closing down approximately 30 sec after finishing the important service oriented jobs.
Bear in mind that you will also get a small GUI window that will have a big Orange-Red letter N button and also the “
Bafflingly complex mode” button down below it in the popping window.
b) It will take around 1-2 minutes after the
_0 _ MCP.bat started; you want to click on the “
Bafflingly complex mode”. This will expand the GUI of the “
MasterControlProgram”. Here you can see all the server-based processes as well as get a confirmation whether they're running or if they are ready. This is highly important so pay close attention!
c) In the “
Bafflingly complex mode” of the “
MasterControlProgram” you will notice many processes and each of them possesses a checkbox as well as areas showing the status of the processes. You will need “
GameServer” and “
Client” processes under the “
Do not auto-launch” checkbox! You want to have the rest of the server-based processes on the “
Hidden” checkbox. When you're sure that everything is ready and that the hosts file is properly made, you may run the big orange-red N button which will start processes accordingly.
d) After you start it what follows is that many server-based processes will show a confirmation that they are “
Running” or are “
Ready”. Wait until all of them, except the “
GameServer” and “
Client”, are ready!
The only one that won't show “
Ready” is the
ObjectDB, which is completely fine. The Transaction server will state “connected”, which is yet again ok and you shouldn't worry about it.
Now, press “
GameServer” button (not the “
…” button nor the “
!!!” button). You will see that it's loading stuff like German translation, costumes etc, all in pretty much 0.00 sec.
Note: Wait until it says Server ready (5.4s loadtime) (time loading will vary from machine to machine, also It'd be good if the server's on a SSD or even m.2 if you have it, although it's not necessary). After it's done, you will have the two icons on active taskbar, one is a green-blue “!” and other is the black-green “S”. It's time, now, to start the ADMIN panel.
5. ADMIN PANEL IN THE BROWSER
Getting the admin/owned/dev privilege
Note: The goal here is to start a browser of your choice (Firefox, Chrome) or the software which allows php browsing.
a) Type in your browser without the quotes: “
127.0.0.1:8090” and hit Enter. If you did everything correctly in the previous steps the page will load with information and the availability for navigation through the panel.
You will see “Account Server”.
Note: Here, you may see many stuff which are server-based and also add ZEN if you so choose.
b) Navigate to “
You must be registered to see links
”
- Account name: “
peter”
- New Password: type here your new password for the account
- Confirm New Password: repeat the process of typing the new password
Then navigate to the “
You must be registered to see links
”
Under the "
Account ID" type “1” (numeric “one”) and hit "
View Account"
Then go to the small letters [
Server monitor] and enter there. Under “
STRUCT > Commands” navigate to the "
Change Personal Info", you'll get First name, last name and email info changing options.
Change to your preference. It will change the “peter” name into something else that you input instead.
6. Starting the CLIENT GAME
Go to “Nclient > Neverwinter.exe” primarily and exceptionally!
Do not start the GameClient!
Start only Neverwinter.exe!
If you did it correctly, you will get a Window where you choose the IP for the game to connect to the server. Type the same server IP that you're using from the
STEP 3 of this tutorial.
Note: When the game is loading for the first time, it will take MORE time than usual, and will ask you to configure few parameters here and there.
Optional: If the Client does not recognize your Account login and password when you enter them, exit the Client and go to the MCP's “
Bafflingly complex mode”. Hit “
Full reset”, and then repeat the
STEP 4. After that, try again the
STEP 6.
Note: You might see a few characters from the previous owner of the Server repack, but that is okay. The Guardian Fighter is already the guild-master with items ready in the guild-bank (usually stones and whatnot). You can create your own character anew.
Important note: When you start the game as the GM level character in the top corner you will notice the red letters which usually do not appear when you play the game originally. This indicates your access level (for instance ACCESS LEVEL 9).
Congratulations, your server and client are fully operational!
This completes the basic tutorial for the server and client function.