SWBF Mac/PC Servers Explained

[aeria.]

This post was made for the certain people who ask the same questions over and over again. I will now explain how SWBF servers work in the most informal language I do.

Gamespy Server: A multiplayer service EXCLUSIVE for SWBF PC players.

Gameranger Server: A multiplayer service EXCLUSIVE for SWBF MAC players.

Direct Connection: This way of hosting is independent from GS/GR. This is the only way to host a server where both Mac and PC players can join. You start a server with you only. People join your IP address. This type of hosting does not allow server lists (Gametracker for example) to recognize you.

Dedicated Server: Similar to a Direct Connection server. The server is faster this way although you must use another computer with SWBF if YOU want to join.

Dedicated Server Software: A majority of PC servers use this. It allows you to host a Dedicated server on GameSpy without you having the game running. The downside to this is that only PC players can join. Like regular dedicated servers, you must use another computer if you want to join your own server.

MPCGamers.com's server is PC only because it uses the Dedicated Server Software.  There is no Dedicated Server Software for Gameranger/Mac Users.

I dont understand why people use gamespy.

The Mac equivalent of this question is "I don't understand why people use Gameranger." 

It's not a choice if you select the Internet Option to play a game using the PC version of
SWBF.  The upside is that you can easily see who is playing in any PC SWBF server, because it's all tracked with Gamespy.  The lists are available via widgets like Jedikiller has installed, and is also available by programs like xfire.

It is not possible, as far as I know, to get a list of players that are playing with Direct Connection.

Buckler

Useful Links:
Port Forwarding Instructions
Dedicated Server Software
A Useful List of Commands

[Jedikiller]

Nice writeup. Pinned

Any reason for Tech Support rather than SWBF?

[aeria.]

No particular reason why I posted it here. Move it to SWBF section if you wish.

[Radical_Pi]

One thing you might want to add to Dedicated Server software. I noticed that you cannot have it running at the same time as battlefront on the same computer

[aeria.]

Yeah I'd might as well repeat that...
*goes to edit it*

[Rexy]

I dont understand why people use gamespy.

[Led]

I dont understand why people use gamespy.

The Mac equivalent of this question is "I don't understand why people use Gameranger." 

It's not a choice if you select the Internet Option to play a game using the PC version of
SWBF.  The upside is that you can easily see who is playing in any PC SWBF server, because it's all tracked with Gamespy.  The lists are available via widgets like Jedikiller has installed, and is also available by programs like xfire.

It is not possible, as far as I know, to get a list of players that are playing with Direct Connection.

Buckler

[aeria.]

Thanks Buck for the explanation. In fact, I'm going to quote that in the first post.

[Radical_Pi]

It is not possible, as far as I know, to get a list of players that are playing with Direct Connection.

DC actually can be pinged for server stats exactly the same as a GS game. It's just few people have bothered to make it.

[Xfire Keenmike aka cull]

thank you

[quik]

One thing you might want to add to Dedicated Server software. I noticed that you cannot have it running at the same time as battlefront on the same computer

That's actually NOT!!! true. You CAN run them at the same time. You can also run multiple SWBF's. To run dedi and SWBF at the same time, start up SWBF. Then alt-tab, and start your server. Easy as that. As for multilogging SWBF...you need another program

[Fire]

@ agreeing with quik.

[Led]

expect for the multilogging part--no extra program needed