NASCAR Thunder TM 2004 - PC - DEDICATED SERVER ============================================== The NASCAR Thunder TM 2004 Dedicated Server application enables you to use a computer to exclusively host races to be joined using other computers. Using a separate computer to host the race, and other computers to join the race, leaves the host computer or 'dedicated server' free of tasks such as 3D rendering, physics and sound. The processor cycles that are saved as a result of this are used by the 'dedicated server' to reduce client to client latency making multiplayer races smoother and more robust. STARTING A DEDICATED SERVER =========================== 1. Click and run the executable named NT2004_Dedicated.exe from the directory you have installed the game to. SELECTING EVENTS ================ By default the Dedicated Server application is configured to host a series of races, including every race in the game. 1. Use the Add and Remove buttons to move events between the list of Available and Selected Events. 2. Use the + and - to the right of the Selected Events list to change the order of Selected Events. 3. Set Connection Type per the connection type you are using to connect to the internet. You may decrease the number of players you wish to allow to join your race and also use Custom to define your own preferences with regard to upload speed and the number of players allowed to join. Note in any case that no more than 16 players are allowed to join your races. The recommended default settings based upon your connection type are as follows: 1. 56K Modem = 3 Players 2. ISDN = 5 Players 3. Cable/DSL 128 kbits = 7 Players 4. Cable/DSL 256 kbits = 10 Players 5. LAN = 16 Players Once you have finished selecting Events and setting the options for Connection Type, Upload Speed and Players correctly, press the Config button to proceed to set Event Options. EVENT OPTIONS ============= 1. Enter details for Race Name, Password and clarify settings for Flag Rules, Fuel Usage, Tire Usage, Mech. Failures, Weather, Steering Help, Braking Help, Anti-Lock Braking, Traction Control, Stability Control, Invulnerability, Spin Recovery, Auto Shifting, Auto Clutch, Auto Pace Lap, Auto Pit Stop, Duplicate Vehicles, Race Length and Damage Multiplier as you would for any other multiplayer game as documented in the manual. 2. Click Finish to start your dedicated server. GAME INFORMATION ================ As the owner of a Dedicated Server, you can see various information about your game including, Game Name, Game Version, Connection, Frame Rate, Clients (Players), Track, Event, Session Info, Vote Status and Uptime. A list of clients (players) that have joined is also displayed. You may also send and receive text messages enabling you to chat with players that have joined your dedicated server and boot clients (players). Finally, you are able to change the Config for the current race and force the Next Event or Next Session to be triggered at any time. ADVANCING SESSIONS & EVENTS UNATTENDED ====================================== In the event that there is no one to attend to the Dedicated Server and select to advance sessions or events as detailed above, players that are connected, have the ability to vote using vote buttons that will appear in the multiplayer session status page in favor of advancing sessions and events. The vote functions may also be activated through the chat facilities, including the in-vehicle chat by entering the following commands: /callvote nextsession = Starts the voting process for advancing session. /callvote nextevent = Starts the voting process for advancing events. /vote yes = Cast a Yes vote. /vote no = Cast a No vote. TROUBLE SHOOTING ================ In order to allow games hosted by a dedicated server to be visible to other players, the following ports must be available to the internet. 13333 - 13432 UDP (Gamespy) 13433 - 13482 UDP (Application ports) 13483 - 13532 TCP (Application ports) You may also need to enable DMZ (this will expose your computer to the internet). You may also need to open additional ports for Gamespy. See http://www.gamespyarcade.com/support/firewalls.shtml for additional information.