4/30 - TF2 SteamPipe Conversion

[Plasma]

Valve has promised to release SteamPipe for TF2 some time today.

What this means for you is a 20-30min conversion, where all your file structure will be moved in /steamapps/ and the .gcfs files will be converted to .vpks (like for DOTA2 and L4D). The conversion should provide faster downloads, game boot times and map load times among other benefits. Your custom UI or other modifications will most likely be moved to a new folder called /custom/ or will be erased. Your UI author (or yourself) will need to update his/her work for SteamPipe.

If you'd like to know more about SteamPipe, you can follow this link by Valve.

However, for us server operators, it's not as simple. We will need to make a fresh new install of each of our dedicated servers to work for SteamPipe. Obviously, we should notice the same improvements as clients (even better in some cases), but it will take a lot more work.

I've already started the conversion process and I have all the requires files to launch. However, we still have to wait for Sourcemod and Metamod devs to update their plugins. I'm also expecting a lot of crashes/bugs once SteamPipe is live.

That's why I'm asking you guys to be patient while we find out what's broken and what needs to be updated or removed. I'm expecting some downtime today (if Valve actually releases SteamPipe), but we'll do our best to bring the servers back online as soon as we can.

If you do notice crashes or bugs or things missing (such as donors features, etc...), please let us know either through the forums, PMs or email.

I'll keep you guys updated through this thread and ShoutBox.

[Plasma]

The Votation server has been converted to SteamPipe and is currently online.
Feel free to jump on it to help us test if everything is working (and hopefully no crashes!)

I'll convert the Payload server later as it's currently full.

You can play on both SteamPipe and non-SteamPipe servers even if you haven't converted (vice-versa) to SteamPipe on your PC.

As usual, please let us know if you spot bugs/crashes! More updates to come. See you in-game!

[Plasma]

Final update:
Both Payload and Votation have been converted to SteamPipe. You should notice much faster load times.

Please, if you notice crashes, bugs or features missing, let us know here on these forums or email us.
Thank you!

[Vic-Dog]

My donor script to enter the servers no longer works after today's update. How do I fix it?

[Plasma]

Hey Vic-Dog,

If you've converted your TF2 install to SteamPipe today, you have to make sure to put the reserved slots scripts in:

Code: [Select]

"C:/path-to/Steam/steamapps/common/Team Fortress 2/cfg"

If you are using the old donor script verion, the commands you need to enter in console in-game are:

Code: [Select]

exec payload1.cfg      --> Payload
or
exec payload2.cfg      --> Votation

I highly recommend getting the updated scripts from the Donor Information Thread (Donors only). I've also updated the thread to be compatible with SteamPipe and added a new method using desktop shortcuts.

If you're still having issues, let me know.

[Plasma]

5/1 Update:
We've been receiving complains that all our servers are suffering from stuttering and lag at times. We've been looking into the issue, and it's possible the SteamPipe conversion is causing a big CPU load increase. Other server ops have noticing this as well.

Hopefully, it's a problem Valve can fix themselves, and in the meantime we'll keep an eye on server performance and see if there's something we can do on our end.

If you notice heavy lag or stuttering, please let us know. Include the server name and time. Thank you!

[Vic-Dog]

When I click on the link to D/L the new files it says I don't have access to this area.

Thx,

[Plasma]

Hmm, I guess there are still a few permission problems that I'll have to look into.

For now, I've setup a temporary download for these scripts:
Click Here

Let me know if you're still having issues.

[Vic-Dog]

Thanks,
That did the trick, Thanks for your help

[Plasma]

No problem. Looks like there are still some issues with downloading attachments.
I added the temporary download link to the Donor Information Thread as well.