Argh,

The link to my "networking-for-the-gamer" guide didn't show up properly in my first post, so I'll try again.

Here's the link to the general NON-SINS version of my guide:  (for my SINS-specific guide look up!  at the OP just under the GREEN writing!)
WWW Link


I should also mention that I actually run my servers .exe as a windows "service" and am therefore able to run the game with alternate security credentials, start/stop it from the windows "services" list and have the game "service" monitored and automaticly re-started should it actually crash.

I run ALL of my dedicated servers for games in this way (I find many of them use less RAM and are far more stable when doing so).

here's what needs to be done for you to do what I've done to run any Game.exe as a windows "service" and therefore be able to start at system boot (if you desire), monitor it, run it with alternate security credentials (ie. local system), and be able to restart it!

Here's how,

1. Go to [www.codeproject.com] and download a little app made by Xiangyang Liu called "XYNTServiceProject.zip"

2. Extract XYNTService.exe and XYNTService.ini from the .zip and place in your %systemroot%\gamepath folder. (folder which contains the sins.exe)

3. I renamed the XYNTService.exe and XYNTService.ini to Sins_Service.exe and Sins_Service.ini respectively (I have more than one instance of this service for different apps)

4. Goto Start > Run > and enter "cmd" (without quotes) into the run field, then hit enter.

5. In the command prompt window navigate to your %systemroot%\gamepath folder.

cd\ <--hit ENTER after each command
cd "\program files\Sins" <--use quotes around the path
dir <--to verify that the service .exe and .ini are there
Sins_service -i <--this installs the service to your "services" list in administrative tools.

6. Now we need to modify the service .ini file. Open the Sins_service.ini using notepad. Here is my sample .ini

[Settings]
ServiceName=Sins_dedicated <--the name under which it will show in the "services" list
CheckProcessSeconds = 120 <--how often to check if service still running
[Process0]
CommandLine = f:\games\Sins\Sins.exe <--all on one line
WorkingDir= f:\games\Sins\ <--path to wic_ds.exe
PauseStart= <-- not needed
PauseEnd= <-- not needed
UserInterface = Yes <-- wether or not you can see it in taskmanager
Restart = Yes <-- here's the restart command



WARNING!! the "CheckProcessSeconds=" value should NOT be set too low as you may not be able to down your server to make changes. I speak from experience!!! ;0


7. Now navigate to "Administrative Tools" > "Services" (alternatively run "services.msc" from the START > RUN field) and check the properties for the newly installed service "Sins_dedicated" (or whatever you called it in the .ini file value "ServiceName=") By default it will be set to start automaticaly. Here you may also change which credentials the service should run under. I've left mine at the default "local system" and the service runs fine. DO NOT change the "restart" settings here in the properties, that is what the .ini is for!

8. As soon as you right-click on the new service name and click "START" the service will start, which will in turn start your server!


I have tested and implemented all of the above on my various dedicated servers for various multi-player games.


To those who are averse to cli's and typing (averse to controlling their own destiny....hehe) a GUI to admin the above service can be found at the same website [www.codeproject.com]
I have NOT used the GUI so please no questions related to the GUI (I'm sure it's self-explanatory anyway!)

See you peeps in game!

the Monk