How do I modify a 30+ server to allow for good gameplay?

[xtrasyn]

I want to learn/read up on the delicate phase between setting up a basic server and letting the first 50 users on.

i'll elaborate a bit.

There's a few things that are not really convenient about tekkit smp. Some items need to be banned, some mods need to be installed, you know.

Now the first thing is that when you for example use basic tekkit with forestry and the force fields you end up with three types of copper, two types of tin, you know. How can I modify this so that on world creation, there is only one type of each generated?

Then there is the whole item ban thing. I can appreciate there being stuff I want to ban. I'd like to ban the Watch for example; but as it is used in a recipe for gem armour, can I change that recipe so that in stead of the watch it will accept a dark matter block for that ingredient? And if I can, how will I make it so that people will see the new recipe in their NEI consoles?

Then there is the whole lag reducing thing. I'd like to allow a lot, ideally, but it will at some point run into lag. So actually I would like the option of setting a maximum number of <item x> placed per chunk. Is this possible at all?

Then the administration part. The tekkit pack is nice but not really cut towards 20+ users. What admin packs would you advise given that I would like to see at any point in time what a player has done or crafted. Also protection options have my interest; what can I use to protect the contents of furnaces, stop solar array theft and what have you?

I know I am asking a lot of questions at the same time, but I think that phase between installation and letting users on can make or break a server so even if I have to tinker with config files for two weeks, I'd prefer that over having to reboot the server twice per day, losing regulars because it's 'just too laggy' or losing their stuff in mini-rollbacks.

I'd like to stress that I am not asking for someone to write my configs; I'd like help from or interaction with people that run bigger servers and learn from each others mistakes and maybe even come to a 'common procedure' that will harden servers beyond the 'me and my four friends'-servers.

[Sp0nge]

The first basic "rule" for any Tekkit serverowners should be that you have to learn what almost all parts of Tekkit does, with that i mean not the basic usage of the items, but the more creative usage, combos of machines/blocks. Thats pretty important to always be aware of, since its usually not the singel blocks/machines thats the issue, its mostly in combination with other.

As in regards of world generation, you wont need to really think much over it. Tekkit allready provides those settings adjusted for you. In regards of "banned" items etc, before you start to add plugins to restrict stuff like that check all the configfiles of the modds, and read them good. Most configs are found in the Configfolder, but not BuildCraft and RedPower, those have its own folder. Also EE configs is at the root of the server, called mod_EE.props. Get NotePad++ since all of the config is written in YAML (you also need to learn that, but should not be that hard).

Then you atleast should be ready to start the server for the first time.

Now the pluginpart starts. And this part is the "tricky" part. Ask 5 serverowners, and ull get 11 suggestions for plugins to use. As long as you are focused on what you want to do with the plugins, you should find plugins for almost all your needs. I would say the most basic plugins that servers are using is PermissionEX, Essentials, Worldguard and Worldedit. All of these are basicly for "server protection". Again, reading the configfiles of the plugins is really important, so is the wikis of the plugins, especially PEX if choosing to use that.

Then I see you want to adress the lagissues, thats pretty hard to really ever sort. There are tons of stuff within Tekkit that generate lag like large Collectorsetups from EE, BC pipes leading items into a full chest and causing items to drop on the ground (I prefer to refer to it as a leaky machine), and variouse other things (sorry im not listing them all, there are so many). For plugins and regarding lag, I really dont recommend using any plugins for that tbh. Some are using NoLagg, but that plugin really never have sorted anything in the long run. I would instead recommend switching over to CB++ (check the server swap section of these forums) and installing something that actually monitor the ingame TPS, like e.g. LagMeter.

About setting max amount of items placed its prob doable, but we really havent had any reason to add a feature that restricts that. I guess you could modify PresiouseStones (spelling prob wrong) for that purpose.

Then, i recommend checking the server swap section. As said, there is x2 amount of solution that there are serverowners. You need to try out plugins/settings that will suit your server. What i can guarantee you is this: You will atleast at 1 point figure out something is really bad, and allready exploited, you have to go over that learningcurve regardless of how much help you get to prevent issues etc. Its also pretty usefull for yourselfe, so you learn more about how mods in general works since most issues is infact usually the same, nomatter what mod it is (like fakeplayer or the lack of fakeplayer in some cases).

Good luck with your server, dont expect to get it all right the first time :)

[xtrasyn]

Thanks, good post.

Thing is; this isn't my first server by a long shot and I actually want to do it right this time around...

As for you saying Tekkit should take care of the ores; people still ask what the strange brown ore is (forestry copper) so maybe installing the forestry mod after the main package omits it from the stringent ore creation rules... Dunno.

[Sp0nge]

Tekkit dont have Forestry, so its impossible for them to spawn. It might not be the first server that you have, but Tekkit is pretty demanding in regards of awareness. Our server is almost 1 year old, and we are still working on sorting issues etc. Ofc all the "basic" issues we sorted long time ago, now its more about custom, plugins etc to prevent the last stuff, so that we can infact run "without" rules totally and have 0 stuff that bypasses protections etc.

[xtrasyn]

Sorry if I want very clear but yeah our server DOES have forestry (we put it on ourselves; technic pack may have issues with sengir but we as users really like his mod).

[Sp0nge]

Ah i understand (I like to refer to Tekkit as a pack without any added mods since then its really not Tekkit anymore).

Im not familiar with the Forestry configs, but i guess its possible to dissable the parts you dont want to have.

[xtrasyn]

Also thanks for pointing me to the existence of the server op swap shop; definitely would have posted this thread there if I found it earlier. :)

[VideoBoy]

Also thanks for pointing me to the existence of the server op swap shop; definitely would have posted this thread there if I found it earlier.

I started & shut down two servers before I finally got it right. Third time's the charm, hehe. I like what the other guy said: Tekkit is very demanding in regards of awareness. Specially since it keeps changing. With each new version there is a new serious exploit/bug (read: DUPED ITEMS) that you need to deal with, either by banning a certain item or constantly spying on your players until a patch is found. I personally always have a tab open with the bugs section of this forum open and I check it often. I've seen two posts deleted regarding serious dupe glitches that I wouldn't have seen had I not been regularly checking on the board. Mods delete these threads so the information doesn't fall into the hands of malicious players.

Another issue is land protection. A lot of Tekkit items bypass WorldGuard/Factions/Towny/whathaveyou and you can't do anything about it. There is a patch for EE items but I still haven't found fixes for mining lasers, dynamite, nukes, and turtles. WorldGuard is better at this than Factions. GET ALIENX'S VERSION OF WORLDGUARD - LOOK IT UP ON HERE. I can program a turtle to walk into my foe's Faction-protected base, drop a nuke in the middle of their storage room and make it blow.

[Torezu]

people still ask what the strange brown ore is (forestry copper) so maybe installing the forestry mod after the main package omits it from the stringent ore creation rules... Dunno.

Forestry has its own config, and has toggles for ore generation in it. You're more than welcome to shut them off.

Also thanks for pointing me to the existence of the server op swap shop; definitely would have posted this thread there if I found it earlier.

*Yoink*

[xtrasyn]

Yeah well sorry. It was neatly tucked away. To my defense I connect through tapatalk which is rather dressed down and I had 'questions regarding smp servers' on my mind so swap shop did not really register as the place to go to - I know I frown upon people that post ssp questions in smp sections but hey, give me this one. :)

[darzavor]

We use Residence so the owner of the residence can control if blocks can be placed/used by others. Also user specific flags. The only thing I haven't found a solution for yet, are handheld items like philosopher's stone.

For example if I would build a jail (from Essentials) out of cobble, they could turn the cobble in the ceiling into sand with the philosophers stone and still get out because the sand would fall down. Using basalt or something prevents this, but I rather would restrict the use of EE items except for the owner, in residences.

[Torezu]

Yeah well sorry. It was neatly tucked away...I know I frown upon people that post ssp questions in smp sections but hey, give me this one.

You didn't get a warning from me, did you? I mean, if you really want one...