Master Server?

The Master server was previously not available until the platform went open source. We are working on including it in the compiled binaries as well as documenting its use. We do not have a time estimate right now since there was no requests for it until just recently.

But getting it included in the distribution is something that could be an easy win for everyone. Stay tuned.

Quote :

But getting it included in the distribution is something that could be an easy win for everyone. Stay tuned.

Yes indeed.........and it might be the missing link towards growth

Quote :

But getting it included in the distribution is something that could be an easy win for everyone. Stay tuned.

So?...................what can be done to help get this thing into being?

Over the last couple weeks I was able to compile a modified version of the server .jar files that corrects issues from the released svn source code. The compiled version is successfully running the demo world on our vps. This includes the master server with login and world capabilities. This newly compiled version will also require a newly compiled client setup.

Now that we've proven out the successful execution of the compiled server and client files we are in a position to prepare a distribution that provides the master server for you to run.

I'm in the process of itemizing what needs be included in the distro and developing an easy to use setup. Hopefully by the end of March we will have a new distribution for the community.

Thanks,
Shane C Fischer

Well, if there's any6thing I cam do to help............just let me know

You could test the distribution before its released. When its ready I can make it available to you.

On a side note you seem eager to help. What is your background? Are you a developer?

Shane

"Real" developers would probably laugh at the stuff I've done, but yeah I dabble a bit over the years.*grins*

And I'd be interested in testing the master server code, and I can do it under both linux and windows.

I also have this crazy idea about linux multiverse-server bootable, installable cdrom distribution.

Shane,
My group can help with testing too if you need multiple perspectives.

I am not a java developer for the level your team may need but if I can help in other ways let me know.
I saw the "help needed" links on the website and will send a note through the site too as I think I can offer help in a couple of areas.

- Rich

Your help will be much appreciated, thank you both.

and Zoot, I don't see making an installable cdrom distribution being that much of a challenge.
We'll add it to out list of things to work on in the future.
Admittedly, most online games are distributed online nowadays, but I do know that Planetside uses a disc to install the preliminary software, and then patch it upon connection. It's a big game on the hard drive (4 or 5 GBs, I think), and I guess it's a good way to make a bit of revenue. There are a number of advantages and disadvantages to it.

Quote :

and Zoot, I don't see making an installable cdrom distribution being that much of a challenge.

Of course not.......until you include bootable into the mix.


Right now folks have to hassle with installing the client, the server, and the database, before they "see" squat.

A bootable cd-r with an operating system, the multiverse server, mySQL, and the master server, along with the windows clientside installables, and you have the makings for a lan party on a single cd-r...
Install the clientside software on the players machines, and boot the server from the very same cd-r on a dedicated server machine, and you're good to go....right out of the box

Think about that.........

I agree.... whilst I dabble with modelling and design, my 'expertise' in serverside stuff is noteable on a postage stamp with room to spare. Having an 'installable from cd-rom' would be an advantage along with a front end menu. Perhaps I'm reaching to high for something still at the engine building stage.

Whilst I can create useable scenes for education, training and onboarding, I'm stuffed when it comes to being actually able to see/do anything with users, as I cannot fathom out the server settings. Judging by some of the posts both here and on other platforms, neither can some of the experts.

If you are looking for someone that fits the 'dumb blonde' picture for testing, look no further and count me in.

One issue I bring up again and again is, menu systems. The most successful programmes are based upon a standard menu system framework for the user. Programmes like Truespace, that reinvent the wheel, only serve those willing to relearn something aside from the mainstream and run the risk of falling by the wayside. I am not saying Windows has the best, but to those that have used it over the years, you can be productive within a very short time, if the menu systems are familiar.

Here is the challenge with this idea, and any idea that bundles additional software with the Multiverse solution. Some software, such as MySQL prohibits redistribution of the database engine without a special license. While MySql is free you have to go to their website to download the software. Other software, tools, or libraries, that are necessary for Multiverse to run may have similar limitations. The best bet in these situations is provide clear and understandable instructions and automate as much of the configuration and setup as possible. Also I would very much like to see a server admin console that lets you configure and manage the entire back end.

Long story short, we definitely feel your pain and have plans to accommodate.

<classic excuse>We are all "volunteers" and have full time school, or careers, families, etc. So bear with us as we all work toward our common goals.</classic excuse>

If you see something that needs doing... jump in and contribute to the cause.

On a side note, I have an "Alpha" release of the new server distribution that includes the master server and associated website files for login. I will be making this available to our "testers" this weekend. It will either be available on sourceforge or our multiversemmo.com website. It also requires a new client build so I will be releasing that also.

Thanks,
Shane C Fischer
Director of Foundation Development
Multiverse Software Foundation

You, or any other member of the core team, do not need to explain yourselves. Far from it, most realise that this is not a job for you all, but a labour of love.... until it starts to make serious money.

Quote :

It also requires a new client build so I will be releasing that also.

I was kinda' wondering about that.*grins*

Sorry there scfischer7 if I "seem" bossy and pushy...........it's not my intent.
My intent...........like yours I assume..........is to see a GPL'd offering for "low buckers"....meaning indies.......that can compete with the big dollar commercial packages out there.........

And while you've challenged my logic, and rightly so, if you know more about something than I do...........I was merely looking for something that "I" can do.....and I "can" build bootable ISO images

What we can probably do for the bootable cd/dvd is include a "link" to the mysql download site. I believe the Java Runtime is like this also.

Well then I'll keep looking.

I have other skills besides just making cdroms.....
in the meantime, I'm still looking forward to testing that master server...........

Check the SourceForge site. There is a new "test" server .zip file and a new "test" client.

There is not a lot of instructions yet on setting up and using the master server. Hopefully you can figure it out until I get some docs created


Shane

Once I get it running I'll note anything special I have to do and pass it o0n for possible inclusion in the docs, the wiki, or both.

And thanks much there scfischer for doing the build as, while I can run a compiler/linker, and even wander through some simple C, perl, gtkdialog, and shell scripting, I've never bothered fiddling with Java.

scfischer7 wrote:

Check the SourceForge site. There is a new "test" server .zip file and a new "test" client.

There is not a lot of instructions yet on setting up and using the master server. Hopefully you can figure it out until I get some docs created


Shane

It was as easy as the multiverse normal server which I made a video on how to set up for the guy in the chat was waiting on the new server release before I give it out to everyone,

Well I'm getting a couple error messages which I'll paste in here.
I seem to remember reading something somewhere about a giant string length, but I don't remember where.

Anyways

ERROR [2012-03-26 19:52:53,937] main ScriptManager.runPYFile: file=..\master\master_server.py Traceback (innermost last):
File "..\master\master_server.py", line 13, in ?
at multiverse.server.network.MVByteBuffer.getString(MVByteBuffer.java:185) at multiverse.server.util.SecureTokenManager.initMaster(SecureTokenManager.java:439) at sun.reflect.NativeMethodAccessorImpl.invoke0(Native Method) at sun.reflect.NativeMethodAccessorImpl.invoke(Unknown Source) at sun.reflect.DelegatingMethodAccessorImpl.invoke(Unknown Source) at java.lang.reflect.Method.invoke(Unknown Source)
java.lang.RuntimeException: java.lang.RuntimeException: MVByteBuffer.getString: over 64k string len=1146425619

at org.python.core.Py.JavaError(Unknown Source)
at org.python.core.Py.JavaError(Unknown Source)
at org.python.core.PyReflectedFunction.__call__(Unknown Source)
at org.python.core.PyMethod.__call__(Unknown Source)
at org.python.core.PyObject.__call__(Unknown Source)
at org.python.core.PyInstance.invoke(Unknown Source)
at org.python.pycode._pyx0.f$0(..\master\master_server.py:13)
at org.python.pycode._pyx0.call_function(..\master\master_server.py)
at org.python.core.PyTableCode.call(Unknown Source)
at org.python.core.PyCode.call(Unknown Source)
at org.python.core.Py.runCode(Unknown Source)
at multiverse.server.engine.ScriptManager.runPYFile(ScriptManager.java:181)
at multiverse.server.engine.ScriptManager.runFile(ScriptManager.java:94)
at multiverse.server.engine.MasterServer.main(MasterServer.java:435)
DEBUG [2012-03-26 19:52:53,937] main script completed
ERROR [2012-03-26 19:52:53,937] main MasterServer.main caught exception multiverse.server.util.MVRuntimeException: could not find class: java.lang.ClassNotFoundException: com.mysql.jdbc.Driver
at multiverse.server.engine.MasterDatabase.<init>(MasterDatabase.java:28)
at multiverse.server.engine.MasterServer.dbConnect(MasterServer.java:40)
at multiverse.server.engine.MasterServer.main(MasterServer.java:439)

delurin wrote:

My guess is that you need to generate a hashkey and put it into the master_server.py
you can have it auto generate using this:

Code:

pair = SecureTokenUtil.generateMasterKeyPair()
encodedPrivKey = SecureTokenUtil.encodeMasterPrivateKey(12, pair.getPrivate())

SecureTokenManager.getInstance().initMaster(encodedPrivKey)

zoot686 do that and your mysql library is missing

I've already generated the hashkey, it's in bin\masterserverkeys.txt.

That was another thing I should have mentioned, i had to comment out the check for the .\masterserverkeys.txt in the gen-masterserver-keys.bat to get it to run, otherwise it told me that .\masterserverkeys.txt was "unexpected"..........whatever that means.*grins*

mySQL library?........would that be something installed by mySQL or would that be multiverse specific, and if so, could I copy it over.

I'm also wondering whether I wouldn't be better off running the server\master server under linux rather than winXP

AARGH!*laughs* the standard server finds the Driver.class file inside the jar file just fine, the modified server finds it just fine, but the master server can't find the jar file.

Basically you need to do the following Prior to starting the server;

Master Properties
Check the master.properties file and update as needed. This may included the MySql root password and the location of the MySql jdbc connector files. If you are running on Linux or Cygwin, make sure the jdbc connector setting uses the appropriate forward slash / If running on Windows make sure the location uses back slash \

Login Webpage
You must setup a web server, preferably Apache. If you want others to use your master server then it should be on the internet. There are some web site files necessary to login and display the available worlds you have running. These are in the website folder of the multiverse directory. The key file are login.jsp. Login.jsp displays a login screen with a dropdown for which world you want to run. The option value for the world drop down needs to be the exact same name as the world name in the world table created with the master.sql file. If this value is different then the client won't be redirected to the correct world server.

Database Config
The database/table install script is master.sql in the master server folder. This .sql file will create the necessary tables in the multiverse database to support user accounts and the available worlds your master server will provide connections to. Prior to running the .sql file you should edit the INSERT command at the bottom to include your multiverse server information. You will also need to uncomment the account table INSERT and edit the command with the account info you want. You will also need to ensure the activated bit = 1 and suspended bit = 0 for each account you want. The Patcher URL should point to the patcher.html file that will be displayed when the client downloads assets for your world. The Media URL should point to the directory that contains your world assets.

Login Encryption Keys
I created the gen-masterserver-keys.bat file to easily generate the login encryption key pair. Run this only once. The open the masterserverkeys.txt file and Copy the encrypted private key. Open the master_server.py file and paste it where it's obvious. You will need to remove all new line feeds meaning if the key looks like this

asd34hfasj34hjf
afdk3hfj349jb;j

Then you need to make it all on one line like this

asd34hfasj34hjfafdk3hfj349jb;j

The public encrypted key should be given to any multiverse server that will be run on your master server. This key should be copied and pasted into the login_manager.py file within the multiverse common config directory config\common\login_manager.py You must paste it into either pubKey variable entitled Test or Production. You must remove all line feeds like you did with the above login file. You then must comment out the pubKey variable you did not paste into including all lines associated with it. You can't declare and assign pubKey more than once. There are 2 in this file so you can switch between a Test master server and a Production master server.

Run the Master Server
Run your master server and check the log files in \logs\master\master.out
Note any errors

Client Parameters
For now you will have to pass a few parameters to your client shortcut in order to use your own master server
--master YOUR_MASTER_SERVER_NAME --login_url LOCATION_OF_YOUR_LOGIN_URL --no_client_update
Create a new shortcut to the client and add the above parameters to the shortcut

Run your multiverse server
Run your client with the new shortcut

Thanks scfischer

After work tonight I'll wipe a computer here, do a dead clean OS/update install, install all the software, and have at it again.