How to run a Host:

Running a host is a piece of cake. Here's how it works:

Click Multiplayer. Click 'Start New Game'. This will bring you to the configuration page of your host. Fill out your host name, provide a password if you want your host to be private, select if you want to report your Host on the Master Server and finally select the maximum number of players you wish to host. Click GO and your host is running and waiting for people to join.

Running a Dedicated Host:

If you would like to run a long term host and not join in yourself and have no gfx drawn and physics calculated to save on cpu, you can run a 'Dedicated Host'. There is the option to run LFS from the command line with additional parameters (or run it from a schortcut to lfs.exe), but recommended is to download the LFS dedicated host package.
Here's all the options laid out as they are also provided in the Commands.txt that comes with your copy of LFS:

Command line options :
----------------------
LFS can be started using a command line or another program.
A dedicated host mode is available with no hardware draw : "nogfx".
Before selecting host options, you may find it helpful to run LFS
and try out the options on the Start New Game screen - the required
upload bandwidth for those options is displayed on screen.

A command line or a command file is required for dedicated hosts.

NOTE - alternative way to use the command line options :

A command file xxx.txt can be used instead of a long command line.
The command file contains the command line parameters.
The parameters can be spread onto several lines.
The command file can contain comments, starting with two slashes //
Then the command line would be simply :

LFS /cfg=xxx.txt (where xxx.txt is the name of the config file)

/host=Host Name      :FIRST IN LIST
/pass=Pass           :if required - password
/admin=Pass          :if required - admin password
/ip=X.X.X.X          :if required - local specified ip address
/port=63392          :a high number below 65536
/mode=demo           :demo / s1 / s2
/usemaster=yes       :no / yes / hidden
/track=XXCR          :track and config (e.g. BL1 / SO3R / FE4)
/weather=1           :weather : 1,2,3 in Blackwood
/cars=[cars]         :see below : "Car Strings"
/maxguests=4         :max number of guests that can join host
/adminslots=0        :slots reserved for admins (0 to 8)
/carsmax=5           :max number of cars in a race
/carshost=1          :max number of cars (real+ai) on host pc
/carsguest=1         :max number of cars (real+ai) per guest pc
/pps=4               :smoothness (3-6) number of car updates per second
/qual=0              :qualifying minutes, 0 for no qualifying
/laps=5              :number of lap, 0 for practice
/wind=1              :0 no wind / 1 low wind / 2 high wind
/dedicated=no        :no / yes / nogfx / invisible
/vote=yes            :no / yes : can guests vote to kick or ban
/select=yes          :no / yes : can guests select track
/rstmin=X            :no restart for X seconds after race start
/rstend=X            :no restart for X seconds after race finish
/autokick=no         :no / kick / ban / spec (wrong way drivers)
/midrace=yes         :no / yes               (join during race)
/mustpit=no          :no / yes               (pit stop required)
/canreset=no         :no / yes               (allow car reset)
/fcv=no              :no / yes               (force cockpit view)
/cruise=no           :no / yes               (allow wrong way)
/modified=no         :no / yes               (avoid CP checks)
/start=finish        :fixed/finish/reverse/random (default race start)
/insim=PORT          :listen for InSim (PORT is between 1 and 65535)
/windowed=X          :no / yes - overrides the cfg.txt setting
/welcome=X.txt       :set welcome text file
/tracks=X.txt        :set list of allowed tracks
/log=X.txt           :set message log file
/ndebug=no           :no / yes               (network debug)
/autosave=0          :MPR autosave (0-no / 1-manual / 2-auto)
/mprdir=X            :set the data folder for mpr saving
/lytdir=X            :set the data folder for layouts


Host commands :
---------------
Some text commands are intended for hosts and administrators.

Using the normal text message system (pressing T in a normal host or
simply typing into a nogfx host), the message becomes a command if you
start it with a slash character.

Simple commands with no parameter :

/restart             :start a race
/qualify             :start qualifying
/end                 :return to game setup screen
/names               :toggle display between player and user names
/help                :get list of commands
/reinit              :total restart (removes all connections)
/ck                  :cancel any kick or ban votes in progress
/cv                  :cancel game votes (restart / end / qualify)

Commands with a parameter - entry screen mode :

/track XXCR          :track and config      (e.g. BL1 / SO3R / FE4)
/weather X           :lighting              (e.g. 1, 2, 3...)
/qual X              :qualifying minutes    (0 = no qualifying)
/laps X              :number of laps        (0 = practice)
/hours X             :number of hours       (if laps not specified)
/wind X              :0 no / 1 low / 2 high

Commands with a parameter - any time :

/maxguests X         :max number of guests that can join host
/adminslots X        :slots reserved for admins (0 to 8)
/carsmax X           :max number of cars in a race
/carshost X          :max number of cars (real+ai) on host pc
/carsguest X         :max number of cars (real+ai) per guest pc
/pps X               :smoothness (3-6) number of car updates per second
/msg X               :send system message
/vote X              :no / yes                    (allow guest voting)
/select X            :no / yes                    (guests select track)
/rstmin X            :no restart for X seconds after race start
/rstend X            :no restart for X seconds after race finish
/autokick X          :no / kick / ban / spec      (wrong way drivers)
/midrace X           :no / yes                    (join during race)
/mustpit X           :no / yes                    (pit stop required)
/canreset X          :no / yes                    (allow car reset)
/fcv X               :no / yes                    (force cockpit view)
/cruise X            :no / yes                    (allow wrong way)
/modified X          :no / yes                    (avoid CP checks)
/start X             :fixed/finish/reverse/random (default race start)
/pass X              :set new password            (BLANK = no password)
/cars [cars]         :see below : "Car Strings"
/welcome X.txt       :set welcome text file
/tracks X.txt        :set list of allowed tracks
/hlog X.txt          :set message log file on host
/ndebug X            :no / yes (network debug)
/autosave X          :MPR autosave (0-no / 1-manual / 2-auto)
/save_mpr X          :save MPR with name X (autosave must be 1 or 2)

Autocross layout commands :

/axlist X            :get list of layouts for track X - e.g. AU1
/axload X            :load layout X on host
/axsave X            :save layout X on host
/axlaps X            :set autocross number of laps
/axclear             :clear layout

Ban / Kick / Spectate commands - any time :

/spec X              :make user X join the spectators
/kick X              :disconnect user X
/ban X Y             :ban user X for Y days (0 = 12 hours)
/unban X             :remove ban on user X
/pitlane X           :send user X to the pit lane
/pit_all             :send all cars to the pit lane

Penalties :

/p_dt USERNAME       :give drive through penalty
/p_sg USERNAME       :give stop-go penalty
/p_30 USERNAME       :give 30 second time penalty
/p_45 USERNAME       :give 45 second time penalty
/p_clear USERNAME    :clear a time or pit penalty

Race Control Messages : (big text in centre of screen)

/rcm MESSAGE         :set a Race Control Message to be sent
/rcm_ply USERNAME    :send the RCM to USERNAME
/rcm_all             :send the RCM to all
/rcc_ply USERNAME    :clear USERNAME's RCM
/rcc_all             :clear all RCMs


The host commands are also available to any user who has connected to
the host using the admin password if one was specified when the host
was started.


To display a welcome message on a host :
----------------------------------------
Create a text file named "X.txt" in your LFS folder.
Type up to 200 characters into the text file.

Use the command /welcome=X.txt in your startup command line


To restrict the tracks allowed on a host :
------------------------------------------
Create a text file named "X.txt" in your LFS folder.
List all the tracks and configurations you want to allow.
Type one configuration on each line.
You must use the short name of the tracks :
[first two letters of name] [config number] [reversed]

Example :

BL1
BL1R
BL2
BL2R
FE1
FE1R

Use the command /tracks=X.txt in your startup command line


Local commands :
----------------
Most of these text commands replicate functions usually controlled by
pressing on-screen buttons but can be useful in other situations, for
example when controlling LFS from an external program using InSim.

Game setup screen only :

/ready               :set ready
/cancel              :cancel ready
/clear               :clear all racers from list

Game setup screen or in game :

/car XXX             :select car (e.g. XRT)
/setup X             :select setup X
/colour X            :select colour X
/join                :join the race
/ai [NAME]           :add ai driver (can specify NAME)
/spec                :spectate or leave grid
/leave               :disconnect from host
/player X            :select existing player X

Mode / replay control :

/spr X               :run a SP replay from entry (front end) screen
/mpr X               :run a MP replay from entry (front end) screen
/end                 :exit from replay back to entry screen
/sp                  :go into single player from entry screen
/mp IP PORT          :join a local mp game from entry screen

Any time :

/exit                :exit LFS
/entry               :return to entry screen
/speedreduce X       :total speed steer reduction (0 to 1)
/reducehalf X        :speed in m/s for half of reduction
/loadkb X            :load kb settings file (data\misc\X.kbs)
/savekb X            :save kb settings file (data\misc\X.kbs)
/out X               :only seen by external programs
/log X.txt           :set message log file

Useful commands for scripts and controller buttons :

/run X               :run the script X     (data\script\X.lfs)
/hrun X              :run script X on host (admins only)
/exec E C            :run program E        (with command line C)
/wait E C            :like exec but LFS hangs until E exits

/fov    [degrees]           - field of view
/ff     [0-200]             - force feedback strength
/axis   [axis]   [function] - e.g. /axis 2 throttle   (see below)
/invert [0/1]    [function] - e.g. /invert 1 brake    (see below)
/button [button] [function] - e.g. /button 5 shift_up (see below)
/key    [key]    [function] - e.g. /key Q handbrake   (see below)
/head_tilt       [degrees]  - 1g head tilt
/lateral_shift   [m]        - 1g lateral shift
/forward_shift   [m]        - 1g forward shift
/vertical_shift  [m]        - 1g vertical shift
/hidetext   [yes/no]        - hide or show text (SHIFT + F)
/showmouse  [yes/no]        - show or hide mouse (SHIFT + Z)
/say        [message]       - same as typing a chat message
/echo       [text]          - show text only on local screen
/ctrlf      [num] [text]    - change text e.g. "ctrlf 1 hello"
/altf       [num] [text]    - change text e.g. "altf 1 bye"
/wheel_turn [degrees]       - specify turn angle of controller
/press      [key]           - simulate key press (see PARAMETERS)
/shift      [key]           - SHIFT + key
/ctrl       [key]           - CTRL + key
/alt        [key]           - ALT + key
/autoclutch [0-1]           - turn autoclutch off / on

/shifter    [auto/sequential/shifter]    - shift type
/view       [fol/heli/cam/driver/custom] - select view

/view save                  - save any changes made to a custom view
/view reload                - reload custom view (without saving)

IN A SCRIPT : //comment - this line is ignored
IN CHAT BOX : //xxx - short for /run xxx


To get info from LFS World - /w and /ws commands :
--------------------------------------------------
  /w CMD sends command to LFS World for current car/track
  e.g.  /w pb  (Personal Best)  or  /w laps  (Laps)

  /ws TRACK CAR CMD sends command for specified car/track
  e.g.  /ws BL1R XRT pb  (get PB in XR GT TURBO at Blackwood GP REV)

  More online DB access commands can be found on the
  "LFS Keys" page at www.liveforspeed.net

To get info from master server - /m command  :

  /m find USER : find a user online
  /m ?         : get a list of master commands


Car Strings :
-------------
The /cars command for the startup command line or for hosts / admins
now uses the three-letter S2 car codes.

Example :

/cars=XFG+XRG        :Allow XF GTI and XR GT
/cars=MRT            :Allow MRT5 only

These Car Groups can be used as well :

ALL    - all cars
ROAD   - road legal cars
RACE   - race cars
TBO    - same as XRT+RB4+FXO
LRF    - same as LX6+RAC+FZ5
GTR    - same as FXR+XRR+FZR

The plus and minus symbols can be used in conjuction with these :

/cars=TBO+LX4        :Allow XRT, RB4, FXO and LX4
/cars=ROAD-UF1       :Allow all road cars except the UF 1000


FUNCTION NAMES for the /button AND /key COMMANDS :
--------------------------------------------------
steer_left, steer_right, steer_fast, steer_slow
throttle, brake, shift_up, shift_down, clutch, handbrake
left_view, right_view, rear_view, horn, flash, reset
pit_speed, tc_disable, ignition, zoom_in, zoom_out
reverse, gear_1 - gear_7, ctrl_f1 - ctrl_f12


FUNCTION NAMES for the /axis AND /invert COMMANDS :
---------------------------------------------------
steer, combined, throttle, brake
lookh, lookp, lookr
clutch, handbrake, shiftx, shifty


UNASSIGNING a button or axis :
------------------------------
To unassign a button or axis from a function,
you can assign -1 to that function.

Example 1 : /button -1 shift_up <- unassign the shift up button
Example 2 : /axis -1 clutch     <- unassign the clutch axis


PARAMETERS for the key commands (press / shift / ctrl / alt) :
--------------------------------------------------------------
Letters A to Z
Numbers 0 to 9
F1 to F12
up, down, left, right
space, enter, esc, tab
less, more
Running a Host behind a Firewall or Internet Connection Sharing:

However, it may be that your computer is located behind a Firewall or Internet Sharing network (when your computer is not directly connected to the internet, but through a Router of some kind). To be able to run a host in this situation, you have to open a 'Port' in your routers Firewall and/or Internet Sharing settings. Unfortuantely every OS and firewall software has it's own way of doing this. We'll try to explain how to open a port using standard Windows firewall and ICS (sharing) software.

Opening a PORT on a router with Windows XP:

If your router uses Windows XP, you will have to add a service device in your firewall settings. You can find these settings in: My Network Places -> View Network Connections -> RIGHT click the network device connected directly to the internet and choose properties. On this next window, there will be 3 tabs (General, Authentication, Advanced). Click Advanced and you should see your firewall and sharing enabled. Click the bottom right SETTINGS button. Here you will be in the next window and tab called 'Services'. Click Add to add a new service. In this Service Settings window, fill out a name for your own recognition, the IP of the computer on your network where you wish to run the host, and twice the port number 63392 in the external and internal fields. (We recommend running the host on your router, but it should work from anywhere on your network provided you fill out the correct IP adress of the computer running the host)

If you fail to do this, you may seem to still be able to run a host, but nobody will see you and thus no one will ever connect to you and people will have to wait longer to get the host list from the master server.

Opening a PORT on a router with Windows 98 SE/Windows ME:

For Windows 98se and Windows ME users we have a file for download: lfsportmap_me_98se.inf

To use this file:

1) download the file onto your router computer

2) right click on the file and select "install"

3) reboot computer

Then you can run a host on your router pc.

If you fail to do this, you may seem to still be able to run a host, but nobody will see you and thus no one will ever connect to you and people will have to wait longer to get the host list from the master server.

 

Opening a PORT on a router with Windows 98:

This is quite impossible since Windows 98 does not share internet connections.

 

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