Emulation Information/FAQ

[Vindicated]

Emulation Information/FAQ
*Read the following before posting a support thread*

The following information was compiled into one simple thread by myself. If you have further questions, contact me on MSN or send me a private message. DO NOT add me on MSN to ask to develop for your server or help make something. Anyways, please use CTRL - F to search for keywords that may help explain your problem. Some points will be listed in questions, others in statements. This convention (A) signifies this only applies to ArcEmu servers.

1. What are the benefits of using the source and compiling it yourself instead of downloading a repack?
Repacks are your worst enemy. While they are helpful your first few days of emulation, they proove a terrible, misleading route into emulation. When you compile the core yourself, you gain benefits such as: a.) apply patches to your core b.) making modifications to your core c.) updating whenever you wish. With a repack you are forced to wait for upgrades and never have the latest fixes. If you just compile it yourself, then you gain access to endless possiblities.

2.) Where do I place this .cpp file I found?
This is a C++ source file. You need to compile it before it becomes of use. You cannot do this if you downloaded a repack, prooving yet another benefit of compiling your own core. You can learn to compile your own DLL (the end result of compiling a .cpp file, emulation-wise) here: http://www.mmowned.com/forums/emulat...dll-video.html.

3.) What is the compacity of my server?
This is a commonly asked question. The best answer is 20-30 with minimal lag if you have a decent connection and computer specs. I recommend you not try to overload your server, but upgrade it to a dedicated host or VPS. There are many options, just use Google. I have found some for as cheap as $59/m.

4.) What are the pros and cons of learning lua?
Some pros include: a.) a basic language for you to start off learning b.) a simple way to create an AI or make an NPC do as you wish c.) make your server more enjoyable. d.) lots of scripts available for download. Some cons include: a.) not very powerful (emulation wise) b.) limited options as to what you can do. Also, please don't say you know lua if you can script an NPC. You can't. You can do a cheap way emulation makes it out to be, not the more complex way it is as with creating addons.

5.) What emulator should I choose to use?
Well, all emulators have their strengths and weaknesses. At the moment, ArcEmu, AspireDev, and MaNGOS seem to be your best options. However, new options will arise in the coming months. I recommend that basic users start out with MaNGOS, as it is a little simpler to setup. Then, as you learn to successfully create a MaNGOS server, switch to either ArcEmu or AspireDev. MaNGOS has more features than Arc or Aspire, but a little less uptime. Make your pick on what you value as most important.

6.) What is the best database for my server (Blizzlike)?
Next Chapter Database (NCDB), has prooven to be the most successful. It was started over a year ago by Walla, and has grown to be the most used database alongside WhyDB. NCDB is my choice because they support ArcEmu, Ascent, MaNGOS - and soon to come Spurious. They have had less than 25 bug reports in 3 months since coming out of being underground. Thats AMAZING! They get over 10,000 SVN hits a day (10k * 30 * 3) and that few bug reports. Thats amazing. Other options include WhyDB and TinyDB.

7.) How and should I create a Lich King server?
I do NOT recommend making a Lich King server. They are simply a waste of energy at this point, as things are constantly changing, new versions are coming out, DBC file structures change, lots of things change. Unless you know C++ and how to update your core, I don't recommend making a public WotLK server. It is just too much a hastle to do. MaNGOS is the most advanced on the Lich King core, with Ascent following behind (OpenAscent had a branch for a few days that some people still work on). Use the search feature, there are plenty of guides out there.

8.) Myth: This repack doesn't work for me.
Fact: It is YOU that is the one screwing up.
The repacks usually work just fine, you are just making a mistake somewhere along the way. This is the last statement I want to hear, and I speak for the other emulation experts and professionals as well.

9.) Where do I put my lua file?
(A)Put it in your scripts folder in your ArcEmu server directory. If there is not one, create one.

10.) I am getting some wierd error about the not being able to find the configs. How do I fix this?
(A)Create a folder called configs in your ArcEmu server directory if there is not already one there.

11.) When I attempt to logon to my account, I get: "Unable to validate game version" error.
(A)You need to change your Minimum and Maximum builds in your ArcEmu-World.conf file. Look at the bottom left hand corner in WoW, and there is a four digit number, typicially, you will enter this for both the Min & Max builds.

12.) I am getting a missing our outdated database error on ArcEmu-World startup.
(A)You must apply the SQL updates from the SQL folder of your ArcEmu SVN. Apply the ones that were created after your current database was formed.

13.) How do I add loot to an NPC?
(A)The creatureloot table in your database. If you do not understand what each column means, search for a guide with those keywords.

14.) How do I add something to my vendor?
(A)Use the vendors table to add an entry. If you want it to cost honor or a mark, you must use: item_extended_cost table.

15.) How do I create an account?
(A)Make an entry in the accounts table in your logon database.

16.) How do I create an NPC, gameobject, item, or recall location?
(A) NPC - creature_names & creature_proto tables
Gameobject - gameobjects table
Item - items table
Recall - Do .GPS at the location you wish to do this ingame and enter the digits into the recall table. (Or you could just do .recall add NAME)

17.) How do I import a .SQL file using Navicat?
You must double click the connection, double click the database, right click the database, choose execute, browse for the .SQL, and hit OK. If it errors the SQL files format is outdated or your database is outdated.

18.) What are the local tables for?
(A) These are for translations that users with different locales (enUS, enGB, enRS) that may not be in the language the database is in. They will view the names, texts, and items as they are in their language, not the default one (enUS - English).

19.) How often should I update my server?
You should update it every other day or when it goes down tipicially, but when a major crash-fix comes out, then I would update it right then and there. Pay attention the the SVN logs for your emulator.

20.) Where can I learn C++?
You can learn it by comprehending the core and trial and error. Or you can read a book and apply its concepts to an emulator's core. The second way is usually faster.

21.) I get a side by side error on startup of my .exes. What should I do?
Download the latest .NET framework... which is 3.5. Google is your friend on finding the link.

I will add more answers as people ask questions or as I remember what they might ask. My goal is to have 100+ of these questions answered so that we can cut down on repeating ourselves.

-SectorSeven

[Hellgawd]

Nice work S7! Helps make noobs into moobs. Err, experts.
GEWDJAWB.
~~~
First post!

[Hasbro]

Sectorseven, you've earned some respect +rep just for the hell of it.

And change

3.) What is the compacity of my server?

to 3.) What is the capacity of my server? - Minor typo, overall good job this will help inform noobs =D

[Vindicated]

Yeah, can you please unblock me on MSN - I've got some things to show you

[Hasbro]

Yeah, yeah

[LJN]

Great job S7. Always love to see your well written threads +Rep

[Cursed]

Hai dar S7... Great thread, this will help alot of noobs
+Rep 3x!

[Ickybad]

Very nice S7 +2 rep cookies .

[Vindicated]

Appreciate it.

[Trippy000]

Ahh, I found you EMU it's right here :: Clicky Here

[nickeg]

Very nice s7 thanks for the help ... every day you learn something new

+Rep

[Vindicated]

I learn something new? lol