zBlock Version 4.4 RC1 (Release Candidate 1)
Source Engine Server Plugin
About
zBlock was first developed as an addition to the "CSP" server plugin, at this time VALVe had accidentally let a convariable slip that would allow players to "wallhack".
"CSP" (CAL Server Plugin) was a server plugin
that enforced certain convariables that could either be exploited or created an
unbalanced/unfair playing field.
Another feature of zBlock was to make CSP more difficult to bypass, however not
too long after release, we determined that instead of making CSP more difficult
to bypass, we should instead take on board the functions CSP had due to the
significant ease at which is was bypassed.
zBlock is now one of the most used CS Source server plugins all around the
world, enforced in the majority of competitive leagues around the world it's
become a plugin you can't imagine CS Source without any more.
Installation
Copy the files zblock.dll, zblock_i486.so
and individual zblock(GAME).vdf to your servers "/GAME/addons" directory.
i.e. "/cstrike/addons/"
If the directory "addons" does not exist
in you game-folder (i.e."/cstrike") you will need to create it first.
Notes:
-'zblock.dll' is the Windows module and 'zblock_i486.so' is for Linux,
if you are unsure which operating system your server uses: copy them both
and the game will run the correct module for your platform (Recommended).
-Please make sure your server is up-to-date using the 'hldsupdatetool' (-verify_all)
otherwise the plugin will not load for reasons of server security.
Enabling or Disabling zBlock
Firstly it is recommended that any server config changes affecting zBlock are made in the "server.cfg" file on your server - and not the "autoexec.cfg".
To Enable/Disable zBlock the CVAR "zb_active" is provided (accessible via rcon or by addition to the server.cfg file).
Set this to '0' to disable the plugin, and use '1' to re-active.
i.e. From your clients console type:
| rcon_password YOUR_RCON_PASSWORD rcon zb_active 0 rcon zb_active 1 |
*It is highly recommended that zBlock be kept
running at all times (for most competitive and league games this will be a
must).
zBlock commands and settings:
|
Client Commands Can be entered in your console at any time zb_status
zb_teamcash |
|
Server Commands Must be executed through RCON or directly at the server zb_lo3 |
|
Server CVARS (Settings) Must be executed through RCON or directly at the server zb_matchconfig (Default: None) zb_allowcashcalling (Default: 1) zb_doorfix (Default: 1) zb_dosprotect (Default: 1) zb_crouchfix
(Default: 1)
zb_bunnyfix (Default: 0) |
zb_status
Is a public cvar which is query-able from
connected clients and also via server monitoring tools such as HLSW.
We highly recommend you stay clear of servers where zb_status has a value
greater than 1, this indicates a problem with the configuration of the server.
A description of the current zb_status value is shown in the welcome message to
connecting clients (console) and also by using the command "zb_status".
A Note About "sv_pure"
zBlock 4 will only allow sv_pure values 1 or 2 whilst the plugin is active and will
automatically change the map (issuing a kick message to all connected clients)
whenever its value is changed - this is to allow the new value to take effect
correctly.
Note: All league servers should have the setting "sv_pure 2" in their
server.cfg's.
A further change in zBlock v4 is that sv_consistency is forced to 1 whilst zBlock is active.
When sv_pure takes a value of 1 or 2 it enforces connecting players to use some default content ("sv_pure 2" being more restrictive than 1), this can affect some sound modifications such as the "quake sounds pack" or "admin sounds" from being played and also older player skins from being used.
We recommend that server operators who wish to use this modified content use "sv_pure 1" in their server.cfg's and enforce a whitelist.
Details on how to configure your servers whitelist is available here:
http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Pure_Servers
(You will need to allow the custom content from disk)
LAN Mode
ATTENTION: Using the following settings will disable entity interpolation
(cl_interpolate 0) for all connected players. This is NOT recommended!
Even at LAN!
| sv_lan 1 sv_unlag 0 |
Disabling interpolation causes many undesirable gameplay changes and almost all of what is spoken of interpolation is untrue - generally the product of poor research. We recommend these settings only for testing or at a LAN event where all participating players acknowledge the ways in which disabling interpolation will negatively effect their game.
Map Restarts Triggered by the zBlock
Plugin
On changing the value of certain server cvars when running the zBlock plugin
your server will automatically restart the current map (kicking all players to
give the reason for the map change), this is done to ensure a level playing
field on your server and also for ease of use to server administrators.
A change in the following cvars will trigger a map restart:
zb_active (on only)
sv_cheats (off from on)
sv_pure
sv_consistency
CAUTION: Be careful that you do not make contradicting references to these cvar
values in your "server.cfg" (ran automatically on map loads) as this will cause
your server to repeatedly reload the map.
i.e.
| sv_pure 0 ... sv_pure 2 |
Plugin Not Loading?
If the plugin does not seem to be loading, here are some tips for troubleshooting the issue.
Restart the server and join and type "rcon plugin_print", is zBlock listed in
the list of plugins?
-If it is, then maybe "zb_active" is set to '0'.
Load the plugin manually using:
rcon plugin_load "../cstrike/addons/zblock"
View the message which appears, this should help you locate the issue.
-Note: This action will not actually allow you to load the plugin, but should
indicate the problem.
Stop your server.
Remove all zBlock files from your "addons/" directory.
Make sure the server is up-to-date using the hldsupdatetool (use the "-verify_all"
command line option when updating to check for corrupt files).
Re-install zBlock as per the instructions in this text file. (Make sure your
version of zBlock is also the latest).
Restart the server.
Contact your server administrator/GSP staff.
Contacting Us for Support
Only when you have exhausted all other troubleshooting methods then please contact us at our websites forums, following the support sticky thread as an example for support.
If you have not already tried the methods outlined in this readme (or show that you have not even read the readme file) we will not be able to help you!
We like to keep our forums a tidy place if you have any difficulties running a server or with cvars/rcon admin etc.. Then we recommend you get support from another place such as: www.srcds.com or http://www.steampowered.com/v/index.php?area=forums
Authors and Credited Others
TheUnknownFactor
J3Di
Trepje
Orion
CodeRed
Contact details are available from our website