RAF Air UK Server miz file handling.
SUMMARY
Any member who creates RAFAir general or Squadron missions may, with appropriate permissions, upload them direct to the RAFAir servers. Contact Neil Willis for Access.
Any Squadron commander (or their deputy) or other senior member with the required permissions may manage mission play on any of the servers. Contact Neil Willis or Chris 'Gizzy' for permissions.
The following explains the requirements and processes involved. The server owner is the final authority on all matters.
To upload mission files the creator requires formal dropbox access to the server account of the server owner (Neil Willis). It is recommended to install the free version of dropbox on your PC which will integrate the server upload folder with your local machine file explorer.
To upload a file successfully you name it in accordance with the below conventions and drop it into the server drop box. Thats it!. ‘GizzyApp’ every 10 minutes scans this folder and moves the miz file to the correct server location. You know this has happened when the file disappears from the drop box folder. A log text file is created each time cycle as well as 4 server list text files which list all the missions currently installed on each server. They are date/time stamped and can be viewed at any time.
These missions are played / managed via SLMod from the cockpit of any plane on the required server. In general, this means you can start, restart, load, change or pause any installed mission. Pilots may be kicked on indeed banned via their IP is the server has public access for example.
MISSION ‘miz’ AND UPLOADS
DEFAULT GENERIC MISSIONS
Each DCS map has (or will have) a default mission which can be run on any server at any time. Auto settings currently have PG running on server 1, Caucasus on server 2, Syria on server 3 and Normandy WW2 on server 4. These default maps are made and managed by specific people. Currently Matt looks after Caucasus and PG and Chris ‘ Gizzy’ does Syria and WW2 / Helo stuff. These maps may run for extended time periods and should:
- have separate versions for different weather / time settings if desired
- automatically restart every 6 hours with text pre warnings
- have a Comms menu function to restart that may be used by any user
- have a Comms menu unction to change weather / time period that may be used by any user.
- be named as 00-******.miz. An example would be ‘00-Syria Default day.miz’
- Updates are achieved by uploaded miz file with the same name. It will overwrite the existing mission. NOTE This may only be done when the Default mission IS NOT running to avoid the system file lock.
RAFAir GROUP MISSIONS
These are multi Squadron missions such as the Tuesday night sessions. They must be named "99-******.miz". Updates may be achieved by re-uploading a same named file. It will overwrite. THE MISSION MUST NOT RE RUNNING during this process. GizzyApp will auto install RAFAir Group Mission files to servers 1 & 2.
SQUADRON OPERATIONAL AND TRAINING MISSIONS
These are any squadron specific miz files. The must be named as follows:
- 1(F) SQN miz files 01-****.miz and GizzyApp will install on Server 3
- 3(F) SQN miz files 03-****.miz and GizzyApp will install on Server 3
- 11(F) SQN miz files 11-****.miz and GizzyApp will install on Server 3
- 892 NAS miz files 92-****.miz and GizzyApp will install on Server 3
- 60 SQN miz files 60-****.miz and GizzyApp will install on Server 4
- 19 SQN miz files 19-****.miz and GizzyApp will install on Server 4
- 41(F) SQN miz files 41-****.miz and GizzyApp will install on Server 4
- 97 SQN miz files 97-****.miz and GizzyApp will install on Server 4
SLMOD
SLMOD is a DCS server modification installed on all our servers and will allow nominated admins to perform certain functions. Squadron Commanders, their deputy and active senior members all can be 'admins' to facilitate maximum play by all the RAFAir community. Admins can, in brief, load any installed mission, pause any running mission, restart any running mission by typing certain text into the DCS chat window.
SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS for ADMINs
Join the required server, jump into the cockpit of any aircraft and enter the Admin Chat window by using the hotkeys LEFT SHIFT + LEFT TAB.
Typing ‘-admin load’ followed by 'enter' will bring up a list of all installed missions on that server. Each mission name in the list is preceded by a number that you use to load specific missions. i.e. Typing ‘-load 6’ within 2 minutes will load the mission proceeded by the number 6
In a running mission, typing ‘-admin pause’ will pause the mission and typing ‘-admin pause’ will un-pause it.
In a running mission , typing ‘-admin restart’ will restart the mission.
At any time typing ‘-admin help’ will list all admin functions.
REMOTE SERVER PC CONTROL
Limited use secure software is used allow direct access to the PC running RAFAir Servers to update software and reboot DCS or SRS 'hangs'. It must be used sparingly else a monthly £60 fee may be levied for commercial use. Currently only Neil Willis and Chris 'Gizzy' have access and should be contacted if there are major problems. This will be reviewed and Neil may add others if there is an operational need or a remote reboot app may be written..
HELP
Please contact Chris 'Gizzy' if you require assistance with any of these procedures.
Please contact Neil Willis for upload permissions.
Please contact Neil Willis or Chris 'Gizzy' for SLMOD admin permissions.
