Minecraft Forums

Quote from Ariannae

Erk. This is what I get for posting while tired. I had meant SSP, but I seem to have gotten it to work smoothly, so ignore me haha.

On a different note, what tool is everyone using to get the nice maps of their world? I assume it's MCMap?

haha, its cool.

Well, I use mcmap for the pics I post. Its great for small maps. For large maps, it generates HUGE .png files, so i open them in GIMP, and resize them.
For my actual server, I like Minecraft Overviewer.

Quote from TatharNuar

Personally, I'm using Dynmap-Forge and its TerraFirmaCraft support for my maps. When my testing server's back up, you can see it at http://freedragon.no...rg:8123.��Right now I have it down for mod updates.

I cant tell if your server is up or not, because that link is broken.
edit: i was able to look at the source code of this page to find: http://freedragon.no-ip.org:8123

Quote from pesgores

Bookmarking this for future use. Good job!

thanks!

Yeah, the server isn't up 24/7, so that could be the issue you experienced.

Speaking of, I want to make my local server use a ramdisk for the world and dynmap tiles folders, and I need to know a Windows command (or batch file) for making the Minecraft server execute the save-off command (as well as others) so that I can periodically mirror the folders from the ramdisk to my SSD. It doesn't have to be pretty or fast, since I'm only doing it to reduce writes to my SSD. I figured you'd be the one to ask since you seem to be doing essentially that in Java with this utility.

Quote from TatharNuar

Yeah, the server isn't up 24/7, so that could be the issue you experienced.

Speaking of, I want to make my local server use a ramdisk for the world and dynmap tiles folders, and I need to know a Windows command (or batch file) for making the Minecraft server execute the save-off command (as well as others) so that I can periodically mirror the folders from the ramdisk to my SSD. It doesn't have to be pretty or fast, since I'm only doing it to reduce writes to my SSD. I figured you'd be the one to ask since you seem to be doing essentially that in Java with this utility.

MLG is able to send commands to the server because it is a server wrapper. (MLG launches the server, and because of that can read it's output, and send commands to it)

As such, it would be impossible to do the same thing with an already running server.

Basically you are limited to the following possibilities:

• Create a custom server wrapper similar to MLG that launches the server, and every so often sends the save-off command, backs up your files, and then sends the save-on command. (Not the best option)
• Find a plugin that does what you want (I know they exist for bukkit)
• Enable RCON, and find (or create) a program that can run from a batch file that sends the save-off and save-on commands through RCON. (This would be the best way)
• Keep doing it manually

Edit: if you give me a couple of days, I think i can whip up something for you. I've been working with Rcon for a while, to add the ability to MLG.
I believe i can create/modify some existing code to make a simple Rcon command sender in java.

I would like to point out here that there are existing Rcon solutions/programs/source code out there that can do this as well.

I think I have everything I need to create a server wrapper as a PowerShell script. I just tried a proof of concept to see how to send input to the server's standard input, and after fixing an obscure bug in the script (seriously, why do I need to use .NET and a ProcessStartInfo object just to do something as simple as that?) I was able to send commands directly from PowerShell to the Minecraft server. Now it's just a matter of creating functions and a timer around that so that I can manage the more volatile folders (world folder and Dynmap tiles) as I like.

Also I need to figure out how to put both folders on a single ramdisk while allowing the server to access them from their appropriate folders. I'm guessing symbolic links from "server\world" and "server\dynmap\web\tiles" to appropriate folders on the ramdisk drive letter would do the job?

Finally, I want to back up the world mirroring folder following each mirroring operation from the ramdisk to my SSD, but I only want to save the three most recent successful backups. I also want to compress them into a .zip file using 7-zip. However, I still need to research how to do any of that. (Actually, what about incremental backups? Worth it for Minecraft, or would the incremental backups be too big?)

I have no idea what RCON is all about, and I've already started on a PowerShell-based solution. Is there a particular reason to switch now?

Quote from TatharNuar

I think I have everything I need to create a server wrapper as a PowerShell script. I just tried a proof of concept to see how to send input to the server's standard input, and after fixing an obscure bug in the script (seriously, why do I need to use .NET and a ProcessStartInfo object just to do something as simple as that?) I was able to send commands directly from PowerShell to the Minecraft server. Now it's just a matter of creating functions and a timer around that so that I can manage the more volatile folders (world folder and Dynmap tiles) as I like.

Also I need to figure out how to put both folders on a single ramdisk while allowing the server to access them from their appropriate folders. I'm guessing symbolic links from "server\world" and "server\dynmap\web\tiles" to appropriate folders on the ramdisk drive letter would do the job?

Finally, I want to back up the world mirroring folder following each mirroring operation from the ramdisk to my SSD, but I only want to save the three most recent successful backups. I also want to compress them into a .zip file using 7-zip. However, I still need to research how to do any of that. (Actually, what about incremental backups? Worth it for Minecraft, or would the incremental backups be too big?)

I have no idea what RCON is all about, and I've already started on a PowerShell-based solution. Is there a particular reason to switch now?

nice.
the only downsides to a server wrapper is that you are then limited to controlling the server to the functions you code in your wrapper.

yeah, I've forgotten most of what i knew about NTFS symbolic and hard links, as I've gone all linux (except my computer at work), but something like that should work.

you do know that the region files are already compressed by minecraft during saving, right? the only point to ziping a save is to have it all contained in one file.
incremental backups: maybe. depends on how you do it.

RCON is "Remote Console", and allows you to send commands to the server remotely. (Or locally without having to wrap around the server.)
I've completed a simple Java RCON program that works on the commandline. I need to do a bit a bugtesting to make sure there are no major bugs, and I'll upload it tonight after i get off work.
it basically works like this:

java -jar RCON.jar -host 127.0.0.1 -port 25575 -pass test -command "save-off"

edit:
so, an example script would be like:

@echo off
SET BINDIR=%~dp0
CD /D "%BINDIR%"
SET ScriptTitle=Minecraft Server Backup Script
title %ScriptTitle%
cls
echo %ScriptTitle%
echo %BINDIR%

 commands to run before backup go here
del world-backup-3
ren world-backup-2 world-backup-3
ren world-backup-1 world-backup-2

java -jar RCON.jar -host 127.0.0.1 -port 25575 -pass test -command "say SERVER BACKUP STARTED"
java -jar RCON.jar -host 127.0.0.1 -port 25575 -pass test -command "save-off"
java -jar RCON.jar -host 127.0.0.1 -port 25575 -pass test -command "save-all"

 commands to run backup go here
copy world world-backup-1

java -jar RCON.jar -host 127.0.0.1 -port 25575 -pass test -command "save-on"
java -jar RCON.jar -host 127.0.0.1 -port 25575 -pass test -command "say SERVER BACKUP DONE"

 more commands (move or zip backup files, etc)

Update:
Link is here: https://github.com/Morlok8k/RconClient

So I was wondering if this could generate maps with Biomes O Plenty and Millienaire? I love those mods and have just been doing small servers with my friends with them. Will this allow me to auto explore with them?

Thanks for any help.

Well I just did a test run and it ran with BOP just fine, but couldn't run Millenaire in the map generation. I'm going to try a few more times to see if it was just a fluke that it wouldn't generate the towns. Any ideas on what I could edit to allow it to load the towns?

Quote from bl4xb0x

So I was wondering if this could generate maps with Biomes O Plenty and Millienaire? I love those mods and have just been doing small servers with my friends with them. Will this allow me to auto explore with them?

Thanks for any help.

Quote from bl4xb0x

Well I just did a test run and it ran with BOP just fine, but couldn't run Millenaire in the map generation. I'm going to try a few more times to see if it was just a fluke that it wouldn't generate the towns. Any ideas on what I could edit to allow it to load the towns?

I tested Millenaire with MLG, and on my first pass (1000x1000), I did not see any custom villages. Expanding it to 2000x2000 created enough land for me to see a few custom villages here and there.

I did not test Biomes O Plenty, as you said it worked.

Quote from Morlok8k

I tested Millenaire with MLG, and on my first pass (1000x1000), I did not see any custom villages. Expanding it to 2000x2000 created enough land for me to see a few custom villages here and there.

I did not test Biomes O Plenty, as you said it worked.

Looks good. I just started running a 10,000x10,000 to see how it pops up. Definitely love this so far.

Quote from bl4xb0x

Looks good. I just started running a 10,000x10,000 to see how it pops up. Definitely love this so far.

good luck and have fun!

I'm sorry i know many people have probably asked this, but i have been trying to get the Better World Generation 4 mod to work, forge loads and works fine, but every time a create a world, it's just the standard vanilla, not the modded world.
Help please.
Thanks.

Quote from ylightning

I'm sorry i know many people have probably asked this, but i have been trying to get the Better World Generation 4 mod to work, forge loads and works fine, but every time a create a world, it's just the standard vanilla, not the modded world.
Help please.
Thanks.

I haven't actually tried it yet, but these are the instructions:

Quote from ted80

Client:
1. Backup your worlds!
2. Install the recommended version of Minecraft Forge.
3. Place the zip file into your .minecraft/mod folder.
4. Start Minecraft and create a new world.
5. Select the bwg4 worldtype.
6. Click on the customize button.
7. Select a generatortype you like.
8. Click on done.
9. Click on create new world.

Server:
1. Install the recommended version of Minecraft Forge.
2. Place the zip file into your .minecraft/mod folder.
3. Start Minecraft and create a new world.
4. Select the bwg4 worldtype.
5. Click on the customize button.
6. Select a generatortype you like.
7. Click on "Copy generator-settings to Clipboard".
8. Open the server.properties file.
9. Set level-type to "BWG4".
9. Paste the generator settings at "generator-settings=".

So, basically you need to install it in the client first, then install it in a server.
(with forge, you install forge first without mods, run it, and then delete the world. then install your mods and run it again.)

Then you use the client to get the custom generator-settings needed, and put that on the "generator-settings=" line in "server.properties"
You also set "level-type=BWG4" in server.properties


Anyways, you follow all those instructions first, and then run the server to make the initial world. Only after everything is setup correctly you run MLG.

If you have more specific questions, I'm happy to help, even though BWG4 isnt my mod.

Quote from Talidorn

Hey,

So quick question. I'm guessing you don't support Spigot servers right?

Also I have a question for what happens in the following flat config

2;2x1,16x0,1,16x0,1,16x0,1,16x0,1,5x13;1;stronghold,biome_1,village,decoration,dungeon,lake,mineshaft,lava_lake)

Will MLG generate the land and make it so the gravel settles? The gravel lag is pretty harsh on my SMP server.

I've never heard about spigot. I looked it up - Its a performance tweaked version of bukkit.
Bukkit is supported, but only for the main world. Multiworld plugin based worlds don't work. For those, i suggest using a bukkit plugin that expands the world.
So, Spigot does work - I tested it myself.

Note: The easiest way to get spigot to work is to rename "spigot-1.5.2-R0.2-SNAPSHOT.jar" to "minecraft_server.jar", otherwise you will need to edit the "MinecraftLandGenerator.conf" file.


No, the server creates the gravel a few blocks above the other layer - maybe you should change your settings so the gravel is generated where you want it to begin with. (I'm not well versed in generator settings, so i cant help with that)

Morlok8k: I think it might clarify things a bit for the cautious if you explained in the OP that this tool uses the server's own world generator to generate chunks. If you use a modded server with this tool, then the chunks will be generated for those mods as well. It's as if you traveled around your server in a square area to generate the chunks manually, except it does it much faster because it's automated.

Cautious people: Really, the only thing I know of that can give this tool problems, when used as directed, is if the server crashes while the tool is trying to do its job. Modded servers are more prone to crashes, and generating larger areas gives the server more chances to crash, but that's generally an issue with one or more mods that needs to be fixed on their end. Thankfully, most of the time you can simply restart the tool when this happens, and it'll continue where it left off.

Of course, if the server's generating different log entries for the events that this tool looks for, then that could trip it up too, but the tool does come with a configuration that allows you to tell it what it really needs to look for. This is really a deceptively powerful tool, and I'm glad it exists.

EDIT: Also, I've got this on my list of mods and utilities to donate to once I have some money to spare. I strongly recommend that anyone who finds this tool useful consider donating to it.

Quote from TatharNuar

Morlok8k: I think it might clarify things a bit for the cautious if you explained in the OP that this tool uses the server's own world generator to generate chunks. If you use a modded server with this tool, then the chunks will be generated for those mods as well. It's as if you traveled around your server in a square area to generate the chunks manually, except it does it much faster because it's automated.

Cautious people: Really, the only thing I know of that can give this tool problems, when used as directed, is if the server crashes while the tool is trying to do its job. Modded servers are more prone to crashes, and generating larger areas gives the server more chances to crash, but that's generally an issue with one or more mods that needs to be fixed on their end. Thankfully, most of the time you can simply restart the tool when this happens, and it'll continue where it left off.

Of course, if the server's generating different log entries for the events that this tool looks for, then that could trip it up too, but the tool does come with a configuration that allows you to tell it what it really needs to look for. This is really a deceptively powerful tool, and I'm glad it exists.

EDIT: Also, I've got this on my list of mods and utilities to donate to once I have some money to spare. I strongly recommend that anyone who finds this tool useful consider donating to it.

Yeah, I do need to edit the OP and make sure all the info is current, etc. having warnings like that would be good to put in.

I do say I only officialy support the vanilla server. It rarely ever crashes. (there are a few exceptions: beta 1.9, and really early alpha versions)
I've done my best to make sure it remains compatible with all server mods, as much as possible. (Example: bukkit works, but not with multiworld - just the main world)
That said, I can't control for badly-written plugins and mods. if the mod crashes, thats a problem with the mod, not MLG.
I've tried to make MLG deal with different issues that can come up, but I cant catch everything.
I've also tried to make it as configurable as possible, so it can work with any past, present, or future server, so even if something happens to me, and i cant update the code, it can still be made to work.

Thank you!

So, what do you use to render the maps? I've tried previewing the worlds that this has generated with MCAMap and Cartograph but both seem to fail around half way through. Does these mean my generation ended up having a corruption mid way through or are there only certain generators that can load what this has generated?

Quote from bl4xb0x

So, what do you use to render the maps? I've tried previewing the worlds that this has generated with MCAMap and Cartograph but both seem to fail around half way through. Does these mean my generation ended up having a corruption mid way through or are there only certain generators that can load what this has generated?

I use mcmap and minecraft overviewer. mcmap creates HUGE .png files, and i can only open them in gimp. (seriously it takes an hour to open an image of a 100,000x100,000 map)
minecraft overviewer makes a google maps style webpage. and it takes a lot of HDD space, and a lot of time to generate. (like 1.5 days)

Quote from Morlok8k

I use mcmap and minecraft overviewer. mcmap creates HUGE .png files, and i can only open them in gimp. (seriously it takes an hour to open an image of a 100,000x100,000 map)
minecraft overviewer makes a google maps style webpage. and it takes a lot of HDD space, and a lot of time to generate. (like 1.5 days)

Just tried MCMap, but my PC is too janky to open a 48000x24000 image. I'll try Overviewer. After it renders it will it require much PC usage to view it?