Normal (temporary) Server Setup
1. Run SiN
2. Go to the Multiplayer game menu
(main/game/multiplayer) and select "Start Multiplayer Game".
3. Now you should see 3 parts on the
screen:
-Server variables (click
here to see descriptions for each of the variables) such as Map, or Hostname.-"Modify Deathmatch Settings" (brings you to the dmflag setup screen, click here to find out about dmflags)
-"Launch the server..." (select this to launch the server)
4. Go through the server variables, and dmflags, then select "Launch the server..." to launch the server once you're all setup.
The game shall load just like normal, %tage bar increasing while map, script, and media are processed and loaded. Once you enter the map, you're up!
Now all you have to do is tell your friend(s) that the server is up, and he/she can connect to you. They do this by going to the console over at their computer, and type: connect <ip.address>. (read furthur on how to find your IP address) For example:
connect 24.112.43.56
SiN's default port is 22450, so unless you're running SiN on a different port, than people don't need to include the port at the end of the address (e.g. 24.113.43.56:22450). SiN will automatically try the default port (22450) when it connects to an IP, if the port is not specified. This goes for all similar games (Q2), not just SiN. Alas, you can't define what port you'd like to use using the "Normal" server setup. It's more of a techy thang (plugin dedicated server, and server.cfg).
Here's a tip: Wait 5-10 minutes (depending on your machine) for everything to settle when you just started your server, THEN tell people it's up. Usually SiN will make your HD go mad for a few minutes when you just start a server = lag for any clients. At times on my computer, my HD would be buzzing for up to 30 minutes, but I think thats fixed in v1.01 of SiN.
How to find your IP address:
1. Start button/Run
2. Type winipcfg
3. WinIPcfg shall open up (it's a small util in windows)
4. IP Address: in this field is your IP address, TA-DA
Remember, there's 2 kinds of IP addresses: STATIC which means you have the same IP address all the time (high-end connections, ISDN, cable, Tx.. they're on all the time), and DYNAMIC which means it changes each time you dial-up to your ISP (modems, 28.8, 36.6, 56k). If you have a dynamic address, forget about running a server. First of all, your connection is probably too slow to do it, but also, if your address changes all the time, how will people come back and play?
Thats about it, on the main page you should go through the other pages for more info.