Windows Server Pserver.prefs Configuration

      • Overview

        • This page is a companion to the Redirection Service Configuration page. Once an account with a redirection service has been established, the Palace server will need to be configured to use this new data. This page will discuss how to update the Pserver.prefs file to use the newly created address, and will also discuss Ports and numeric IP addresses.

      • Pserver.prefs file Entries

        Windows 4.4 servers use a Pserver.prefs file, which is located in the palace/psdata directory. A default Windows server accepts Palace connections on port 9998, and delivers graphics and media on port 9990. Default entries in a Windows Pserver.prefs file look like this:

        URL "palace://[currentIPAddress]:9998"
HTTP_URL "http://[currentIPAddress]:9990/palace/media/"
AVATAR_URL "http://[currentIPAddress]:9990/palace/avatars/"

        The URL entry defines the address that Palace clients will be using for Palace connections. The HTTP_URL entry is the setting that usually determines how people will be downloading graphics and sounds. The AVATAR_URL setting is used for InstantPalace avatars. Especially when using a router, but also in general, it is best to change [currentIPAddress] entries to actual numeric IP addresses, or to name addresses from a redirection service.

        Examples of how these entries appear in Pserver.prefs when using a redirection service address:

        URL "palace://eagles.homeip.net:9998"
HTTP_URL "http://eagles.homeip.net:9990/palace/media/"
AVATAR_URL "http://eagles.homeip.net:9990/palace/avatars/"

        Examples of how these entries appear in Pserver.prefs when using numeric IP addresses:

        URL "palace://24.255.25.124:9998"
HTTP_URL "http://24.255.25.124:9990/palace/media/"
AVATAR_URL "http://24.255.25.124:9990/palace/avatars/"

        If you have a dynamic IP address, which is an address that changes every time you connect to the internet, you will want to use the redirection service addresses in Pserver.prefs. If you have a static IP address, which is an IP address that doesn't change, you can use numeric IP addresses or redirection service addresses in PServer.prefs.

        Important Note: When setting the HTTP_URL or AVATAR_URL in the Pserver.prefs file, make sure to use the trailing slash. For the setting to work, the address must end with the / character.

      • Editing the Pserver.prefs file

        When editing the Pserver.prefs file, do not edit it while the server is running, or the changes won't be saved. Either shut down the server and edit the Pserver.prefs and then restart the server; or edit a copy of Pserver.prefs, then shut down the server, replace the Pserver.prefs file, and restart the server.

        A text editor such as Wordpad or Notepad should be used for editing the Pserver.prefs file. Avoid using a Word Processor, such as Microsoft Word. Other popular text editors commonly used for editing Palace text files include TextPad and UltraEdit.

      • Other Ways to Update Pserver.prefs file

        On a Windows 4.4 server, the URL setting must be updated by editing the Pserver.prefs file, which means the server will need to be shutdown and restarted for a URL setting change to take effect. However, the HTTP_URL and AVATAR_URL settings can be updated while the server is running by using server commands. The `fileserver command will set the value in the HTTP_URL field, and the `avatarurl command will set the value in the AVATAR_URL field.

        Another alternative would be using the server's preferences panel. Under Options Menu, Preferences, the HTTP_URL can be set by accessing the Network tab, and the AVATAR_URL can be set by accessing the The Palace Viewer tab.

      • Testing the HTTP_URL Setting

        The HTTP_URL setting determines how people will be downloading graphics and sounds from your server, and it is a good idea to test it. While your server is running, put the HTTP_URL in your web browser, and add the name of a room pic that is in your media directory to the end. For example, if the HTTP_URL is:

        http://24.255.25.124:9990/palace/media/

        Then put this address in your web browser to make sure you see the graphic:

        http://24.255.25.124:9990/palace/media/clouds.gif

        Still can't see the pic in your web browser? The pic name will be case sensitive, so double check against the pic name in your media directory. Using a hardware or software firewall? Make sure the web server port is open (in this case 9990) and make sure the firewall is allowing the application appropriate access if applicable.

      • Ports

        With http protocol addresses, (addresses starting with http://) ports are defined in the URL. If no port is defined, it is the default port, which is port 80. For example, this address: 

        http://www.palacetools.com/tutorials/newuser/

        is the same as this one:

        http://www.palacetools.com:80/tutorials/newuser/

        With palace protocol addresses, (addresses starting with palace://) ports are usually defined at the end, and if no port is defined, then it is the default port of 9998. For example this:

        URL "palace://hotcity.com"

        is the same as this:

        URL "palace://hotcity.com:9998"

      • Changing Ports

        By default, a Windows Palace server accepts connections from Palace clients on port 9998, and the built-in web server delivers graphics and media on port 9990. Both of these settings can be changed.

        To change the port used to connect to the server with Palace clients:

        1. In the Server window, go to Options Menu, Preferences
        2. Click on the Network tab
        3. Put a check next to the item near the top called "Let me specify a port for connecting to this Palace"
        4. Change the port number in the field below it
        5. Shut down and restart the server for the change to take effect

        After making this change in the server's Preferences panel, edit the Pserver.prefs file so the URL field contains the new connection port.

        To change the port used for media delivery, edit the httpd.conf file, which is located in the PalaceServer/conf directory. Near the top of that file, find the entry that appears like this by default:

        Port 9990

        Change 9990 to the port you want your web server to use. Changes to the httpd.conf file should be made while the server isn't running. After making this change in the httpd.conf file, edit the Pserver.prefs file so the HTTP_URL and AVATAR_URL fields contain the new web server port.

      • What is my IP address?

        When using routers or other networking methods, identifying the IP address can sometimes be confusing. When editing the Pserver.prefs file to use a numeric IP address use your actual IP address, or the address of a redirection service. Do not use a non-routable address such as 169.xxx.xxx.xxx or 192.xxx.xxx.xxx. To see what your IP address is as perceived by others on the internet, try visiting one of these links:

        http://www.tracert.com/cgi-bin/ping.pl
        http://www.lawrencegoetz.com/programs/ipinfo/
        http://javascript.internet.com/user-details/ip-address.html

        If you are using a Linksys router, or any form of multiple computer networking, try Alan's Running Palace Servers Behind a Linksys Router page for configuration information.

      • A Note on AVATAR_URL

        The AVATAR_URL is a setting that is only used for InstantPalace avatars. If you aren't using InstantPalace with your server, you don't need to worry about `avatarurl or AVATAR_URL.

        The AVATAR_URL can be tested the same way as HTTP_URL. If this is the AVATAR_URL:

        http://24.255.25.124:9990/palace/avatars/

        Then put this address in your web browser to make sure you see the avatar:

        http://24.255.25.124:9990/palace/avatars/cf26.gif

        Trouble with AVATAR_URL? Try this page:

        http://eagles.chatserve.com/iptrouble.html

      • A Note About Hosted Servers

        The information on this page is intended for operators of Windows 4.4 Palace servers. While some of this information might be helpful to those who have Hosted Palace servers, the server's Host should be consulted before any changes to the pserver.prefs file are made.

      • Additional Resources

        • List of Redirection Services
        • Redirection Service Configuration
        • Running Palace Servers Behind a Linksys Router

        © 2002