[Linux] Headless server / vnc (Maybe too soon?)

[darkrising]

I was just experimenting with factorio over a ssh tunnel (better than hamachi) and it actually works quite well. However I was wondering if anyone got factorio to work on a server without a graphics card or over vnc, all I get is a "failed to create display" error.

It's probably too soon for any dedicated servers but I was just curious.

[icecube45]

I've been doing the same thing..
I've yet to get it to work via vnc,
the only thing I can think of as a semi-solution is to use x-fowarding..

[slpwnd]

This is an interesting idea (to allow factorio run in a "console mode" without graphics). Together with couple of other tweaks (starting MP game without a player) it would make dedicated servers perfectly possible.

[PalllaX]

This would be really cool!
In case someone tried following I can tell:
- you have an Ubuntu Server 14 running.
- you downloaded factorio 11.1 and extracted it (e.g. /home/user/Download)
- now you want to open factorio - didn't work via console
- you install gnome and stuff only for factorio <3
- you try TightVNC: From Windows to Ubuntu Server (because Teamviewer telling you "connection error"...)
- if you try double click on factorio executable nothing happens
- you are willing to install Mint to be for sure happy...
BUT you can just
- forget SSH / VNC and find a monitor + keyboard + mouse and put it in your ubuntu server system
- double click factorio and be happy

(My spec: Shuttle X36V4 - 4GB RAM - 64GB SSD - Intel Celeron J1900)

[PalllaX]

I've been doing the same thing..
I've yet to get it to work via vnc,
the only thing I can think of as a semi-solution is to use x-fowarding..

oh, you get it to work with VNC? What program / setup did you use?

[icecube45]

I've been doing the same thing..
I've yet to get it to work via vnc,
the only thing I can think of as a semi-solution is to use x-fowarding..

oh, you get it to work with VNC? What program / setup did you use?

"I've yet to get it to work via vnc"

No, I havn't.

I found a semi solution, using xfowarding to run the game, however, this does not allow for 24/7 servers

[Kirk]

sfto XD

Isn't there some kind of "display sink" you can use? Having an extra lifeless player doesn't really matter, I reckon. He might be in the way though.

[darkrising]

sfto XD

Isn't there some kind of "display sink" you can use? Having an extra lifeless player doesn't really matter, I reckon. He might be in the way though.

Build a wall around him, it'll be fine

But yeah, we need a dedicated server asap

[zekesonxx]

You could use Xvfb or Xdummy and have Factorio run on that, making it eat the game rendering. Granted this would also prevent you from seeing the UI.

[icecube45]

You could use Xvfb or Xdummy and have Factorio run on that, making it eat the game rendering. Granted this would also prevent you from seeing the UI.

Totally forgot about xdummy!
Trying it out now

I've got it working

[DaveMcW]

This is an interesting idea (to allow factorio run in a "console mode" without graphics). Together with couple of other tweaks (starting MP game without a player) it would make dedicated servers perfectly possible.

The next step is to remove the peer-to-peer connections, so an unstable user can play without slowing everyone else down.

[icecube45]

So!

I've gotten a "dedicated" server to work

Stress testing it with the help of the irc channel

[PalllaX]

So!

I've gotten a "dedicated" server to work

Stress testing it with the help of the irc channel

Cool! How is it going?

[Cre8torzn]

Awesome!! I am keen to hear how this goes!!

[Kirk]

By the way, you can move the lifeless player with belts if he's in the way XD

Also a fun activity with AFK players. You could kill them so they lose their inventory, belt them into the middle of nowhere, and then build a maze around them.

[icecube45]

Cool! How is it going?

Awesome!! I am keen to hear how this goes!!

It's been running all night, and only crashed a few times due to players joining at the same time

[JamesOFarrell]

only crashed a few times due to players joining at the same time

I think disco mode has to take some credit for crashing the server.

[icecube45]

only crashed a few times due to players joining at the same time

I think disco mode has to take some credit for crashing the server.

Oh yes.. disco mode.

James used it to experiment with save game embedded modding

[PalllaX]

So, can you tell us how to setup a dedicated server? Would be great. Or does someone know when the next update is coming?

[icecube45]

So, can you tell us how to setup a dedicated server? Would be great. Or does someone know when the next update is coming?

I'm hoping to make a guide in a bit

James says he'll try to make me an embedded mod first, that will pause entities when no one is connected.

Then I'll release the guide