FastDL (Fast Download) in Counter-Strike: Source is a server feature that allows players to quickly and efficiently download custom content, such as maps, textures, and sound files, when joining a server. Instead of downloading all the necessary files directly from the server, fast download points players to external web servers or file repositories to retrieve the files, reducing the server's load and decreasing the time it takes to connect to the game. This feature is handy for servers hosting custom content, ensuring a smoother, more enjoyable gaming experience.
Requirements: A web server with FTP access and a live domain are required.
The server should have the custom map installed beforehand. Learn how to here.
How to Set Up FastDL for a Counter-Strike: Source Server (SFTP)
1. Log in to the Web server using an SFTP. Learn how to here.
2. Open the public_html folder.
3. Create a new directory.
4. Name the directory cstrike.
5. Set the permissions to Octal: 0755.
6. Open the cstrike folder.
7. Upload the custom map files to their respective folders.
8. Select all files and right-click to open Properties.
9. Set the file permissions to Octal: 0755.
Note: Ensure all other files in the other folders have the same permissions.
10. Log in to the BisectHosting Starbase panel.
11. Stop the server.
12. Go to the Files tab.
13. Find the following directory: /home/container/cstrike/cfg
14. Open the server.cfg file. If not present, choose Create and select Create File.
15. Paste the following using the URL cstrike directory of the web server.
sv_downloadurl "FastDL directory/cstrike"
sv_allowdownload 116. Press the Save button.
17. Start the server.
How to Set Up FastDL for a Counter-Strike: Source Server (cPanel)
1. Log in to the cPanel.
2. Take note of the Primary Domain.
3. Under Files, open the File Manager.
4. Go to the public_html directory.
5. Press the Add Folder button.
6. Create a new folder named cstrike.
7. Within cstrike, add the maps folder and other required folders for the custom map.
8. Go to the maps directory.
9. Press the Upload button.
10. Drag and drop the map files to upload.
Note: Files in a .zip file must be extracted first before uploading.
11. Select the first map file and while holding shift, click the last map file to select all files.
12. Press the Permissions button.
13. Change the permissions to 755.
14. Upload the other required files within their respective directories and set the file permissions to 755. cPanel does not support uploading folders, so files must be uploaded manually.
15. Go to the webserver site from step 2.
16. Open the cstrike directory.
17. Copy the browser URL address.
18. Log in to the BisectHosting Starbase panel.
19. Stop the server.
20. Go to the Files tab.
21. Find the following directory: /home/container/cstrike/cfg
22. Open the server.cfg file. If not present, choose Create and select Create File.
23. Paste the following using the URL cstrike directory from step 17.
sv_downloadurl "FastDL directory/cstrike"
sv_allowdownload 124. Press the Save button.
25. Start the server.