Linux Stats, Admin, Maintenance, and Config

[Digi]

Greetings all.

I've just got a fresh copy of Ark running on a fresh Ubuntu Server.

I'm new to Steam hosting and novice with Ubuntu but wanted to give it a shot.

I've got a handful of questions:

1.) Without having to log into the game client, is there a way for me to see server stats? For example - can I see how many people are currently in the server? Is there a log where I can get an idea for what's happening on the server?

2.) Without logging into the client, is there a way to communicate with the players? Example - Can I send a server-wide message letting people know the server is coming down? Can I view in-game chats?

3.) Is there a way to automate the checking for and upgrading of new server files?

4.) Are there any stat generators out there? How many dinos killed, tamed..players killed, player stats (lvl, accuracy, kills, deaths, etc)?

5.) Is is ok to edit the GameUSerSettings.ini while the server is running (assuming that I'll just have to restart the server for the changes to take effect)
I guess that's all I have for now.. Thanks a bunch

[HumanGenome]

Welcome to the forums!

1.) Without having to log into the game client, is there a way for me to see server stats? For example - can I see how many people are currently in the server? Is there a log where I can get an idea for what's happening on the server?

Yes, you can check out Survival Launcher for that.

2.) Without logging into the client, is there a way to communicate with the players? Example - Can I send a server-wide message letting people know the server is coming down? Can I view in-game chats?

Yes, you can check out ARKON RCON Client for that.

3.) Is there a way to automate the checking for and upgrading of new server files?

There's a server tool that you can use called ARK Server Manager.

4.) Are there any stat generators out there? How many dinos killed, tamed..players killed, player stats (lvl, accuracy, kills, deaths, etc)?

Not at this time.

5.) Is is ok to edit the GameUSerSettings.ini while the server is running (assuming that I'll just have to restart the server for the changes to take effect)

Nope it will not take changes until restart.

[Digi]

All of those (except for for Ark Server manager) are Windows only.
I'm asking about Linux servers.



Thanks for the info about stats and such.

I guess I'm still a bit baffled that the Linux server is so much more underdeveloped..I guess I shouldn't be because I've been out of the "gaming server" loop for so long..back in the day Linux was the platform of choice and Windows support came "eventually" - usually with fewer features, higher system requirements, and lack of "pro" support.