Server Installation - Windows

[Prog-Rocker]

[FONT=Verdana]The following is written such that the Novice PC user can understand (hopefully)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana](If anyone has a suggestion/correction, please send me a private message and I will modify this post)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Thanks to All that have contributed on the Forum from whence this information was culled[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Before beginning, make sure that you have sufficient upload bandwidth to support the maximum 8 connections. Read the following for bandwidth usage:[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][URL="http://www.ventrilo.com/setup.php#Server_Network_Requirements"]http://www.ventrilo.com/setup.php#Server_Network_Requirements[/URL][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]then check your bandwidth here:[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][URL="http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/"]http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/[/URL][/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]As most router/pc configurations are setup for DHCP (the router assigns an ipaddress to your pc) it is recommended that the server pc be configured with a static ipaddress. This will ensure that whenever the server is rebooted the ipaddress will match what has been configured in the portforwarding section of the router (as explained later)[/FONT]

Windows XP
[FONT=Verdana]Windows Control Panel > Network Connections (or similar) > Local Area Connection[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Properties > Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) > “Use the following IP address”[/FONT]

Windows Vista
[FONT=Verdana]Windows Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Manage Network Connections (left side link) > new window will display all network devices > rt-click on the network card that will be used and select 'Status' > click the properties button > enable/disable options and configure IPv4 from here[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Note: the information needed to fill in the fields can be found with the following:[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Start > run > cmd[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Ipconfig /all[/FONT]

[Prog-Rocker]

[FONT=Verdana]Server Setup[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana][FONT=Verdana]Download the Server and Client Installation packages from the Ventrilo site. Select the ‘Windows i386-32bit’ under the “Server Program” section[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana][URL="http://www.ventrilo.com/download.php"]http://www.ventrilo.com/download.php[/URL][/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Install the server software. The default location is C:\PROGRAM FILES\VENTSRV (the drive letter may be different depending on your local drive configuration)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]This will create an entry in your Start > Programs menu called "VentSrv"[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Configure the VENTRILO_SRV.INI file as needed. The only options that might need to be changed are the following:[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana](view the VENTRILO_SRV.HTM file for more detailed information)[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Name=[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Auth=[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Adminpassword=[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Password=[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]VoiceCodec=[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]VoiceFormat= (note: when setting to Speex, 3-20 is recommended)[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana](Note: It is recommended that the server be configured with a password to prevent all unwanted intrusions. If you plan on supporting Macintosh users then you must configure the server to use the Speex Codec (suggest using Speex 20). If any changes are made to this file the server must be restarted. )[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Codec Format Description:[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]0 0 GSM 6.10 (8 KHz, 16 bit) 1625 bytes/sec[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]0 1 GSM 6.10 (11 KHz, 16 bit) 2210 bytes/sec[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]0 2 GSM 6.10 (22 KHz, 16 bit) 4420 bytes/sec[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]0 3 GSM 6.10 (44 KHz, 16 bit) 8905 bytes/sec[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]1 0 DSP Group TrueSpeech (8 KHz, 16 bit) 1056 bytes/sec[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]2 0 Lernout & Hauspie (8 KHz, 16 bit) 600 bytes/sec[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]3 0 Speex (8 KHz, 16 bit, 0 Qlty) 424 bytes/sec[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]3 1 Speex (8 KHz, 16 bit, 1 Qlty) 620 bytes/sec[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]3 2 Speex (8 KHz, 16 bit, 2 Qlty) 865 bytes/sec[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]3 3 Speex (8 KHz, 16 bit, 3 Qlty) 1110 bytes/sec[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]3 4 Speex (8 KHz, 16 bit, 4 Qlty) 1110 bytes/sec[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]3 5 Speex (8 KHz, 16 bit, 5 Qlty) 1502 bytes/sec[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]3 6 Speex (8 KHz, 16 bit, 6 Qlty) 1502 bytes/sec[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]3 7 Speex (8 KHz, 16 bit, 7 Qlty) 1922 bytes/sec[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]3 8 Speex (8 KHz, 16 bit, 8 Qlty) 1922 bytes/sec[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]3 9 Speex (8 KHz, 16 bit, 9 Qlty) 2384 bytes/sec[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]3 10 Speex (8 KHz, 16 bit, 10 Qlty) 3168 bytes/sec[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]3 11 Speex (16 KHz, 16 bit, 0 Qlty) 620 bytes/sec[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]3 12 Speex (16 KHz, 16 bit, 1 Qlty) 865 bytes/sec[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]3 13 Speex (16 KHz, 16 bit, 2 Qlty) 1110 bytes/sec[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]3 14 Speex (16 KHz, 16 bit, 3 Qlty) 1355 bytes/sec[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]3 15 Speex (16 KHz, 16 bit, 4 Qlty) 1698 bytes/sec[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]3 16 Speex (16 KHz, 16 bit, 5 Qlty) 2188 bytes/sec[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]3 17 Speex (16 KHz, 16 bit, 6 Qlty) 2678 bytes/sec[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]3 18 Speex (16 KHz, 16 bit, 7 Qlty) 3070 bytes/sec[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]3 19 Speex (16 KHz, 16 bit, 8 Qlty) 3560 bytes/sec[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]3 20 Speex (16 KHz, 16 bit, 9 Qlty) 4344 bytes/sec[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]3 21 Speex (16 KHz, 16 bit, 10 Qlty) 5324 bytes/sec[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]3 22 Speex (32 KHz, 16 bit, 0 Qlty) 669 bytes/sec[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]3 23 Speex (32 KHz, 16 bit, 1 Qlty) 1061 bytes/sec[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]3 24 Speex (32 KHz, 16 bit, 2 Qlty) 1306 bytes/sec[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]3 25 Speex (32 KHz, 16 bit, 3 Qlty) 1551 bytes/sec[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]3 26 Speex (32 KHz, 16 bit, 4 Qlty) 1943 bytes/sec[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]3 27 Speex (32 KHz, 16 bit, 5 Qlty) 2433 bytes/sec[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]3 28 Speex (32 KHz, 16 bit, 6 Qlty) 2874 bytes/sec[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]3 29 Speex (32 KHz, 16 bit, 7 Qlty) 3266 bytes/sec[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]3 30 Speex (32 KHz, 16 bit, 8 Qlty) 3756 bytes/sec[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]3 31 Speex (32 KHz, 16 bit, 9 Qlty) 4540 bytes/sec[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]3 32 Speex (32 KHz, 16 bit, 10 Qlty) 5520 bytes/sec[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Start the server by clicking on VENTRILO_SRV.EXE[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]This will start the server and display in a console window. If the screen displays “Ready:” at the bottom then it is ready for connections.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Note: You may have to configure any firewall/virus/spyware checkers to allow port 3784 (TCP and UDP) and 6100 UDP to pass thru. Consult the individual documentation.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Test the server install by connecting your local Ventrilo client to the server.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana](If you’re connecting the client from a different PC then configure the client to use one of the ipaddresses from the 'ipconfig' command. If you’re running the client on the same PC as the server then use 127.0.0.1 or localhost as the servername)[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Also be aware that some external users may have issues connecting due to configuration problems on their end. It is suggested that you read the following thread and also direct anyone having problems to read it also. [URL="http://ventrilo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23257"]http://ventrilo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23257[/URL][/FONT]
[/FONT]

[Prog-Rocker]

[FONT=Verdana]Server Startup Configurations[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana]The server can be started in 3 different ways:[/FONT]

• [FONT=Verdana]Manual – click on Ventrilo_srv.exe[/FONT]
• [FONT=Verdana]Autostart as a Service – starts the server at every boot (will not display a console window). server must be configured with a static ipaddress[/FONT]
• [FONT=Verdana]Delayed Autostart – allows windows to boot fully before starting Ventrilo server and also displays the vent console window. a shortcut is placed in the Startup folder[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]1. Manual Start – navigate to the install folder and double-click on Ventrilo_srv.exe. This will open a console window and display the status of the server. Or, navigate to Start > Programs > VentSrv > Ventrilo Server[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]2. Autostart Service – Navigate to Start > Programs > Ventsrv > Service > click Install[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]OR[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]open a command prompt (start > run > cmd) and type the following:[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]cd\program files\ventsrv[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]ventrilo_svc –i[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]note: to start and stop the server type the following at a command prompt:[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]net start ventrilo[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]net stop ventrilo[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]3. Delayed Autostart[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]a) Download “sleep.exe” from here and save to c:\program files\ventsrv[/FONT]
(included in the Microsoft Resource Kit)

[FONT=Verdana][URL]http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=17657[/URL][/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]b) Using Windows Explorer, navigate to C:\PROGRAM FILES\VENTSRV[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]c) Right-mouse-click in the right-hand window and select “New > Text File” and name the file “ventstart.cmd”[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]d) Right-mouse-click on the file and select “Edit”[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]e) Type in the following: [/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]cd \program files\ventsrv[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Sleep 30[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]ventrilo_srv.exe[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana]f) Save the file[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]g) Right-mouse-click on the desktop and select “New > Shortcut”[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]h) Browse to c:\program files\ventsrv and select “ventstart.cmd” then finish the process[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]i) Drag/Drop the shortcut to Start > Programs > Startup[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]You can change the sleep time by editing c:\program files\ventsrv\ventstart.cmd. Sleep time is counted in seconds.[/FONT]

[Prog-Rocker]

[FONT=Verdana]Configuring Portforwarding on the Router[/FONT]
Note: some routers use "Virtual Server" instead of Portforward

[FONT=Verdana][FONT=Verdana]Locate the router that connects directly to your internet connection and get the make/model. Navigate to this site, then locate your router and click on the link:[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana][URL="http://www.portforward.com/routers.htm"]http://www.portforward.com/routers.htm[/URL][/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]On the next page locate the “Ventrilo Server” link and click it. Follow the directions for configuring your router.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]NOTE: You must also portforward 6100 UDP on the router and allow 6100 UDP thru your firewall software[/FONT]

It is a BEST practice to power off the router for at least 60 seconds. Verify the settings are correct after powering back on.

[FONT=Verdana]Note: some routers require separate entries for TCP and UDP as opposed to a setting for “Both”. Please try this configuration before contacting the Ventrilo forum. Also, make sure the routers firmware is up-to-date. Check the manufacturer’s website for updates.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]The ipaddress to portforward can be found using the “Ipconfig /all” command on the server PC. The port# is 3784.[/FONT]

x.x.x.x port 3784 TCP
x.x.x.x port 3784 UDP
x.x.x.x port 6100 UDP
(where x.x.x.x = the ipaddress of the pc running Ventrilo Server)

[FONT=Verdana]Test the Router Configuration[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Get your External Ipaddress using this link: [URL="http://www.ventrilo.com/myip.php"]http://www.ventrilo.com/myip.php[/URL][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Test the router configuration using this link: [URL="http://ventrilo.com/status.php"]http://ventrilo.com/status.php[/URL] (enter your external ipaddress and port 3784)[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Note: if the status check doesn’t respond then try temporarily disabling all firewall/virus/spyware software. Also try disabling all unused LAN ports on the PC.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]If you need to contact the forum for further help then please provide the following screenshots:[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Ipconfig /all[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Router WAN screen (shows your external ipaddress)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Router Portforward screen[/FONT]
[/FONT]

[Prog-Rocker]

[FONT=Verdana]External Ipaddress and Dynamic DNS (Domain Name Service)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana] [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Most ISP’s will change your external ipaddress, sometimes on a weekly basis. When your ipaddress changes it will require you to notify the users that connect to your server of the new address. To prevent this you can sign-up for a Dynamic-DNS name. (ex: [url]www.myserver.com[/url]) There are many companies that provide this service, sometimes free-of-charge. Using your favorite search engine, perform a search for “dynamic dns”. Here are a couple of examples:[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][URL="http://www.no-ip.com/"]http://www.no-ip.com/[/URL][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][URL="http://www.dyndns.com/"]http://www.dyndns.com/[/URL][/FONT]

[meowcat]

I am running Windows 7 64 bit and tried to install Ventrilo server as a service, but it was not working.

I was logged in as an administrator and had no luck with "ventrilo_svc.exe -i"

It would say "Access Denied" or various other windows errors.

I fixed this by right-clicking on the ventrilo_srv.exe and ventrilo_svc.exe and going to the 'Compatibility' tab. I checked "Run this program as an administrator" and also "Run this program in Compatibility Mode for: Windows Vista" (which I had used Vent Server successfully on previous to Windows 7). Hit ok.

I then ran "ventrilo_svc.exe -i" from command line again to install, windows asked me if i wanted to allow the program to make changes to my computer (yes), and it worked like a charm.

I don't know whether both options I checked were required because I didn't play around with it too much, but this worked, so I'm passing it along.

best of luck


-april