Run as Service

If you're planning on running a serious game server, your server probably won't be the computer where you'll be fragging your visitors... That's why Microsoft realized that and then copied Linux and invented services.

What are services?
Services are "hidden" windows programs that are always running on the computer wheter logged on or not.

Why use services?
Because they can be running even when nobody is logged on (no explorer.exe = more RAM for HLDS and HLDS is ran at startup = better reliability on non-voluntary shutdown). Services also provide better manageability such as automatic restarting if the service stops running and restart if service is having a leak (RAM usage increasing without stop).

To see for yourself about services, look at this comparison:

Non-Service Advantages: Program isn't hidden so you can input commands into console. Disadvantages: Takes up RAM and CPU cycles Less reliable than service mode

Service Advantages: Uses less CPU as the program is hidden and no graphics must be processed HLDS is automatically restarted if crashed. Disadvantages: No ability to see console = management must be done through RCON or third party tools

So to run HLDS as a service you need a third-party program called FireDaemon. FireDaemon will make HLDS run as a service with a few simple configurations. Here are the steps:

1. Download FireDaemon (from www.firedaemon.com)
    
2. Install Firedaemon
    
3. Open the FireDaemon
    
4. Click on the "Create new service"
    
5. In the new window that appeared, enter the fields like in this screenshot:
   
   Just remember to put the correct parameters in the parameters field.
    
6. In the "Settings" tab:
   
    
7. Now click the Install button and you're done!

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