zBlock Version 4.67

Source Engine Server Plugin for the CSS Engine

About zBlock

zBlock was first developed as an addition to the "CSP" server plugin, at this time VALVe had accidentally let a convariable slip that would allow players to "wallhack".

"CSP" (CAL Server Plugin) was a server plugin that enforced certain cvars that could either be exploited or created an unbalanced/unfair playing field.
Another feature of zBlock was to make CSP more difficult to bypass, however not too long after release, we determined that instead of making CSP more difficult to bypass, we should instead take on board the functions CSP had due to the significant ease at which is was bypassed.
zBlock is now one of the most used CS Source server plugins all around the world, enforced in the majority of competitive leagues around the world it's become a plugin you can't imagine CS Source without any more.

Installation

- Remove any previous zBlock files from older versions (zblock*.dll/zblock*.so/zblock*.vdf).

- Copy the "addons" folder and its contents into your game-servers mod directory, i.e. "ROOT/css/cstrike/". This will create a new folder "addons" and copy the plugin files onto the server so that next time it restarts the plugin shall be loaded.

- Restart the server.
  Notes:
  -A Windows server requires only the "zblock.dll" and "zblock.vdf" in the addons directory, whereas the Linux server requires only the "zblock.so" and "zblock.vdf" files.
  -If you are unsure which operating system your server uses: consult your game-server-provider.
  -Please make sure your server is up-to-date using the 'hldsupdatetool' (-verify_all) otherwise the plugin might not be able to load for reasons of server security.
  -Loading the zBlock Plugin via rcon plugin_load is not possible due to security reasons.

Enabling or Disabling zBlock

- Note: It is recommended that any server config changes affecting zBlock are made in the "server.cfg" file on your server - and not the "autoexec.cfg".

To Enable/Disable zBlock the CVAR "zb_active" is provided (accessible via rcon or by addition to the server.cfg file).

Set this to '0' to disable the plugin, and use '1' to re-active.

Example: From your client console type:

rcon_password YOUR_RCON_PASSWORD rcon zb_active 0 rcon zb_active 1

*It is highly recommended that zBlock be kept running at all times (for most competitive and league games this will be a must).
zBlock commands and settings:

Client Commands Can be entered in your in-game console at any time zb_status - Displays important server settings. zb_netinfo - Displays connected players net-settings (rates, interpolation, prediction, lag compensation). zb_version - Displays version of zBlock currently installed on the server. zb_readylist - Counter-Strike: Source Only & Warmode Only - Displays ready and not-ready players when using the ready-up system. zb_players - Displays a list of players authenticated by a configured auth-host (zb_authhost). zb_warnings - Displays information regarding questionable server configuration. zb_teamcash - Counter-Strike: Source Only & Warmode Only - Displays the team money situation (We recommend your caller binds this command to a key). - i.e. bind "F1" "zb_teamcash" - Note: Only usable during freeze-time and when "zb_allowcashcalling" is enabled.

Client Settings Can be placed in your userconfig.cfg or can be entered in your in-game console at any time setinfo zb_wantcashcalling 1 - Displays the team money situation automatically every round. setinfo zb_wantignorerad 1 - zBlock automatically sets "ignorerad" for you (turns radio messages off) (only when "zb_warmode 0" is set)

Server Commands Must be executed through RCON or directly at the server zb_lo3 - Counter-Strike: Source Only & Warmode Only - Executes config defined in "zb_matchconfig" - Restarts the round 3 times - Returning startmoney to value set in "zb_startmoney" (Default 800) zb_ko3 - Counter-Strike: Source Only & Warmode Only - Restarts the round 3 times, declaring a knife-round. zb_kickt <REASON> - Counter-Strike: Source Only - Kicks all terrorist team players. zb_kickct <REASON> - Counter-Strike: Source Only - Kicks all counter-terrorist team players. zb_kickspec <REASON> - Kicks all spectating players. zb_readyup - Counter-Strike Source Only & Warmode Only - Use zb_readyup to start, or stop the readyup sequence - Accepts "1" or "0" as parameter, "1" enabling readyup, "0" disabling readyup - Allows all players to set themselves as ready - When all players are ready, zb_lo3 is triggered zb_players - Displays a list of players authenticated by a configured auth-host (zb_authhost). zb_update - Manually checks for an update to the plugin. zb_record/zb_stoprecord - Records a SourceTV demo with name "MAPNAME_YYMMDD_HHMM". - When using "zb_record" zBlock will look for a directory named "zb_demos" or "demos" in the game-server's root directory, if it exists demos will be saved to that location. zb_recentdisconnects - Displays information on the most recent players to leave your server.

Server CVARS (Settings) Must be executed through RCON or directly at the server zb_warmode (Default: 0) - Counter-Strike Source Only - Enables/Disable zBlock Warmode - Public servers should set this to "0" (zb_warmode 0). - Competitive / Match servers should set this to "1". - Note: See below for complete warmode based changes. zb_matchconfig (Default: None) - Match config to be executed before initiating the live on 3 sequence - Note: To reset this value using rcon use: rcon zb_matchconfig " " zb_readyup_max (Default: 10) - Counter-Strike Source Only - The minimum number of players required to be ready to initiate live-on-three zb_startmoney (Default: 800) - Counter-Strike Source Only - The amount that the starting money should be returned to after the live on 3 sequence is completed - Note:This is to prevent players from regaining full money by using "retry" in the second round of overtime zb_authhost (Default: NONE) - Configures the auth-host to use with zBlock. - Changing this setting will re-authenticate all existing players in the server and continue to authenticate new players who join. (Please see our article on "Player Authentication" at our website for more details). - Note: To reset this value using rcon use: rcon zb_authhost " " OR rcon zb_authhost NONE zb_autoupdate (Default: 1) - Enable/Disable zBlock plugin auto-updating. - Note: Updates can be downloaded manually using the server command "zb_update" - Note: Automatic updates are never downloaded whilst players are connected to the server. zb_allowcashcalling (Default: 1) - Counter-Strike: Source Only - Enable/Disable Team money calling with "zb_teamcash" - Note: 0 = Disabled / 1 = Enabled / 2 = Allow automatic cash calling - To use automatic cash calling clients must use the command "setinfo zb_wantautocashcalling 1" zb_dosprotect (Default: 1) - Protects the game-server from several network level attacks. - Note: 0 = Disabled / 1 = Enabled zb_crashblock (Default: 1) - Protects the game-server from several known crash exploits. - Note: 0 = Disabled / 1 = Enabled zb_deadvoice (Default: 1) - Counter-Strike: Source Only - When enabled dead players can chat to living members of their team using the in-game voice system. - Note: 0 = Disabled / 1 = Enabled zb_antispeedhack (Default: 1) - Prevents the use of client cheats which manipulate the games view of time. - Note: 0 = Disabled / 1 = Enabled / 2 = Enabled and Kick. zb_checkviewangles (Default: 1) - Prevents the use of cheats which distort the players view-angles. - Note: 0 = Disabled / 1 = Enabled. zb_ignoreplayerqueries (Default: 0) - When enabled the server will ignore queries which ask for the names of the players connected. - This is for use in high-profile competitive matches where players do not wish their whereabouts to be known. - We highly recommend this is kept disabled (default). - Note: 0 = Disabled / 1 = Enabled. zb_antispam_max_cmds_per_sec (Default: 5) - Blocks command spam attempts. - We are currently tweaking the effects of this feature. A setting of 4-6 appears to be adequate. zb_removals (Default: 0) - When set to "1" all junk props are removed from the map. - When set to "2" it removes all oil drums. - When set to "3" it removes both oil drums and junk. Best combined with the client setting "cl_phys_props_enable 0". zb_illegaldefusefix (Default: 0) - Counter-Strike: Source Only - When enabled you are unable to defuse unless you can see the bomb and a message is displayed telling you so. - Note: 0 = Disabled / 1 = Enabled. zb_antiflash (Default: 1) - Counter-Strike: Source Only - When enabled players who are under the full effect of a flashbang will be unable to see other players by cheating to remove the white screen effect. - Note: 0 = Disabled / 1 = Enabled. zb_antismoke (Default: 0) - Counter-Strike: Source Only - When enabled players who are stood in the middle of a bloomed smoke grenade are not visible by the use of exploits. - Note: 0 = Disabled / 1 = Enabled. zb_force_dx (Default: 0) - Counter-Strike: Source Only / Warmode Only - When set to "1" players must use a DirectX9 video mode (resolves ambient occlusion issues). - When set to "2" players must use a DirectX8 video mode (stronger flashbang effect). - Note: 0 = Disabled. zb_bancheaters (Default: 1) - When enabled confirmed cheaters will be banned. - When disabled they are kicked. - Note: 0 = Disabled / 1 = Enabled. zb_forwardbans (Default: 1) - When enabled bans made by zBlock will be forwarded to SourceBans if that plugin is also running (www.sourcebans.net). - Note: 0 = Disabled / 1 = Enabled. zb_crouchfix (Default: 0) - Counter-Strike: Source Only - When enabled players must wait until they're standing to crouch again. - Note: 0 = Disabled / 1 = Enabled. zb_fadetoblack (Default: 1) - Counter-Strike: Source Only - When enabled "mp_fadetoblack 1" is forced and dead players sound is disabled. zb_maxnamechanges (Default: 3) - The total number of name changes a player is allowed to make in the time "zb_namechangeperiod" - Note: 0=unlimited/disabled zb_namechangeperiod (Default: 300) - The number of seconds between tracked name changes (over which "zb_maxnamechanges" applies") zb_kicknamethieves (Default: 0) - When enabled players are removed if they have a name very similar or identical to an existing player (on joining or on name change). - Note: This defaults to disabled. (0 = Disabled / 1 = Enabled) zb_dramaticheadshots (Default: 0) - Counter-Strike: Source Only - Just for fun! - Enable/Disable classic style headshot ragdolls

zb_status

Is a public cvar which is queryable from connected clients and also via server monitoring tools such as HLSW.
We highly recommend you stay clear of servers where zb_status has a value greater than 1, this indicates a problem with the configuration of the server.
A description of the current zb_status value is shown in the welcome message to connecting clients (console) and also by using the command "zb_status".

A Note About "sv_pure"
zBlock 4 will only allow sv_pure values 1 or 2 whilst the plugin is active and will automatically change the map (issuing a kick message to all connected clients) whenever its value is changed - this is to allow the new value to take effect correctly.
Note: All league servers should have the setting "sv_pure 2" in their server.cfg's.
A further change in zBlock v4 is that sv_consistency is forced to 1 whilst zBlock is active.

When sv_pure takes a value of 1 or 2 it enforces connecting players to use some default content ("sv_pure 2" being more restrictive than 1), this can affect some sound modifications such as the "quake sounds pack" or "admin sounds" from being played and also older player skins from being used.

We recommend that server operators who wish to use this modified content use "sv_pure 1" in their server.cfg's and enforce a whitelist.

Details on how to configure your servers whitelist is available here:

http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Pure_Servers

(You will need to allow the custom content from disk)

Map Restarts Triggered by the zBlock Plugin
On changing the value of certain server cvars when running the zBlock plugin your server will automatically restart the current map (kicking all players to give the reason for the map change), this is done to ensure a level playing field on your server and also for ease of use to server administrators.

A change in the following cvars will trigger a map restart:
zb_active (on only)
zb_warmode
sv_cheats (off from on)
sv_pure
sv_consistency
CAUTION: Be careful that you do not make contradicting references to these cvar values in your "server.cfg" (ran automatically on map loads) as this will cause your server to repeatedly reload the map.

i.e.

sv_pure 0 ... sv_pure 2

zb_warmode

Warmode is a new concept found in zBlock from version 4.5, this is designed to give a distinction in the plugins configuration between a public and a private/competition/war-server.
As such when zb_warmode is disabled the settings are not as strict. We turn off things such as map consistency, the super-boost fix, warnings and welcome messages.
With warmode on we enable the match functionality and lock down a lot of the server cvars, disable certain features which are unsuitable for competitive play and also only allow pausing during round-end and freeze-time.

We expect further features to be tied in with the functionality of the cvar in the future.

Plugin Not Loading?

If the plugin does not seem to be loading, here are some tips for troubleshooting the issue.

1. Restart the server and join and type "rcon plugin_print", is zBlock listed in the list of plugins?
   -If it is, then maybe "zb_active" is set to '0'.

2. Load the plugin manually using:
   rcon plugin_load "addons/zblock"
   View the message which appears, this should help you locate the issue.
   -Note: This action will not actually allow you to load the plugin, but should indicate the problem.

3. Stop your server.
   Remove all zBlock files from your "addons/" directory.
   Make sure the server is up-to-date using the hldsupdatetool (use the "-verify_all" command line option when updating to check for corrupt files).
   Re-install zBlock as per the instructions in this text file. (Make sure your version of zBlock is also the latest).
   Restart the server.

4. Contact your server administrator/GSP staff.

Contacting Us for Support

Only when you have exhausted all other troubleshooting methods then please contact us at our websites forums, following the support sticky thread as an example for support.

If you have not already tried the methods outlined in this readme (or show that you have not even read the readme file) we will not be able to help you!

We like to keep our forums a tidy place if you have any difficulties running a server or with cvars/rcon admin etc.. Then we recommend you get support from another place such as: www.srcds.com or http://www.steampowered.com/v/index.php?area=forums

Authors and Credited Others

TheUnknownFactor
J3Di
Trepje
Orion
CodeRed
zBlock Competitive Consultants

Contact details are available from our website

http://zblock.mgamez.eu