[CS:GO] sv_tags and server discovery.
 

Greetings,

I've experienced an issue, while searching for my servers on CS:GO.
The use case is next.

I have two servers with identical configurations (server.cfg, gamemode_competitive_), SourceMod plugins etc.
So in that case, sv_tags are identical (for example: Europe, balkan, brutal).

When I make a master-server query to refresh for servers, first refresh I don't use any sv_tags for filtering, I just put him to finish his refresh. After that, I put my tag, for example balkan - and my old server is visible at first refresh, with 2 more servers.

That is NOT the case with the new IP. If I want to search for him, first I should put the tag and make a force refresh again, and server finally comes up.

Ping to both servers are <20, and I see my first server without any tags, which is not the case with the another one.

I have called Steam API with both addresses, which returns me a result that both servers are listed on the master server, but that's not it. First server makes full in 2 days, while the second one had 10 players in same period of time.

What is the trick, IP reputation on Valve master servers or what? I have made also a test server on 3rd public IP, and it was visible, but I cannot use it because of var and sv values which are too high to make the experience playable.

I am asking for this because I don't want to waste my money for hostings which cannot list servers as it is mentioned above.

thank you in advance.

If you want a video of the example, I can also upload it.

Re: [CS:GO] sv_tags and server discovery.
 

Are the 2 servers in the same location?

Re: [CS:GO] sv_tags and server discovery.
 

No, they are in two different AS'es / IP ranges
193.104.68.xx - old
94.250.213.xx - new

But pings are the same for me, but as I've told before: second one is not visible w/o tags, first one has been shown the same moment I've made a refresh, the second one is visible only on force refresh with exact tags.

Re: [CS:GO] sv_tags and server discovery.
 

Unfortunately, I have had to search for a hosting until I did not find what I was looking for.

Look for an IP range, before you buy a server, because it will be less visible.

In my case, 78.46.xx.xx was bingo! (I don't want to advertise).

This is of course temporary fix, but Valve definitely should make some way around this.

Re: [CS:GO] sv_tags and server discovery.
 

Excuses for bumping this thread, but my server got suddenly again de-listed from master servers, only can be searched with exclusive sv_tags.

While opening master server search in Steam application, my server again is not listed on it.

What is the trick? Firewall is shut off because there is no need to open ports (default open all)

Re: [CS:GO] sv_tags and server discovery.
 

Post your sm plugins list output.

Re: [CS:GO] sv_tags and server discovery.
 

20:36:29 [SM] Listing 45 plugins:
01 "Anti-Flood" (1.9.0.6281) by AlliedModders LLC
02 "Simple Chat Colors" (2.0.0) by Simple Plugins
03 "Nextmap" (1.9.0.6281) by AlliedModders LLC
04 "Rock The Vote" (1.9.0.6281) by AlliedModders LLC
05 "Basic Ban Commands" (1.9.0.6281) by AlliedModders LLC
06 "Losing Team Slayer" (1.3.0.0) by Lindgren
07 "Red's AWP Wide Restriction" (2.2.0) by RedSword
08 "SwapTeam" (1.2.6) by Rogue - Originally by MistaGee
09 "Basic Commands" (1.9.0.6281) by AlliedModders LLC
10 "Sound Commands" (1.9.0.6281) by AlliedModders LLC
11 "Chat-Processor" (2.0.8) by Keith Warren (Drixevel)
12 "CSGO Map Change Crash Fixer" (1.0.7) by BOT Benson + Wesker
13 "Map Nominations" (1.9.0.6281) by AlliedModders LLC
14 "MapChooser" (1.9.0.6281) by AlliedModders LLC
15 "Weapon Restrict" (3.1.7) by Dr!fter
16 "Advanced c4 Countdown Timer" (1.4.1) by dalto
17 "Basic Info Triggers" (1.9.0.6281) by AlliedModders LLC
18 "Fun Commands" (1.9.0.6281) by AlliedModders LLC
19 "Fun Votes" (1.9.0.6281) by AlliedModders LLC
20 "Gloves" (1.0.3) by kgns | oyunhost.net
21 "Admin Menu" (1.9.0.6281) by AlliedModders LLC
22 "[CSS/CS:GO] AbNeR ResetScore" (1.5fix) by AbNeR_CSS
23 "Players Votes" (1.5.0) by The Resident, pZv!
24 "CS:GO QuickDefuse" (0.5-fixed) by pRED*, G-Phoenix, Lacrimosa99
25 "Basic Votes" (1.9.0.6281) by AlliedModders LLC
26 "HANSE-Balance" (1.6.2) by red!
27 "Team Bets" (2.6) by GrimReaper - Original by ferret
28 "ServerAdvertisements3" (3.1.3) by ESK0
29 "Weapons & Knives" (1.3.3) by kgns | oyunhost.net
30 "Basic Comm Control" (1.9.0.6281) by AlliedModders LLC
31 "Map configs" (1.3) by Berni
32 "gameME Plugin" (4.8.1) by TTS Oetzel & Goerz GmbH
33 "IP Chat Block" (1.4) by SuperRaWR
34 "Admin File Reader" (1.9.0.6281) by AlliedModders LLC
35 "Test Messages" (1.0.0) by Keith Warren (Shaders Allen)
36 "Admin all spec" (1.0.2) by Dr!fter
37 "[CSGO] Advanced Admin" (1.7.1) by PeEzZ
38 "Player Commands" (1.9.0.6281) by AlliedModders LLC
39 "Panorama - Timeleft" (1.0.1) by Fastmancz
40 "Client Preferences" (1.9.0.6281) by AlliedModders LLC
41 "Connect Announce" (1.8) by Arg!
42 "Win or Die!" (1.2.9) by sinsic
43 "Admin Help" (1.9.0.6281) by AlliedModders LLC
44 "Basic Chat" (1.9.0.6281) by AlliedModders LLC
45 "Force AllTalk" (1.1) by Nickelony

Re: [CS:GO] sv_tags and server discovery.
 

Will be most feasible for targeting Serbia (RS).

Will be most feasible for targeting Germany (DE).

Pings aren't the only relevant thing for "server discovery":

The IP range itself doesn't really matter; what matters is that you choose something within (or at least, very close to) the country of your target audience:

If you want to target Croatia, select some Croatian hosting provider, WITH PHYSICAL SERVERS IN Croatia, as it would obviously:

a) Be closer physically and network wise
b) (Typically) Have lower ping than when hosting outside your own / your target audience's country
c) Geo-location of server as well as client would be identical

Will be most feasible for targeting Germany (DE).

No, just no.

Making ways "around things", allowing people to maliciously obfuscate / falsify things, IS NOT the right way to go :!:.


Taking a look at a life example right now, if you take a random CloudFlare IP, e.g. 162.158.135.1 -

Put that IP address on various multi geo-location checkers, e.g. iplocation.net to mention an example.

Currently, you get three databases on that site, each of them saying something different:

1. Copenhagen, Denmark.
2. Neuquén, Argentina
3. Ashburn, Virginia, United States

Parent space (162.158.0.0/15 (162.158.0.0 - 162.159.255.255)) is assigned to their corporate headquarters in San Francisco, California, United States.



Using network tools like traceroute, you can see that the traffic travels through Buenos Aires, Argentina, just before hitting the CloudFlare network, so #2 is apparently the most correct one there.


If you rent a server physically located in Germany, but wants to target users in United Kingdom, the geo-location should say Germany to be "correct". But in order to get the most beneficial results for your target audience (United Kingdom), having United Kingdom (GB) as the country code of the IP space you're using would make more sense, ... for you.

Within EU, such as e.g. United Kingdom (GB) and Germany (DE), there isn't that much of a noticeable difference.

... However, with things like above: Argentina vs. Denmark, you will see severe issues on network related stuff that are geo-targetted.

I am having 18-25 ms towards CloudFlare locally, but to the IP address in Argentina, in the above example, I'm getting like 310 ms.


The geo-location stuff should represent the server's / physical location.

^ "Accidentally" routing users in Denmark to the datacenter in Argentina, or users from Argentina to the datacenter in Denmark; you would notice severe network issues, including, but not limited to slow speeds and latency.


It is widely known that Valve/Steam is using a combination of geo-location TOGETHER with pings, to send at least the "non-filtered" server browsing towards the right areas of the Internet.

The right areas of the Internet isn't on the other side of the planet, just because you want something for a cheaper price.

So therefore, host your server within the country of your target audience to get the best results.

If you put in your IP address on sites like the above one, and see a misfit of multiple countries; open a support ticket with your provider and have them take the journey of getting things corrected.

Re: [CS:GO] sv_tags and server discovery.
 

csgo server browser uses IP2Location geoip database. so for e.g when the server is located in Croatia but the ip is registered in USA. it will not show for Croatia players without forced tag searching as server browser looks for ip geo location first.
check your IP location in IP2Location website.

Re: [CS:GO] sv_tags and server discovery.
 

It also uses maxmind (the info is like 3-4 years old tho)