allow us to load MP missions from local disk

[hayesj23]

Hello DCS devs/mods,

 

As missions are becoming more complicated with audio scripting, the file sizes of these missions are rising. When joining a MP server you have to download the mission EVERY single time from the host, which can cause network issues from the hoster becoming overloaded with network data.

 

Please implement some sort of system that allows us to point the sim towards the mission file already downloaded on our local drive and then remember that location so that it loads it each time we join a server with that mission loaded. Some sort of integrity check would be useful to to make sure players don't accidently load the wrong mission.

 

If not that, just store the mission once downloaded and then reference that file on the disk each time as opposed to making us re-download it from the host every time.

 

Thanks.

[Nate--IRL--]

Good Idea.

 

Nate

[112th_Rossi]

Yes. All thats required is the MD5 hash of the mission file to be sent first to the client. If the client sees the same hash on the mission file in his mission folder, then it's good to go. Otherwise, download the file (or deny, according to server settings).

 

Alternatively, redirect and allow an automatic HTTP download. Much like the HLDS resource system in Half Life.

[Revelation]

I agree with this idea. The only thing I see becoming a problem is when missions are changed and you have to re-download the new mission. I've been on servers, especially when creating/testing new missions, where you will go through 10 different modifications in one night. Will there be a garbage collection process for "outdated" missions?

[ALDEGA]

Basically put ... you want multiplayer missions to be cached, with automatic clean up (maximum directory size for example).

[112th_Rossi]

Basically put... if you have the exact mission already, don't download it.