Knowledge base / FastDL / What is FastDL
What is FastDL
FastDL is a separate server from which players download maps, models and sounds over HTTP, instead of the slow built-in download of the Source engine.
The problem without FastDL
When a player joins a server with a custom map, the files come over the game protocol. Its speed is hard-capped at tens of kilobytes per second. A 40 MB map can take several minutes — most players just close the game.
What FastDL gives
Files are served by an ordinary web server at full line speed. The same map downloads in seconds.
| Without FastDL | With FastDL | |
|---|---|---|
| Download channel | Game protocol | HTTP |
| Speed | Tens of KB/s | The player's internet speed |
| Joining a 40 MB map | Minutes | Seconds |
How it works
- You rent FastDL and get SFTP access plus your own subdomain.
- You upload the same maps and models that sit on the game server.
- In the game server's config you point
sv_downloadurlat the FastDL address. - When a player joins, the game downloads content from FastDL instead of the game server.
What's next
- Ordering and credentials — how to rent and where to find the connection details.
- Uploading files and sv_downloadurl — where to put the files and what to write in the config.
- Packing into bz2 and the quota — how to speed downloads up further and keep an eye on space.