How to Use the LogServer

The LogServer is a logging utility that's used to sit in-between the Client and the Server, logging the commands between the two.  The goal, is to use this program to obtain a set of log files, upon which machine learning and data mining techniques can be performed on to extract any relevant information.

It works by providing the functionality of multiple clients to connect to a single LogServer.  For every client that connects to the LogServer, via port 7000, the LogServer creates a unique socket connection to handle communication between the client and server.  As messages enter the LogServer, it writes the information out to file, while at the same time routing the message to it's desired recipient.  The strength of the LogServer, is that you can run as many clients through it - whether it's one, or all 11 players on the team.  In addition, several LogServers can be placed on different computers, thereby splitting up the processing needs of file writing to speed up performance, if it appears as though the logging is slowing down the game.

Separate log files are created based on the init information passed between client and server.  The log files all have the extension .LSF (Log Server File), with a filename of teamname_uniformNumber.lsf

In addition, the LogServer can be stopped at anytime simply by pressing the ENTER key.  Of course, stopping the LogServer also stops the message routing - thereby ending the game for those players connected via the logging utiltiy.

To run the LogServer, first start the Soccer Server, then run:

    java LogServer -s_host server_host_name -s_port server_port_number

where the default values are localhost and 6000 respectively.

Next, connect as many clients to the LogServer as you desire, using the same method you would for the Soccer Server, keeping in mind the LogServer works on port 7000.

For a description of the methods and variables, you can look at the java documentation.