Stuck on step 11 (creating Linux server)

[Wolfshead Sky]

I've gone through this process 4 times now and still can't figure out my problem. No matter what I do, I don't have the "peq" folder in my folder as shown in the video. I see the command "mkdir peq server" in step 8 and I've done that, but it still isn't there. If I try to repeat that command, it says that it can't do it because the folder already exists. But I can't find it anywhere. Even if I do a search through the entire computer, I can't find a folder with that name anywhere.

Here is a little bit about me and my issue:

Attempting this project is my first ever experience with Linux. Being very unfamiliar with how Linux works might be part (or all) of my issue. However, I don't see where I've been going wrong.

I am not using Virtual Box. This is a straight-up Debian installation on a dedicated machine.

Each time I retry this, I start completely from scratch with a fresh install of Debian to remove any potential problems I might have caused in my previous attempts.

I've tried to do everything exactly as the steps require...all the way down to using "eq" as the username and "root" as the password for everything. I know the steps also mention that passwords need to be secure, but at this point, I'm more focused on trouble-shooting. Once I've figured out the problem, I'll redo it with better passwords.

Any help is greatly appreciated. Again, I'm very new to this, so it is very possible that I don't know what kind of information I need to be posting about my problem. Feel free to ask .

[N0ctrnl]

Ok, so, "the video" is useless if you don't show us the video you're working with.

Working with filesystem structure is Linux 101. If you're having issues creating and changing into a directory, you would probably be better served to either switch to a Windows server (Akkadius has a great installer for that) or see about picking up some fundamentals.

Having said all that... What directory were you in on the server when you issued the "mkdir" command?

Also, using default usernames and passwords is just asking for trouble. Use something different.

[Wolfshead Sky]

I am following the tutorial as given here (from this site): http://wiki.eqemulator.org/p?EQEmu_o...n_7_Virtualbox

The video you are asking about is on step 11.

On step 8, you are told to type in "cd ~". When I do that, my line looks like this:

root@eq:/home/eq# cd ~

After I type "cd ~", I get this:

root@eq:~#

Then on that line, I type "mkdir peq server" and so my line looks like this:

root@eq:~# mkdir peq server

My initial thought is that I need to stay in /home/eq. But being a total beginner at this, I am doing my best to follow the instructions to the letter. That means typing out "cd ~".

And I know that I need to use something other than "root" for my passwords. I mentioned that in my initial post as well as my reasons.

[DanCanDo]

"peq" and "server" are meant to be two different folders.

[Wolfshead Sky]

Yea, I saw that (and assumed as much). This is my first foray into Linux and I have to admit that I'm enjoying myself (when I'm not frustrated ).

[N0ctrnl]

~ is another way of saying $HOME, or in your case, probably /home/eq. So your directories are likely in /home/eq/peq and /home/eq/server.

The above is a really good example of why you need to find a Linux primer or something. That's about the most basic thing you should know about a Linux filesystem. Since I've not seen you mention taking a listing of the directory, I'm assuming you don't know about the 'ls' command either?

This is just the beginning of your frustration. There are a LOT of things you're not going to know. Coming back here isn't a tenable solution every time you need to do the most basic OS command. That's to say nothing at all of the security concerns...

[Wolfshead Sky]

I've got to start somewhere.

I've looked in /home/eq and there are no "peq" or "server" folders to be found. That is the reason for my post. I can't find them anywhere. Yet if I go to try step 8 again and use the command "mkdir peq server" (or just "mkdir peq"), it tells me it can't because they already exist. Ok, so where are they? I have no idea. I've looked in every folder I could find and even tried a search. Can't find them anywhere.

If you are thinking they are in /home/eq, then what is the difference in the terminal between:

root@eq:/home/eq#

and

root@eq:~#

Yes, I've looked into the "ls" command. I tried it (and subsequently looked it up, along with other commands (yes, I've done some poking around)) since it was a part of step 11.

I have no idea what I am missing since everything I've read (both here and other sources on Linux) tells me I'm doing it right. Looking elsewhere for info on Linux commands is great and all, but it isn't specific to my issue trying to get an EQ server up and running.

[Wolfshead Sky]

I just tried an experiment. Step 8 tells me to type in "cd ~" before I do "mkdir peq server". So I decided to omit that step so I wouldn't go from "root@eq:/home/eq#" to "root@eq:~#". The folders are now in my /home/eq folder.

I'll move on to the next steps and see what happens (won't be able to do much with this for the next day or so, but I'll be able to reply/ask questions here).

But still, this experience has me thinking about the "cd ~" step and why it was throwing me off.

[N0ctrnl]

Well, the home directory for root is /root. So, as I said, when you were doing a "cd ~" you were going to your $HOME directory, which is /root. So you were looking for /root/peq and /root/server and not /home/eq/peq and /home/eq/server.

Running the server itself as root isn't a good idea. So you should really look at setting it up as a new user.

[Wolfshead Sky]

Yea, I figured something goofy had happened like that. Unless I missed something (very possible), then the instructions given in the link I provided set users up in the root when it isn't supposed to. But I did look at the Windows option you mentioned. I'm going to look into it. In the meantime, I'm going to continue to try to get this working. I wonder if it has something to do with the sudo step(s) in the earlier steps.

[DanCanDo]

Just to mention Wollfshead, those folder names are not an absolute requirement to have
a server running on linux. I have a Debian box, but I have things setup my own way.
Those guides and tutorials are there for people who need them, but once you learn a lot,
you'll be able to manage things with your own preferences.
On my linux box, I have a /home/peqdb folder, where I keep my db backups and any scripts
I generally query in to the database. My server folder, I keep everything in one folder,
just like windows, rather than running symlinks. I just chmod anything I need to at the beginning.
I also keep a /home/source folder to download all the source (and updates)
when I need to, as well as many other folders for my own arrangement.
There is some things you have to follow suit on, but a lot can be based on
your own preferences.

[N0ctrnl]

The Windows installer is a much easier path. Glad to see you at least looking at it.

No matter which route you ultimately end up going, a 'hey, thanks' goes a long way when somebody helps you out.

[Maze_EQ]

Wonder how fun it would be to install using Kali, and see if I can exploit something to exploit my player's systems.....just kidding.

[Wolfshead Sky]

DanCanDo, yea, I figure there will be quite a bit of wiggle room once I figure out what is critical, temporary, placeholders, etc., and what isn't. Unfortunately I'm at that newbie stage where I can't really think outside the box just yet and follow everything to the letter to the best of my abilities because I don't know any better. I'll get there, though . I've found that what works best for me sometimes is to just dive in and learn on the fly (though I try to match that with some good old-fashioned reading and prep work LOL).

N0ctrnl, I did mention something to that effect in my initial post, knowing that someone might take the time to help me out. My next "thank you" is something that you need to wait to happen naturally, not call someone out for. That is poor manners. Especially after the bulk of your responses to me were built on telling me to go read something along with a clear indication that you either didn't read some portions of my posts or just chose to ignore them. It also does not help when you combine that with an abrasive attitude and bossy imperatives. If you don't want to help, don't worry...I'll survive. But if you do what to help (whether it is me or others), understanding and an approach that helps people grow will work wonders. And you'll find people will more readily give you the thanks you crave.

[N0ctrnl]

Oh, so just hadn't done enough to earn your gratitude, eh? Whatever dude.