RenCam · Server recorder

FDS installation guide

For Renegade TT/SSGM 4.8 Update 4, revision 9000

Requirements

An existing Renegade FDS installation with TT/SSGM 4.8 Update 4, revision 9000.
.NET Framework 4.8 if using FTP/SFTP uploads.
Write access to the server directory.

Installation

Stop the FDS.
Back up ssgm.ini and any existing FDSReplay.dll and FDSReplay.ini.
Copy these four files into the server directory, alongside server.exe:
- FDSReplay.dll
- FDSReplayUpload.exe
- WinSCP.exe
- WinSCPnet.dll
For a new installation, also copy FDSReplay.ini. When upgrading, merge the new settings into your existing configuration.
In ssgm.ini, add the recorder to the existing [Plugins] section using the next unused number. For example:
```
[Plugins]
00=BanSystem.dll
01=Mute.dll
02=FDSReplay.dll
```
Preserve your existing entries. Do not register FDSReplay.dll twice.
Keep the supplied documentation and licence files with the installation.
Start the FDS normally, with its server directory as the working directory.

Recording

Recording starts automatically when a map loads, unless recording has been stopped through the moderator integration.

For example, if the working directory is C:\Westwood\RenegadeFDS\Server, recordings are saved in:

C:\Westwood\RenegadeFDS\Server\ServerReplays

New recordings use the server’s local date and time, followed by the map name:

25-09-2026-14-30-05-C&C_Field.mix.fdsr

Check fds-replay.log to confirm recording has started. Wait until a recording has finished before copying it.

These are replay data files, not video files. View them using the separate RenCam client with the matching map and game assets installed. Game4 release 10 or newer supports discovery of the new filenames.

Retention

Configure local recording retention in FDSReplay.ini:

[Replay]
RetentionHours=168
CleanupIntervalSeconds=60
SavedDirectory=SavedReplays

168 hours is one week. Set RetentionHours=0 to disable automatic deletion. Protected recordings and saved archives are excluded from ordinary expiry. Restart FDS after changing these settings.

When uploads are enabled, ordinary expiry of unsaved local recordings is disabled so upload failures cannot discard the only copy. Monitor available disk space.

Optional FTP/SFTP uploads

Uploads are disabled by default. Configure the [Upload] section using the supplied UPLOADS.md, then enable uploads and restart FDS.

With OnlyWhenEmpty=1, uploads start only when no players are connected. If a player joins, the current upload finishes and the remaining files wait until the server is empty again.

Completed recordings are deleted locally only after remote verification succeeds. Failed uploads remain queued locally. Existing recordings from before uploads were enabled are not automatically queued.

The helper runs automatically as a separate hidden process; no Windows service needs installing. Check fds-upload.log for transfer results.

Uninstall

Remove the FDSReplay.dll entry from ssgm.ini, then remove the recorder and upload helper files. Remove WinSCP files (assuming no other use).