[Nexgen]Nexgen Advanced Ban Manager 1.02 [With ACE features]

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Sp0ngeb0b
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[Nexgen]Nexgen Advanced Ban Manager 1.02 [With ACE features]

Post by Sp0ngeb0b »

Version 2 released. See here

Nexgen Advanced Ban Manager ~ By Sp0ngeb0b

What's new in version 1.02?
Two critical bugs have been fixed, see changelog for further details. On top of that, version 1.02 introduces a new feature with regards to a possible ACE exploit, which allows possible cheaters to prevent ACE from initializing them. NexgenABM now allows the admin to determine a timelimit until each client's Hardware ID and MAC Hash must be available. If the client fails to provide this info in the specified time, he will automatically be kicked. The settings can be changed ingame in the Server -> Settings -> Plugins panel.


About
The main goal of the Nexgen Advanced Ban Manager is - as the name suggests - the improvement of the existing ban system in Nexgen. It offers reliable functions to keep unwanted players out permanently, as it makes use of the unique and not-changeable hardware Information detected by ACE. On top of that, NexgenABM also includes the ability to ban via the player's hostname. Both, IP and hostname bans offer support for Ban Masks, which allow range banning and precise specifications.

Nexgen's original Ban Control tab has been completely revised, creating the necessary space for including access to all ban parameters. Besides that, a polished Ban Search panel has been added to complement the User friendly interface.

Coming with NexgenABM is the use of the TCP implementation in Nexgen 1.12, which kicks the Client - Server communication of UT into a new dimension. It guarantees fast, smooth and reliable data transfer with low impact on the server performance. Nexgen's original ban data was sent using UT's replication netcode, which was slow, limited and uncomfortable. Client initialization often took around 10 seconds with a full ban list. NexgenABM's banlist instead even allows the double amount of ban entries (256) and initializes the clients in a few seconds. The TCP communication is also used
for another main feature of NexgenABM ...

... called the ACE Admin panel. As you might have already thought, it integrates important ACE functions in Nexgen. It's similiar to The_Cowboy's ACEManager, as the panel provides the possibility to easily request a ScreenShot of any player plus view the detailed ACE Infos of them.

Last but not least contains this plugin the complete functions of NexgenWarn, which can and must be dropped from the server in return.

For your comfort, NexgenABM comes with an integrated setup program, which will automatically transfer all existing ban entries from Nexgen's original ban system to the NexgenABM.ini file (and eventually erase the old data in Nexgen.ini).

Version 1.02 introduces a new feature with regards to a possible ACE exploit, which allows possible cheaters to prevent ACE from initializing them. NexgenABM now allows the admin to determine a timelimit until each client's Hardware ID and MAC Hash must be available. If the client fails to provide this info in the specified time, he will automatically be kicked. The settings can be changed ingame in the Server -> Settings -> Plugins panel.


Facts:
  • Use of the extended TCP netcode of Nexgen 1.12
    Ultra fast client initializing and data transfer
  • Ability to ban per Hardware ID, MAC Hash, Hostname and introduction of Ban Masks
    Unwanted players can be kept out reliable
  • Revised Ban Control tab
    Featuring a search function
  • New Panel: ACE Admin
    Ability to view detailed hardware and security Info for each client, including a function to save the data to a file. You can now directly request a screenshot from each player, which will be saved on the server.
  • Includes all functions of NexgenWarn
  • ACE bypass detection
Requirements

Code: Select all

Nexgen 1.12
ACE v 0.8 (any version using IACEv08c)
IpToCountry (optional, enables Hostname Banning)

Removal of NexgenWarn



Preview
Image Image
(Click on image for full size)




Credits and thanks
- Defrost for developing Nexgen and especially for his nearly forgotten work on the great TCP implementation in Nexgen 1.12.
- AnthraX for his priceless work on ACE
- Thanks to Matthew "MSuLL" Sullivan for parts of his work from HostnameBan.
- [es]Rush and MSuLL for creating IpToCountry.
- The_Cowboy for ACE_Manager
- To my admin team from the 'ComboGib >GRAPPLE< Server <//UrS//>', for their intensive testing, bug-finding and feedback, and ofcourse for simply beeing the best team to have. Big thanks guys! :)
- aZ-Boy for bug reporting and his suggestion for the ACE bypass kick feature


Download
NexgenABM101 (For Nexgen 112)
NexgenABM101N (For Nexgen 112N)
NexgenABM102 (For Nexgen 112)
NexgenABM102N (For Nexgen 112N)


FAQs

Code: Select all

Q: Does this plugin require ACE absolutely?
A: Yes, as it makes heavy use of ACE's features.

Q: What ACE versions are supported?
A: By now, only ACE versions 0.8g and 0.8h are supported. In theory, every version using the IACEv08c
   package should work.
   
Q: Will there be a version for ACE 0.9?
A: If this version is ever gonna be released to the public, there will for sure be an update of this
   plugin. Until then, I can not compile this plugin for 0.9 since I don't have the specific IACE file.

Q: Do I have to run IpToCountry?
A: No, IpToCountry is only optional. Note that you won't be able to perform Hostname bans if you
   don't run IpToCountry.
   
Q: Why are spectators not affected by HardwareID and MAC bans?
A: Since all public ACE versions only perform checks on players, there is no way to detect Spectator's
   hardware info.
   
Q: Banned players rejoin the game for a few seconds before beeing kicked again. Why is there a delay?
A: There could be 2 possible reasons for that:
   1) The player is only hardware banned, and ACE needs some time to detect the hardware Info.
   2) NexgenABM uses the original Nexgen setting whether to automatically update ban entries. If this
      feature is enabled, the plugin waits with kicking the player until all required info is received.
      Although the client may have already failed the first check (IP and ID bans), it will stay
      on the server until its Hostname and its ACE info is received. Eventually he will be kicked.

Q: How many ban entries are supported?
A: 256.

Q: What admin permissions are required for accessing the ACE Admin tab?
A: Clients must have Moderator rights to access the panel.

Q: I'm using a custom Nexgen version and there's no compatible version of this plugin available.
   Am I allowed to recompile this package on my own?
A: Generally, if you want a version of this plugin for a custom Nexgen version, ask me and I will
   do the job for you. If - for whatever reasons - you are unable to get in contact with me, you are
   allowed to recompile the plugin with respecting the conditions stated in section 5.
Q: How does the ACE bypass detection work?
A: NexgenABM constantly checks whether each client's Hardware ID and MAC Hash is available. 
    If it isn't after the specified timelimit, it will assume that the player is trying to bypass ACE and kick him.

Interesting for programmers
While working with Nexgen's 1.12 TCP functions, I encountered a far-reaching bug in Nexgen's core file which will prevent empty strings in an array to be transfered correctly. A detailed explanation and solution can be found here: here.


Changelog

Code: Select all

- Version 1.02:
  [Fix]   RequestInfo and TakeScreenshot buttons mistakenly disabled for green, gold and teamless
          players
  [Fix]   Critical bug in use with Bots
  [Added] Feature to detect ACE bypass attempts and kick the respective player

- Hotfix  1.01:
  [Fix]   Sometimes players were erroneously considered as banned

Feedback is welcome!
Last edited by Sp0ngeb0b on Wed Apr 08, 2020 7:26 pm, edited 7 times in total.
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Metalfist
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Re: [Nexgen] Nexgen Advanced Ban Manager [With ACE features]

Post by Metalfist »

Oh nice, I was running hostnameban along with nexgen to cover that. Good job!
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Re: [Nexgen] Nexgen Advanced Ban Manager [With ACE features]

Post by Sp0ngeb0b »

What will happen will happen. Bug popped up one hour after official release, I highly recommend anyone who dlled version 1.00 to delete it and use the hotfix 1.01 instead.

@Medor: You are to fast for me :D I hoped that you haven't already mirrored both 1.00 files, well, I was wrong. Could you remove them and upload 1.01 instead? =)
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Re: [Nexgen] Nexgen Advanced Ban Manager [With ACE features]

Post by Wises »

Well... all I can say is WOW
:highfive:

Thank You !
Last edited by Wises on Fri Nov 22, 2019 11:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: [Nexgen]Nexgen Advanced Ban Manager 1.02 [With ACE featu

Post by Sp0ngeb0b »

Version 1.02 released. See first post.
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Re: [Nexgen]Nexgen Advanced Ban Manager 1.02 [With ACE featu

Post by Raynor »

Looks like fantastic piece of software for admins. Nicely done!
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Re: [Nexgen]Nexgen Advanced Ban Manager 1.02 [With ACE featu

Post by Chronox »

This plugin is so sexy that you can almost fap to it LOL !

Now getting serious, nice job, updating !
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Brody
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Re: [Nexgen]Nexgen Advanced Ban Manager 1.02 [With ACE featu

Post by Brody »

I ask for Help.

I want to use this Mutator for my Servers.

My tries to get Contact with you about this Board PM and Mail were not successful. My Try to get in Contact about a direct Mail was rejected by the Mailserver.

Could you get in Contact with me, so we can get this Mutator run on my Serves?

As an Overview the current Stats:

Gameserver THIEVERY, which is a Mod for UT99 or GoTY Edition.
I already have installed ACE 08h (this runs properly)
NexgenABM requires an installed Nexgen 112 N, so i installed this.
From that Moment the Client PCs get disconnected again and again.

Plz help me getting this working, so i can use the NexgenABM.

Thanks in Advance and best Regards from Germany,
Brody
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Re: [Nexgen]Nexgen Advanced Ban Manager 1.02 [With ACE featu

Post by ShaiHulud »

I don't think Sponge will mind me telling you this, but he (SpongeBob) is travelling around Australia at the moment, so not in constant communication. I'm sure he'll get in touch with you when he can though.

Hmm, from what I understand Nexgen 112N is Letylove's modified version if Nexgen 112. Unfortunately he's left the UT scene so you're not likely to have much luck contacting him about it. Lots of people *do* use that flavour of Nexgen though, so hopefully someone will have some useful input for you.
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Re: [Nexgen]Nexgen Advanced Ban Manager 1.02 [With ACE featu

Post by UT99.org »

medor wrote:If you want speak with lety try shado49@hotmail.fr or http://shado49.xooit.fr :tu:
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Re: [Nexgen]Nexgen Advanced Ban Manager 1.02 [With ACE featu

Post by Sp0ngeb0b »

Thanks for the heads up Shai and Medor, PM sent to Brody :)
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Re: [Nexgen]Nexgen Advanced Ban Manager 1.02 [With ACE featu

Post by Brody »

Thx to Shai and Mendor, too.

I am already in PM Contact with Spongebob and hopefully, he will able to Help out.

Maybe i may contact you, should there be kept Problems...

best Regards
Brody
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Re: [Nexgen]Nexgen Advanced Ban Manager 1.02 [With ACE featu

Post by Brody »

@Spongebob

Plz check your PM Box :)
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Re: [Nexgen]Nexgen Advanced Ban Manager 1.02 [With ACE featu

Post by UT99.org »

medor wrote:shado is warned i have give him the link :thuup:
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Re: [Nexgen]Nexgen Advanced Ban Manager 1.02 [With ACE featu

Post by papercoffee »

medor wrote:shado is warned i have give him the link :thuup:
You mean gave him a heads-up or you informed him about... right? :mrgreen:
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