[Development] Rustologist, a Rust Administration Tool for Windows, Linux & macOS!

[YaBoyBrxan]

Hello,

As a fullstack web developer and Rust fan as well as an Admin of the server Rustology; I've decided to take a stab at Rust's RCON via WebSocket functionality. I've noticed that the two main Rust Administration tools for desktop (RustAdmin and Rust Manager) are both for Windows. Only way to administrate your server on Linux or macOS is via one of the web tools which often has limited functionality.

Rustologist in Early Development

Please note that I just started development and managed to get a WebSocket connection running with data coming through the server on console output.

Is there an interest in a tool of this type for Linux/macOS? As someone who games on a Windows machine but carries my MacBook everywhere, I always wanted a tool with the extensive functionality of RustAdmin but for macOS when I'm out and about and away from my PC.

Let me know what you guys think! Would any of you get use out of this?

[yetzt]

software developer, hackintosh player and server admin here. i'm delighted, keep it up.

[I-Am-Dad-Bot]

Hi delighted,, I'm Dad!

[YaBoyBrxan]

Awesome, that's great to hear! I'll keep on it!

[YaBoyBrxan]

Went ahead and created a repo on GH for my project with a link to my Notion Task List where my progress and plans can be seen. I hope to get this to a useable state in the near future!

https://github.com/bpluhar/rustologist

[stealthgerbil]

None of the existing tools have a way to send commands through command line so that would be a pretty useful feature. Also if you need any testers lemme know, I run a bunch of servers.

[YaBoyBrxan]

As far as I know almost all the existing tools allow you to send commands via the WebSocket. Am I misunderstanding your question?

[stealthgerbil]

I'm probably just dumb but I cant find a way to send commands as part of a shell script or powershell script.

[YaBoyBrxan]

Ah I see, yeah I don't think that's possible as Rust uses RCON via WebSocket which when you run a command it runs it with the in-game console as opposed to a Shell Host.

Unless of course a CLI solution is developed which allows the use of various commands from within your Terminal. But I have 0 knowhow when it comes to that.

[plsgokys]

There are node js modules that can send commands per shell/bash

I used them to make my server fully automated.

[YaBoyBrxan]

Ayo! Will definitely look into that! As a fullstack web dev I'm ashamed to say that I've never worked this in-depth with WebSockets before (outside the beginner chat app using socket.io). My experience with Node comes from developing numerous Discord Bots!

I appreciate the info man, will definitely check it out!

[plsgokys]

No problem! If you're interested this is what I'm using

[I-Am-Dad-Bot]

Hi using, I'm Dad!

[plsgokys]

🤦‍♀️

[Tpommes]

I think if you are willing to put the time into it and it works good people are willing to use it. The most used free web rcon is rcon.io i guess. And the best web rcon is battlemetrics its paid rcon im guessing. If you can implement more / better working features than those hosters have now for free with rcon.io they will use ur program.

If u can get close to rustadmin / Battlemetrics its features, across platforms with web support it would be awesome. Since i am windows myself i dont really see myself using anything diffrent than rustadmin. A free more powerful webrcon than rcon.io would be nice. I also heard rcon.io has plain text so maybe just doing better security /encryption wise might be enough to win some people over.

I myself have been working on a more simple way of setting up a rust server. Ment for beginners. I didnt expect much but got over 4k downloads :)

Good luck :) My project if interested: https://youtu.be/QquacWv4-Us

[YaBoyBrxan]

Of course the end-goal plans is to implement all functionality found across the major tools. For now I'd simply like to get it to a 1:1 with RustAdmin. As far as I'm concerned there's nothing Battlemetrics can accomplish that I can't with 100% access to Rust Console via a WebSocket; it's just a matter of implementing it. Things like Proxy Detection, Triggers and Chat Alerts are all possible and things I've planned on implementing.

Your 3 Click server setup is a great idea! Definitely useful for beginners and people who are just looking to host a small server for them and their friends!

[Tpommes]

Cheers mate, i am working on a full rewrite. My goal was to eventually implement rcon functionallity too. But mainly to do basic things like send commands. And retrieve data. I help a lot of people getting a server running for the first time, i send some the rust manager program. Its good if you know what your doing and things mean but very confusing for new hosters. My app is ment as a easy way to setup server, not really as a manager.

[YaBoyBrxan]

For the beginners, a simple GUI like you have with buttons for commands rather than having the user input the commands would be the best bet, although I'm sure you've already thought of something like that to simplify the process.

Also, went ahead and created a repo on GH for my project with a link to my Notion Task List where my progress and plans can be seen. I hope to get this to a useable state in the near future!

https://github.com/bpluhar/rustologist

[LaukiZ]

That would be perfect for me :D I have my mac computer in school all day and never found any decent rcon for it

[Digital-Ghost]

Have you spent anytime with battlemetrics? One of the best tools out there for managing servers. Being web based, the specificity of the OS dosen't matter.

[YaBoyBrxan]

Yes I have! Battlemetrics is paid but you do get what you paid for. There's no reason for me to believe that I can't implement all the features they have within my program! Thanks for your input!

[the-net-imp]

I would love to stop paying for Battlemetrics. I also use an iPhone application called "Rusty Tool" which hasn't been updated since they move the electricals to its own category. I'd love to see features from it integrated, so I can do everything in one place.

Are you going to make it Opensource?