FAQ

About OpenSim

What is OpenSim?

OpenSim is a platform for operating a virtual world, and supports multiple independent regions connecting to a single centralized grid. This is somewhat similar to the web, where anyone can run their own web server, tied together through the internet. It can also be used to create a private grid, analogous to a private intranet.

What is a region?

A region is what you see when you log into OpenSim. It is the physical place (well, virtually physical) where avatars move and interact. It is a square patch of land which may contain an island, mountains, a plain, buildings, etc., or just an ocean.

What is the grid?

The grid is the level that organizes the regions and their positions in the world, and handles things that need to exist across regions, such as a user's inventory. You can think of it as similar to the world map.

What does ... mean?

See OpenSim:TechRef for definitions of some terms commonly used in OpenSim.

Configuring OpenSim

First, read OpenSim: Configuration.

Where can I get a new UUID for my sim config?

Use 'uuidgen' or generate one on the uuidgen webpage.

Can I run multiple regions with OpenSim?

Yes. To do this add another xml file to bin/Regions. You need to create a new 'sim_UUID' (see above) and change the 'sim_name', 'internal_ip_port', 'sim_location_x' and 'sim_location_y' (and anything else you wish to change). The script share/regions/make.php may be useful for generating region files automatically. Once the new region files have been added to bin/Regions, restart OpenSim. Note that sim_location_x and sim_location_y should be in adjacent regions, so you will be able to run back and forth between regions.

• See OpenSim: Configuration.

How do I enable prim storage?

• In the OpenSim.ini file, change the storage_plugin entry to

storage_plugin = OpenSim.DataStore.MonoSqlite.dll

or:

storage_plugin = OpenSim.Framework.Data.MySQL.dll

You will also need to provide connection details in a storage_connection_string attribute - see the OpenSim.ini.example file in the bin directory of the OpenSim package for more information.

There are a bunch of textures in the library, but they are all 0x0? What's wrong?

To enable these extra textures for your use, you must delete your regionassets.yap file, and restart your sim. WARNING: IF YOU DO THIS, YOU WILL LOSE ANY ASSETS (textures, scripts, animations, etc) THAT YOU HAVE UPLOADED!

What databases can be used with OpenSim?

For running in standalone mode, OpenSim provides database plugins for both sqlite and MySQL. There is also an MSSQL plugin, though this has not been thoroughly tested. Sqlite requires no user configuration to set up while MySQL requires some minimal user configuration (see mysql-config). Running in grid mode is usually done using the MySQL database. Sqlite and MSSQL may work but have not been thoroughly tested.

Can I export all my prims, for safe keeping?

Yes. From the console type:

save-xml [filename]

You can later load those prims with:

load-xml [filename]

This is also a good way to dump and clone prims from one OpenSim server to another.

OpenSim in the Wild

Are there test servers running OpenSim I can connect to?

Yes. Check out http://www.deepgrid.com, http://osgrid.org There are also often many private servers up for testing. Hang out on the IRC channel (Freenode #opensim), and troll for URI's.

Can I teleport from the Linden Lab Second Life grid to my Sim?

No, OpenSim islands cannot connect to the Linden Lab grid.

MySQL

How do I isolate and delete a users Trash items in a MySQL grid database?

NOTE: BACK UP YOUR DATABASE!

1. Locate the avatars UUID you wish to find the trash items of, in the users table
This query will locate a specified users UUID: (replace User/Test with username/lastname)

SELECT `UUID` FROM `users` WHERE `username` LIKE 'User' AND `lastname` LIKE 'Test' LIMIT 0 , 30;

2. Use the avatars UUID to search the field_name AgentID in the inventoryFolders table, using Trash as the folderName to isolate the users Trash folderID
This query will locate the users Trash folder entry: (replace 00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000 with UUID of user)

SELECT `folderID` FROM `inventoryfolders` WHERE `agentID` LIKE '00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000' AND `folderName` LIKE 'Trash'
LIMIT 0 , 30;

3. Use the folderID UUID obtained in the last query to find all of the trash items in the inventoryitems table, you can then delete them once you have isolated them.
This query will locate the trash items of the avatar in question: (replace 00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000 with Trash folder UUID obtained in the last query)

SELECT * FROM `inventoryitems` WHERE `parentFolderID` LIKE '00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000' LIMIT 0 , 9999;

NOTE: These steps will not remove the associated assets from the assets table, just the items in the inventory inventoryitems table.

How do I isolate and resolve duplicate inventory folder entries in a MySQL grid database?

NOTE: BACK UP YOUR DATABASE!

1. It's first a good idea to search for the affected avatars UUID in the inventoryFolders table to see the duplicate entries. When you see this, you'll see the problem of duplicate entries. The key here will be to find out which is being used.

2. Upload a file inworld and name it something unique. This will isolate the UUID of your root folder that is being used (even though there are dups only one is being used)

3. Search the inventoryitems table for your uniquely named item and locate it's parentFolderID

This query will isolate the parentFolderID based on your search for the unique item (replace unique_name with your unique item name)

SELECT `parentFolderID` FROM `inventoryitems` WHERE `inventoryName` LIKE 'unique_name' LIMIT 0 , 30;

4. Check the inventoryfolders table against the parentFolderID UUID obtained in the last search. That is your root folder that is being used.. you can delete all duplicate entries that do not match that parentFolderID. In the end, you should only have one of each type (Trash, etc)

This query will return all values that are NOT the parentID obtained in the last search. (replace 00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000 with the parentID located in step 3)

SELECT * FROM `inventoryfolders` WHERE `folderID` NOT LIKE '00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000' LIMIT 0 , 30;

In World Questions

Does in world scripting work yet?

Not fully implemented, but there is a lot of work going on here. Please see LSL Status for the latest info.

Why do I walk through objects?

Basicphysics doesn't support collisions between objects (just between you and the ground). There is active work on other physics engines for OpenSim, but these are quite experimental at this point, so not considered supported.

Can I customize my avatar?

Yes. In order to do this:

• Click the Inventory Button
• Create -> New Clothes -> Shirt, Pants, etc
• Create -> New Body Parts -> Hair, Shape, etc
• Edit those from your inventory
• Wear them

Your avatar doesn't always face a nice direction for doing this, so you'll need to use the camera operations to see your face for some of the modifications. This is a known issue, will be fixed in the future. Also, you'll need to rewear you parts once you first join the environment. Right now default appearance is always "Ruth".

Grid Mode

After the shiny new grid is running, what is next?

• Make sure one can stop/restart UGA &S (sims). Check out any ordering issues of stop/restart UGA w/o stop/restart sim(s).
• Make sure one can add/delete both a region and a user from the database.
• Make sure it runs overnight and check it each morning by logging into 1 or 2 key sims.
• 'tail -f userserver.log' and watch/understand the login process.
• Make sure when you logoff your system, you can log back on and get control of the UGAS consoles.