Ctrl-Alt-GG Care

Bandwidth Etiquette

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

While our local network (LAN) runs at gigabit speeds, our internet connection is shared. If one person starts streaming 4K video or torrenting, they can ruin the ping for 100 other players.

Before You Arrive

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

There will be internet access, but you’ll have a much better start if you prep at home.

The night before

Tip

Do these before you leave home:

Being a Decent Human

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

A LAN is a social event. Don’t make it awkward.

Personal Space and Noise

Respect boundaries. Don’t spread your gear onto your neighbor’s desk. That is their space.
Quiet hours. If people are trying to sleep nearby after midnight, lower your voice.
Don’t touch. Never touch someone else’s gear, chair, or food without asking.

Trash Talk vs. Harassment

The difference is intent and reaction.

Communication Channels

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

Everyone is at the LAN, but most communication happens online.

TeamSpeak 3 (Voice)

The primary place for voice chat.

Emergency & Safety

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

Know this before you need it.

Medical Emergency

Minor (cuts, headaches): Go to the Organizer Desk. We have a basic First Aid kit.
Major (collapse, seizure, severe injury):
1. Call 112 (Emergency Services) immediately.
2. Shout for “MEDIC” or “STAFF”.
3. Clear the area around the person.

Fire

If the alarm sounds, leave immediately.
Do not try to save your PC. It’s replaceable. You’re not.
Gather at the designated assembly point outside.

Harassment / Safety Concerns

If someone is making you feel unsafe or uncomfortable:
- Come to the Organizer Desk immediately.
- Ask to speak to a lead organizer privately.
- We take this seriously and will handle it discreetly.

Lost & Found

Found something? Bring it to the Organizer Desk.
Lost something? Check the Organizer Desk.

File Sharing on the LAN

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

Sharing large files over the LAN is fast and saves internet bandwidth.

Allowed Tools

DC++ (Direct Connect): If we run a hub, use it.
Windows File Sharing (SMB): Great for small groups.
USB Drives: The classic “Sneakernet”. Reliable.

The Rules

No Piracy: Do not share cracked games, movies, or software.
Scan for Viruses: Don’t be the person who infects the whole row.
Respect Bandwidth: Don’t saturate the switch uplink with 10 simultaneous transfers.

Right-click folder > Properties > Sharing.
Click Share…
Select Everyone > Add > Read (or Read/Write).
Click Share.
Tell your friend your PC name or IP address (\\YourPCName).

Firewall and Antivirus Checks

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

Windows Firewall loves to block LAN games on “Public” networks.

First, check Known Issues.

The symptoms

Warning

Your firewall is probably the issue if you see any of these:

Food & Drink Guide

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

LAN parties are not just about gaming; they are about survival. And for that, you need fuel.

Delivery

The easiest way to get fed is to have it come to you.

Free Play and Finding Games

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

We run official game servers, but they are only part of what’s available. You can play anything you have installed.

Game Launcher Fixes

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

Steam won’t start? Battle.net stuck? Try these.

First, check Known Issues.

Launcher	Problem	Jump to
Steam	Won’t start	Steam — Won’t start
Steam	Game won’t update/verify	Steam — Update/verify
Epic Games Store	Won’t start	Epic — Won’t start
Epic Games Store	Game won’t verify	Epic — Verify
Battle.net	Won’t start	Battle.net — Won’t start
Battle.net	Game won’t scan/repair	Battle.net — Scan and repair
GOG Galaxy	Verify/repair	GOG Galaxy
Any launcher	Game crashes on launch	Game crashes on launch

Steam

Won’t start

Kill all steam.exe processes in Task Manager.
Relaunch.
If still broken: delete %localappdata%\Steam\htmlcache and %localappdata%\Steam\browser folders.

Game won’t update/verify

Clear Download Cache:

Getting There & Arrival

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

If you plan your trip before the last minute, you save yourself a lot of stress.

Before you leave

Check your route the day before.
Have a backup option in case of traffic, delays, or cancellations.
Add buffer time, especially if you are carrying a full setup.

Driving and carpooling

If you bring a lot of gear, driving is usually the easiest option.
Use community channels (Discord, carpool sheets) to find travel buddies.
If you have free seats, help others get to the event.
Park only in designated parking areas.

Public transport

Check live schedules before departure.
Verify whether your pass/ticket is valid for the specific line.
Timing matters even more on late or low-frequency routes.

Arrival window

Follow the announced arrival window for each event.
Try not to arrive in the last few minutes.
The check-in crew cannot stay at the entrance all day.

After arrival

Keep your ticket and barcode ready while queuing.
Unpack quickly and neatly so everyone can settle in smoothly.

Still packing? See What to Bring. For your first 60 minutes on-site: Your First Hour: A Timeline.

House Rules

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

We are here to have fun, but 100 people in one room requires some ground rules.

1. Arrival & Departure

Be on time.
Bring and take away your own equipment.

2. No Speakers

Headsets only.
If we hear your music, game, or TeamSpeak/Discord call, we will ask you to turn it off.
Repeated offenses = you leave.

3. Hygiene

Warning

Shower daily. This is not a request. Use deodorant. Keep your area clean. Trash goes in the bins, not on the floor.

4. Alcohol & Substances

Alcohol: Allowed in moderation (if legal age). Being drunk and disorderly is not allowed.
Smoking/Vaping: Outside only. No vaping at your desk.

Danger

Illegal substances: Zero tolerance. Immediate ban and police involvement. No exceptions.

5. Network

Do not change network settings or swap cables.
If you need help with ports/cables, ask staff.

6. While Gaming

No cheating.
No deliberate disruption or griefing.

7. Respect the Venue

Do not tape things to the walls.
Do not mess with the venue’s network equipment or power distribution.
Sleep only in designated sleeping areas, not under your desk (fire hazard).

8. Be Cool

Don’t be the person who ruins it for everyone else.
If staff asks you to stop doing something, stop.

How the Network Works

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

This is the “enthusiast” version. If you just want to get online, start with Network Troubleshooting.

High-level layout

Internet -> Juniper SRX340 (firewall) -> Arista DCS-7050SX (L3 core) -> Juniper EX3300 (access switches)
Inter-switch links are simple routed point-to-point (/31), so we’re not depending on spanning tree between switches
Access switches are edge only; routing decisions happen at the core

Segmentation (VLANs)

Access VLANs (140-150): guest devices on the same switch share a LAN segment
- DHCP only, internet + LAN services
- Don’t expose services you don’t want other people to see
Services VLAN (130): game servers, file host, DNS (Unbound), DHCP (Kea)
Management VLAN (128): network devices only
Wireless VLAN (132): same policy as access VLANs
IoT VLAN (131): currently similar to access; future plan is “internet-only, isolated”

Traffic flow

Clients -> access switch -> core gateway -> firewall -> internet
LAN services stay inside the core (no hairpinning through the firewall)

Design intent

Keep L2 complexity low
Make failures predictable and easy to isolate (is it access / core / firewall?)
Keep troubleshooting fast using the portal, server status page, and basic ping tests

How to Ask for Tech Help

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

We want to help, but we are running the event at the same time. Here is how to reach us.

I Can't See the Server

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

If you can’t see a game server or the LAN portal, start here.

First, check Known Issues.

1. Check network first

Run through Network Troubleshooting if you haven’t already (cable, link light, portal).

IP Setup Basics

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

Our network uses dynamic addressing.

The Rule

Set everything to Automatic (DHCP).

Known Issues

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

Last updated: Continuously during the event.

Before you troubleshoot anything, check this page. If your problem is listed here, stop – we know about it and are working on it.

Monitor Refresh Rate Checks

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

It happens every LAN. Someone plays all weekend on 60Hz without realizing it.

Check your settings

Right-click Desktop > Display settings.
Scroll down to Advanced display settings.
Check the Refresh rate dropdown.
Set it to the highest available number (144Hz, 240Hz, etc.).

Monitor goes black when game starts?

If the game launches but the screen says “Out of Range” or goes black:

My Ping is Terrible

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

High ping usually means something on your machine is eating bandwidth.

First, check Known Issues.

Tip

Quick checklist — do these first:

Network Troubleshooting (Start Here)

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

Most issues are either cable/port, DHCP, or something on your PC. Work through the sections below in order.

First, check Known Issues. If it’s a global outage, you can’t fix it locally.

Networking Glossary

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

If How the Network Works was too technical, this crash course covers the essential terms you need to know.

IP Address

Your computer’s address on the network. This identifies you. On the LAN, this might change dynamically, but it must always be unique. If two devices have the same IP, neither will work (IP conflict).

OS-Specific Notes

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

Different operating systems, same network.

Windows 10/11

Network Profile: Set to Private to see other PCs and host LAN games.
Firewall: When launching a game, check BOTH boxes (Private & Public) in the firewall prompt.
Updates: Run Windows Update before the event. We cache updates, but a major feature update can still take time to install.

Linux

Network Manager: Make sure your wired connection is set to DHCP.
Samba: If you want to share files with Windows users, install and configure Samba (smb).
Wine/Proton: Test your games beforehand. Don’t spend the first 4 hours configuring Lutris.

macOS

Dongles: Bring your USB-C to Ethernet adapter.
Games: Check compatibility. Many LAN classics are Windows-only.
File Sharing: Enable “File Sharing” in System Settings > General > Sharing to work with Windows SMB shares.

Overheating: Symptoms and Quick Fixes

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

A room full of gaming PCs generates heat. If your rig starts acting up, check temps.

Symptoms

Warning

High temperatures can cause these issues:

PC Won't Start

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

Transport vibration often loosens components. Don’t panic, it’s probably just a loose cable.

First, check Known Issues.

What do you see? Find your symptom and jump to the relevant section.

Peripheral Swaps

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

Left your mouse at home? Keyboard died? There is a solution.

Borrowing

Ask around: The LAN community is helpful. Your neighbor might have a spare mouse in their bag.
Organizer Desk: We have a “Lost & Found” box that sometimes contains unclaimed (or donated) cables and peripherals. Ask us.
Discord: Post in #general or #support: “Looking to borrow an HDMI cable for 2 hours.”

The Rules

Return it. If you borrow something, bring it back immediately when you are done.
Take care of it. Do not rage-smash a borrowed keyboard.
Say thanks. An energy drink or chocolate bar is the standard exchange rate for a life-saving cable.

Mark your gear

There will be 100 black cables and 50 identical mice on the tables.

Ports & Game Connections

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

If your game won’t connect or screams “Strict NAT”, read this.

First, check Known Issues.

What is NAT?

NAT (Network Address Translation) maps your internal IP to the outside world. Some games (especially older P2P titles) care a lot about your NAT type.

Power Limits and Extension Cables

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

We have enough power for everyone, but only if you follow the rules.

The Limit

You get TWO (2) power outlets.

Quick Command Reference

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

If tech support asks you to run a command, copy it from here.

Windows

Open Command Prompt (Start > cmd > Enter).

Reporting Network Issues

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

“The internet is broken” doesn’t help us fix it. When you message support or wave down a staff member, tell us:

Staying Safe on a Shared Network

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

A LAN party is a friendly environment, but technically, it’s a public network. Hundreds of unknown devices are connected to the same switches. You don’t need to be paranoid, but basic precautions are mandatory.

Surviving the Weekend

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

LAN parties are endurance events. Pace yourself.

The 3-2-1 Rule

Every 24 hours, you need:

Tickets & Registration

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

If you want a smooth start, sort out your ticket and registration early.

Where to handle it

You can manage most things on the lobby portal: lobby.ctrl-alt-gg.hu
This is where you register, pay, and check your current status.
Exact deadlines are always announced with the specific event.

Pre-departure check

Before you leave:

Tournaments & Team Sign-up

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

Tournaments add extra excitement to the LAN, but joining them is usually optional.

Tournament sign-up is handled on the lobby portal: lobby.ctrl-alt-gg.hu
Some tournaments use a dedicated team page: lobby.ctrl-alt-gg.hu/teams/
Deadlines are always announced for each event.

Team size and lineup

Team size depends on the game (for example, 1-3 players).
If your roster is not full yet, it is still worth signing up.
Some tournaments allow you to compete with fewer players.

Creating a team and adding members is not enough.
The team captain must also click the final tournament sign-up action.
Without that final step, your team may not count as entered.

Recruiting teammates

If you are missing players, recruit on Discord or at the event.
Many strong lineups are formed from mixed groups on-site.

Ticket requirement

Tournament participation requires a valid event ticket.
In team tournaments, every listed member needs a valid ticket.

For ticket details, see Tickets & Registration. For communication and recruiting, see Communication Channels.

Version Mismatch

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

“Server runs a different version of the game.” Familiar?

First, check Known Issues.

Why does this happen?

We usually run the latest version on the LAN. If you didn’t update at home, or your Steam is in Offline Mode, you are behind.

Voice Chat Setup

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

At the LAN, we use TeamSpeak 3 for voice communication.

Why? Because it runs on the local network, has zero latency, and doesn’t eat up internet bandwidth. Keep Discord for text chat and screen sharing.

What Not to Plug In

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

These will cause problems for everyone. Don’t bring them.

1. Speakers

Use a headset.
Nobody wants to hear your game, music, or voice chat.
This is non-negotiable.

2. UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply)

They draw huge current when charging.
They cause harmonic distortion on the power grid.
If power goes out, it goes out for everyone. Your UPS won’t save the LAN.

3. Network Gear

No routers.
No switches.
No access points.
Plugging these in can create IP conflicts, loops, or rogue DHCP servers that take down the whole network.
If you need more ports, ask staff.

4. High-draw appliances

Kettles, toasters, mini-fridges, heaters.
The venue power is for PCs, not kitchen appliances.

What to Bring (and What Not To)

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

Pack for the setup you actually want to play on. Missing one cable can waste half your Friday.

Bring

Your gaming PC (desktop or laptop)
Power cable / charger for everything
Monitor (if you’re bringing a desktop) + the right video cable (DP/HDMI)
A power strip (you’ll have limited wall outlets)
Mouse, keyboard, mousepad
A headset (speakers are not allowed)
Ethernet adapter if your laptop has no LAN port (USB-C/USB-A)
Any small extras you rely on (controller, DAC, spare batteries)

You don’t need to bring an Ethernet cable - we provide those.

What to Expect During a Tournament

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

You signed up, the team is ready, and your match is coming up. Here’s what to expect.

Tournament structure

The exact format depends on the game and the number of teams, but the typical layout is:

Where Downloads are Hosted

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

Why download from the internet at 50Mbps when you can pull from our local cache at 1000Mbps?

The Cache

We run a local caching server for:

Wi-Fi vs LAN

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

We provide both, but they are for different things.

Wired LAN (Ethernet)

Use for: Gaming, large downloads, stability.

Your First Hour: A Timeline

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0100

The first hour sets the tone. If you rush, you’ll be fixing things all weekend. Take it step by step.

Ctrl-Alt-GG Care

Bandwidth Etiquette

Before You Arrive

The night before#

Being a Decent Human

Personal Space and Noise#

Trash Talk vs. Harassment#

Communication Channels

TeamSpeak 3 (Voice)#

Emergency & Safety

Medical Emergency#

Fire#

Harassment / Safety Concerns#

Lost & Found#

File Sharing on the LAN

Allowed Tools#

The Rules#

How to use Windows Sharing#

Firewall and Antivirus Checks

The symptoms#

Food & Drink Guide

Delivery#

Free Play and Finding Games

Game Launcher Fixes

Steam#

Won’t start#

Game won’t update/verify#

Getting There & Arrival

Before you leave#

Driving and carpooling#

Public transport#

Arrival window#

After arrival#

House Rules

1. Arrival & Departure#

2. No Speakers#

3. Hygiene#

4. Alcohol & Substances#

5. Network#

6. While Gaming#

7. Respect the Venue#

8. Be Cool#

How the Network Works

High-level layout#

Segmentation (VLANs)#

Traffic flow#

Design intent#

How to Ask for Tech Help

I Can't See the Server

1. Check network first#

IP Setup Basics

The Rule#

Known Issues

Monitor Refresh Rate Checks

Check your settings#

Monitor goes black when game starts?#

My Ping is Terrible

Network Troubleshooting (Start Here)

Networking Glossary

IP Address#

OS-Specific Notes

Windows 10/11#

Linux#

macOS#

Overheating: Symptoms and Quick Fixes

Symptoms#

PC Won't Start

Peripheral Swaps

Borrowing#

The Rules#

Mark your gear#

Ports & Game Connections

What is NAT?#

Power Limits and Extension Cables

The Limit#

Quick Command Reference

Windows#

Reporting Network Issues

Staying Safe on a Shared Network

Surviving the Weekend

The night before

Personal Space and Noise

Trash Talk vs. Harassment

TeamSpeak 3 (Voice)

Medical Emergency

Fire

Harassment / Safety Concerns

Lost & Found

Allowed Tools

The Rules

How to use Windows Sharing

The symptoms

Delivery

Steam

Won’t start

Game won’t update/verify

Before you leave

Driving and carpooling

Public transport

Arrival window

After arrival

1. Arrival & Departure

2. No Speakers

3. Hygiene

4. Alcohol & Substances

5. Network

6. While Gaming

7. Respect the Venue

8. Be Cool

High-level layout

Segmentation (VLANs)

Traffic flow

Design intent

1. Check network first

The Rule

Check your settings

Monitor goes black when game starts?

IP Address

Windows 10/11

Linux

macOS

Symptoms

Borrowing

The Rules

Mark your gear

What is NAT?

The Limit

Windows

The 3-2-1 Rule

Where to handle it

Pre-departure check

Where to sign up

Team size and lineup

Important: finalize the team sign-up

Recruiting teammates

Ticket requirement

Why does this happen?

1. Speakers

2. UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply)

3. Network Gear

4. High-draw appliances

Bring

Tournament structure

The Cache

Wired LAN (Ethernet)