Q -How do props work ? - pay attention - this is where it gets interesting.

The prop file on the server and the prop file on your client at home work together to cut down on the actual number of props that have to be sent across the net. To do this, they first exchange just prop serial numbers. The client and the server then each check their own prop files to see if they have the prop with that serial number.

This is the important thing - If the client already has the prop with that serial number in the client prop file, it uses that copy - instead of getting a copy sent from the server.

Example - The best way to illustrate how props work is with an example. Let's say you log on to a palace and when you get to the gate there is a guy there named Bob.

• Step 1 - the server sends the client a list of prop serial numbers for the pieces of Bob's AV.
• Step 2 - the client checks the client prop bag and can't find any of the props for Bob's AV.
• Step 3 - the client sends a list of serial numbers back to the server for the props it could not find in the client prop file.
• Step 4 - the server sends the requested props to the client
• Step 5 - the client adds the new props to the client prop bag for future use and now you can see Bob's AV.

Now Bob leaves the gate (goes off to cyber with Betty). Bob comes back in a couple minutes and enters the gate where you still are - and the process is repeated.

• Step 1 - the server sends the client a list of prop serial numbers for the pieces of Bob's AV.
• Step 2 - the client checks the client prop bag and sees it already has all of the props for Bob's AV.
• Step 3 - the client puts up the right props for Bob and no props are sent from the server.

Bottom Line - When the client needs to show you a prop, it does not always get the prop from the server. First the server tells the client what prop serial number to use. If the client already has that prop in the client prop bag, it uses it's own copy - instead of requesting a copy from the server.

So the big question when you are checking your prop rooms is - are you looking at a copy of the prop from your client prop bag or from the server prop file ?

Hit the next button below to learn about how to use a " virgin " prop file to solve this problem.