Server admins hoping to get their hands on the dedicated server files for Left 4 Dead should be happy to hear that the files will be released prior to the demo's release.
We'll be releasing the Left 4 Dead dedicated server files prior to the Left 4 Dead demo being released. More details will be sent to the mailing lists when we have them.With the early demo release just days away now, we should have more information shortly on when the Left 4 Dead dedicated server is available.
There are two things to keep in mind regarding running a Left 4 Dead server:
1) The CPU load for the Left 4 Dead server will be higher than you're used to for games like TF2. Left 4 Dead has a bunch of A.I. for the zombies, etc., that games like TF2 don't have.
2) Left 4 Dead uses a new matchmaking system we're developing. We'll be working with the server admin community to make sure the new system operates as smoothly as possible. More details on this later.