You want to promote your standard dedicated server as a Ladder server (ie a server which give ladder points above 50K)
Prerequisites
* you have a working dedicated server (if not then first make it work !, and don't ask in this thread !...).
* enough coppers on your TMUF account (it's an insurance, you'll get it back if you set it back to standard, except if Nadeo have revoked it because of abuse) to promote the server to the wanted type of ladder server.
* use the last dedicated server release
Howto make server promotion as Ladder server ?
* go on the PlayerPage, Ladder servers section, read the rules of various kind of ladder servers, then enter dedicated login, select the type, and enter the last three characters of your player key as Validation code. Save the change.
* in the dedicated server configuration file :
- set in <validation_key> the last three characters of your player key (the same that you used to promote de login)
- set <ladder_mode> to forced
- set in <ladder_serverlimit_min> the minimum ladder value for the server type.
- set in <ladder_serverlimit_max> the maximum ladder value for the server type.
- empty <password> and <password_spectator>.
- set <max_players> to fit the server type rules.
- set <max_spectators> to fit the server type rules.
- set <use_changing_validation_seed> to True if needed in the server type rules.
- set <referee_validation_mode> to 1
* configure your dedicated matchsettings to fit the rules of the server type :
- right game mode (ie Rounds or TimeAttack) to fit the server type rules.
- acceptable maps (for the server type rules). I have no clue about it. I suppose that most time eswc, esl, ul, sl, le maps are ok... so mainly 45s to 1min15s maps with minimum skill level involved, and no (or very few) random parts.
* for high levels ladder servers (actually only the highest need it), you will have to setup a game as referee on the server.
To setup a referee, you can just join the game then setup as referee, or else you can start a windowless referee using : ".....\TmForever.exe" /login="playerlogin" /password="playerpassword" /joinasreferee="serverlogin" /joinpassword="refereepass" /windowless (it needs the GAME FIX !)
Here is a little tuto to setup a referee on linux using wine : viewtopic.php?p=143020#p143020
Note1: <packmask> can be used with any valid value, so for a TMNF ladder server, set it to 'stadium' or 'nations', for a general TMUF ladder server, you can just set it empty.
Note2: for Races of champions you need to obtain direct permission from Nadeo. If your are not already a well known player or server maker from Nadeo crew, i suggest you to first show that you can make a serious Pro racing or Competitive racers server, and having it working with various people playing on it when you will ask for Races of champions, so they will be able to look at it before taking a decision....
The way to ask for a RoC server is indicated there : viewtopic.php?f=132&t=20548
Note3: for those who would still have problems to setup their own ladder server, i made a basic dedicated config for ladder server based on the TrackmaniaServer_2008-10-07 dedicated release. Just follow the LadderServer-test.wri to configure and start the server, then verify that it show the right ladder range, and after that you will make your own changes.
PS: i am not part of the Nadeo crew, so don't ask to me !

If i'm not wrong, from Nadeo crew Florent and Alinoa have made posts about Ladder servers.