For what i know, server won't change the map, or the round won't start under 8 players...and if number of player decrease to less than 4, map restart. That can be changed to 1 by editing some file...but idk wich one.
I suggest that you look for information on how to configurate the server on internet regarding wich server provider u have. I guess u can edit most of the setting from an admin panel from the provider or a text file or idk
about setting
Map rotation: Caspian Border, Firestorm, Kharg island, Noshahr Canal, Metro, Seine crossing, Tehran Higway.
Bazar turns in spawntrap 2/3 time, and Davamand Peak is good only in rush mode
GT: Conquest/Conquest Large
Tickets: 250
I guess you have options to tweak somewhere to remove DLC's from the server. F.e.server was on firestorm, and i couldn't join, it says that it requires aftermath...Oo
One of the fav and most populated server i play on BF3 has this setting (player 32/32 all day long til 3am generally)
- ONLY SQUAD LEADER SPAWN Off
- TEAM TICKET COUNT %250 our 100
- # OF TK BEFORE PLAYER IS KICKED 3 our 5
- BULLET DAMAGE MODIFIER IN %100
- SHOW MINIMAP On
- SHOW HUD On
- VEHICLES On
- REGENERATIVE HEALTH On
- KILL CAM On
- USE MINIMAP SPOTTING On
- VEHICLE RESPAWN DELAY %100 our 1
- PLAYER HEALTH IN %100
- PLAYER MAN DOWN TIME IN %100
- FRIENDLY FIRE Off
- USE 3D SPOTTING On
- 3P VEHICLE CAM On
- KICK IDLE PLAYER AFTER SECONDS 0
- TEAM BALANCE On
- BAN PLAYER AFTER OF KICKS 0
- PLAYER RESPAWN TIME IN %100
- SHOW ENEMY NAME TAGS On
Avoiding planes and helo in the first time would be good as we plan to welcome noobs...nothing is more frustrated in this game that being raped by a pro chopper pilot. So i would go with small conquest version of the map.
Maybe this could help ->
http://wiki.multiplay.co.uk/BF3_SERVER_OPTIONS