Notes

How To Set Up A Dedicated Gaming Server

Don't let your computer parts get out of control because they were upgraded. Instead, put them back to work. Half of the top-ten most-played games on Steam come with the option to customize your entire gameplay, right up through running your own dedicated server. Are you going sit back and let the game play as it was intended? Or will you grab the goat by the hairs and create your own server?



Why not run the server on your local network instead of renting a server (rental server).



There are many reasons why people rent a server from a remote provider; ranging from bandwidth availability, dedicated support, or even to eliminate any latency advantages between player and host.



Remote hosting can sometimes be a headache. Some hosting services that rent server space don't automatically update the site's software until several days after a game update. Hosting the server yourself on a separate machine means you can take control and update the system as soon as you wish. All you need is to save the parts you replace when you upgrade, and build a new system out of it. Sure, it may be old tech, but most dedicated servers for games don't require a lot.



What is the benefit of running your own dedicated server?



A dedicated server is often more stable than the game client itself. If your gaming system goes down, you will need to shut down the game or restart your system. Those connected to the server can still enjoy the game.



Remote Management (VNC).



Sometimes, the server admin tools that come with games don't suffice. Remote management is a great option. Remote control of the server is possible with many options. TeamViewer is the most popular VNC program, followed closely by Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection.



Remote Desktop Connection is available for Windows systems. RDC allows you connect to another machine using login credentials just like you would physically be there. As reported at Windows Central (http://www.windowscentral.com/you-do-not-need-activate-windows-10 (opens in new tab)), Microsoft has loosened their grip on un-activated copies of Windows 10.



To find out more about the Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection, visit Microsoft's RDC page: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/remote-desktop-connection-faq (opens in new tab).



Voice Chat Servers



Maybe you're playing a multiplayer game that doesn't allow for private dedicated servers. The expectation of voice chat in multiplayer games has grown and server requirements have not changed over the past decade. You have enough bandwidth to host a voice chat server for your clan/clan if you can stream on Twitch, or video chat on Skype. For 10 users, 64Kb/s is the maximum upload speed.



Common Games



Obtain the server software from the official site at (http://minecraft.net/download (opens in new tab)). This program will create additional files in the folder you choose to run it from. It is recommended to run it from a different folder (e.g. D:Minecraft server).



The following files will be created when you first run the server: /logs/. eula.txt and server.properties. Open eula.txt and read it (if necessary), then change the last line from eula=false or eula=true and save it.



Run the server once again and the rest will be generated.



Use a text editor like notepad to edit server.properties and make any necessary changes. For a full list of what each property does, visit the wiki: http://minecraft.gamepedia.com/Server.properties (opens in new tab)



Note/change the port setting for router config: "server-port=25565" (default line 11).



Steam-based games



Check if the game you want to host is on the list of dedicated servers on Steam: https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Dedicated_Servers_List (opens in new tab).



This list will provide information on whether you can obtain the dedicated server software by using the SteamCMD program, or from the Steam Client. It will also indicate if the game allows for anonymous login or if you have to purchase the game in order to access the dedicated server software.



SteamCMD



SteamCMD is a command line program that allows you to install software such as dedicated servers without the need to install the Steam Client (https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD (opens in new tab)).



SteamCMD requires that you have the app ID for the program you wish download or update.



The easiest way to use SteamCMD to install your dedicated server is to use SteamCMD-GUI (https://github.com/DioJoestar/SteamCMD-GUI/releases (opens in new tab)). This program allows you to select all of the desired variables and then install in one click. It also allows you to run most Source servers. It is very easy to use the SteamCMD GUI tool. You will need to install the SteamCMD program separately before use; there is a quick button in the GUI tool to do this.



For Steam games with dedicated server software that does not have its own independent app ID, check in the game's installation directory: (SteamInstall or SteamLibrary)SteamAppscommon(Game Name) or at the game's website or wiki.



Counter-Strike: Global Offensive



Acquisition: SteamCMD only. Anonymous-allowed. App ID: 740. Installation over SteamCMD-GUI works well, but running the server will require that you become acquainted with the intricacies of the Source Dedicated Server Software (srcds.exe), which runs all Source engine servers.



For CS:GO Dedicated Server beginners, the pyr0s-csgo-server-launcher (http://code.google.com/p/pyr0s-csgo-server-launcher/ (opens in new tab)) batch file mostly automates the server configuration and launch, making it easy to step into running your own CS:GO server.



If you want to further customize your server, we recommend reading further on CS:GO Dedicated Server configuration at the Valve Developer wiki (https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Counter-Strike:_Global_Offensive_Dedicated_Servers (opens in new tab)).



Acquisition: SteamCMD & Steam Client App ID: 376030 (note: this is not listed on the DS list page). All other guides will advise you to download the app ID 346110. This requires SteamCMD login as well as game purchase.



This server is best managed using the free Ark Server Manager (http://forum.arkservermanager.com/ (opens in new tab)). This program will manage the server in its entirety, including SteamCMD installation and update. Ark Server Manager uses the 376030ID ID. This means that you don't need to enter your logic credentials to any third-party program. If you do not wish to use a GUI to run the server, the unofficial wiki for the game provides the best information on how to set up the server manually at http://ark-survival-evolved.wikia.com/wiki/Dedicated_Server_Setup (opens in new tab).



This server uses a lot of resources.



Acquisition: SteamCMD Only. App ID: 232250. The configuration for Source games is very similar to CSGO, but support is less extensive. We recommend that users new to running a TF2 server visit the wiki page to get started quickly. This server is easier to manage than CSGO. You can access it from SteamCMDGUI. Most settings you'll want to change will be in the server.cfg. An easy-start example of this file is listed on the wiki: https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Dedicated_server_configuration#Example_Server.cfg_for_TF2_dedicated_server (opens in new tab) ).



SteamCMD, Steam Client.



Launch SpaceEngineersDedicated.exe as Administrator (or just click the [Run as Admin!] Button from within the program) in the folder that best fits you system: DedicatedServer64 (x86) or DedicatedServer64 (64bit).



If you only want to run the server in console mode, select Local/Console and [Continue server configuration]. This will allow you to set up the server parameters in the same way as the client, but with some extra tricks.



You can launch the server by opening the configuration window (not necessary for server to start/stay running). Click [Add new instance] and give it a name. If you run a new service instance, it will automatically configure to run when windows starts. You can add several services to the system. Each one can control different settings and world saving options.



Terraria



No separate App ID. The game client automatically downloads the server software. You can obtain the server software from the developers without downloading the game, as well as a third-party GUI tool for the server-visit the official Terraria Wiki Server page for more information: http://terraria.gamepedia.com/Server (opens in new tab).



Terraria App ID: 105600-requires SteamCMD login to download.



Make sure you install the prerequisite software: XNA Framework 4.0 and .NET 4.0 Framework (Win10 needs only XNA).



Edit the serverconfig.txt as you like and then run start.server.bat. Anyone who has played the game will find the server program very simple and intuitive.



For a dedicated server on a separate machine, it is advised to ignore the -steam launch option for this game, as it will only work if TerrariaServer.

exe is launched via Steam Client (uses Join Game function from user interactions in order to bypass port forwarding).

Router Configuration



Port Forwarding



If you aren't familiar with port forwarding, or have questions regarding setting up port forwarding on your router, find specific information for your setup at http://portforward.com (opens in new tab).



Default ports:



Teamspeak: UDP In (voice) 9987, TC in (file transfer 30033), TCP In (serverquery 10111), TCP IN (TSDNS 411144.



Source Dedicated Servers (CS:GO, TF2, etc. ) : 27015/TCP/UDP), 27020/UDP. Notable: Add any additional ports you may use to connect to additional servers (e.g. 27015/CSGO, 27016/TF2, etc.).



Terraria: 7777



ARK: Survival Evolution: 7777. 27015. 32330



It is a good idea to enable dynamic DNS if your router supports it. If not, there are alternative methods.
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Dynamic DNS (DDNS), allowing you to host your dynamic IP at a specific domain name



Instead of handing out your IP address to friends, give them an easy-to-remember domain name built to always correctly point to your IP address. Most games allow you to connect domain names instead of IP addresses.



Dyn (formerly DynDNS) shut down free services in 2014, leaving many home users to go find a new provider. Many other companies have stepped forward to welcome customers looking for a simple, free DynamicDNS service for their projects. Some routers include a free account to their DDNS hosting which you can configure on your router.



Here are some services that are free to use for your home server.



FreeDNS (https://freedns.afraid.org/ (opens in new tab))



DtDNS (https://www.dtdns.com/ (opens in new tab))



DuckDNS (http://duckdns.org/ (opens in new tab))



No-IP (https://www.noip.com/ (opens in new tab))



EntryDNS (https://entrydns.net/ (opens in new tab))



Get Building!



Many people upgrade their computers and wonder what to do about the parts they have just replaced. It's very often the case that those parts end up collecting dust on a shelf or in a box. You can turn them into another rig. Hosting a server means that you have hosted other people to connect to your computer to play a game. Using dedicated server software on a remote machine is just the same, except that you're freeing up system resources.


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