Ark How to Host Server Guide for Devs

Welcome, Dev, to our guide on how to host an Ark server. Whether you are a game developer, a gamer or just a curious soul, this guide is for you. Ark is a popular multiplayer game that requires a server to play on. Creating and hosting your own server can be a bit intimidating, but with the right tools and knowledge, you can do it without any hassle. In this guide, we will take you through the entire process from start to finish. Let’s dive in.

1. Introduction

When it comes to hosting servers for games like Ark, there are several options to choose from. You can either use a hosting service or host your own server. The latter option can be a bit tricky, but it has several advantages. You have more control over your server, can modify it to your liking, and can save money in the long run.

However, hosting your own server requires you to have some technical knowledge. In this guide, we will assume that you have a basic understanding of networking and server administration. If you don’t, don’t worry. We will explain everything in detail.

2. Requirements

Before we start, let’s go through the requirements for hosting an Ark server:

Requirement	Description
Operating System	You need a computer running Windows or Linux
RAM	Your computer needs at least 8GB of RAM
Processor	A quad-core processor is recommended
Storage	You need at least 100GB of free storage space
Internet Connection	You need a stable internet connection with a minimum upload speed of 10Mbps

If your computer meets these requirements, you are good to go. Let’s move on to the next step.

3. Port Forwarding

Before we start setting up our server, we need to ensure that our network is properly configured. We need to set up port forwarding so that players can connect to our server.

Port forwarding is a technique used to allow external devices to connect to a device on a private network. In this case, we need to forward port 7777 for Ark.

3.1. How to Forward Ports

The exact method of port forwarding may vary depending on your router. However, the general steps are as follows:

1. Log in to your router’s admin panel.
2. Look for a section called “Port Forwarding” or “Virtual Server”.
3. Create a new port forwarding rule for port 7777.
4. Set the protocol to “TCP”.
5. Enter the local IP address of your server.
6. Save the settings.

If you are not sure about how to forward ports on your router, check the manufacturer’s website or contact their support team.

4. Installing Ark Server Software

Now that we have set up port forwarding, we can proceed with installing the Ark server software. You can download the software from the official website.

4.1. Installing on Windows

If you are using Windows, follow these steps:

1. Download the Ark server software.
2. Extract the files to a folder.
3. Open the folder and run the “ShooterGameServer.exe” file.
4. Wait for the server to start up.

Your server should now be up and running. You can check the console for any errors or messages.

4.2. Installing on Linux

If you are using Linux, follow these steps:

1. Download the Ark server software.
2. Extract the files to a folder.
3. Open a terminal and navigate to the folder.
4. Run the “ShooterGameServer” file with the “server” parameter.
5. Wait for the server to start up.

Your server should now be up and running. You can check the console for any errors or messages.

5. Configuring the Server

Now that our server is up and running, we need to configure it. We need to customize the settings to our liking.

5.1. Server Settings

You can customize the server settings by modifying the “GameUserSettings.ini” file. This file contains various settings for the game.

Some of the settings you can modify include:

1. Server name
2. Server password
3. Difficulty level
4. Max players

You can find a list of all the available settings on the official website.

5.2. Game.ini Settings

The “Game.ini” file contains settings for the game engine. You can modify these settings to tweak the performance of the server.

Some of the settings you can modify include:

1. Max Tamed Dinos
2. Max Wild Dinos
3. XP Multiplier
4. Gather Rate

You can find a list of all the available settings on the official website.

6. Managing the Server

Now that we have set up and configured our Ark server, we need to manage it. This includes tasks such as monitoring the server, restarting it, and updating it.

6.1. Server Monitoring

You can monitor the server by checking the console or using a third-party tool such as Ark Server Manager. This tool provides a GUI interface to manage your server.

You can use it to:

1. View server stats
2. Monitor players
3. Restart the server

6.2. Restarting the Server

If you need to restart the server, you can do so by stopping the server and starting it again. You can use a script to automate this process.

6.3. Updating the Server

You need to keep your server updated to ensure that it’s running smoothly. You can update it by downloading the latest version from the official website.

7. FAQs

7.1. How much does it cost to host an Ark server?

Hosting an Ark server can be expensive, depending on the hosting service you choose. However, hosting your own server can be cost-effective in the long run.

7.2. Can I run an Ark server on a Raspberry Pi?

Raspberry Pi is not powerful enough to run an Ark server. You need a computer with at least 8GB of RAM and a quad-core processor.

7.3. Can I play on my own server?

Yes, you can. You can connect to your own server using the IP address of your computer.

Conclusion

Hosting your own Ark server can be a rewarding experience. You have more control over your server, can customize it to your liking, and can save money in the long run.

We hope that this guide has helped you in setting up your own server. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to leave a comment below. Happy hosting!