How to Host a Local Rust Server

Hey Dev, are you looking to host your own local Rust server? You’ve come to the right place! Hosting your own server can provide a better gaming experience and greater control over the game environment. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process step-by-step, so you can have your very own Rust server up and running in no time.

Step 1: System Requirements

The first thing you need to do is ensure that your system meets the requirements to host a Rust server. Rust server requirements can vary depending on the number of players and mods you plan to use. Below are the minimum hardware specifications you need for a basic server:

Component	Minimum Requirement
CPU	Intel Core i7-3770 or AMD FX-9590
Memory	8GB RAM
Storage	4GB available storage
Bandwidth	10Mbps upload speed

If you plan to have more players or use more mods, consider increasing your hardware specifications to ensure smooth gameplay.

Step 2: Download and Install SteamCMD

SteamCMD is a command-line tool used for downloading and installing Steam games and dedicated servers. To download SteamCMD, follow these steps:

1. Visit the SteamCMD website and click the “Windows” button to download the SteamCMD installer.
2. Run the installer and choose a destination folder for SteamCMD.
3. Once the installation is complete, open the Command Prompt and navigate to the SteamCMD directory.

Step 3: Create a Steam Account and Purchase Rust

To host a Rust server, you need a Steam account and a copy of Rust. If you don’t already have a Steam account, follow these steps to create one:

1. Visit the Steam website and click the “Join Steam” button.
2. Follow the prompts to create your account.
3. Once you have a Steam account, purchase Rust by visiting the Rust store page and clicking the “Add to Cart” button.

Step 4: Configure the Server Settings

Before launching your Rust server, you need to configure the server settings. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Create a new text file and name it “server.cfg”.
2. Open the “server.cfg” file in a text editor and add your desired server settings. Below are some common settings to consider:

Server Name

You can change the server name to anything you like by adding the following line to the “server.cfg” file:

hostname “My Rust Server”

Map Seed

You can set the map seed for your server by adding the following line to the “server.cfg” file:

world.seed 12345

Max Players

You can set the maximum number of players for your server by adding the following line to the “server.cfg” file:

server.maxplayers 50

PvP or PvE

You can choose whether your server is PvP (player vs player) or PvE (player vs environment) by adding the following line to the “server.cfg” file:

pve “true” or pvp “true”

Step 5: Launch the Server

Once you’ve configured the server settings, you’re ready to launch your Rust server. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open the Command Prompt and navigate to the SteamCMD directory.
2. Enter the following command to log in to Steam:

login anonymous

1. Enter the following command to download the Rust server files:

app_update 258550 validate

1. Enter the following command to launch the Rust server:

rust_server.exe -batchmode -nographics +server.port 28015 +server.level “Procedural Map” +server.seed 12345 +server.worldsize 3000 +server.maxplayers 50

FAQ

Q: How can I make my server secure?

A: To make your server more secure, consider using a VPN, enabling two-factor authentication, and setting a strong password for your server.

Q: Can I host a Rust server for free?

A: No, hosting a Rust server requires a dedicated server or virtual private server which typically comes at a cost.

Q: How do I join my own server?

A: To join your own server, follow these steps:

1. Open Rust from your Steam library.
2. Click the “F1” key to open the console.
3. Enter the following command:

client.connect localhost:28015

Your Rust client should now connect to your local server.