Hosting an Ark Server for Friends: A Comprehensive Guide for Dev

Greetings Dev! Have you ever wanted to host your own Ark server for you and your friends to play on? As you may already know, the process can be quite daunting and overwhelming at the beginning. However, with the right guidance and tools, setting up your own server can be a breeze. In this article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to host an Ark server for your friends. So let’s dive in!

Getting Started: Understanding What You Need

Before getting started, it is essential to understand what you need to host an Ark server. Below are the requirements:

Minimum Requirements	Recommended Requirements
OS: 64-bit Windows Vista/7/8/10	OS: 64-bit Windows 10
Processor: 2 GHz Dual-Core 64-bit CPU	Processor: 3 GHz Quad-Core 64-bit CPU
Memory: 8 GB RAM	Memory: 16 GB RAM
Storage: 60 GB available space	Storage: 120 GB available space

Aside from the hardware requirements, you will also need the following software:

• Steam client
• Ark dedicated server tool
• Notepad++ or any text editor
• FileZilla or any FTP client

Make sure your hosting computer meets the minimum requirements, and all the needed software is installed. Once you’re ready, let’s move on to the next step.

Step 1: Installing the Ark Server

The first step is to download and install the Ark server tool via Steam. Here’s how:

1. Log in to your Steam account and go to the “Library” tab.
2. Click on the “Tools” tab and search for “Ark: Survival Evolved Dedicated Server.”
3. Download and install the tool.

Once the installation is complete, you’ll see a folder called “ARK Server” in your Steam library. This folder contains all the necessary files needed to run your server.

Step 2: Configuring the Server Settings

The next step is to configure the server settings. You can do this by editing the “GameUserSettings.ini” file located in the “ShooterGame/Saved/Config/WindowsServer” folder. Here’s how:

1. Open “GameUserSettings.ini” file with Notepad++ or any text editor.
2. Scroll down to the “Server Settings” section.
3. Change the settings according to your preferences.
4. Make sure to save the changes before closing the file.

Some of the essential settings you might want to change include server name, password, maximum players, and server crossplay. Make sure to refer to the Ark documentation for more details on the different configurations available.

Step 3: Port Forwarding

To allow other players to connect to your server, you’ll need to set up port forwarding. This will ensure that incoming requests on specific ports are forwarded to your hosting computer. Here’s how:

1. Log in to your router’s web interface.
2. Find the port forwarding section.
3. Add a new rule for TCP/UDP ports 7777, 7778, and 27015.
4. Set the internal IP address to your hosting computer’s IP address.
5. Save the changes before closing the router’s web interface.

Note that the steps may differ depending on your router. Make sure to refer to your router’s manual for more details on port forwarding.

Step 4: Starting the Server

Now that you’ve configured the server settings and set up port forwarding, it’s time to start the server. Here’s how:

1. Open the “ARK Server” folder in your Steam library.
2. Run the “ShooterGameServer.exe” file.
3. Wait for the server to start.
4. Once the server is up and running, you’ll see a command prompt window with the server status.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully set up your Ark server. Your friends can now connect to your server using your public IP address and the port number specified in the port forwarding settings.

FAQs

1. How many players can join my server?

The maximum number of players that can join your Ark server depends on your hardware configuration. However, the recommended maximum number of players is 20.

2. Can I customize the server settings after setting up the server?

Yes, you can customize the server settings at any time. All you need to do is edit the “GameUserSettings.ini” file and save the changes.

3. How do I check if my server is running?

You can check if your server is running by running the “ShooterGameServer.exe” file and checking the command prompt window for the server status.

4. Can anyone connect to my server?

By default, anyone with the server name and password can connect to your server. However, you can restrict access to your server by whitelisting specific player IDs.

5. Can I upload mods to my server?

Yes, you can upload mods to your server. All you need to do is subscribe to the mods on Steam Workshop and add them to your server by editing the “Game.ini” and “GameUserSettings.ini” files.

Conclusion

Hosting an Ark server for your friends can be fun and easy if you have the right tools and guidance. In this article, we’ve provided you with a step-by-step guide on how to host an Ark server, including setting up the server, configuring the settings, port forwarding, and starting the server. We hope this article has been helpful. Happy hosting!