How to Host a Rust Dedicated Server: A Guide for Dev

Hello Dev! If you’re looking to host your own Rust dedicated server, this guide is for you. In this comprehensive walkthrough, we’ll help you set up your own server step-by-step. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a beginner, this tutorial will provide all the necessary information to get your server up and running in no time.

1. Getting Started with Rust Dedicated Server

Before we dive into the setup process, let’s take a quick look at what a Rust dedicated server is and what you need to run it. A Rust dedicated server is a standalone application that allows players to connect and play on a server that they host themselves. To start your own Rust dedicated server, you’ll need the following:

Once you’ve met these requirements, you’re ready to move on to the setup process.

2. Purchasing and Installing Rust

The first step in setting up your own Rust dedicated server is to purchase and download the game from the Steam store. Follow these steps:

1. Open up your Steam client and login to your account.
2. Search for Rust in the search bar and click on it.
3. Purchase and download the game to your machine.

Once you’ve downloaded Rust, it’s time to install it on your server.

Installing Rust on Windows

If you’re using a Windows machine to host your server, follow these steps to install Rust:

1. Download and install SteamCMD from https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD.
2. Open up Command Prompt as an administrator.
3. Enter the following command: steamcmd +login anonymous +force_install_dir C:\rust_server +app_update 258550 +quit
4. The game files will now begin downloading to C:\rust_server.
5. Once the download is complete, you can close SteamCMD and move on to configuring your server.

Installing Rust on Linux

If you’re using a Linux machine to host your server, follow these steps to install Rust:

1. Open up Terminal.
2. Install SteamCMD by entering the following command: sudo apt-get install steamcmd
3. Create a new directory where you want to install Rust. For example, sudo mkdir /opt/rust_server
4. Navigate to the directory you just created with this command: cd /opt/rust_server
5. Enter the following command to download the game files: steamcmd +login anonymous +force_install_dir /opt/rust_server +app_update 258550 +quit
6. Once the download is complete, you can close SteamCMD and move on to configuring your server.

3. Configuring Your Rust Dedicated Server

Now that Rust is installed on your machine, it’s time to configure your server. Follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the installation directory for Rust on your machine. For example, C:\rust_server on Windows or /opt/rust_server on Linux.
2. Create a new file called server.cfg and open it in a text editor.
3. Add the following lines of code to the file:

hostname "My Rust Server"maxplayers 50server.port 28015server.identity "rust_server"

Here’s what each line does:

• hostname: This sets the name of your server as it will appear in the server browser.
• maxplayers: This sets the maximum number of players that can join your server.
• server.port: This sets the port that your server will run on. The default is 28015.
• server.identity: This sets the name of your server in the filesystem.

Save and close the file.

4. Starting Your Rust Dedicated Server

With Rust installed and your server configured, it’s time to start your server. Follow these steps:

Starting Your Server on Windows

1. Open up Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Navigate to the installation directory for Rust on your machine. For example, cd C:\rust_server.
3. Enter the following command to start your server: rust_server.exe
4. Wait for the server to finish starting up. You’ll see output in the console as it initializes.
5. Once the server is started, you can connect to it using the IP address and port number.

Starting Your Server on Linux

1. Open up Terminal.
2. Navigate to the installation directory for Rust on your machine. For example, cd /opt/rust_server.
3. Enter the following command to start your server: ./rust_server
4. Wait for the server to finish starting up. You’ll see output in the console as it initializes.
5. Once the server is started, you can connect to it using the IP address and port number.

5. Troubleshooting Your Rust Dedicated Server

If you run into any issues while setting up or running your Rust dedicated server, you can consult the following FAQ for solutions.

FAQ

How do I connect to my own server?

You can connect to your own server by opening Rust and going to the server browser. Your server should appear in the list of available servers.

What if my server doesn’t appear in the server browser?

If your server doesn’t appear in the server browser, it’s likely due to a firewall issue. Make sure that your firewall is allowing traffic on port 28015.

How do I change the server settings?

You can change server settings by modifying the server.cfg file in the installation directory for Rust.

How do I update my server?

To update your server, simply run the steamcmd +login anonymous +force_install_dir /opt/rust_server +app_update 258550 +quit command again.

Why is my server lagging?

If your server is lagging, it’s likely due to hardware limitations. Consider upgrading your hardware or limiting the number of players on your server.

Conclusion

Hosting your own Rust dedicated server can be a fun and rewarding experience. With this guide, you should be well-equipped to create your own server and start inviting players to join. As always, if you run into any issues or have any questions, don’t hesitate to consult the Rust community for guidance. Happy hosting!