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

Welcome, Dev, to this guide on how to host a Rust server for your friends. Whether you’re a seasoned server host or a newbie, this guide will help you set up and customize your own Rust server for you and your friends to enjoy. Let’s dive into it!

Getting Started

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of hosting a Rust server, there are a few things you’ll need to have in place. First and foremost, you’ll need a dedicated server to host your Rust server on. You can use a virtual private server (VPS) or a dedicated server, like the ones offered by hosting providers such as HostGator, Bluehost, or GoDaddy.

Once you have your server set up, you’ll need to make sure that it meets the minimum system requirements for running Rust. Rust requires at least 8 GB of RAM, a modern CPU, and a solid-state drive (SSD) with at least 20 GB of space. Make sure your server meets these requirements before proceeding.

Finally, you’ll need to have a basic understanding of how to use the command line interface (CLI) and log into your server via SSH. If you’re not familiar with these concepts, don’t worry – we’ll walk you through the process step-by-step.

Choosing a Hosting Provider

If you don’t already have a server to host your Rust server on, you’ll need to choose a hosting provider that can meet your needs. There are many hosting providers to choose from, but here are a few factors to consider when making your choice:

Once you’ve chosen a hosting provider, you’ll need to log into your server via SSH. If you’re using a Windows machine, you can use an SSH client like PuTTY. If you’re using a Mac or Linux machine, you can use the built-in Terminal app.

Installing Rust Server

Now that you have your server set up and you’re logged in via SSH, it’s time to install Rust server. Here’s how:

Step 1: Create a Rust Server Directory

The first step is to create a directory where you’ll install Rust server. Here’s how:

mkdir rust_server

This command will create a new directory called “rust_server”.

Step 2: Download Rust Server

Next, you’ll need to download the Rust server files. You can do this by using the following command:

curl -sqL "https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz" | tar zxvf -

This command will download and extract the SteamCMD installer, which will allow you to install Rust server.

Step 3: Install Rust Server

Now it’s time to install Rust server. Here’s how:

./steamcmd.sh +login anonymous +force_install_dir ./rust_server +app_update 258550 -validate +quit

This command will install Rust server into the “rust_server” directory you created earlier. It may take some time to complete, depending on your server’s hardware and internet connection speed.

Step 4: Configure Rust Server

Now that you’ve installed Rust server, it’s time to configure it to your liking. Here are a few key settings you may want to customize:

Once you’ve customized your settings to your liking, save the file and exit the editor.

Starting Your Rust Server

Now that you’ve installed and configured Rust server, it’s time to start it up. Here’s how:

cd rust_server./rust_server start

This command will start up the Rust server in the foreground, meaning it will run in your current SSH terminal session. If you want to run the server in the background, you can use the following command instead:

./rust_server start -b

Now your Rust server is up and running, and your friends can join it using the server’s IP address and port number. Congratulations!

FAQ

How do I add mods to my Rust server?

You can add mods to your Rust server by installing the Oxide modding framework. You can download Oxide from the official website, and then install it onto your Rust server using the same process we used to install Rust server itself. Once Oxide is installed, you can add mods by dropping their .dll files into the “oxide/plugins” directory.

How do I whitelist players on my Rust server?

To whitelist players on your Rust server, you’ll need to add their SteamID to the server’s configuration file. Here’s how:

1. Open the “rust_server/cfg/server.cfg” file in a text editor.
2. Add the following line to the file: ownerid "steamid", replacing “steamid” with the SteamID of the player you want to whitelist.
3. Save the file and exit the editor.

Now that the player is whitelisted, they’ll be able to join your Rust server without being kicked by the server’s anti-cheat measures.

How do I update my Rust server to the latest version?

To update your Rust server to the latest version, you’ll need to use the SteamCMD updater again. Here’s how:

./steamcmd.sh +login anonymous +force_install_dir ./rust_server +app_update 258550 +quit

This command will update your Rust server to the latest version available on Steam.

How do I back up my Rust server?

To back up your Rust server, you’ll need to copy the entire “rust_server” directory to a safe location. You can do this using the following command:

cp -r rust_server /path/to/backup/directory

This command will create a copy of your Rust server directory in the specified backup directory. You should perform regular backups to ensure you don’t lose any important data.

Conclusion

Hosting a Rust server for your friends can be a fun and rewarding experience, allowing you to create your own custom gameplay experience and build a community of like-minded players. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you should now have a working Rust server that you can customize and share with your friends. Good luck, and have fun!