How to Host a Killing Floor 2 Server: A Comprehensive Guide for Devs

Greetings, Devs! Are you looking to host a Killing Floor 2 server? You’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll guide you through the entire process, from server setup to configuration and optimization. Whether you’re new to server hosting or a seasoned pro, we’re confident that you’ll find this guide informative and helpful. Let’s get started!

Before You Begin: System Requirements and Prerequisites

Before you can host a Killing Floor 2 server, you need to make sure that your system meets the minimum requirements. These are:

In addition to meeting the minimum system requirements, you’ll need to install the following software:

• SteamCMD
• Killing Floor 2 Dedicated Server

If you haven’t already installed these programs, you can find detailed instructions in the official Killing Floor 2 wiki. Once you’ve installed the necessary software, you’re ready to move on to the next step.

Step 1: Installing and Updating SteamCMD

SteamCMD is a command-line tool that allows you to install, update, and manage various Steam games and dedicated servers. To install SteamCMD, follow these steps:

1. Download SteamCMD from the official Valve website
2. Extract the files to a directory of your choice
3. Open a command prompt or terminal and navigate to the directory where you extracted the files
4. Run the following command: ./steamcmd.sh +login anonymous +quit

This will download and install the latest version of SteamCMD, as well as log you in anonymously. SteamCMD will automatically update itself when a new version is available. To update your Killing Floor 2 server, you’ll need to run SteamCMD with the appropriate commands, which we’ll cover in the next step.

Step 2: Installing and Updating the Killing Floor 2 Dedicated Server

Now that you have SteamCMD installed, you can use it to download and install the Killing Floor 2 Dedicated Server. Here’s how:

1. Open a command prompt or terminal and navigate to the directory where you installed SteamCMD
2. Run the following command: ./steamcmd.sh +login anonymous +force_install_dir /path/to/kf2server +app_update 232130 validate +quit

Let’s break this command down:

• ./steamcmd.sh: This is the path to the SteamCMD executable. If you’re on Windows, replace it with steamcmd.exe.
• +login anonymous: This logs you in anonymously. You can replace “anonymous” with your Steam username and password if you prefer.
• +force_install_dir /path/to/kf2server: This sets the installation directory for the server. Replace “/path/to/kf2server” with the directory where you want to install the server. For example, if you want to install it to C:\KF2Server, the command would be +force_install_dir C:\KF2Server.
• +app_update 232130 validate: This downloads and installs the latest version of the Killing Floor 2 Dedicated Server, as well as validates the installation files.
• +quit: This quits SteamCMD once the installation/update process is complete.

This process may take several minutes depending on your internet connection and system speed. Once it’s finished, you should see a message indicating that the server has been successfully installed and updated.

Step 3: Configuring Your Server

Now that your server is installed and updated, it’s time to configure it. The default configuration file is located in the “KFGame\Config” directory of your server installation directory. You can edit this file with any text editor, such as Notepad or Sublime Text.

Server Settings

Here are some important server settings that you should configure:

You can find a complete list of server settings in the official Killing Floor 2 wiki.

Web Administration

If you want to administer your server via a web interface, you’ll need to enable the WebAdmin setting in your configuration file. Here’s how:

1. Open your configuration file in a text editor
2. Find the line that says bEnabled=false
3. Change it to bEnabled=true
4. Save the file and restart your server

Once you’ve enabled WebAdmin, you can access it by navigating to “http://your_server_ip_address:8080” in your web browser. You’ll be prompted to enter your WebAdmin username and password, which are set in the configuration file.

Other Settings

There are many other server settings that you can configure, such as player perks, mutators, and server messages. We recommend that you experiment with different settings to find what works best for your server and community. The official Killing Floor 2 wiki is a great resource for learning more about these settings.

Step 4: Optimization and Troubleshooting

Now that your server is up and running, you may encounter issues such as lag, crashes, or performance problems. Here are some tips for optimizing and troubleshooting your server:

Network Optimization

One of the most important factors affecting your server’s performance is network optimization. Here are some tips for optimizing your network:

• Use a wired ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi
• Forward the necessary ports on your router (UDP 7777-7783, TCP 27015)
• Disable any bandwidth-intensive applications or downloads while your server is running

Server Optimization

Here are some tips for optimizing your server’s performance:

• Reduce the number of players on your server if you’re experiencing lag or performance issues
• Disable any unnecessary mutators or mods
• Use the “stat fps” command in the server console to monitor your server’s frame rate and performance

Troubleshooting

If you’re experiencing issues with your server, here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot:

• Check the server logs for any error messages or warnings
• Try disabling any mutators or mods to see if they’re causing the issue
• Check the official Killing Floor 2 forums or community resources for solutions to common issues

FAQ

Q: How much does it cost to host a Killing Floor 2 server?

A: The software is free to download and use, but you’ll need to pay for any server hosting or bandwidth costs. Some hosting providers offer Killing Floor 2 server hosting plans starting at around $10 per month.

Q: Can I host a Killing Floor 2 server on a VPS or cloud server?

A: Yes, you can host a Killing Floor 2 server on a VPS or cloud server, but you’ll need to make sure that your system meets the minimum requirements and that you have sufficient bandwidth and resources available.

Q: How do I join my own server?

A: Open Killing Floor 2 and navigate to the Server Browser. In the bottom-left corner, click “Change Server” and enter your server’s IP address and port number. Click “Connect” to join your server.

Q: How do I install custom maps or mods on my server?

A: You can install custom maps and mods by placing them in the appropriate directories in your server installation directory. For example, custom maps should be placed in “KFGame\BrewedPC\Maps”. You’ll also need to add any necessary mutators or settings to your configuration file.

Q: How do I update my server to the latest version?

A: To update your server to the latest version, simply run SteamCMD with the appropriate commands, as we covered in Step 2.

Q: How do I add bots to my server?

A: Bots can be added to your server by using the “admin addbots” command in the server console. You can specify the number of bots to add, as well as their difficulty level and perk loadouts.

Q: Can I password-protect my server?

A: Yes, you can password-protect your server by setting the “ServerPassword” setting in your configuration file to a password of your choice. Players will be prompted to enter the password when attempting to join your server.

Conclusion

Congratulations, Devs! You’ve successfully hosted your own Killing Floor 2 server. We hope that this guide has been helpful and informative, and that you’re now ready to customize and optimize your server to create a fun and engaging experience for your players.