Welcome, Devs, to this comprehensive guide on setting up a Linux game server. Linux is an excellent choice for hosting game servers due to its stability, security, and performance. In this article, we will cover everything you need to know to set up and maintain a Linux game server. So, grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and let’s dive in!
Understanding Game Servers
Before we jump into the technical aspects of setting up a Linux game server, let’s take a moment to understand what a game server is and how it functions. Essentially, a game server is a dedicated server that hosts multiplayer games. It allows players from around the world to connect and play against each other in a seamless and lag-free environment.
Game servers consist of two main components: the server software and the game files. The server software is responsible for managing players’ connections, game data, and server settings. The game files, on the other hand, contain all the assets, maps, and scripts necessary to run the game. The server software interacts with the game files to provide a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience for players.
Choosing the Right Linux Distribution
Choosing the right Linux distribution is crucial when setting up a game server. You’ll want a distribution that’s stable, secure, and has a robust package manager. Some popular choices among game server admins include Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, and Fedora.
Ubuntu is a great choice for beginners due to its ease of use and extensive documentation. Debian is another stable and secure option that provides a minimal installation for servers. CentOS, on the other hand, is popular in enterprise environments and provides long-term support. Finally, Fedora is a cutting-edge distribution that’s great for hosting bleeding-edge games.
Ubuntu
Ubuntu is a popular choice for hosting game servers due to its user-friendly interface and extensive documentation. Here’s how you can set up a game server on Ubuntu:
Step 1: Update the system
Before we begin, let’s update our system to ensure we have the latest packages and security updates. Open up the terminal and run the following commands:
Command |
Description |
|---|---|
sudo apt update |
Fetches the latest package lists from the Ubuntu repositories. |
sudo apt upgrade |
Upgrades all installed packages to their latest versions. |
Once the updates are complete, we can move on to the next step.
Step 2: Install the game server software
Most game servers have a dedicated server software that you can download and install on your system. For example, to install the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive server, we can run the following command:
Command |
Description |
|---|---|
sudo apt install steamcmd |
Installs the SteamCMD tool that we can use to download and install the CS:GO server. |
steamcmd +login anonymous +force_install_dir ~/csgo_server +app_update 740 +quit |
Downloads and installs the CS:GO server to the ~/csgo_server directory. |
Once the installation is complete, we can move on to the next step.
Step 3: Configure the server settings
Now that we have the game server software installed, we need to configure the server settings to suit our needs. This will typically involve editing a configuration file that’s located in the game server’s installation directory.
For example, to configure the CS:GO server, we can edit the ~/csgo_server/csgo/cfg/server.cfg file. This file contains various settings such as the server name, map rotation, and player limits.
Once we’ve edited the settings to our liking, we can save the file and start the server using the following command:
Command |
Description |
|---|---|
cd ~/csgo_server |
Navigates to the CS:GO server installation directory. |
./srcds_run -game csgo -console -usercon +game_type 0 +game_mode 0 +mapgroup mg_active +map de_dust2 |
Starts the CS:GO server with the specified settings. |
That’s it! Your game server should now be up and running. You can connect to it using the game’s console or by finding it in the server browser.
Debian
Debian is another stable and secure choice for hosting game servers. Here’s how you can set up a game server on Debian:
Step 1: Update the system
As with Ubuntu, the first step is to update our system:
Command |
Description |
|---|---|
sudo apt update |
Fetches the latest package lists from the Debian repositories. |
sudo apt upgrade |
Upgrades all installed packages to their latest versions. |
Step 2: Install the game server software
Most game servers have a dedicated server software that you can download and install on your system. For example, to install the Minecraft server, we can run the following command:
Command |
Description |
|---|---|
sudo apt install openjdk-11-jre-headless |
Installs the Java runtime environment that the Minecraft server requires. |
wget https://launcher.mojang.com/v1/objects/123ba123e1b77f72dd8d1f0e0d30f1f106f3d52a/server.jar |
Downloads the Minecraft server software. You’ll need to replace the URL with the latest version. |
sudo mkdir /opt/minecraft |
Creates a directory to store the Minecraft server files. |
sudo mv server.jar /opt/minecraft |
Moves the downloaded server file to the /opt/minecraft directory. |
Once the installation is complete, we can move on to the next step.
Step 3: Configure the server settings
Now that we have the game server software installed, we need to configure the server settings to suit our needs. This will typically involve editing a configuration file that’s located in the game server’s installation directory.
For example, to configure the Minecraft server, we can edit the /opt/minecraft/server.properties file. This file contains various settings such as the server name, world generation, and difficulty level.
Once we’ve edited the settings to our liking, we can start the server using the following command:
Command |
Description |
|---|---|
cd /opt/minecraft |
Navigates to the Minecraft server installation directory. |
java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar server.jar nogui |
Starts the Minecraft server with the specified memory settings. |
That’s it! Your game server should now be up and running. You can connect to it using the game’s multiplayer menu.
Securing Your Game Server
Now that we have our game server up and running, we need to make sure it’s secure. Game servers can be prime targets for cyber attacks, so it’s essential to follow some best practices to keep your server and your players safe.
Firewall Configuration
The first step in securing your game server is to configure your firewall. A firewall is a network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic. You can use a firewall to block unwanted traffic to your server and only allow traffic from specific sources.
Most Linux distributions come with a built-in firewall called iptables. You can use iptables to configure your firewall settings. For example, to block all incoming traffic except for SSH and game server traffic, we can run the following commands:
Command |
Description |
|---|---|
sudo iptables -P INPUT DROP |
Sets the default policy for incoming traffic to DROP (i.e., deny). |
sudo iptables -A INPUT -m conntrack –ctstate ESTABLISHED,RELATED -j ACCEPT |
Allows incoming traffic that’s related to established connections. |
sudo iptables -A INPUT -p tcp –dport ssh -j ACCEPT |
Allows incoming SSH traffic. |
sudo iptables -A INPUT -p udp –dport 27015:27030 -j ACCEPT |
Allows incoming game server traffic (replace the port range with the appropriate ports for your game). |
sudo iptables-save > /etc/iptables/rules.v4 |
Saves the iptables configuration to a file. |
These commands will block all incoming traffic by default and only allow SSH and game server traffic. You can customize these rules to suit your needs.
SSH Security
If you’re running your game server remotely, you’ll likely be using SSH to connect to your server. SSH is a secure protocol that encrypts your communication with the server, but it’s still vulnerable to attacks if not configured correctly.
Here are some best practices for securing your SSH connection:
- Disable root login: Instead of logging in as the root user, create a non-root user with sudo privileges and use that account to manage your server.
- Use key-based authentication: Instead of using a password to authenticate, use SSH keys. This is more secure and less susceptible to brute-force attacks.
- Change the default SSH port: The default SSH port is 22, which is well-known and targeted by attackers. Changing the port to something else can make it harder for attackers to find your server.
- Restrict SSH access: Use iptables to restrict SSH access to specific IP addresses or ranges.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What Linux distribution is best for hosting game servers?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question since it depends on your specific needs. However, some popular choices among game server admins include Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, and Fedora.
2. What hardware specifications do I need to run a game server?
The hardware specifications you need will depend on the game you’re hosting and the number of players you expect. Generally, you’ll need a server with a decent CPU, plenty of RAM, and a fast internet connection.
3. How can I optimize my game server for performance?
There are several ways to optimize your game server for performance, such as:
- Configure your server settings to minimize CPU and RAM usage.
- Use a high-performance kernel such as Liquorix.
- Use an SSD instead of a traditional hard drive.
- Optimize your network settings such as TCP congestion control and buffer sizes.
- Remove unnecessary software and services from your server.
4. How can I troubleshoot issues with my game server?
Some common issues you might encounter with your game server include lag, crashes, and connection problems. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can take:
- Check the server logs for error messages.
- Check your firewall settings to make sure you’re not blocking any necessary traffic.
- Check your network settings such as bandwidth and latency.
- Try running the server with default settings to see if the issue persists.
- Check your hardware resources to make sure your server isn’t running out of CPU or RAM.
Conclusion
Setting up a Linux game server can be a bit challenging, but with the right tools and knowledge, you can create a seamless gaming experience for yourself and your players. We hope this guide has provided you with everything you need to get started. Have fun and happy gaming!