For the sake of simplification, this guide will assume that the player is choosing to just use a single PC. As long as they can run Rust at high settings and have a decent amount of RAM to spare then they shouldn't have too many issues. Just follow these instructions and the server should be up in no time at all.
From here things are going to start getting just a little bit tricky. The player is going to have to download and install the SteamCMD program. This is essentially a an alternate version of Steam that uses a command-line rather than the standard interface that players are used to. Using SteamCMD can be extremely complicated for those who don't know quite a bit about computers or didn't grow up in the age when command-lines were the standard way to navigate computers. The main reason that SteamCMD is used is to manually install and update servers on Steam, which is exactly what players will need for creating their own Rust server.
Once the player has downloaded SteamCMD they will want to create a folder in their computer specifically for their Rust server (name it something memorable like "Server Where I Don't Die Constantly"), and they can then extract this program to this folder. The player can then enter this folder and access SteamCMD by clicking on a file named "steamcmd.exe". Once this has been done SteamCMD should open up and begin updating. The player will then need to log in, but the player shouldn't use their main Steam account for this. Instead, they will need to log in as "Anonymous" which will allow them to run the server while also play the game using their actual account. In order to log in they will need to click on the command line and type:
After that, the player will need to hit enter again and then wait for the app to load. This will probably take a minute, but once done the player will receive a message saying "Success! App '255850' fully installed", which means exactly what it says. They are then ready to begin setting up their first server.
When it comes to actually creating the server the player is going to need to begin by creating a batch script file. Essentially a batch script is a document that holds a series of different commands that when activated will run sequentially. In the context of setting up a Rust server the main use for the batch script is to allow the player to keep their server updated and running smoothly. In order to create one the player will want to enter their Rust folder that they created earlier and right click within it. They can then select the "create a new text document" and then name this document "UpdateRust.txt". On the first line of this document the player will want to type this series of commands as shown:
Once the player has done this they should then save the file and close out of it. They should then right click on it and change the name to "UpdateRust.bat" to change it into a batch file. The player should then pull their SteamCMD folder up and look for a folder inside called "Steamapps" and then open "common" folder within that and then the "Rust_Dedicated" folder from there. Within this the player should then add a new text document and name it "start.txt". After doing that the player can then type the following commands in the document (keep in mind that each point should be a different line in the document):
If you are an avid gamer, you have probably at least heard about game servers and/or dedicated game servers. If you're thinking about setting up your own dedicated game server, it pays to do your homework to be sure your investment is worthwhile.
Today, we're going to explore dedicated private servers for gaming and talk about the pros, the cons, and the benefits of choosing a dedicated server over other alternatives.
Dedicated servers are just one of many hosting choices for gaming. You've also got shared hosting, in which you share server resources with others, and virtual private servers (VPS), which share some resources but give you a lot more flexibility and power than a shared server.
If you are an avid gamer or hosting a multiplayer game, shared hosting is probably not sufficient as you might have to deal with latency issues and unreliable connections. A VPS might be enough, but if you want ultimate control of your gaming experience—including who you play with—a dedicated server is definitely the way to go.
Dedicated gaming servers are a huge advantage on many levels, but the cost can be an issue if you're shouldering the burden yourself.
However, if you are hosting multiplayer games, if you're a game developer, or running a data center, a dedicated server is the key to providing high-performance, low-latency gaming for your co-players or clients.
In any game scenario, players must abide by the rules. If you are running your game on a dedicated server, however, you make the rules. You can decide who can join and who to exclude, and you can even kick people off the server if you want. This is a serious advantage in terms of quality control as you can limit the number of players to optimize performance and prevent latency.
You are the supreme authority. You are the one driving the gaming experience. It's a huge responsibility, but somebody's got to do it. Right?
With a dedicated server, you are in control of your gaming environment. If you want to build shared elements or features into your gameplay, you can do that, and all players benefit. For example, if you're running a Minecraft server, you can install lots of extras that everybody on your game roster can enjoy.
For example, you can change the length of your rounds to suit your preference. You can also create environments to do battle in, add custom maps, and restrict the types of weapons and tools available; the world is your oyster.
When you're not in control of the server, you don't only have to deal with your own latency issues. Your co-players connections and ping times can also affect the quality of your gameplay, and that's frustrating when you're in the thick of it.
With a dedicated server, you are in full control of the game and can get rid of players who are slowing it down. This is likely more of an issue for a first-person shooter or other high-action games, but it can happen in any multiplayer ecosystem.
While having a dedicated gaming server is #goals for many, there's also a dark side. What you go with will all depend on what matters most to you and what you can afford.
Pre-Renewal RO ServerIf you're running the server yourself—for instance, if you intend to host a physical server at your location—you are responsible for the security, maintenance, and upkeep of the hardware. Maintenance is essential to maintain a secure environment, and depending on your level of comfort with server hardware, this may or may not be your jam.
Probably the biggest barrier to having your own dedicated gaming server is the cost. On the low end of the scale, you'll pay in the range of about $100 per month, plus whatever plug-ins and security add-ons you want. On the high end, with all the bells and whistles and maximum bandwidth to support hundreds of players, you could be looking at $1000 per month or more.
Additionally, if you're running a physical server, get ready for your energy bills to spike. If you're running the server 24/7, it's going to take a lot of resources to maintain your uptime. This is one of the reasons why most people seeking a dedicated gaming server will "rent" one from a hosting provider. Renting a dedicated server takes all the back-end tasks off your plate, but certain aspects, like security, are generally a-la-carte. Plus, if you've got a core group that you play with, you might want to consider sharing the cost to make it affordable.
In a gaming environment, security is essential. There is a high prevalence of DDoS attacks in gaming, primarily sparked by ruthless competition. Even if you're meticulously selective about who you allow into your game, you'll need to secure the perimeter and be hyper-vigilant about updating. If you're running your own server, you could be at even higher risk as what you don't know will definitely hurt you.
When you purchase a gaming system, it comes with a server. It's pretty much plug-and-play; you just connect to the internet, set it up, and have at it. However, there are a lot of drawbacks to this approach, as no doubt you've experienced.
Primarily, you'll be logging onto a server that you share with thousands or even millions of others. Connectivity issues, outages, and individual player ping times will impact the quality of your gameplay. You have zero control over what happens, and that pertains to security issues as well. If the hosting server is under attack, you might be vulnerable to the point where it impacts not only your game but also your local network.
And then there's the issue of competency. Every gamer has to start somewhere, but it is frustrating to have to deal with inept laggards and novices. If you have high standards, if you like to be challenged (in a good way, not by newbies), an out-of-the-box gaming server is just going to get your goat – if not right away, then eventually, and probably sooner than later.
You also won't have many options to customize your game, which maybe you care about, and maybe you don't. Ultimately, it all comes down to what matters most to you.
