Learn How To Host A Rust Server On Linux in 5 Easy Steps

If you’re a fan of the game Rust and want to host your own server, you’re in the right place. Hosting your own server can give you more control over the game’s settings and provide a more personalized experience for you and your friends. In this guide, we’ll show you how to host a Rust server on Linux in 5 easy steps.

Before we dive into the steps, there are a few things you’ll need to get started. You’ll need access to a Linux server with root privileges and basic knowledge of Linux commands. Don’t worry if you’re not a Linux expert – we’ll guide you through the process. Additionally, you’ll need to download and install Rust Dedicated Server software and a few other dependencies.

In this tutorial, we’ll cover everything from setting up your Linux server to launching and testing your Rust server. By the end of this guide, you’ll have your very own Rust server up and running. So, let’s get started!

Ready to learn how to host your own Rust server on Linux? Follow these five easy steps to get started and impress your friends with your very own Rust server!

Step 1: Setting Up Your Linux Server

Before you can host your own Rust server on Linux, you’ll need to have a Linux server up and running. The first step is to select a hosting provider that supports Linux, such as DigitalOcean or Linode. Once you’ve signed up, log in to your account and create a new Linux droplet. You’ll be asked to choose your preferred Linux distribution, such as Ubuntu or CentOS.

Once your Linux droplet is up and running, you’ll need to set up some basic security measures. This includes creating a new user account with sudo privileges and disabling root login. You should also install a firewall, such as UFW, to protect your server from unauthorized access.

Next, you’ll need to install an SSH client on your local machine. This will allow you to connect to your Linux server from your own computer. You can use OpenSSH, which is pre-installed on most Linux distributions, or download a separate SSH client like PuTTY.

Finally, you’ll want to configure your Linux server to automatically update and reboot on a regular basis. This will ensure that your server is always running smoothly and that any security vulnerabilities are promptly addressed. You can use tools like unattended-upgrades and cron to automate these tasks.

Choosing a Linux Distribution

1. Consider the needs of your server: There are various Linux distributions to choose from, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Consider your specific requirements, such as the amount of RAM and disk space needed, as well as the technical expertise required to operate the server.

2. Popular Linux distributions for hosting: Some popular distributions for hosting include Ubuntu, CentOS, and Debian. Ubuntu is user-friendly and great for beginners, while CentOS is known for its stability and security. Debian is lightweight and customizable, making it a good choice for advanced users.

3. Compatibility with Rust Server: Rust Server is compatible with most Linux distributions, but it’s always a good idea to check the system requirements before making a final decision. Make sure your chosen distribution is compatible with the Rust Server version you plan to install.

Ultimately, the best Linux distribution for hosting a Rust Server depends on your specific needs and preferences. Do your research and choose a distribution that offers the right balance of performance, stability, and user-friendliness. Once you’ve made your choice, you can move on to the next step: Installing Rust Server Dependencies.

Setting up SSH Access

Secure Shell (SSH) is a cryptographic network protocol that allows secure communication between two untrusted hosts. It is an essential tool for remotely accessing your Linux server. To set up SSH access:

• Generate SSH Keys: First, you need to generate SSH keys on your local computer. This will allow you to securely connect to your Linux server without needing to enter a password each time.
• Copy the Public Key to Your Linux Server: After generating the keys, copy the public key to your Linux server. This will enable your computer to connect to the server.
• Configure SSH on Your Server: Once you have copied the public key to your server, you need to configure SSH to allow key-based authentication.

Setting up SSH access is an essential step in the process of hosting a Rust server on Linux. Once you have established a secure connection with your server, you can proceed with the remaining steps to install, configure and launch the Rust server.

Step 2: Installing Rust Server Dependencies

Dependencies are an essential part of any software installation process. To ensure the Rust server runs smoothly, you need to install the necessary dependencies on your Linux server.

Update your Linux system packages before you start installing Rust dependencies. The latest package updates contain bug fixes, security patches and software enhancements that improve the overall performance of your server.

Install the required Rust dependencies by executing a single command in your terminal. You can download and install the required libraries for Rust from your Linux package manager, or you can compile them from source.

Configure your Firewall to allow incoming connections to your Rust server. Configure your Linux server’s firewall to allow incoming connections to the default Rust server port 28015.

Verify Rust Server Dependencies by running a simple test to check that all the necessary dependencies are installed and configured correctly. This test will also ensure that the Rust server can communicate with the outside world without any issues.

Updating Your Server

If you’re working with a new installation of Linux, it’s essential to update your system before installing any new packages. This step ensures that your server has the latest security patches and bug fixes. The update process is different for each Linux distribution, but generally, it involves using the package manager to update the software repositories and install the latest updates. Updating your server should be the first thing you do before installing any packages.

Once you’ve updated your system, it’s time to install the dependencies needed to run the Rust server. The Rust server requires several packages to run correctly, such as GCC, G++, and OpenSSL. These packages must be installed on your server before installing the Rust server. Installing dependencies ensures that the Rust server runs correctly.

It’s worth noting that the Rust server requires a 64-bit version of Linux to run correctly. Before installing any dependencies, ensure that you’re working with a 64-bit version of Linux. Working with a 64-bit version is a requirement for running the Rust server.

It’s also essential to check if your server has enough resources to run the Rust server. The Rust server is a resource-intensive application that requires a minimum of 6GB of RAM and 4 CPU cores. Checking server resources before installing the Rust server ensures that your server can handle the load and run smoothly.

Once you’ve updated your server, installed the dependencies, and ensured your server has enough resources to run the Rust server, you’re ready to move on to the next step, downloading and installing the Rust server.

Installing Required Dependencies

Before you can start using our software, you need to make sure that all the required dependencies are installed. Here are the three dependencies you need to install:

• Node.js – This is a JavaScript runtime built on Chrome’s V8 JavaScript engine. It allows you to run JavaScript code outside of a web browser.
• npm – This is the package manager for Node.js. It allows you to easily install, update, and manage dependencies for your Node.js projects.
• MySQL – This is an open-source relational database management system. It allows you to store, organize, and retrieve data in a structured manner.

Node.js and npm are usually installed together. To install them, you can download the installer from the official Node.js website, and follow the instructions. Alternatively, you can use a package manager to install Node.js and npm. If you’re using a Linux distribution, you can use your package manager to install them. For example, on Ubuntu, you can run the following command:

sudo apt-get install nodejs npm

For MySQL, you can download the installer from the official website, and follow the instructions. Alternatively, you can use a package manager to install MySQL. If you’re using a Linux distribution, you can use your package manager to install it. For example, on Ubuntu, you can run the following command:

Operating System	Command	Package Manager
Ubuntu	sudo apt-get install mysql-server	apt
Fedora	sudo dnf install mysql-server	dnf
CentOS	sudo yum install mysql-server	yum
macOS	brew install mysql	Homebrew

Once you have installed all the required dependencies, you’re ready to start using our software. If you have any issues with the installation process, please consult the documentation or seek help from the community.

Step 3: Downloading and Installing the Rust Server

Now that we have set up our server, it’s time to download and install the Rust server software. First, we need to ensure that we are logged in as the user we created earlier. To do this, we can use the command su – rustserver. This will switch us to the Rust server user and allow us to download and install the software.

Next, we need to download the Rust server software. We can do this by using the command curl -s https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz | tar -vxz. This will download and extract the SteamCMD utility which we will use to download and install the Rust server software.

After downloading the SteamCMD utility, we need to install the Rust server software. We can do this by using the command ./steamcmd.sh +login anonymous +force_install_dir ~/rustserver +app_update 258550 +quit. This will install the latest version of the Rust server software in the rustserver directory under the user’s home directory.

Once the installation process is complete, we need to configure the Rust server by creating a configuration file. We can do this by using the command nano ~/rustserver/cfg/server.cfg. This will open the Nano text editor where we can create and edit the configuration file. We need to add our desired settings such as server name, server description, and server rules to the configuration file.

Finally, we can start the Rust server by using the command ./rustserver start. This will start the Rust server and make it available for players to join.

Downloading the Rust Server Files

To download the Rust server files, navigate to the Rust Server Download page on the SteamCMD website. On this page, you will find the latest version of the server files available for download. Click on the Windows or Linux button depending on which operating system you are using.

Once you have downloaded the file, extract it to a folder on your computer where you want to store the server files. We recommend creating a dedicated folder for this purpose, as it will make it easier to manage the files in the future.

After extracting the files, you should see a number of files and folders in your directory. These include the RustDedicated.exe file for Windows or the RustDedicated shell script for Linux, which is the main executable file for the Rust server.

Now that you have downloaded and extracted the Rust server files, you can proceed to the next step, which is configuring the server settings to your preferences.

Note: It is important to keep your server files up-to-date to ensure that you have access to the latest features and bug fixes. You can check for updates using the SteamCMD tool, which we will cover later in this guide.

Step 4: Configuring Your Rust Server

After downloading and installing your Rust server, you need to configure it to suit your needs. This step is crucial to ensure that your server runs smoothly and provides the best experience for your players. One of the first things you need to do is to set up your server’s configuration file. The configuration file contains several settings that allow you to customize your server’s gameplay experience.

Another essential aspect of configuring your Rust server is choosing the right plugins. There are numerous plugins available that you can install to enhance your server’s functionality. These plugins can add exciting features such as anti-cheat protection, player stats, and more. Make sure to research the plugins available and choose the ones that best suit your server’s needs.

It’s also crucial to manage your server’s resources effectively. Resource management involves setting up limits on various server aspects, such as player count, memory usage, and CPU usage. This step ensures that your server runs smoothly and does not crash due to resource overload.

Lastly, you need to ensure that your server’s rules are clear and concise. This step involves setting up server rules and enforcing them. By doing so, you can ensure that your server’s environment remains fair and enjoyable for all players. Make sure to communicate your server’s rules to your players and have a system in place to enforce them.

Creating a Configuration File

Before you start your Rust server, you need to create a configuration file. This file contains all the settings for your server, such as server name, server description, maximum number of players, and more. To create the file, you will need to use a text editor such as Notepad, Sublime Text, or Visual Studio Code.

The configuration file for Rust servers is named server.cfg. You can create this file by opening your text editor and creating a new file named server.cfg. Once you have created the file, you can add your server settings to it.

There are many settings that you can add to your configuration file, and each setting has its own syntax. You can find a list of all the available settings and their syntax in the Rust documentation. Make sure to save the file once you have added all the necessary settings.

Once you have created and saved your configuration file, you can start your Rust server using the command-line interface. You will need to specify the location of your configuration file using the +server.config command-line option. For example:

 ./rust_server +server.config /path/to/server.cfg 

With your Rust server running, players can now connect to your server and start playing. You can modify the settings in your configuration file at any time to change the behavior of your server.

Editing the Configuration File

Once you have created a configuration file, you need to edit it to customize the settings for your Rust server. The configuration file is a text file that can be opened and edited using any text editor such as Notepad or TextEdit.

Before editing the configuration file, it is important to understand what each setting does. You can find a list of all the available settings and their descriptions in the official Rust documentation.

Some of the settings you may want to customize include the server name, description, and map size. You can also adjust the number of players allowed on your server, as well as various gameplay settings such as player damage and crafting speed.

After making your changes, save the configuration file and restart your Rust server for the changes to take effect. You can then log in to your server and test out your new settings.

Step 5: Launching and Testing Your Rust Server

Once you have configured your Rust server, it’s time to launch it and test if everything is working properly. To start your server, navigate to your Rust server directory and type the command ./start.sh into the terminal.

If everything is configured correctly, you should see a message saying “Game server connect string: ip:port”. This means your server is up and running and ready to be joined by players. You can test your server by joining it from another computer or by using a program like SteamCMD to connect to it.

If you encounter any issues, double-check your configuration file and make sure all the settings are correct. You can also check the server logs for any error messages. Once you have everything working correctly, you can start inviting friends to join your server and start playing Rust together!

Starting Your Rust Server

After you have configured your Rust server, you are ready to start it up. You can start the Rust server by running the following command in the terminal:

./rust_server start

This will start the Rust server and it will begin to listen for incoming connections. You can check that the server is running by running the following command:

./rust_server status

If the server is running, you should see a message indicating that the server is up and running. If you encounter any issues with starting the server, you can check the server logs for more information. The server logs can be found in the /rust_server/logs directory.

Joining and Testing Your Server

Now that your Rust server is up and running, it’s time to join and test it. To do this, you will need to launch Rust on your computer and connect to your server.

To join your server, launch Rust and open the console by pressing FIn the console, type client.connect SERVER_IP:PORT, where SERVER_IP is the IP address of your server and PORT is the port number you specified in the configuration file. Press Enter to connect to your server.

Once you’ve connected to your server, you can test it by exploring the world and interacting with objects and other players. Make sure that everything is working as expected, such as the player movement, player interaction, and chat system.

Updating Your Server

To keep your Rust server up to date and running smoothly, it’s important to regularly update it. Here are three steps to help you update your server:

Step 1: Stop the Rust server process. You can do this by opening the command prompt, navigating to the directory where your server is installed, and typing “Ctrl+C”.

Step 2: Download the latest version of the Rust server files. You can do this by visiting the Rust website or by using the SteamCMD tool. Once the download is complete, extract the files to your server directory.

Step 3: Start the Rust server process again. You can do this by opening the command prompt, navigating to the directory where your server is installed, and running the command to start the server. Once the server is running, you can test it to make sure the update was successful.

It’s important to note that updating your server may cause some plugins or mods to become outdated and stop working. Make sure to check for updates for any plugins or mods you have installed before updating your server.

Frequently Asked Questions