How To Set Up A Rust Server 2018

Rust Server Requirements
Installing SteamCMD
Installing the Rust Dedicated Server
Branch Modifications
Rust Oxide
Configuring and Running the Server
Batch Script File
Batch File Commands for Rust Servers
Connecting to Your Server
Owners and Moderators
Promoting Your Server

Hosting a Rust server tin can be a corking deal of fun for y'all and your friends without having to deal with the frequent griefing of randoms in normal online play.

I started playing Rust back in the legacy days, when people were actually nice to each other (more or less) and didn't kill on sight or senselessly grief.

But those days are over. About Rust servers are full of jerks.

Making your ain Rust server is a bang-up way to brand the game fun again, giving you total control of your world.

In this tutorial, I'm going to show you the fastest fashion to brand your own Rust server, stride-past-step.

There won't be any room for error - follow the tutorial, and you'll be up and running in ten minutes!

Hosting a Rust Server The Like shooting fish in a barrel Fashion

If you don't want to know near the easy way to host a Rust server, skip this section and continue with the tutorial.

Just if you're interested, here'south the bargain:

Hosting your own Rust server is a bully style to acquire the game, create base designs, practise, and have fun with a few friends.

Information technology'southward also a pain in the ass to manage, and takes a while to setup.

Merely at that place's another problem:

When you lot host the server on your own PC, it'due south going to consume your resource. Your computer not only has to run the game, it also has to run the server and manage everyone connected to the server.

Dedicated Rust server hosting is taxing on your system's performance, non to mention your cyberspace bandwidth. There are ways to better your net speed, merely nix you exercise volition exist plenty to host more than than five-10 people on the server.

Furthermore, your friends can only connect to the server when information technology'south running on your PC, pregnant you'd have to go out your computer on 24/7 to accept a existent Rust server that actually attracts a player base of operations.

Quick Tip

If you desire to have a existent Rust server that can accomodate dozens of people and run 24/7 without compromising performance, paying for Rust server hosting is the way to become.

It's inexpensive, fast, and easy. Plus, information technology'due south the just style you'll be able to host a real Rust server. If y'all desire to host a Rust server the easy way, check out our guide on the best Rust server hosting companies.

If you lot want to host a Rust defended server the easy manner, you're better off investing a pocket-sized amount to pay for a dedicated server.

Hosting a Rust Server (The Difficult Manner)

Well, if paying for hosting isn't your thing, I've got your back.

You lot're about to learn exactly how to make a Rust server, step-by-footstep.

Let's dive in:

Rust Server Requirements

64-Bit Windows 7, 8.i, or x
Minimum 4GB RAM (merely 8GB highly advised)
Minimum 6GB drive infinite

*If yous're hosting on a calculator that'south divide from the one you're playing Rust on, so 4GB of RAM is excellent for the dedicated server.

A compressions software like 7-nada or Winrar may also come in handy.

Note:

In this tutorial, you'll log into the server as bearding, just some servers require you to configure with a real Steam business relationship.

You cannot play Rust on the same account that is hosting the Rust server. If yous run equally anonymous, you tin still participate.

Installing SteamCMD

Commencement, let's cover the SteamCMD installation. SteamCMD is essentially a command prompt application for Steam.

Download the Windows edition of SteamCMD or the Linux or MacOS versions if needed
Once downloaded, right-click the file and select "Extract to steamcmd" if you have an archival application and place the resulting folder on your desktop.

Now open the steamcmd folder and open the steamcmd awarding
A control prompt will open up and begin to update. Just look for the window to end, it'll wait something like this:

From hither log in using the command login bearding

Leave this window open as we motility to the next role

Installing the Rust Dedicated Server

Time to install the Rust server itself.

Start you take to set a destination folder for the server to run from with this control: force_install_dir C:\steamcmd\rust_server but replace the file location with your desired server folder
And install the server with the command app_update 258550 validate

This might have a minute
Once information technology says "Success" y'all may close the application

Branch Modifications

If yous'd like to release beta updates to your server there are a couple of commands you can input instead of the app_update 258550 validate control.

To receive the almost recent updates from Rust'southward Beta Staging, utilise the command app_update 258550 -beta staging.

To receive pre-release updates, use the command app_update 258550 -beta prerelease.

Rust Oxide

Rust Oxide is a server-side Rust mod that allows you to outfit your server with tons of amazing plugins to heighten the experience.

How to Install Rust Oxide

The installation process is quick and painless. Here's how you do information technology:

Download uMod's latest version hither
Brand sure your server is turned off
Extract the Oxide goose egg file
Copy the folder named RustDedicated_Data
Paste information technology into your Rust server binder and overwrite the RustDedicated_Data folder that was there already
In one case all of the files are finished copying over, commencement the server and allow it to cease its setup
When information technology'south finished, verify the Oxide version by typing the control oxide.version and it should await something like this

Adding Plugins to Rust Oxide

Now all that's left is to add some plugins! For a list of the all-time Rust plugins for 2022 check out the very bottom of our Rust hosting listing

Configuring and Running the Server

All of the tiles are prepare and you're 100% fix to start upwards the server and get to joining! There isn't really any configurations we can cover hither, just play around with the Admin commands and figure out what everything does.

Navigate to the folder you chose to place your rust server folder (in our example C:\steamcmd\rust_server)

Double-click the RustDedicated executable to start your server
Wait for it to load
At present you're ready to connect!

Batch Script File

To keep your server upward to engagement and performance properly or create a organisation to salvage the stress of constantly typing in commands, information technology's a good idea to configure your Batch Script file which will automatically employ certain commands upon server startup.

Update Batch File

This file will offering you a way to easily check for updates whenever you might need to update your server.

Open up your server folder

Create a new text document and open information technology
Blazon C:\steamcmd\steamcmd.exe +login anonymous +force_install_dir "C:\steamcmd\rust_server" +app_update 258550 validate +quit but replace the file locations with your steamcmd and server locations

Hit File, then Save Equally and save the document as update.bat
Remember to delete the old text document, then open the update.bat file
Any time you want to check for an update, simply open the file again

Run Server Batch File

This file should serve as the primary manner you showtime your server.

Create a new text certificate in your Rust server folder
Open it and type the following: @echo off cls :start RustDedicated.exe -nographics -batchmode -silent-crashes +server.ip "(fill in your server ip)" +server.identity "(fill in your server identity)" +server.port 28015 +rcon.port 28016 +rcon.password "fill in a password" -logfile "ServerLog.txt" +rcon.web true -logfile "output.txt" goto start

Note: When filling in the spaces with your info, do non include the parenthesis.

Go to File, Save as, and relieve the file as Run.bat
Subsequently saving, remove the quondam text document and run the batch file to test if your server runs

Batch File Commands for Rust Servers

Hither's a listing of batch file commands for Rust servers and what they do:

echo off Tells the server not to display all executed batch commands.
:start Start point of the server.
goto start Tells the server to restart upon close down.
-batchmode Opens Unity in non-GUI style.
+server.port 28015 Runs Rust'south default port for client connection.
+server.seed 10 The seed determines the shape of a procedurally generated world (kinda like Minecraft), and the value ranges are 0-2147483647.
+server.level "Procedural Map" Picks the server map. You can replace "Procedural Map" for other maps like "SavasIsland," "SavasIsland_koth," "Barren," and "HapisIsland".
+server.worldsize X Select a globe size betwixt 1000 and 6000.
+server.maxplayers X Choose the number of histrion slots the server has.
+server.hostname "Server Proper noun" Choose the name your server will display on the server list.
+server.description "Server Description" Choose the description your server will brandish on the server list.
+server.url "https://yourwebsite.com" If a website is placed hither, a "View Webpage" button will announced when connecting to the server.
+server.headerimage "Image link" Paste an image link that will be used as the groundwork image when connecting to the server.
+server.identity "server0" The parent name for all server files.
+rcon.port 28016 Rcon port for client connection.
+rcon.password "password" Rcon access password. Information technology does non allow spaces or special characters.
+rcon.web i Rcon WebSocket connection mode.

Connecting to Your Server

If y'all're hosting your server on the same computer that you'll exist playing on, joining is every bit elementary as it gets. If connecting on a separate PC, there's a little extra work.

Connecting Locally

Open Rust from your desktop or from Steam
Load into the game and open the console past pressing F1
Type client.connect localhost:28015
Expect to connect

Connecting From Some other Computer

You have to notice the IP accost of your computer then it tin find the right server and connect to it.

Note: You will simply be able to connect from computers on the aforementioned internet connection as the server host.

To connect from exterior the network, port forwarding is required.

Press Windows + R on your keyboard and type cmd, and so hit Enter or click OK
Blazon ipconfig and hitting Enter
Look for the IPv4 Accost and either copy it with Ctrl + C or write information technology down
Follow steps i & two from the Connecting Locally department
For stride 3 from the last department, replace localhost with the IPv4 Accost

Owners and Moderators

In that location are two ways to promote players to moderators or admins on your Rust server.

While both work just fine y'all will need the user'south Steam ID for either.

One quick and easy mode to find a user'south Steam ID is the SteamIO tool.

Online

This method can be used any time y'all have admission to the server console.

Make sure the server is running and the console is open up
Enter the command ownerid "user-id" for administrators
Enter the command moderator "user-id" for administrators
Each time you promote a user, use the command serverwrite.cfg
Have the user log off and then dorsum on to refresh their role

Offline

This method can only be used when the server is offline.

While the server is offline, go to your rust_server folder, server, and so my_server_identity
Enter the folder labeled "cfg"
Edit the file "users.cfg" and use either of the same commands from above
If there is non a file named users.cfg, create a text document and name information technology that

If you lot plan on trying to plough your dedicated server into a public masterpiece at that place are a couple routes you can take to promote your server.

First of all, before y'all put it out for the globe to run into, come up with a catchy server name and description for players to see on the server list. You can even change the loading picture to make your server stand out from the rest.

Second, have advantage of all the online resources at your disposal. Forums like the official PlayRust and Rust Server Directory subreddits are great places to start.

You can also post on Rust's official discord server and try to garner a following there. If officiality isn't your thing, there are hundreds of player-ran servers out there to advertise on.

Defended Rust Server vs Rust Server Hosting

Each type of hosting has its ain tradeoffs. Employ these pros and cons to cull whichever fits your Rust server needs best.

Dedicated Rust Server

Dedicated hosting, for the most part, is best for when you desire to host a small server with a couple of friends.

Trying to grow past that small player count is hard with the limited resources that your PC and cyberspace can provide.

Pros:

Gratuitous
Total customization freedom
User serviceable

Cons:

Little to no protection
Uses personal resource like processing power and cyberspace bandwidth
Requires a piffling know-how to set up and manage
Only fit for a small histrion count

Rust Server Hosting

While y'all have to pay a monthly fee to utilise the service, purchasing a host allows you to run much bigger and faster servers than you lot ever can on a dedicated connection.

Pros:

No strain on your internet or computer
Much faster
Included support squad
Ease of utilize and quick setup

Cons:

Paid service
May limit control
May not allow straight access to server files

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most common questions I become about Rust dedicated server hosting:

Can you play rust on a private server?

Aye, if you create your own server, y'all can play Rust privately with your friends (or yourself).

How much is a server on Rust?

If y'all setup your own Rust server, information technology's costless (aside from your electric/WiFi bill). Otherwise, most Rust server hosting companies like Host Havoc charge between $thirty and $130 for a expert Rust server.

What is the best Rust server provider?

Host Havoc and PingPerfect are two great options. If you want a cheap Rust server, get with Gameserverkings.

What is my Rust server IP?

Every bit long every bit you've port forwarded, search "what is my IP" in Google and you'll have your reply. If you're using a hosting visitor for your Rust server, you'll find your IP in the dashboard (control panel).

Decision

Hosting a Rust server is a great way to unwind with friends and escape the trolls that pollute official Rust servers.

Hopefully this guide helped you learn how to make a Rust server. If you take any questions, please feel free to contact me for assist.

Thanks!