Hosting a CS:GO Server on Linux: A Complete Guide for Devs

Dear Devs, if you are looking to host a CS:GO server on a Linux machine, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of setting up and running a CS:GO server on Linux. We understand that this can be intimidating, especially if you have little to no experience with Linux. However, we assure you that by the end of this article, you will have a fully functional CS:GO server up and running. So, let’s get started!

1. Introduction to Hosting CS:GO Server on Linux

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, commonly known as CS:GO, is one of the most popular first-person shooter games in the world. It is widely played by gamers of all ages, and many gaming communities and eSports organizations host their own CS:GO servers. If you are a developer or a gamer who wants to host a CS:GO server on Linux, this article is for you.

Firstly, let’s understand the benefits of hosting a CS:GO server on Linux. Linux is an open-source operating system that provides more flexibility, security, and customization options than other operating systems. By hosting a CS:GO server on Linux, you can customize the server to your needs, save costs, and have more control over the server. Furthermore, Linux is known for its stability and reliability, which makes it an ideal choice for hosting a CS:GO server.

However, setting up a CS:GO server on Linux can be a daunting task, especially if you are not familiar with Linux. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide on how to host a CS:GO server on Linux, step-by-step.

2. Requirements for Hosting a CS:GO Server on Linux

Before we get started, let’s go over the basic requirements for hosting a CS:GO server on Linux:

Requirement	Description
Linux machine	You will need a Linux server or a Linux Virtual Private Server (VPS) with root access.
SteamCMD	SteamCMD is a command-line tool that is used to install and update CS:GO on a Linux machine.
Basic Linux skills	You need to have basic Linux skills, including how to use the terminal, create users, and install packages.
Internet connection	You will need a stable internet connection for downloading and updating CS:GO.

Now that you know what you need to host a CS:GO server on Linux, let’s move on to the next step.

3. Installing SteamCMD on Linux

The first step in hosting a CS:GO server on Linux is to install SteamCMD. SteamCMD is a command-line tool that is used to install and update CS:GO on a Linux machine. Here’s how you can install SteamCMD on Linux:

Step 1: Log in to your Linux server

To install SteamCMD, you need to log in to your Linux server or Linux Virtual Private Server (VPS) with root access. You can use any terminal application to log in.

Step 2: Install SteamCMD dependencies

Before installing SteamCMD, you need to install its dependencies. Run the following command to install the required packages:

sudo apt-get install lib32gcc1 lib32stdc++6 wget

This command installs the necessary 32-bit libraries required for running SteamCMD on a 64-bit Linux machine. It also installs the wget package, which is used to download files from the internet.

Step 3: Download SteamCMD

Next, you need to download SteamCMD. You can download SteamCMD using the wget command. Run the following command to download SteamCMD:

wget https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz

This command downloads the SteamCMD installation file from the official Valve website.

Step 4: Extract SteamCMD

After downloading SteamCMD, you need to extract it. Run the following command to extract SteamCMD:

tar -xvzf steamcmd_linux.tar.gz

This command extracts the SteamCMD installation files to a new directory called “steamcmd”.

Now that you have installed SteamCMD, let’s move on to the next step.

4. Creating a Steam Account and Login Token

Before you can install and run a CS:GO server, you need to create a Steam account and generate a login token for the account. Here’s how you can do it:

Step 1: Create a new Steam account

If you don’t have a Steam account, you need to create one. Visit the Steam website and click on the “Join Steam” button. Follow the on-screen instructions to create a new account.

Step 2: Login to Steam using the account

After creating a new Steam account, you need to log in to the Steam client using the account. Download Steam client from https://store.steampowered.com/about/ and follow the instructions to install it on your Linux machine.

Once you have installed the Steam client, open it and log in to your account.

Step 3: Generate a login token

After logging in to Steam, you need to generate a login token. A login token is a unique identifier that allows SteamCMD to download and install CS:GO on your Linux machine. To generate a login token, follow these steps:

1. Click on your username in the top-right corner of the Steam client and select “Account Details”.
2. Click on the “Manage Steam Guard” button, and follow the on-screen instructions to enable Steam Guard.
3. Click on the “Game Servers” tab, and click on the “Create” button.
4. Enter a name for your server, and select “Counter-Strike: Global Offensive” from the drop-down menu.
5. Click on the “Create” button.
6. Copy the login token that is displayed on the screen.

Now that you have generated a login token, let’s move on to the next step.

5. Installing and Configuring a CS:GO Server on Linux

Now, we are ready to install and configure a CS:GO server on Linux. Here’s how you can do it:

Step 1: Create a new user

We recommend creating a new user for running the CS:GO server to ensure security and stability. To create a new user, run the following command:

sudo adduser csgo

This command creates a new user called “csgo”. You can replace “csgo” with any username of your choice.

Step 2: Switch to the new user

After creating a new user, switch to the user by running the following command:

su - csgo

This command switches to the “csgo” user account.

Step 3: Create a new directory for the server

Next, you need to create a new directory for the CS:GO server. Run the following command to create a new directory:

mkdir csgoserver

This command creates a new directory called “csgoserver” in the home directory of the “csgo” user.

Step 4: Install CS:GO using SteamCMD

After creating a new directory, you need to install CS:GO using SteamCMD. Run the following command to install CS:GO:

./steamcmd.sh +login anonymous +force_install_dir csgoserver +app_update 740 validate +quit

This command logs in to SteamCMD using the anonymous account, sets the installation directory to the “csgoserver” directory, and installs CS:GO. This process may take some time, depending on your internet speed.

Step 5: Configure the server

After installing CS:GO, you need to configure the server. To do this, you need to create a file called “server.cfg” in the “csgoserver/csgo/cfg” directory. This file contains the server configuration parameters. Here’s an example of a server.cfg file:

// Server Namehostname "My CS:GO Server"// Server Passwordsv_password ""// Rcon Settingsrcon_password "my_rcon_password"sv_rcon_banpenalty 0sv_rcon_log 1sv_rcon_maxfailures 3sv_rcon_minfailures 3// Server Settingsmp_maxplayers 20mp_autoteambalance 1mp_autokick 0mp_winlimit 0mp_maxrounds 30mp_timelimit 45mp_c4timer 35mp_freezetime 15mp_startmoney 800mp_roundtime 1.75mp_chattime 5mp_buytime 1.5mp_forcecamera 0mp_friendlyfire 0mp_tkpunish 0mp_limitteams 1// Map Settingsmapcyclefile "mapcycle.txt"mapgroup mg_activemap de_dust2// Workshop Collectionhost_workshop_collection 1234567890

You can configure the parameters according to your needs. You can also edit other configuration files located in the “csgoserver/csgo/cfg” directory.

Step 6: Start the server

After configuring the server, you can start the server by running the following command:

./srcds_run -game csgo -console -usercon +game_type 0 +game_mode 1 +mapgroup mg_active +map de_dust2 -maxplayers_override 20 -tickrate 128

This command starts the server with the configuration parameters specified in the server.cfg file. You can replace “de_dust2” with any map of your choice.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed and configured a CS:GO server on Linux.

6. FAQs

Q1. Can I run a CS:GO server on a Windows machine?

A1. Yes, you can run a CS:GO server on a Windows machine. However, the process is slightly different from the one on Linux.

Q2. Can I host multiple CS:GO servers on the same Linux machine?

A2. Yes, you can host multiple CS:GO servers on the same Linux machine. However, you need to create a separate directory and user for each server, and configure each server accordingly.

Q3. Can I customize the server settings?

A3. Yes, you can customize the server settings by editing the configuration files in the “csgoserver/csgo/cfg” directory.

Q4. How do I update the server to the latest version?

A4. To update the server to the latest version, run the following command:

./steamcmd.sh +login anonymous +force_install_dir csgoserver +app_update 740 validate +quit

This command updates the server to the latest version.

Q5. How do I install plugins on the server?

A5. To install plugins on the server, you need to download the plugins and place them in the “csgoserver/csgo/addons/sourcemod/plugins” directory. You also need to install the Sourcemod plugin management system.

Conclusion

Hosting a CS:GO server on Linux may seem intimidating at first, but with the right guidance, you can do it. We hope that this article has provided you with the step-by-step instructions and the confidence to host your own CS:GO server on Linux.

By hosting your own CS:GO server, you can customize the server to your needs, save costs, and have more control over the server. Furthermore, Linux is known for its stability and reliability, which makes it an ideal choice for hosting a CS:GO server.

If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to leave a comment below. Happy hosting!