Host a Terraria Server on Raspberry Pi

Welcome, Dev! Are you looking for a way to host your own Terraria server on a Raspberry Pi? This article will guide you through the process in easy-to-follow steps. By the end, you’ll have a working server that you can access from anywhere. Let’s get started!

1. What is Terraria?

Terraria is an action-packed sandbox game that allows players to explore, build, and fight their way through a world filled with monsters, treasures, and secrets. With its unique blend of RPG elements, crafting, and combat, Terraria has garnered a huge following since its release in 2011.

One of the best features of Terraria is the ability to play with friends in a shared world. This is where hosting your own server comes in handy. It allows you to control who can join, set the rules, and ensure a stable connection for everyone.

2. Why Use a Raspberry Pi?

A Raspberry Pi is a small and affordable computer that can run various operating systems, including Linux. It’s perfect for hosting a Terraria server because it consumes very little power, generates minimal heat, and takes up very little space. Plus, it’s easy to set up and maintain.

Using a Raspberry Pi as a server also means you don’t have to rely on a third-party hosting service that may charge you monthly fees or limit your customization options. You have full control over your server and can tweak it to suit your needs.

3. What You’ll Need

Before you get started, you’ll need a few things:

Item	Qty.
Raspberry Pi 4	1
MicroSD Card (16GB or larger)	1
Power Supply (5V, 3A)	1
Ethernet Cable	1
Computer/Laptop (for initial setup)	1

4. Setting Up Your Raspberry Pi

The first step is to install an operating system on your Raspberry Pi. We recommend using Raspberry Pi OS, a free and open-source Linux distribution optimized for Raspberry Pi. It comes with all the necessary software and tools pre-installed, making it easy to get started.

4.1 Download Raspberry Pi OS

Head to the official Raspberry Pi website and download the latest version of Raspberry Pi OS. You can choose between the desktop or lite version. The desktop version includes a graphical user interface, while the lite version is more minimalistic and runs entirely from the command line.

4.2 Flash the MicroSD Card

Once you’ve downloaded the image file, you’ll need to flash it onto your microSD card. There are various ways to do this, but we recommend using the Raspberry Pi Imager tool, available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Simply follow the instructions provided by the Imager tool to flash the image onto your microSD card.

4.3 Insert the MicroSD Card and Connect to the Network

Insert the microSD card into your Raspberry Pi, connect it to your router using an Ethernet cable, and connect the power supply. Your Raspberry Pi should now boot up and connect to the network automatically.

5. Installing Terraria

Now that your Raspberry Pi is up and running, it’s time to install Terraria. You can do this by following these steps:

5.1 Install Required Dependencies

Open a terminal window on your Raspberry Pi and enter the following command to install the required dependencies:

sudo apt-get updatesudo apt-get install -y mono-runtime libmono-system-data4.0-cil libmono-system-data-linq4.0-cil libmono-system-runtime-serialization4.0-cil libmono-system-web-extensions4.0-cil unzip

5.2 Download and Extract the Terraria Server Files

Head to the official Terraria website and download the Linux version of the server files. Once downloaded, extract the files to a directory of your choice.

5.3 Configure the Server

Open the “serverconfig.txt” file located in the “TerrariaServer” folder and make the necessary changes. This includes setting the server name, password, port, and world name. Save the file when you’re done.

6. Running the Server

You’re now ready to run the server. Open a terminal window and navigate to the “TerrariaServer” folder. Enter the following command:

mono TerrariaServer.exe -config serverconfig.txt

Your server should now start up and display some information about its status. You can access the server console by pressing the “Tab” key.

7. Connecting to the Server

To connect to your Terraria server, you’ll need to find out its IP address. You can do this by entering the following command in a terminal window:

hostname -I

Make a note of the IP address and launch Terraria on your computer. Click on “Multiplayer” and then “Join via IP”. Enter the IP address and port number (default is 7777) and click “Join”. If everything went well, you should now be connected to your own Terraria server!

FAQ

Q1. Can I run the server without a monitor?

Yes, you can run the server headless (without a monitor) by accessing it remotely via SSH. You’ll need to enable SSH on your Raspberry Pi and use a program such as PuTTY to connect to it from your computer. Once logged in, you can follow the same steps as before to install and run the server.

Q2. How many players can join the server?

The number of players that can join your Terraria server depends on several factors, such as your internet connection speed and the resources available on your Raspberry Pi. Generally speaking, you should be able to support up to 8 players with a Raspberry Pi 4.

Q3. Can I use a different world or character than the default?

Yes, you can use any world or character you like. Simply copy them to the “TerrariaServer” folder and change the appropriate settings in the “serverconfig.txt” file.

Q4. How do I update the server?

To update your Terraria server, simply download the latest server files from the official Terraria website and extract them to the “TerrariaServer” folder. Make sure to backup your world and player files beforehand, as they may be overwritten during the update.

Q5. Can I use a different port than 7777?

Yes, you can use any port you like. Simply change the “server-port” setting in the “serverconfig.txt” file to the desired value.

Conclusion

Congratulations, Dev! You’ve successfully set up your own Terraria server on a Raspberry Pi. By hosting your own server, you can enjoy the game with friends and family without any restrictions or fees. We hope this article was helpful and informative. Happy gaming!