How To Host A Garry’s Mod Server: A Comprehensive Guide for Devs

Welcome, Dev! If you’re here, you’re probably interested in hosting a Garry’s Mod server. Whether you want to set up a dedicated server for you and your friends or run a public server for the community, this guide will take you through the process step-by-step. By the end of this article, you’ll have a fully functional Garry’s Mod server up and running.

1. Introduction

Garry’s Mod (GMod) is a sandbox game developed by Facepunch Studios. It is a popular game that allows players to create and manipulate objects, build structures, and play custom game modes. Hosting a GMod server allows you to create and manage your own game world, invite friends to join, and even make a profit by charging players for access.

In this guide, we’ll cover the basic steps required to host a GMod server on Windows or Linux. We will also discuss important considerations such as hardware requirements, network settings, and server administration.

2. Hardware Requirements

Before you start hosting a GMod server, it’s important to make sure your hardware can handle it. Here are the recommended hardware specifications for hosting a GMod server:

Component	Recommended Specification
CPU	Intel Core i5 or equivalent
RAM	8 GB
Storage	100 GB SSD
Network	1 Gbps

Of course, these are only recommendations, and you can run a GMod server on lower-end hardware. However, keep in mind that the more players you have on your server, the more resources it will require. It’s always better to err on the side of caution and have more powerful hardware than you need.

2.1 Windows Hardware Requirements

If you’re hosting a GMod server on Windows, you’ll need to make sure your hardware meets the following requirements:

• Windows 7 or later
• Intel Core i5 or equivalent
• 8 GB of RAM
• 100 GB of storage space (SSD recommended)
• 1 Gbps network connection

If your hardware doesn’t meet these requirements, you may experience performance issues or crashes when hosting a GMod server.

2.2 Linux Hardware Requirements

If you’re hosting a GMod server on Linux, you’ll need to make sure your hardware meets the following requirements:

• Ubuntu 16.04 LTS or later
• Intel Core i5 or equivalent
• 8 GB of RAM
• 100 GB of storage space (SSD recommended)
• 1 Gbps network connection

If your hardware doesn’t meet these requirements, you may experience performance issues or crashes when hosting a GMod server.

3. Network Configuration

Before you set up your GMod server, you’ll need to make sure your network is properly configured. Here are some important considerations:

• Firewall: Make sure your firewall is set up to allow incoming connections on the necessary ports.
• Port forwarding: If you’re hosting a server on your home network, you’ll need to set up port forwarding on your router to allow traffic to reach your server.
• Bandwidth: Make sure you have enough bandwidth to handle the number of players you expect to have on your server.
• IP Address: Make sure your server has a static IP address so players can connect to it reliably.

For more detailed information on network configuration, check out our article on Network Configuration for Game Servers.

3.1 Firewall Configuration

By default, most firewalls will block incoming connections on all ports. You’ll need to open the necessary ports to allow players to connect to your GMod server.

The default port for GMod is 27015. You’ll need to open this port (both TCP and UDP) in your firewall to allow players to connect to your server.

To open a port in Windows Firewall, follow these steps:

1. Open Control Panel and click on “System and Security”.
2. Click on “Windows Defender Firewall”.
3. Click on “Advanced settings”.
4. Click on “Inbound Rules”.
5. Click on “New Rule”.
6. Select “Port” and click “Next”.
7. Enter the port number (27015) and click “Next”.
8. Select “Allow the connection” and click “Next”.
9. Select the appropriate network types (public, private, or both) and click “Next”.
10. Give the rule a name and click “Finish”.

To open a port in Linux, follow these steps:

1. Log in as root or a user with sudo privileges.
2. Open the firewall configuration file (/etc/ufw/before.rules) in a text editor.
3. Add the following line to allow incoming connections on port 27015: -A ufw-before-input -p tcp --dport 27015 -j ACCEPT.
4. Save the file and exit the text editor.
5. Restart the firewall service: sudo ufw reload.

These instructions are for the default GMod port (27015). If you’re using a different port, make sure to substitute it in the instructions above.

3.2 Port Forwarding

If you’re hosting a GMod server on your home network, you’ll need to set up port forwarding on your router so that traffic can reach your server. Port forwarding allows incoming traffic on a specific port to be forwarded to a specific device on your network.

To set up port forwarding, you’ll need to log in to your router’s web interface and create a new port forwarding rule. The exact steps will depend on your router, but here are some general guidelines:

1. Log in to your router’s web interface (usually by typing its IP address into your web browser).
2. Find the port forwarding settings (may be under “Advanced” or “Firewall”).
3. Create a new port forwarding rule for the GMod port (27015).
4. Specify the IP address of your server as the destination.
5. Save the rule and restart your router.

For more detailed instructions on port forwarding, check out our article on Port Forwarding for Game Servers.

3.3 Bandwidth Requirements

The amount of bandwidth you need for your GMod server will depend on the number of players you expect to have on your server, as well as the number of addons and custom content you have installed.

As a general rule of thumb, you’ll need at least 1 Mbps per player for a smooth gameplay experience. If you have a large number of players or lots of custom content, you may need more bandwidth.

Make sure to check with your internet service provider to ensure you have enough bandwidth to host a GMod server.

3.4 Static IP Address

If you’re hosting a GMod server on your home network, you’ll need to make sure your server has a static IP address. A static IP address is an address that doesn’t change, even when you restart your router or computer.

Having a static IP address is important because players need to know the IP address of your server to connect to it. If your IP address changes, players won’t be able to connect to your server until you give them the new IP address.

To set up a static IP address, follow these steps:

1. Determine the IP address of your server. You can do this by opening the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Linux) and typing ipconfig or ifconfig.
2. Open your router’s web interface and find the DHCP settings (may be under “Advanced” or “Network”).
3. Create a new DHCP reservation for your server’s IP address.
4. Restart your router and computer.

Once you’ve set up a static IP address, make sure to inform players of the IP address so they can connect to your server.

4. Server Setup

Now that your network is properly configured, it’s time to set up your GMod server. Here are the basic steps:

1. Download and install SteamCMD.
2. Download and install GMod.
3. Configure the server settings.
4. Install addons and custom content (optional).
5. Start the server.

4.1 Download and Install SteamCMD

SteamCMD is a command-line tool that allows you to download and install game servers from Steam. Here’s how to download and install SteamCMD:

1. Download SteamCMD from Valve’s website.
2. Extract the contents of the ZIP file to a folder on your computer.

That’s it! SteamCMD is now installed and ready to use.

4.2 Download and Install GMod

Now that you have SteamCMD installed, it’s time to download and install GMod. Here’s how:

1. Open a Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Linux).
2. Navigate to the SteamCMD folder using the cd command.
3. Enter the following command to log in to your Steam account: ./steamcmd.sh +login YOUR_STEAM_USERNAME +force_install_dir /path/to/gmod/server +app_update 4020 +quit.
4. This will download and install GMod to the /path/to/gmod/server directory.

4.3 Configure the Server Settings

Now that GMod is installed, it’s time to configure the server settings. Here’s how:

1. Navigate to the /path/to/gmod/server/garrysmod/cfg directory.
2. Edit the server.cfg file using a text editor.
3. Set the server name, description, and other settings as desired.
4. Save the file and exit the text editor.

For a full list of server settings and their descriptions, check out the official GMod wiki.

4.4 Install Addons and Custom Content

If you want to enhance your server with addons and custom content, now is the time to install them. Here’s how:

1. Download the addon or custom content files.
2. Upload the files to the /path/to/gmod/server/garrysmod/addons directory.
3. Restart the server.

Note that some addons may require additional configuration or dependencies. Check the addon’s documentation for more information.

4.5 Start the Server

Now that your server is configured and addons are installed (if desired), it’s time to start the server. Here’s how:

1. Open a Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Linux).
2. Navigate to the /path/to/gmod/server directory.
3. Enter the following command: ./srcds_run -game garrysmod +maxplayers 16 +map gm_construct.
4. This will start the server with a maximum of 16 players and the gm_construct map.

You can change the maximum number of players and map as desired.

5. Server Administration

Now that your GMod server is up and running, you’ll need to perform regular server administration tasks to keep it running smoothly. Here are some important considerations:

• Updating the server: Keep your server up-to-date with the latest game updates and security patches.
• Backing up the server: Regularly back up your server files to protect against data loss or corruption.
• Managing addons and custom content: Keep track of the addons and custom content installed on your server, and remove any that are causing issues.
• Moderating the server: Enforce the server rules and moderate player behavior to ensure a positive gameplay experience for everyone.

For more detailed information on server administration, check out our article on Server Administration for Game Servers.

6. Frequently Asked Questions

6.1 How much does it cost to host a GMod server?

The cost of hosting a GMod server will depend on the hardware and hosting provider you choose. You can host a server on your home network for free (besides the cost of the hardware and internet service), or you can rent a dedicated server from a hosting provider for a monthly fee.

6.2 How many players can join my GMod server?

The maximum number of players that can join your GMod server will depend on your hardware and network bandwidth. As a general rule of thumb, you’ll need at least 1 Mbps per player for a smooth gameplay experience. With powerful hardware and plenty of bandwidth, you can support dozens or even hundreds of players.

6.3 How do I install addons and custom content on my GMod server?

To install addons and custom content on your GMod server, simply download the files and upload them to the /path/to/gmod/server/garrysmod/addons directory. Restart the server, and the addons will be automatically loaded.

6.4 How do I update my GMod server?

To update your GMod server, simply run the following command in the server directory: ./steamcmd.sh +login YOUR_STEAM_USERNAME +force_install_dir /path/to/gmod/server +app_update 4020 validate +quit. This will download and install the latest game updates and security patches.

6.5 How do I back up my GMod server?

To back up your GMod server, simply copy the entire /path/to/gmod/server directory to a backup location. You should perform regular backups to protect against data loss or corruption.

Conclusion

Hosting a Garry’s Mod server can be a rewarding experience, whether you’re building a private server for you and your friends or running a public server for the community. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll have a fully functional server up and running in no time. Don’t forget to perform regular server administration tasks to keep your server running smoothly and provide a positive gameplay experience for everyone.