Garry’s Mod is a popular sandbox game that allows players to create anything they can imagine. Hosting your own Garry’s Mod server can be a great way to play with friends or create your own gaming community. If you’re new to hosting servers, it can be a daunting task. But with the right guidance, hosting a Garry’s Mod server can be a breeze. In this article, we will take you through the steps of how to host a Garry’s Mod server from scratch.
Preparing to Host a Garry’s Mod Server
Before you can host a Garry’s Mod server, you need to make sure you have the right hardware and software. In this section, we’ll go over the basic requirements for hosting a Garry’s Mod server.
Hardware Requirements
The hardware requirements for hosting a Garry’s Mod server are relatively modest. Here’s what you’ll need:
Component |
Minimum Specification |
|---|---|
CPU |
Intel Core i3 or higher |
RAM |
4GB or higher |
Network |
1Mbps upload speed or higher |
If you’re planning on hosting a larger server with more players, you may need to upgrade your hardware accordingly.
Software Requirements
In addition to the hardware requirements, you’ll also need some software to host a Garry’s Mod server. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Windows or Linux operating system
- Steam account
- Garry’s Mod game
- SteamCMD (Steam Console Client)
Once you have all of the necessary hardware and software, you’re ready to move on to the next step.
Installing SteamCMD
SteamCMD is a command-line tool that allows you to install and update Steam games and dedicated servers. In this section, we’ll show you how to install SteamCMD on your server.
Windows
To install SteamCMD on Windows, follow these steps:
- Download the SteamCMD installer from the official website: https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD
- Extract the contents of the ZIP file to a folder on your computer
- Open a command prompt as an administrator
- Navigate to the folder where you extracted SteamCMD
- Type the following command:
steamcmd +login USERNAME PASSWORD(replace USERNAME and PASSWORD with your Steam account credentials) - Once you’re logged in, type the following command:
app_update 4020 validate - Wait for the update to complete
- You’re now ready to start your Garry’s Mod server
Linux
To install SteamCMD on Linux, follow these steps:
- Open a terminal on your Linux server
- Install the required dependencies:
sudo apt-get install lib32gcc1 - Download the SteamCMD installer:
wget https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz - Extract the contents of the TAR file:
tar -xvzf steamcmd_linux.tar.gz - Run SteamCMD:
./steamcmd.sh +login USERNAME PASSWORD +app_update 4020 validate +quit(replace USERNAME and PASSWORD with your Steam account credentials) - Wait for the update to complete
- You’re now ready to start your Garry’s Mod server
Setting Up Your Garry’s Mod Server
Now that you have SteamCMD installed, it’s time to set up your Garry’s Mod server. In this section, we’ll show you how to create a configuration file and start your server.
Creating a Configuration File
A configuration file is a text file that contains settings for your Garry’s Mod server. Here’s how to create one:
- Open Notepad or your preferred text editor
- Copy and paste the following text into the new file:
// Garry's Mod server configuration filehostname "My Garry's Mod Server"sv_password ""rcon_password "changeme"sv_allowdownload "1"sv_allowupload "1"sv_tags "sandbox"You can customize these settings as you see fit. Just make sure to save the file with a .cfg extension (e.g. garrysmod.cfg).
Starting Your Server
Now that you have a configuration file, it’s time to start your server. Here’s how to do it:
- Open a command prompt or terminal
- Navigate to the folder where you installed SteamCMD
- Type the following command:
srcds.exe -game garrysmod +map gm_construct +maxplayers 16 +sv_setsteamaccount YOUR_STEAM_ACCOUNT_TOKEN -autoupdate(replace YOUR_STEAM_ACCOUNT_TOKEN with your Steam account token) - Your Garry’s Mod server should now be up and running!
You can change the map and max player count to suit your needs. Just make sure to include the appropriate command-line options when starting your server.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with the best preparation, things can go wrong when hosting a Garry’s Mod server. In this section, we’ll go over some common issues and how to fix them.
Port Forwarding
If you’re hosting a Garry’s Mod server on your local network, you’ll need to forward the required ports in your router’s settings. The default port for Garry’s Mod is 27015, but you may need to use a different port if it’s already in use.
Firewall Settings
If you’re hosting a Garry’s Mod server on a computer with a firewall, you may need to allow incoming connections on the required ports. Check your firewall settings to make sure the necessary ports are open.
Server Crashes
If your Garry’s Mod server crashes, it may be due to a plugin or mod that’s causing issues. Try disabling any plugins or mods you’ve installed to see if that fixes the problem.
Conclusion
Hosting a Garry’s Mod server can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it can also be challenging if you’re new to server hosting. By following the steps in this guide, you should be able to host your own server with ease. If you run into any issues, don’t hesitate to consult the Garry’s Mod community for help. Good luck, and have fun!
FAQ
Q: How many players can I host on my Garry’s Mod server?
A: The number of players you can host on your Garry’s Mod server depends on the hardware and network resources available. For most small to medium-sized servers, 16-32 players is a good starting point. If you have a powerful server with plenty of resources, you can host even more players.
Q: Do I need a dedicated server to host a Garry’s Mod server?
A: No, you don’t need a dedicated server to host a Garry’s Mod server. You can host a server on your own computer, as long as it meets the minimum hardware and software requirements.
Q: How do I install addons on my Garry’s Mod server?
A: To install addons on your Garry’s Mod server, you’ll need to download them from the Steam Workshop or other sources and place them in the addons folder in your Garry’s Mod installation directory. Once the addons are installed, they should be automatically loaded when you start your server.
Q: How do I create custom maps for my Garry’s Mod server?
A: To create custom maps for your Garry’s Mod server, you’ll need to use the Hammer editor, which is included with the Garry’s Mod game. You can find tutorials and resources online to help you get started with map-making.
Q: Can I run multiple Garry’s Mod servers on the same machine?
A: Yes, you can run multiple Garry’s Mod servers on the same machine, as long as you have enough hardware resources available to handle the load. You’ll need to use different ports and configuration files for each server.