Embarking on the journey of setting up a 7 Days to Die dedicated server on Linux? You're in the right place. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, ensuring a smooth and efficient setup. Let's dive in.
Before we proceed, ensure you have a Linux distribution installed, preferably Ubuntu 18.04 or later. Also, make sure you have a stable internet connection and a basic understanding of Linux commands.
Installing Required Dependencies
First, we need to install the necessary dependencies to run the 7 Days to Die server. We'll use SteamCMD, a command-line tool used to download and install Steam games and mods.
Open your terminal and type the following commands to install SteamCMD:
Installing SteamCMD
First, update your package list and install wget:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install wget
Then, download and install SteamCMD:
mkdir ~/steamcmd
cd ~/steamcmd
wget https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz
tar -xvzf steamcmd_linux.tar.gz
Acquiring the 7 Days to Die Server Files
Now that SteamCMD is installed, we can use it to download the 7 Days to Die server files. Switch to the steamcmd directory and run the following command:
~/steamcmd/steamcmd.sh +login anonymous +force_install_dir ~/7days +app_update 294420 validate +quit
This command will log in anonymously, set the installation directory to ~/7days, update the 7 Days to Die server app, and then quit.
Configuring the Server
With the server files downloaded, it's time to configure the server. Navigate to the server's configuration directory:
cd ~/7days/7DaysToDie/DedicatedServer/Config
Editing the Server Configuration File
The main configuration file is ServerSettings.xml. Open it with a text editor. For instance, use nano:
sudo nano ServerSettings.xml
Here, you can customize various settings like server name, game mode, difficulty, and more. For a basic setup, ensure the following lines are uncommented and set as desired:
<ServerName>Your Server Name</ServerName>
<GameMode>Survival</GameMode>
<Difficulty>Normal</Difficulty>
Creating a Batch File to Start the Server
To make starting the server easier, let's create a batch file. Navigate back to the server's root directory:
cd ~/7days/7DaysToDie/DedicatedServer
Create a new file named start_server.sh and open it with a text editor:
nano start_server.sh
Add the following lines to the file, replacing "your_username" with your actual username:
#!/bin/bash
cd ~/7days/7DaysToDie/DedicatedServer/
./7DaysToDieServer -batchmode -nographics -logfile server.log -config Config/ServerSettings.xml -port 26900 -queryport 27015 -maxplayers 10
Save and close the file, then make it executable:
chmod +x start_server.sh
Running the Server
Now, you're ready to start your server. Simply run the following command:
~/7days/7DaysToDie/DedicatedServer/start_server.sh
Your server should now be running. You can check the server.log file in the Config directory for any errors or messages.
That's it! You've successfully set up a 7 Days to Die dedicated server on Linux. Now, gather your friends and start your zombie survival adventure. Happy gaming!