Dive into the post-apocalyptic world of Project Zomboid, a game that tests your survival instincts against a backdrop of a zombie-infested landscape. This comprehensive guide will walk you through setting up your Project Zomboid server, enabling you and your friends to enjoy a personalized and uninterrupted gaming experience. Hosting your server grants the freedom to modify game settings, apply mods, and more, enriching your gameplay. Let’s begin the journey to establish a server that will serve as your ultimate survival playground.
Key Takeaways
- Learn how to download and install the Project Zomboid server using Steam or SteamCMD on both Windows and Linux platforms.
- Understand the essential configurations needed for your server, including editing server files, setting up admin commands, and adjusting server memory.
- Get insights into managing network and ports, including port forwarding on different operating systems and running multiple servers simultaneously.
Downloading and Installing the Project Zomboid Server
Using Steam
To get started with Project Zomboid on Steam, follow these steps:
- Open your Steam client and log in.
- Navigate to your library and filter for tools.
- Locate ‘Project Zomboid Dedicated Server’ and click to download and install it.
Note: Do not launch the server via Steam. If you accidentally do, verify the integrity of the files.
Using SteamCMD on Windows
For a more hands-on approach, you can use SteamCMD. Here’s how:
- Download and extract SteamCMD to a folder of your choice.
- Open a command line and navigate to the SteamCMD directory.
- Run
steamcmd.exeand enter the following commands:
login anonymous
force_install_dir C:PZServer
app_update 380870 validate
exit
This will download and install the Project Zomboid server files to your specified directory.
Using SteamCMD on Linux
Linux users can also use SteamCMD to install the server. Follow these steps:
- Install SteamCMD using your package manager. For Debian/Ubuntu, use:
sudo add-apt-repository multiverse
sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
sudo apt update
sudo apt install steamcmd
- Create a dedicated user for running the server:
sudo adduser pzuser
- Set up the installation directory and permissions:
sudo mkdir /opt/pzserver
sudo chown pzuser:pzuser /opt/pzserver
- Log in as the new user and create a configuration file for SteamCMD:
sudo -u pzuser -i
cat >$HOME/update_zomboid.txt <<'EOL'
@ShutdownOnFailedCommand 1
@NoPromptForPassword 1
force_install_dir /opt/pzserver/
login anonymous
app_update 380870 validate
quit
EOL
- Finally, run the script to install the server:
export PATH=$PATH:/usr/games
steamcmd +runscript $HOME/update_zomboid.txt
This will install the Project Zomboid server files to your specified directory.
Configuring Your Project Zomboid Server
Once you’ve got your Project Zomboid server up and running, it’s time to dive into the configuration. This is where you can customize your server to fit your needs and preferences. Editing the server files is a crucial step in this process.
Managing Network and Ports
Port Forwarding on Linux
To ensure your Project Zomboid server is accessible, you’ll need to open specific ports on your Linux firewall. The essential ports are 16261 and 16262 UDP. Here’s how you can do it using UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall):
- Open your terminal.
- Run the following commands:
sudo ufw allow 16261/udp
sudo ufw allow 16262/udp
sudo ufw reload
This will allow the necessary traffic through your firewall, ensuring players can connect to your server.
Port Forwarding on Windows
For Windows users, port forwarding is typically done through your router settings. Follow these steps:
- Access your router’s web interface (usually by entering your router’s IP address in a web browser).
- Locate the port forwarding section.
- Add new rules for the following ports:
| Port Number | Protocol |
|---|---|
| 16261 | UDP |
| 16262 | UDP |
- Save the changes and restart your router if necessary.
Running Multiple Servers
If you plan to run multiple Project Zomboid servers on a single machine, you’ll need to assign different ports for each instance. Here’s a quick guide:
- Create separate user accounts for each server instance.
- Install the server files under each user account.
- Open additional UDP ports for each new server instance (e.g., 16263, 16264, etc.).
- Edit the
SERVERNAME.inifile for each server to reflect the new port numbers.
Running multiple servers can be resource-intensive. Ensure your hardware can handle the load to avoid performance issues.
By following these steps, you can manage your network settings effectively, ensuring smooth and uninterrupted gameplay for all players.
Launching and Maintaining Your Server
Starting the Server on Windows
To get your Project Zomboid server up and running on Windows, navigate to the directory where you installed the server files. Typically, this will be something like C:pzserver. Inside, you’ll find three batch files: StartServer32, StartServer64, and StartServer64_nosteam. For most users, StartServer64 will be the appropriate choice. Double-click the batch file to launch the server. The first time you run it, you’ll be prompted to set an admin password. Once the server is configured, a message will indicate whether the setup was successful.
Starting the Server on Linux
On Linux, it’s a good idea to use tmux to manage your server. This way, if your terminal session disconnects, your server will keep running. Start by opening a terminal and typing tmux. Navigate to your server directory and run the server script. If you haven’t installed tmux, you can do so with apt-get install tmux. Once the server is running, you can detach from the tmux session by pressing Ctrl + B, then D. To reattach, simply type tmux a.
Regular Maintenance Tasks
Maintaining your Project Zomboid server involves a few regular tasks to ensure smooth operation:
- Backups: Regularly back up your server files to prevent data loss.
- Updates: Keep your server software up to date to benefit from the latest features and fixes.
- Monitoring: Keep an eye on server performance and logs to catch any issues early.
- Community Management: Engage with your player base and address any concerns or issues they might have.
Regular maintenance is key to a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience for your community.
By following these steps, you’ll ensure that your Project Zomboid server remains stable and enjoyable for all players.
Conclusion
Creating your Project Zomboid server provides a tailored survival experience, allowing for a unique journey through the zombie apocalypse with friends. Whether opting for a VPS, dedicated, or cloud server, each step in this guide is designed to facilitate a smooth setup, leading to endless hours of gameplay in your customized world. Now, with your server set up and running, the only question is, how will you survive the apocalypse?
