Growing your Project Zomboid server alongside your player base is crucial for maintaining an enjoyable and seamless gaming experience. Whether you’re setting up your server for the first time or looking to optimize and manage multiple instances, this guide will walk you through the essential steps.
Key Takeaways
- Properly setting up and configuring your Project Zomboid server is the foundation for a smooth gaming experience.
- Optimizing server performance through memory allocation and port forwarding is essential to handle increased player loads.
- Managing multiple server instances allows for scalability and ensures that your server can grow with your player base.
Setting Up Your Project Zomboid Server
Setting up your Project Zomboid server is a crucial step to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for your players. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to get your server up and running efficiently.
Optimizing Server Performance
Adjusting Memory Allocation
To ensure your Project Zomboid server runs smoothly, you need to allocate the right amount of memory. By default, the server might be set to use 16GB of memory, which can be excessive for smaller setups. Adjust the -Xms and -Xmx values in the StartServer64 file to match your server’s needs. For example, setting both values to 6GB can be a good starting point:
".jre64binjava.exe" -Djava.awt.headless=true -Dzomboid.steam=1 -Dzomboid.znetlog=1 -XX:+UseZGC -XX:-CreateCoredumpOnCrash -XX:-OmitStackTraceInFastThrow -Xms6g -Xmx6g -Djava.library.path=natives/;natives/win64/;. -cp %PZ_CLASSPATH% zombie.network.GameServer -statistic 0
Forwarding Required Ports
For players to connect to your server, you need to open specific ports. Project Zomboid requires the following UDP ports:
- 16261
- 16262 (Direct Connection Port)
On Linux, you can use UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall) to open these ports:
sudo ufw allow 16261/udp
sudo ufw allow 16262/udp
sudo ufw reload
Using Tmux for Stability
Running your server in a tmux session can help maintain stability. If your terminal closes or your SSH connection drops, tmux keeps your server running. To start a tmux session, simply run:
tmux
If tmux is not installed, you can add it with:
sudo apt-get install tmux
Using tmux ensures that your server remains operational even if you lose your terminal session. This is crucial for maintaining uptime and providing a seamless experience for your players.
Managing Multiple Server Instances
Creating Separate User Accounts
To run multiple instances of a Project Zomboid server on a single machine, you need to create separate user accounts. This ensures that each server instance operates in its own environment, reducing the risk of conflicts. Use the following command to add a new user:
sudo adduser pzuser2
Repeat this step for as many instances as you need.
Configuring Unique Ports
Each server instance requires its own set of ports to avoid conflicts. By default, the first server uses port 16261 for UDP. For additional servers, you’ll need to specify different ports in the SERVERNAME.ini file. For example:
[network]
port=16262
Make sure to open these ports in your firewall settings.
Running Multiple SteamCMD Instances
To manage multiple server instances, you need to run separate SteamCMD instances under each user account. This can be done by logging in as each user and running SteamCMD commands. Here’s a quick guide:
-
Log in as the new user:
sudo -u pzuser2 -i -
Run SteamCMD and install the server files:
steamcmd +login anonymous +force_install_dir /opt/pzserver2 +app_update 380870 validate +quit
Repeat these steps for each additional server instance. This setup allows you to scale your server capacity as your player base grows.
Managing multiple server instances can be complex, but it’s essential for growing your community. Proper configuration and resource allocation will ensure a smooth gaming experience for all players.
Conclusion
Ensuring your Project Zomboid server can grow with your player base involves a combination of proper initial setup, regular updates, and ongoing management. By following the steps outlined in this article, from installing the server software and configuring the necessary settings to managing multiple server instances and optimizing performance, you can provide a stable and scalable environment for your players. Remember to keep your server updated, monitor its performance, and adjust resources as needed to accommodate an increasing number of players. With careful planning and maintenance, your Project Zomboid server will be well-equipped to handle the demands of a growing community.
