Rust Server Setup Guide
Complete walkthrough to install and configure your Rust dedicated server using SteamCMD.
Prerequisites
- Windows: Windows Server 2019 or later
- Linux: Ubuntu 20.04 LTS, Debian 11, or CentOS 8+
- RAM: Minimum 8GB, Recommended 16GB+
- Disk Space: 30GB minimum
Installing SteamCMD
Windows Installation
1. Download SteamCMD from: https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd.zip
2. Extract to C:\rustserver\
3. Run steamcmd.exe
Linux Installation
# Install dependencies
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install lib32gcc1
# Download and extract
mkdir ~/rustserver
cd ~/rustserver
wget https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz
tar -xvzf steamcmd_linux.tar.gz
Downloading Rust Server
Use SteamCMD to download the server:
login anonymous
force_install_dir /path/to/rust_server
app_update 258550 validate
This downloads Rust Dedicated Server (AppID 258550).
Server Configuration
Create server/rust-server/server.cfg for server settings:
server.hostname "My Rust Server"
server.maxplayers 50
server.worldsize 3000
server.seed 12345
server.saveinterval 300
server.description "Welcome to my Rust server"
server.headerimage "http://example.com/header.jpg"
server.url "http://example.com"
// Networking
server.port 28015
server.queryport 28015
server.rconport 28016
rcon.password "YourStrongPassword"
rcon.ip 0.0.0.0
rcon.web true
// Gameplay
server.pve false
server.tickrate 30
server.level "Procedural Map"
server.map "Procedural Map"
server.worldborder true
server.wipe true
Startup Parameters
Create startup script with these parameters:
RustDedicated -batchmode -nographics \
-logfile logs/rust.log \
+server.port 28015 \
+server.queryport 28015 \
+rcon.port 28016 \
+rcon.password "YourPassword" \
+server.level "Procedural Map" \
+server.worldsize 3000 \
+server.seed 12345 \
+server.hostname "My Rust Server"
Starting the Server
Windows
cd C:\rustserver\RustDedicated_Data\Managed
rust-server.exe -batchmode -nographics
Linux
#!/bin/bash
cd /path/to/rust_server
./RustDedicated -batchmode -nographics +server.port 28015
Firewall Configuration
Open required ports:
# TCP
28015 - Game connection (TCP/UDP)
28016 - RCON (TCP)
# UDP
28015 - Game data (UDP)
28017 - Steam query (UDP)
Connecting to Your Server
- Open Rust
- Press F1 to open console
- Type:
connect your_server_ip:28015
Pro Tip: Use screen or tmux on Linux to keep the server running after closing the terminal.
Next Steps
After setup, consider installing Oxide/uMod plugins and configuring performance settings.