Sons of the Forest: Dedicated Server Setup Guide
Complete guide to setting up and managing a Sons of the Forest dedicated server for multiplayer survival adventures.
System Requirements
Minimum Server Specs:
- CPU: Quad-core processor (Intel i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600)
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Storage: 20GB available space
- Network: Upload speed of 10 Mbps for 8 players
- OS: Windows 10/11 (64-bit) or Ubuntu 18.04+
Recommended Server Specs:
- CPU: 6-core processor (Intel i7-8700K or AMD Ryzen 7 3700X)
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 40GB available space (SSD recommended)
- Network: Upload speed of 25 Mbps for 8+ players
- OS: Windows 10/11 (64-bit) or Ubuntu 20.04 LTS
Installation Steps
Step 1: SteamCMD Setup
First, install SteamCMD on your server:
# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt update && sudo apt install steamcmd
# CentOS/RHEL
sudo yum install steamcmd
# Windows
# Download from: https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD
Step 2: Download Server Files
# Create server directory
mkdir /home/sonsoftheforest
cd /home/sonsoftheforest
# Download server files
steamcmd +login anonymous +app_update 2465200 validate +quit
Step 3: Initial Configuration
Create configuration file ServerSettings.ini:
[Network]
Port = 8766
QueryPort = 27016
[Server]
ServerName = "My Sons of the Forest Server"
ServerPassword = ""
MaxPlayers = 8
SaveInterval = 300
DayLength = 1200
[Gameplay]
Difficulty = Normal
EnemySpawnRate = 1.0
ResourceRegenRate = 1.0
BuildingDamage = true
FriendlyFire = false
Step 4: Server Launch Script
Create a startup script for easy server management:
#!/bin/bash
# start_server.sh
cd /home/sonsoftheforest
./SonsOfTheForestDS.exe -batchmode -nographics -serversettings ServerSettings.ini
Configuration Options
Network Settings
- Port: Default game port (8766)
- QueryPort: Server query port for browser (27016)
- MaxPlayers: Maximum concurrent players (1-8)
Gameplay Settings
- Difficulty: Easy, Normal, Hard, Custom
- DayLength: Day length in seconds (600-3600)
- EnemySpawnRate: Multiplier for enemy spawn frequency
- BuildingDamage: Allow enemy damage to structures
- FriendlyFire: Enable PvP damage between players
Performance Settings
- SaveInterval: Auto-save frequency in seconds
- ViewDistance: Maximum render distance
- ObjectQuality: Level of detail for objects
Firewall Configuration
Open required ports for server access:
# Ubuntu/Debian (UFW)
sudo ufw allow 8766/udp
sudo ufw allow 27016/udp
# CentOS/RHEL (firewalld)
sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=8766/udp
sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=27016/udp
sudo firewall-cmd --reload
# Windows Firewall
# Open ports 8766 UDP and 27016 UDP inbound
Server Management
Admin Commands
Access admin commands via in-game console (F1) or RCON:
/save- Force save game state/shutdown- Graceful server shutdown/kick [player]- Kick specified player/ban [player]- Ban specified player/time [value]- Set time of day/weather [type]- Change weather conditions
RCON Setup
Enable RCON for remote administration:
[Network]
EnableRcon = true
RconPassword = "your_rcon_password"
RconPort = 27015
Troubleshooting
Server Not Showing in Browser
- Check firewall settings for ports 8766 and 27016
- Verify server is publicly accessible
- Ensure Steam is running and updated
- Check network connectivity and NAT settings
Performance Issues
- Monitor CPU and RAM usage
- Adjust player count and view distance
- Consider upgrading to SSD storage
- Check for server software updates
Connection Problems
- Verify client and server versions match
- Check if server password is required
- Ensure server isn't at capacity
- Test network connectivity to server IP
Backup and Maintenance
Regular backups are essential for multiplayer survival games:
#!/bin/bash
# backup_server.sh
BACKUP_DIR="/home/backups/sonsoftheforest"
SERVER_DIR="/home/sonsoftheforest"
DATE=$(date +%Y%m%d_%H%M%S)
mkdir -p $BACKUP_DIR
tar -czf "$BACKUP_DIR/backup_$DATE.tar.gz" -C "$SERVER_DIR" saves/
Conclusion
Your Sons of the Forest dedicated server is now ready for multiplayer survival adventures. Regular maintenance, updates, and community management will ensure a smooth experience for all players.
Need Help? Check our other Sons of the Forest guides or join our community Discord for server admin support.