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Sons of the Forest Part 2: Server Admin Update Checklist

Sons of the Forest Guide • Updated Aug 29, 2026

Sons of the Forest Part 2: Server Admin Update Checklist

Searches for “Sons of the Forest Part 2” are easy to confuse with official patch information. Before changing a live world, verify the release in Endnight's official Steam news and treat named features such as a “Second Cube,” “Bunker Cities,” or a new server flag as unconfirmed unless the announcement and generated server files document them.

Important: this page does not enable fictional expansion content. There is no documented EnablePart2, SecondCubeEnabled, or BunkerCityDepth setting in the official dedicated-server configuration.

Before you update

  1. Open the official Sons of the Forest Steam news feed and identify the announcement and build that apply to the server.
  2. Tell players which client build they need and schedule downtime.
  3. Stop the server and copy the complete SonsOfTheForestDS user-data directory, including saves and dedicatedserver.cfg.
  4. Record the current config and server binary version so a rollback can be diagnosed.

Apply a real dedicated-server update

Use SteamCMD app 2465200 or the hosting panel's verified update action. Do not replace a working installation with a generic Linux binary or an INI template copied from The Forest.

steamcmd.exe +force_install_dir C:\sotf-server +login anonymous +app_update 2465200 validate +quit

After the update, use the current JSON configuration reference. The supported top-level values include an eight-player maximum, the three documented UDP ports, save mode, game mode, and the generated game/custom settings objects.

Test an existing save

  • Start with the same -userdatapath used before the update.
  • Confirm the world loads and the server name, password, and player limit are unchanged.
  • Join from outside the host network and check that gameplay, saving, and reconnecting work.
  • Keep the pre-update copy until the group has completed a real session.

What to do when a new feature is actually announced

Compare the announcement with the generated dedicatedserver.cfg after the server starts. Preserve unknown keys, change only documented options, and validate JSON before restarting. If the patch changes networking, re-check UDP 8766, 27016, and 9700 in the port guide.

Administration limits

Sons of the Forest does not document a general RCON interface. Do not paste an RCON password, fake story flags, or commands into the configuration. Use ownerswhitelist.txt for the documented owner list and the JSON Password for private access; this access guide explains the difference.

Sources and related guides

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