Sunkenland Private Server Setup 2025

Create a secure, private Sunkenland server for your friends only. This guide covers password protection, whitelist management, admin controls, and security best practices for waterworld survival gameplay.

Basic Password Protection

Server Password Configuration

Edit ServerSettings.ini in your server directory:

[ServerSettings]
# Server identification
ServerName="Private Sunkenland Server - Friends Only"

# Password protection (leave blank for public)
ServerPassword="your_secure_password_here"

# Admin password (required for commands)
AdminPassword="admin_password_here"

# Server visibility
ServerVisibility=private  # public/private/friends-only

Sharing the Password Safely

• Direct Messaging: Share via Discord, Steam chat, or email
• Password Managers: Use secure sharing features (Bitwarden, 1Password)
• Avoid Public Channels: Never post passwords in forums or social media
• Temporary Passwords: Change regularly, especially after adding new players

Advanced Whitelist System

SteamID Whitelist Configuration

Create whitelist.txt in your server directory:

# Sunkenland Whitelist
# Add SteamID64 of allowed players (one per line)
# Find SteamID at https://steamid.io/

76561197960287930  # Player 1
76561197960287931  # Player 2  
76561197960287932  # Player 3
76561197960287933  # Player 4

Enabling the Whitelist

Add to ServerSettings.ini:

[SecuritySettings]
# Enable whitelist system
WhitelistEnabled=true
WhitelistFile="whitelist.txt"

# Whitelist enforcement mode
# strict = only whitelisted players can join
# moderate = whitelisted bypass password
WhitelistMode=strict

Finding SteamID64

1. Visit steamid.io
2. Enter your Steam profile URL or custom URL
3. Copy the SteamID64 value
4. Add it to whitelist.txt

Admin Management

Admin Commands In-Game

Admin Configuration File

Create adminlist.txt for persistent admin rights:

# Sunkenland Admin List
# Add SteamID64 of administrators
# Format: SteamID64 [optional permissions]

76561197960287930 all  # Full admin rights
76561197960287931 kick,ban,whitelist  # Limited rights
76561197960287932 kick  # Kick only

Network Security

Firewall Configuration

Restrict server access to specific IP ranges:

# Windows Firewall Example
# Allow only specific IPs to connect to port 27015
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Sunkenland Private" -Direction Inbound -Protocol UDP -LocalPort 27015 -RemoteAddress 192.168.1.0/24 -Action Allow

# Or use advanced firewall software
# pfSense, Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security

VPN Considerations

• Dedicated VPN: Set up WireGuard or OpenVPN for secure access
• Port Forwarding: Only forward necessary ports (27015-27020 UDP)
• DDOS Protection: Consider cloudflare or game server protection services
• Geographic Restrictions: Block connections from specific countries if needed

Monitoring and Logging

Server Log Configuration

Enable detailed logging in ServerSettings.ini:

[Logging]
# Enable connection logging
LogConnections=true
LogDisconnections=true

# Security event logging
LogAdminActions=true
LogKickBanEvents=true
LogWhitelistChanges=true

# Log file location
LogFile="logs/sunkenland_security.log"
LogLevel=verbose  # normal/verbose/debug

Regular Security Audits

1. Weekly: Review admin list and remove inactive admins
2. Monthly: Update server password and whitelist
3. Quarterly: Audit firewall rules and port configurations
4. As Needed: Check logs for suspicious activity

Common Scenarios

Troubleshooting

Best Practices

• Regular Updates: Keep Sunkenland server updated to latest version
• Backup Configs: Regularly backup ServerSettings.ini and security files
• Limited Admin Rights: Grant only necessary permissions to each admin
• Monitor Logs: Check security logs weekly for unusual activity
• Educate Players: Teach basic security practices to your community

Next Steps

• Set up your dedicated server
• Check hardware requirements
• Configure server settings
• Set up multiplayer games