How to Setup a Counter-Strike Source Server
This is a guide on how to setup a Counter-Strike Source server or most Source powered game for the PC on Windows XP / Vista.
You have that spare computer that is laying around and want to turn it into a server? Well it is easy to do. Follow these simple steps to have your server up and running for the whole world to play with you! You only need a Pentium 4 computer or faster, fast DSL / cable (upload speeds) and that’s about it!
To Start:
1. First download Valve’s dedicated server tool here
Follow the instructions on installing and make sure you set the install location to c:/srcds
2. Then go to Start –> Run –> type in “Cmd”
3. Type in these commands when the Cmd box opens up.
C:
cd \srcds
hldsupdatetool
4. This will update the hldsupdatetool to the most recent version. When the cursor blinks, hit Control+C.
5. Download the required game files for the game you want to serve up.
For Counter-Strike Source:
hldsupdatetool -command update -game “Counter-Strike Source” -dir C:\srcds
For other games, replace the quoted game with the following:
Garry’s Mod = “garrysmod”
Day of Defeat: Source = “dods”
Half-Life 2 Death Match = “hl2mp”
Team Fortress 2 = “tf” or “tf2″
Counter-Strike 1.6 = “cstrike”
6. Change your server configuration (player slots, etc…) in anyway you like.
7. Now we are ready to run the SRCDS in command line. Open up cmd and type in
c:\srcds\srcds.exe -console -game cstrike +map de_dust -maxplayers 16 -autoupdate
Change the variables any way you like (ex. game, map, max players…)
Now keep in mind that if you are behind a router (which you are most likely are), you will need to forward ports that Steam uses to serve the servers. You will need to forward and open ports:
| TCP Ports | |
| 27020-27050 | |
| UDP Ports | |
| 1200,27000-27015 |
More information about port forwarding can be found at PortForward.
Now you are done!
Happy Fragging!
If you guys have any questions on how to setup a server, don’t be afraid to post a comment. I will be happy to assist you.
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Hey, thanks for the post.
I want to set up a server from my Intel e2180, 2GB ddr2 computer. Is this good enough?
How many player slots should I put max for this system?
[Reply]
Is this server hosted at home or at a datacenter. My main concern is your internet speed (preferably upload speed). If your upload speed is greater than 1 mpbs, than you can easily do 20-30 people.
Since the e2180 isn’t that strong of machine, I’d say try 20 for the first round, then increase until people notice lag.
Also make sure your .cfg files are properly optimized for your internet speed.
[Reply]
Yeah its at home. It’s at 33tic. Is this good?
I have a upload of 702kb/ps.
Currently have it set up to 12 players.
and what do you mean by “properly optimized”? can you help me here?
also i overclocked the cpu to 2.4ghz
thanks a lot
[Reply]
702kb/ps isn’t very fast for a server. I’d say 16-18 max. Don’t worry about properly optimized, your on a home connection.
[Reply]
But is 33 tic good?
[Reply]
33tick is fair. Not optimal game play though. Best experience would be 66tick. But 33tick is still really playable.
[Reply]
i appreciate your help
2 questions:
1) Why should I not worry about my settings optimized on a home connection. Any difference?
2) By a 16-18 player MAX for the server, are you referring to 33tic or 66tic?
[Reply]
I was referring to a 33tick server. Of course, it never hurts to try different settings until you are happy. The configuration files set on default are fine.
[Reply]
OK I see. And the server address is your IP address right?
Is there any way to mask it?
[Reply]
Yes it is the IP address, since most IP addresses change almost everyday, I’d recommend http://www.no-ip.com/ They will provide you a domain name that routes to your updated IP address.
[Reply]
when i tryed to set up the server i got to step and i typed in the hldsupdatetool -command update -game “Counter-Strike Source” -dir C:\srcds…..and i got a message saying “Cannot open blob archive file: CMultiFieldBlob: file does not exist and failed to create new file.
what can i do? o.O
[Reply]
my server information is passed to master server.
however when i play the cs.. and click on lan server.
i could see and login to my server.
but the thing is . i try whatismyip.com
and copy paste my ip : 27015..
and look for it in the online server (when I want to join a game) i could not find my own server. .
what is the problem with this?
[Reply]
Sometimes it’s hard to find your own server. Do other people join in fine? If so, then your server is showing! But when your on a LAN server, I don’t think you can see your own server.
[Reply]
hi Andrew. thanks for replying . .am I spamming this blog? hahaa
i open that server for like a couple hours but no one join.
i guess i need to ask my friend to try it .
i dont use router btw ( I have modem directly attached to my pc ) . do need router to port forwarding ?
[Reply]
No your not spamming the blog. Ask away! Yeah, you need your friend to try it. Make sure in the console you type in “sv_lan 0″
[Reply]
Hello Andrew
i followed you guide step by step, and when i get to type this: c:\srcds\srcds.exe -console -game cstrike map de_dust -maxplayers 16 -autoupdate
i cant find srcds.exe and i have look in the srcds dir. and its not there.. can you help me please?
[Reply]
Søren Reply:
October 30th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
i have tryed som other guides. and i found the files there was missing.. but now i get this error message in a pop-up…
The procedure entry point _f not found in DLL library Steam.dll
my windows is on danish so i translated into english, so the message is proberly not the same as if my windows whos on english..
[Reply]
Søren Reply:
October 31st, 2008 at 1:41 am
i got it… i just copy my own steam.dll into some folders..
[Reply]
Hi, i am trying to set up a Source Forts (HL2 mod)
server.
What should i type in this section?
5. Download the required game files for the game you want to serve up.
For Counter-Strike Source:
hldsupdatetool -command update -game “Counter-Strike Source” -dir C:\srcds
For other games, replace the quoted game with the following:
Garry’s Mod = “garrysmod”
Day of Defeat: Source = “dods”
Half-Life 2 Death Match = “hl2mp”
Team Fortress 2 = “tf” or “tf2″
Counter-Strike 1.6 = “cstrike”
[Reply]
I’m not too sure what to put in there, since it is a mod.
[Reply]
I Am Using Windows Vista, And Every Time I Type In:
hldsupdatetool -command update -game “Counter-Strike Source” -dir C:\srcds
Into The CMD Nothing Happens. I See Another CMD Window Open Up And Then Quickly Close. Please Help!!!
[Reply]
Help Me Reply:
November 18th, 2008 at 8:26 am
Never Mind. I Got It To Work.
[Reply]
Help Me Reply:
November 18th, 2008 at 8:44 am
OK, Now I’m Stuck At Number 6.
where Do I Change All These Settings?
I Try To Run srcds.exe, But Nothing Happens. Even When I Click “Run As Administrator”.
Help Me Please.
[Reply]
Help Me Reply:
November 18th, 2008 at 9:59 am
It Won’t Let Me Join My Server. Says There Are No Players And when i Try To Add A Bot It Kicks It And Says Round Starts When Players On Both teams.