How Do You Make a Private Rust Server for Friends?

Welcome to this tutorial on how to make a private Rust server for your friends! If you’re looking to create a server that allows you and your buddies to enjoy the popular sandbox survival game together, then you’re in the right place. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps of setting up your own private Rust server that will only be accessible to those you invite.

Step 1: Getting Started

First things first, you’ll need access to a dedicated machine or a virtual private server (VPS) where you can host your Rust server. This will ensure that the server is always online and accessible by your friends.

Step 2: Installing Rust Dedicated Server

To install the Rust dedicated server on your machine, follow these steps:

1. Download SteamCMD: Start by downloading SteamCMD, which is a command-line tool used for installing and updating game servers via Steam. You can find it on the official Valve Developer Community website.
2. Install Rust Dedicated Server: Once SteamCMD is downloaded, open it and enter the following command:

login anonymous
force_install_dir 
app_update 258550 validate
quit

This will install the Rust dedicated server files onto your machine.

3. Create Configuration File: Next, navigate to the installation directory of your Rust server and create a file named “server.cfg”.

   Inside this file, you can specify various settings such as server name, player limits, and map size. Here’s an example of what it might look like:

hostname "My Private Rust Server"
maxplayers 10
map ProceduralMap

Feel free to customize these settings according to your preferences.

4. Launch the Server: Finally, you can start your Rust server by running the following command:

./RustDedicated -batchmode +server.identity "my_server_identity" +server.hostname "My Private Rust Server" +server.maxplayers 10 +server.worldsize 4000

This will launch the server with the settings specified in your configuration file.

Step 3: Port Forwarding

In order for your friends to connect to your private Rust server, you’ll need to set up port forwarding on your router. Here’s how:

1. Access Your Router Settings: Open a web browser and enter the IP address of your router (usually something like “192.168.1.1”) in the address bar. This will take you to your router’s admin page.
2. Locate Port Forwarding Settings: Look for a section called “Port Forwarding” or “Virtual Servers” in your router’s settings menu.
3. Add a New Rule: Create a new port forwarding rule and specify the following details:
   • External Port Range: Enter the port range you want to forward (e.g., 28015-28016).
   • Internal IP Address: Enter the local IP address of the machine hosting your Rust server.
   • Internal Port Range: Enter the same port range as the external port range.
   • Protocol: Select “TCP” as the protocol.
4. Save and Apply: Once you’ve entered all the necessary details, save your changes and apply the new port forwarding rule.

Step 4: Sharing Server Details with Friends

Now that your private Rust server is up and running, it’s time to invite your friends to join. Share the following details with them:

• Server IP Address: Provide them with your public IP address, which can be found by typing “what is my ip” into a search engine.
• Server Port: Let them know the port number you forwarded in the previous step (e., 28015).

Your friends can connect to your server by launching Rust and using the console command “client.connect :“. They will then be able to join your private Rust server and start playing together!

In Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve successfully set up a private Rust server for you and your friends.

Now you can enjoy countless hours of survival and adventure together in the harsh world of Rust. Remember to keep your server updated and have fun!