How to Install a Rust Dedicated Server
System Requirements
The Rust server can be demanding on your host system. A standard 3 square km map uses about 2 GB of RAM initially, which can increase to over 6 GB under load. It's recommended to allocate at least 7 GB of RAM per server.
Installing and Updating SteamCMD
SteamCMD is the command-line tool for installing and updating Steam files, including the Rust server. Follow these steps:
- Create a folder for SteamCMD, e.g.,
c:\steamcmd. - Create a folder for the Rust server, e.g.,
c:\rustserver. - Download SteamCMD for Windows from here.
- Extract the contents of the downloaded file to the SteamCMD folder.
- Run
steamcmd.exe.
Installing the Rust Dedicated Server
Use the following commands in SteamCMD to install the Rust server:
force_install_dir "c:\rustserver\"
login anonymous
app_update 258550
quitThis process installs the necessary files for a Vanilla server.
Changing to a Different Branch
If you want the staging branch or the prerelease branch of Rust, use the following commands:
app_update 258550 -beta staging
app_update 258550 -beta prereleaseThese commands allow you to access different versions of Rust.
Configuring and Running the Server
Create a batch script file named RustServer.bat in your server install directory. Right-click and edit the file to configure your server.
The Batch Script File
The batch script automates server updates and restarts. Here's an example:
echo off
:start
C:\steamcmd\steamcmd.exe +login anonymous +force_install_dir c:\rustserver\ +app_update 258550 +quit
RustDedicated.exe -batchmode +server.port 28015 +server.level "Procedural Map" +server.seed 1234 +server.worldsize 4000 +server.maxplayers 10 +server.hostname "Your Server Name" +server.description "Your Server Description" +server.url "http://yourwebsite.com" +server.headerimage "http://yourwebsite.com/serverimage.jpg" +server.identity "server1" +rcon.port 28016 +rcon.password yourpassword +rcon.web 1
goto startCustomize this script according to your server configuration.
Explanation of Each Line in the Batch File
echo off: Suppresses the console window’s desire to display each command in the batch file as they are executed.:start: A label for a loop starting point.C:\steamcmd\steamcmd.exe +login anonymous +force_install_dir c:\rustserver\ +app_update 258550 +quit: Executes SteamCMD to check for server updates and apply if needed.RustDedicated.exe -batchmode +server.port 28015 +server.level "Procedural Map" +server.seed 1234 +server.worldsize 4000 +server.maxplayers 10 +server.hostname "Your Server Name" +server.description "Your Server Description" +server.url "http://yourwebsite.com" +server.headerimage "http://yourwebsite.com/serverimage.jpg" +server.identity "server1" +rcon.port 28016 +rcon.password yourpassword +rcon.web 1: Launches the Rust server with the specified configuration.goto start: Instructs the batch file to jump to the ‘start’ label. Remove this line if you do not want your server to automatically restart after it shuts down.
Skip the Setup: Get Your Rust Server Ready in 60 Seconds
If you want to skip the manual setup and have a server deployed and ready to play in 60 seconds, you can order a Rust server hosting package from EUGameHost. These ready-to-play shared game hosting servers are optimized for Rust, ensuring a smooth gaming experience without the hassle of setup.
Powerful VPS Options for a Tight Budget
If you prefer to set up your server but need a powerful VPS, consider using NVMe hardware with good clock speed. Here are two ideal options for those on a tight budget:
Virtual Dedicated Options for Medium to Large Rust Servers
For those planning to run medium to large Rust servers with a moderate budget, these virtual dedicated server options are ideal:
Dedicated Server Options for the Largest Rust Server Communities
If you're hosting one of the biggest and best Rust server communities, consider these dedicated server options for optimal performance: