Revision Difference
Downloading_a_Dedicated_Server#546223
<cat>Play.Hosting</cat>
<title>Downloading and Hosting a Dedicated Server</title>
# Windows
## SteamCMD
Dedicated servers are now downloaded using SteamCMD. This is a command line version of Steam.
You can download it [from this page](https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD).
The first time you run it it will update and you will be left at a STEAM> console. You will want to log in. You can log into an anonymous account by typing:
```
login anonymous
```
## Installing & Updating Garry's Mod Dedicated Server
If you want to specify a download folder then before you update enter this command:
<note>This is known to cause problems when updating your server to a newer version. If your server fails to update, try not using the `force_install_dir` feature, or try reinstalling your server into another folder</note>⤶
<note>This is known to cause problems when updating your server to a newer version. If your server fails to update, try not using the `force_install_dir` feature, or try reinstalling your server into another folder. You can also try entering `force_install_dir ` **before** logging into Steam via `login` command.</note>⤶
```
force_install_dir c:\my_garrysmod_server\
```
You can then install or update the Garry's Mod Dedicated Server by using the command:
```
app_update 4020
```
It will slowly download or update.
If you wish to verify your server, enter this instead of the above:
```
app_update 4020 -validate⤶
app_update 4020 validate⤶
```
Once it's done you can type quit at the console to exit or just close the SteamCMD window.
## Automated
You probably don't want to do that every time you want to install/update a server. Don't worry - it supports command lines too.
```
steamcmd.exe +login anonymous +app_update 4020 validate +quit
```
## Running the server
After downloading and installing the server files you can now run the dedicated sever.
You can either just run `srcds.exe` directly or use its command line interface like so:
```
srcds.exe +maxplayers 20 -console +gamemode sandbox +map gm_construct +sv_setsteamaccount <your token>
```
# After initial installation
After installing your server you should set up your GSL Token and the server's location.
### GSLT
Please see <page>Steam Game Server Accounts</page> (GSLT) for help with `sv_setsteamaccount`. **This is mandatory.** Your server's ranking will be penalized if you do not do this.
### Server operator rules
Please make sure your server conforms to <page>Server Operator Rules</page>.
### Location flag
Next you should set your server's location. This is done via the `sv_location` console variable. The convar should directly correspond to a flag icon stored in the `materials/flags16/` folder, without the `.png` extension. The maximum length is currently set to 5 characters.
The flag icon filenames follow the `ISO 3166-1 alpha-2` country codes. (http://www.famfamfam.com/lab/icons/flags/)
For example `sv_location gb` will display the Great Britain flag, `sv_location us` will display the USA flag, etc.
European Union has a special case: `sv_location eu`
### Steam Workshop
Optionally you can add `+host_workshop_collection <collectionID>` to your command line to automatically install workshop addons onto your dedicated server.
Please see <page>Workshop for Dedicated Servers</page> for help with workshop for dedicated servers.
# Linux
Main article: <page>Linux Dedicated Server Hosting</page>
## Installation
Install SteamCMD as per the recommendations from the [Valve Developer Wiki](https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD#Linux).
Then install the GMod dedicated server in a similar manner to Windows:
```
steamcmd +login anonymous +force_install_dir ../gmodds +app_update 4020 validate +quit
```
The server is now available in ~/gmodds/.
```
cd ~/gmodds/
./srcds_run -game garrysmod +maxplayers 32 +map gm_construct
```
## Troubleshooting
If you get the error message
```
./steamcmd.sh: line 29: /home/$USER/Steam/linux32/steamcmd: No such file or directory
```
You are most likely running 64 a bit system and missing 32 bit libraries.
If the output of this command is x86_64, you are running a 64 bit system and need 32 bit libraries.
```
uname -m
```
See this article on the valve wiki.
[32-bit libraries on 64-bit Linux systems](https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD#32-bit_libraries_on_64-bit_Linux_systems)
# macOS
macOS dedicated servers are no longer shipped.
# The Experimental Branches
To update your server to the development branch, you'll have to launch your SteamCMD and enter these commands **manually**:
```
login anonymous
app_update 4020 -beta dev validate
quit
```
For the pre-release branch:
```
login anonymous
app_update 4020 -beta prerelease validate
quit
```
For the x64 branch:
```
login anonymous
app_update 4020 -beta x86-64 validate
quit
```
To revert back to stable branch:
```
login anonymous
app_update 4020 -beta NONE validate
quit
```
The development branch is updated regularly.