Running your own Ark: Survival Evolved server transforms the single-player experience into a dynamic community adventure. This guide provides the detailed steps required to host an ark server, whether you want a private world for friends or a public park for survivors. You will learn about system requirements, configuration, and ongoing management.
Understanding Server Requirements
Before diving into the setup, it is essential to evaluate the hardware needed to run a stable environment. The game is notoriously demanding, and underpowered hardware leads to frequent crashes and poor performance. You need to decide between a local test machine or a dedicated server from a hosting provider.
Local Hosting vs. Dedicated Servers
Hosting locally uses your home computer and internet connection, which is fine for a small group but exposes you to port forwarding issues and dynamic IP changes. A dedicated server from a provider offers a static IP, consistent power, and better network stability, which is the standard choice for public servers. The choice dictates the next steps in network configuration.
Preparing the Machine and Operating System
Whether using Windows or Linux, the server needs a clean installation to avoid dependency conflicts. For Linux, Ubuntu 20.04 LTS is the recommended distribution due to its wide support and stability. You will need SSH access and a non-root user with sudo privileges to manage the server files safely.
Configuring Network and Ports
Ark requires specific ports to be open on your router and firewall to allow player connections. The primary ports are 7777 (UDP) for game traffic and 27015 (UDP) for query information. If you are hosting locally, log into your router admin panel and create port forwarding rules pointing to your server's local IP address to make it accessible from the internet.
Installing the Server Software
You need to retrieve the Server Query Port and SteamCMD to download the game files. SteamCMD is a command-line tool that validates game files and handles updates automatically. Creating a dedicated directory for the server files keeps the system organized and makes future maintenance much easier.
Using Command Line for Installation
Execute the SteamCMD commands to install the Ark server files into the designated directory. This process downloads the latest stable build of the game and verifies the integrity of the installation. Once the download completes, the server is technically ready to launch, but it requires configuration before players can join.
Configuring Game Settings and Admin Controls
The heart of the configuration lies in the GameUserSettings.ini and ArkGame.ini files. These text files allow you to adjust difficulty, PvP settings, taming rates, and quality of life options. Editing these files correctly ensures the server runs smoothly and matches the preferences of your community.
Setting Up Admins and Whitelists
Security is vital for a controlled environment. You can add Steam64 IDs to the admin list to grant powerful commands to trusted players. Alternatively, a whitelist restricts the server to only approved players, preventing random public joiners from entering your world and ensuring a safe space for your group.
Launching and Maintaining the Server
With the configuration complete, you can execute the launch command to start the server. Monitoring the console output for errors is crucial during the first launch, as it reveals issues with saves or mods. Regularly saving backups of the configuration and world files protects your progress from corruption.
