Starting a Sons of the Forest (SotF) dedicated server allows you to host private games for yourself and your friends, offering a stable and customizable multiplayer experience. The process involves several key steps, from preparing your server environment to configuring and launching the game server.
To begin, you will need a dedicated machine or a virtual private server (VPS) with sufficient resources (CPU, RAM, storage) and a stable internet connection.
Step-by-Step Guide to Starting Your Sons of the Forest Server
Based on the general process for setting up game servers, here are the essential steps, incorporating the structure provided by the reference:
1. Connect to the Server
Before you can install any software, you need to access your server.
- For a dedicated server or VPS: Use a remote desktop protocol (RDP) client for Windows servers or an SSH client (like PuTTY) for Linux servers to connect.
- For a local PC: Simply log in to the machine you intend to use as the server.
Ensure you have administrative privileges to install software and modify network settings.
2. Install SteamCMD
SteamCMD is a command-line version of the Steam client, essential for downloading dedicated server files for many games, including Sons of the Forest.
- Download: Obtain SteamCMD from the official Valve Developer Community website.
- Installation: Create a new, dedicated folder (e.g.,
C:\steamcmd\) and extract the downloaded SteamCMD files into it. - Run for the first time: Execute
steamcmd.exefrom within the folder. It will automatically download and update necessary files. Once complete, you'll see aSteam>prompt. Typequitto exit.
3. Download and Install the SotF Dedicated Server via SteamCMD
With SteamCMD ready, you can now download the Sons of the Forest dedicated server files.
- Set an installation directory: Within SteamCMD, specify where you want the SotF server files to be installed. For example,
force_install_dir C:\SonsOfTheForestServer\ - Log in anonymously: Enter
login anonymous. - Download the server files: Use the
app_updatecommand with the specific App ID for the Sons of the Forest dedicated server:app_update 2465200 validate. Thevalidatecommand ensures the files are correctly downloaded and verified. - Exit SteamCMD: Once the download is complete, type
quit.
4. Configure Your Sons of the Forest Server
Server configuration is crucial for customizing your gameplay experience. The main configuration file is typically serverconfig.json, located in the server's installation directory. You will need to edit this file using a text editor (like Notepad or Notepad++).
Key settings you might want to adjust include:
ServerName: The name that appears in the in-game server browser.Password: (Optional) A password required for players to join your server.MaxPlayers: The maximum number of players allowed on your server.SaveSlot: Designates a specific save slot for your server's progress.GameMode: Choose betweenStandardorCreative.IsPublic: Set totrueif you want your server to be visible in the public server list,falsefor private.Difficulty: Adjust game difficulty settings.
Remember to save the serverconfig.json file after making your changes.
5. Open Server Ports
For players to connect to your server, you need to open specific network ports on your router's firewall and any software firewalls on the server machine itself. This process is often called "port forwarding."
The primary ports for Sons of the Forest are:
| Port Number | Protocol | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 8766 | UDP | Game traffic |
| 9700 | UDP | Server discovery/list |
| 27015 | UDP | Steam query port |
How to open ports:
- Router Firewall: Access your router's administration page (usually via a web browser using its IP address, like
192.168.1.1). Navigate to the "Port Forwarding" or "NAT" section and add rules for the ports listed above, directing traffic to your server's internal IP address. - Windows Firewall: On your server machine, search for "Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security." Create new inbound rules for each port, specifying UDP as the protocol.
6. Start SotF Server
After all configurations and port openings are complete, you can launch your Sons of the Forest server.
- Navigate to your Sons of the Forest dedicated server installation directory (e.g.,
C:\SonsOfTheForestServer\). - Locate the executable file, typically named
SonsOfTheForestDS.exeorSonsOfTheForestServer.exe. - You can start the server by double-clicking the executable. For more control and to view server output, it's often recommended to create a batch file (
.bat) with a command like:start "" SonsOfTheForestDS.exe -logThis will open a command prompt window where you can see the server's startup process and real-time logs.
Once the server has successfully started, your friends can join by searching for your server name in the in-game server browser or by direct connect if your server is private.
