Knowledgebase

How to Install Factorio on AnonVM: Complete Guide

Factorio is a popular game focused on resource management, automation, and factory-building. If you're looking to host your own Factorio server on an AnonVM VPS or dedicated server, this tutorial will guide you through the entire process. Whether you're hosting a private game with friends or opening up your server to the public, this step-by-step guide will help you get started.

Prerequisites

Before we dive into the installation steps, ensure that you have the following:

• AnonVM VPS or Dedicated Server: A server with root or sudo access.
• Operating System: This tutorial assumes you're using a Ubuntu or CentOS system.
• SSH Access: You'll need SSH access to your server to run commands.
• Factorio Account: A Factorio account to download the game server files.

Step 1: Update Your System

Before installing any software, it’s important to update your server’s packages to ensure you have the latest security patches and updates.

For Ubuntu/Debian-based systems:

For CentOS-based systems:

Step 2: Install Required Dependencies

Factorio requires libc6, libgcc1, and libstdc++ libraries to run. On most modern systems, these dependencies will already be installed, but it's a good idea to make sure.

For Ubuntu/Debian-based systems:

For CentOS-based systems:

Step 3: Download Factorio Server Files

Now, let’s download the Factorio server files. You can find the latest server version on the Factorio website. Alternatively, use the wget command to download the server package directly to your server.

1. Navigate to the directory where you want to install Factorio:

    

   cd /opt

2. Download the latest Factorio server package (replace x.y.z with the latest version):

    

   sudo wget https://factorio.com/get-download/official/x64/factorio_x.y.z_headless.tar.xz

3. Once the download is complete, extract the server package:

    

   sudo tar -xvf factorio_x.y.z_headless.tar.xz

Step 4: Configure Factorio Server

Once the files are extracted, you'll have the necessary files to run Factorio. We now need to configure the server for your game.

1. Navigate to the Factorio directory:

    

   cd /opt/factorio

2. To configure your server, create a configuration file called server-settings.json:

    

   nano server-settings.json

3. Customize the settings to suit your needs. For example, you can change the server name, maximum player count, or enable/disable mods. Here's an example of basic settings:

   json

   Copy code

   { "name": "My Factorio Server", "description": "A fun place to play Factorio!", "tags": ["game", "multiplayer", "automation"], "max_players": 10, "visibility": { "public": true, "lan": false }, "game_password": "", "admins": ["your_factorio_account"] }

4. Save and close the file (CTRL + X, then Y to confirm).

Step 5: Start the Factorio Server

Now that you have configured your Factorio server, it’s time to start it.

1. To start the Factorio server, use the following command:
    

   ./bin/x64/factorio --start-server-load-latest

This command will start the server and load the latest save game if available.

2. To check the status of the server, you can run:
    

   screen -ls

This will show you the list of screen sessions. If Factorio is running, you will see it listed there.

Step 6: Set Up Automatic Startup (Optional)

To ensure that the Factorio server starts automatically when your server reboots, you can set it up to run as a systemd service.

1. Create a new systemd service file:

    

   sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/factorio.service

2. Add the following content to the service file:

    

   [Unit] Description=Factorio Server After=network.target [Service] WorkingDirectory=/opt/factorio ExecStart=/opt/factorio/bin/x64/factorio --start-server-load-latest User=your_user Restart=always [Install] WantedBy=multi-user.target

   Replace your_user with the user under which Factorio should run.

3. Save and close the file (CTRL + X, then Y to confirm).

4. Reload systemd to apply the changes:

    

   sudo systemctl daemon-reload

5. Enable the Factorio service to start on boot:

    

   sudo systemctl enable factorio

6. Start the Factorio service:

    

   sudo systemctl start factorio

7. Verify the server is running:

   bash

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   sudo systemctl status factorio

Step 7: Connect to the Factorio Server

To connect to your Factorio server, launch the game and select Multiplayer > Connect to Server. Enter the IP address of your server and the port (by default, Factorio uses port 34197).

Step 8: Secure Your Server (Optional)

If you're hosting the server for the public or friends, it's important to secure it.

• Firewall: Open the necessary ports for Factorio in your firewall.
  • Port 34197 (default for Factorio) should be open for TCP/UDP traffic.
• Password Protection: You can set a game password in the server-settings.json file to restrict access to your server.

Conclusion

You have now successfully installed and configured Factorio on your AnonVM server. Whether you’re playing with friends or opening the server to the public, you're ready to enjoy Factorio's automation and factory-building mechanics. Hosting your own server gives you full control over the game environment and ensures smooth multiplayer experiences.

Key Takeaways:

• Factorio Server allows you to host your own game for friends or public players.
• Systemd Service ensures that your server will restart automatically after a reboot.
• Security: Always secure your server by configuring a firewall and setting up game passwords when needed.

With Factorio installed and running, you're ready to dive into the world of factory automation!