Knowledgebase

SCP: Secret Laboratory is a popular multiplayer horror game that lets you dive into the mysterious and dangerous world of the SCP Foundation. Running a dedicated server for SCP: Secret Laboratory allows you to create your own custom game environment and host your own community. AnonVM, a top-tier offshore hosting provider, offers robust, secure, and high-performance hosting solutions that are ideal for running gaming servers like SCP: Secret Laboratory.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps required to set up your own SCP: Secret Laboratory server on an AnonVM VPS. Whether you're an experienced system administrator or a novice, this tutorial is designed to help you get your server up and running quickly and efficiently.

Prerequisites

Before we start, ensure you have the following:

• An active AnonVM VPS account with access to your server.
• Basic understanding of SSH and Linux terminal commands.
• SCP: Secret Laboratory server files (SteamCMD is used to download the server).
• A domain (optional, for a custom hostname).
• Basic firewall and networking knowledge.

Step 1: Accessing Your AnonVM VPS

1. Log into your AnonVM hosting panel and select the VPS you want to use for your SCP: Secret Laboratory server.

2. Use SSH to connect to your VPS. You can do this using a terminal on Linux/Mac or using a program like PuTTY on Windows.

   Command for Linux/Mac:

   css

    

   ssh root@your-vps-ip

   You’ll be prompted to enter the password you set during VPS setup.

Step 2: Install Required Dependencies

Before installing SCP: Secret Laboratory, you need to ensure that your server has the necessary software. This includes SteamCMD, which is used to download and manage your game server files.

1. Update your VPS:

    

   apt-get update && apt-get upgrade -y

2. Install dependencies: You will need to install a few packages like lib32gcc1 for 32-bit library support and steamcmd for game server installation.

    

   apt-get install lib32gcc1 -y apt-get install wget curl -y

3. Install SteamCMD: SteamCMD is a command-line version of Steam used to download and update game servers.

   bash

    

   mkdir -p /home/steam && cd /home/steam wget https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz tar -xvzf steamcmd_linux.tar.gz

Step 3: Download SCP: Secret Laboratory Server

Now that we’ve prepared the server, we’ll download the SCP: Secret Laboratory server files using SteamCMD.

1. Navigate to the SteamCMD folder if you're not already there:

   bash

    

   cd /home/steam

2. Run SteamCMD to download the server files:

   bash

    

   ./steamcmd.sh

   Inside the SteamCMD prompt, enter the following commands to download the server:

   bash

    

   login anonymous force_install_dir ./scpsl app_update 996560 validate exit

   This will download the server files for SCP: Secret Laboratory into the ./scpsl directory.

Step 4: Configure Your SCP: Secret Laboratory Server

After downloading the necessary files, it's time to configure your SCP: Secret Laboratory server.

1. Navigate to the scpsl directory:

   bash

    

   cd /home/steam/scpsl

2. Edit the configuration files based on your preferences. The main configuration file is located in the config folder, typically named config.json or similar.

   To edit the configuration file, use a text editor like nano:

    

   nano config/scpsl_config.json

   Key settings you might want to configure:

   • Server Name: Set your server’s name here.
   • Max Players: The number of players that can join your server.
   • Port Settings: If you’re behind a firewall, make sure to configure ports (usually 7777).
   • Map Settings: Choose the maps you want to run on the server.
   • Admin settings: You can set up admins for managing the server.

   Once configured, save the file and exit the editor (press CTRL + X, then Y to save).

Step 5: Open Required Ports

To ensure players can connect to your server, you’ll need to open the necessary ports. By default, SCP: Secret Laboratory uses the following ports:

• 7777 (for gameplay)
• 7778 (for server queries)
• 27015 (for Steam server queries)

If you're using a firewall, make sure to allow traffic on these ports. For example, on a server using UFW, you can run:

Step 6: Start the SCP: Secret Laboratory Server

Now, everything is set up to run the server. You can start the SCP: Secret Laboratory server by running the following command inside your scpsl directory:

This script will launch the server and start hosting it for players to join.

If you want to run the server in the background so it keeps running even after you close the SSH connection, use tmux or screen:

1. Install tmux if you don’t have it:

    

   apt-get install tmux -y

2. Start a tmux session:

    

   tmux new -s scpsl

3. Run the server:

   bash

    

   ./start.sh

4. Detach from the tmux session by pressing CTRL + B, then D. You can reattach to it anytime with tmux attach -t scpsl.

Step 7: Connect to Your SCP: Secret Laboratory Server

Now that your server is running, you can connect to it. Open SCP: Secret Laboratory on your local machine and either join your server by IP address or use a domain name if you’ve set one up.

You should see your server listed in the game’s server browser. If you’ve set up a domain name, players can connect by entering the domain address.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you've successfully set up a dedicated SCP: Secret Laboratory server on your AnonVM hosting VPS. You now have full control over your server, allowing you to host your own community, set your own rules, and enjoy a smooth and secure gaming experience. AnonVM’s offshore, high-performance VPS solutions ensure that your server remains reliable and fast, even under heavy load.

Remember to regularly update the server to ensure the latest features and security patches are applied. Hosting your own server gives you full control over the gaming experience, making it a rewarding and fun way to bring players together in the world of SCP: Secret Laboratory. Happy gaming!