Knowledgebase

Astroneer is a popular multiplayer sandbox game where players explore and terraform planets, solve puzzles, and gather resources in a colorful and expansive universe. Setting up a dedicated Astroneer server allows you and your friends to enjoy a customized and uninterrupted gaming experience. In this tutorial, we’ll guide you through the process of setting up an Astroneer server on your AnonVM VPS, giving you full control over your gameplay environment.

Prerequisites

Before beginning, ensure that you have the following:

• A valid AnonVM VPS account.
• Basic knowledge of SSH, Linux commands, and terminal usage.
• Access to your VPS via SSH.
• SteamCMD tool to download Astroneer server files.
• Firewall knowledge to open the necessary ports.
• Optional: A custom domain name for easier access to your server.

Step 1: Access Your AnonVM VPS

1. Log in to your AnonVM account and access your VPS.

2. Connect to your VPS via SSH. Use a terminal on Linux/Mac or a tool like PuTTY on Windows.

   Command for Linux/Mac:

   css

    

   ssh root@your-vps-ip

   Enter your password when prompted to gain access.

Step 2: Install Dependencies

To install Astroneer’s server files, you’ll need to ensure that your VPS has the necessary dependencies. Let’s start by updating the VPS and installing essential packages:

1. Update your system:

    

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

2. Install necessary packages:

    

   apt-get install wget curl lib32gcc1 -y

   These dependencies are required for SteamCMD, which will be used to download the Astroneer server files.

Step 3: Install SteamCMD

SteamCMD is a command-line tool used to download and install server files for many Steam games, including Astroneer. Follow these steps to install SteamCMD:

1. Create a Steam directory:

    

   mkdir -p /home/steam cd /home/steam

2. Download SteamCMD:

   ruby

    

   wget https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz tar -xvzf steamcmd_linux.tar.gz

3. Verify that SteamCMD is installed:

    

   ./steamcmd.sh

   This will open SteamCMD, allowing you to download Astroneer and other games. Type quit to exit.

Step 4: Download Astroneer Server Files

Now that SteamCMD is set up, you can use it to download the Astroneer server files.

1. Start SteamCMD:

    

   ./steamcmd.sh

2. Log in anonymously (Astroneer does not require a Steam login to host a server):

    

    

   login anonymous

3. Set the installation directory where the server files will be stored:

    

   force_install_dir ./astroneer

4. Download the server files:

    

    

   app_update 438050 validate

   This will download the Astroneer server files to the ./astroneer directory.

Step 5: Configure the Astroneer Server

Once the server files are downloaded, it’s time to configure your server settings.

1. Navigate to the server folder:

    

   cd /home/steam/astroneer

2. Configure the server settings by editing the server_config.json file. Open it with a text editor like nano:

    

    

   nano server_config.json

   In the configuration file, you can adjust several settings, including:

   • Server Name: Set your desired server name.
   • Max Players: Define the maximum number of players allowed on your server.
   • Password: Set a password for your server to limit access.
   • World Size: Adjust the world size for exploration.
   • Game Mode: Select your preferred game mode (e.g., Creative or Survival).

   After making the necessary changes, save the file by pressing CTRL + X, then Y to confirm.

Step 6: Open Required Ports

To ensure that players can connect to your server, you’ll need to open the following ports in your VPS firewall:

• Port 17000 (UDP) for game communication.
• Port 17001 (TCP) for server query.

Use the following command to open these ports if you’re using UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall):

If you use a different firewall solution, make sure these ports are opened accordingly.

Step 7: Start the Astroneer Server

With everything configured and the necessary ports open, you can now start your Astroneer server.

1. Run the server by executing:

    

    

   ./AstroneerServer.sh

   The server will start, and players will be able to connect using the server’s IP address or domain name.

2. Optional: Run the server in the background using a terminal multiplexer like tmux or screen to keep the server running even after you disconnect from SSH.

   • Install tmux:

      

     apt-get install tmux -y

   • Start a new tmux session:

      

     tmux new -s astroneer

   • Run the server:

      

      

     ./AstroneerServer.sh

   • Detach from the session by pressing CTRL + B, then D. To reattach, run:

      

     tmux attach -t astroneer

Step 8: Connect to Your Server

Once the server is running, you can join it by opening Astroneer and selecting Join Game. Enter the server’s IP address or domain name to find it in the server list. If you’ve set a password, make sure to enter it when prompted.

Conclusion

You’ve successfully set up an Astroneer server on your AnonVM VPS! With full control over the server, you can customize the world, set player limits, and enjoy lag-free multiplayer sessions. By hosting on AnonVM, you ensure a stable environment with powerful resources and enhanced privacy for your gaming experience.

To maintain a smooth server operation, make sure to regularly update the game server, manage player settings, and backup your world data. Enjoy your interplanetary adventure with friends!