Knowledgebase

Left 4 Dead 2 (L4D2) is a popular multiplayer cooperative first-person shooter where players battle through hordes of zombies. If you want to host your own server for friends or a public community, setting it up on AnonVM Hosting provides a powerful, private, and customizable environment. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to set up a dedicated Left 4 Dead 2 server on an AnonVM VPS.

Prerequisites

Before beginning, make sure you have:

• A VPS from AnonVM with at least 2 GB of RAM, 2 CPU cores, and 20 GB of disk space.
• SSH access to your VPS.
• A basic understanding of Linux commands.
• A stable internet connection for downloading server files and updates.

Step 1: Access Your AnonVM VPS

1. Log into your AnonVM account and access your VPS via the control panel.
2. Use an SSH client like PuTTY or the terminal to connect to your VPS:
    

   ssh root@your-vps-ip
   Replace your-vps-ip with your actual VPS IP address. Enter your password when prompted.

Step 2: Install Dependencies

Before downloading and running the server, you need to install a few dependencies.

1. Update your system:

    

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

2. Install essential packages:

    

   apt-get install wget curl screen lib32gcc1 -y

These packages ensure that the server runs smoothly and that your VPS can handle the necessary tasks.

Step 3: Install SteamCMD

SteamCMD is a command-line tool used to install and update dedicated game servers, including Left 4 Dead 2.

1. Create a directory for SteamCMD:

    

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

2. Download and extract SteamCMD:

    

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

3. Run SteamCMD to verify installation:

    

   ./steamcmd.sh

   If the installation is successful, you should be in the SteamCMD prompt. Type quit to exit.

Step 4: Download Left 4 Dead 2 Server Files

Now that SteamCMD is installed, you can download the Left 4 Dead 2 server files.

1. Login anonymously to SteamCMD:

    

   ./steamcmd.sh login anonymous

2. Set the installation directory:

    

   force_install_dir ./l4d2_server

3. Download the Left 4 Dead 2 server files:

    

   app_update 222860 validate

   This command downloads and validates all the required server files, which may take a few minutes depending on your internet speed.

Step 5: Configure the Left 4 Dead 2 Server

After downloading the server files, it's time to configure your server to your liking.

1. Navigate to the server directory:

    

   cd /home/steam/l4d2_server

2. Edit configuration files: The main configuration file for the Left 4 Dead 2 server is server.cfg. You can customize things like the server name, map rotation, and player limits.

   Use a text editor like nano to edit this file:

    

   nano left4dead2/cfg/server.cfg

   Some key settings you might want to modify:

   • hostname: Set the name of your server.
   • rcon_password: Set a password for remote server administration.
   • sv_password: Set a server password if you want to restrict access.

   Example settings:

   ini

    

   hostname "My Left 4 Dead 2 Server" rcon_password "your_rcon_password" sv_password "your_server_password" # Optional, if you want to restrict access

   Save and exit by pressing CTRL + X, then Y to confirm.

Step 6: Open Required Ports

To ensure players can connect to your server, you need to open specific ports on your VPS firewall.

The default ports for Left 4 Dead 2 are:

• UDP 27015 (Game server port)
• UDP 27005 (Client query port)
• TCP/UDP 27020 (SourceTV)

1. Open these ports in your VPS firewall (assuming you are using ufw):

    

   ufw allow 27015/udp ufw allow 27005/udp ufw allow 27020/tcp ufw reload

   If you're using a different firewall tool, make sure to open these ports.

Step 7: Start the Left 4 Dead 2 Server

With everything set up, it's time to start your server.

1. Run the server using screen: To keep the server running in the background after disconnecting from SSH, it's recommended to use screen:

   • Start a new screen session:

      

     screen -S l4d2_server

   • Start the Left 4 Dead 2 server:

      

     ./srcds_run -game left4dead2 +map c1m1_hotel +maxplayers 8

     You can change the +map and +maxplayers options to suit your preferences.

   • To detach from the screen session, press CTRL + A and then D. To reattach later, use:

      

     screen -r l4d2_server

2. Verify the server is running: After the server starts, check the console output to ensure there are no errors. Your server should now be live and accessible.

Step 8: Connect to Your Left 4 Dead 2 Server

Once the server is running, you can connect to it from your local machine.

1. Launch Left 4 Dead 2 on your computer.
2. Go to the Server Browser and search for your server by name or IP address.
3. Join the game by selecting your server.

If you set a server password, you’ll be prompted to enter it when trying to connect.

Step 9: Update Your Left 4 Dead 2 Server

To keep your server up to date, periodically check for updates via SteamCMD.

1. Update your server:

    

   ./steamcmd.sh login anonymous force_install_dir ./l4d2_server app_update 222860 validate

   This command will download and install any available updates for the server.

Conclusion

Setting up a Left 4 Dead 2 server on AnonVM hosting is a straightforward process that offers a reliable and customizable environment for your gaming community. By following this guide, you can ensure your server runs smoothly, allowing you and your friends to enjoy endless hours of zombie survival. Keep your server updated and configured for the best possible experience.