sons of the forest Server hosting

In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the detailed process of setting up a dedicated server for Sons of the Forest. Whether you intend to host it on your local PC or prefer renting one, we’ve got you covered with step-by-step instructions and insights. Patch 07 of Sons of the Forest introduced dedicated servers, replacing the previously used peer-to-peer server multiplayer system.

Method 1: Installing SOTF Dedicated Server Using Steam

Setting up the dedicated server via Steam is a straightforward process. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the steps involved:

1. Accessing the Dedicated Server:

• Open your Steam client and navigate to the “Tools” section in your Steam library.
• Alternatively, you can use the search bar to find the dedicated server.

1. Locating the Server:

• Look for “Sons of the Forest Dedicated Server” in the list of tools.
• You can also utilize the search function to find it quickly.

1. Installation:

• Once located, click on the dedicated server to begin the installation process.
• Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.

Method 2: Installing SOTF Dedicated Server Using SteamCMD

For users who prefer a more anonymous or customized installation, SteamCMD offers a solution. Here’s how to set up the dedicated server using SteamCMD:

1. Download SteamCMD:

• Visit the official Valve website to download SteamCMD directly.

1. Installation:

• Once downloaded, extract the SteamCMD tool to a convenient location on your system.

1. Running SteamCMD:

• Launch SteamCMD and wait for it to initialize.

1. Game Installation:

• Type the following commands to install or update the game server:
  force_install_dir <installation_directory> login anonymous app_update 2465200 validate

1. Advanced Usage:

• For advanced users, you can chain these commands directly from the Windows command line or a batch file for automated updates.

Method 3: Creating Sons of the Forest Dedicated Server Using WindowsGSM

Setting up the dedicated server using WindowsGSM provides a user-friendly interface. Follow these detailed steps for a seamless installation:

a. WindowsGSM Installation:

1. Download WindowsGSM:

• Visit the official WindowsGSM website and download the latest version.

1. Choose Installation Location:

• Decide on a location on your computer where you want all servers to be installed.

1. Execute WindowsGSM:

• Drag the WindowsGSM.Exe file into the chosen installation folder.
• Run WindowsGSM.Exe to generate additional folders and files.

b. Sons of the Forest WindowsGSM Plugin Installation:

1. Download Plugin:

• Download the latest release of the Sons of the Forest plugin from GitHub.

1. Plugin Extraction:

• Extract the downloaded plugin file to a convenient location.

1. Plugin Installation:

• Move the extracted folder to the plugins directory in your WindowsGSM installation folder.
• In the WindowsGSM interface, click on the puzzle icon located at the bottom left side.
• Navigate to the location of the downloaded plugin and select the zip file to install it.
• After installing the plugin, either click on the “RELOAD PLUGINS” button or restart WindowsGSM to ensure the plugin is loaded correctly.

Making the Sons of the Forest Server Accessible

To allow other players to connect to your server, proper configuration is essential. Ensure the following ports are open and properly forwarded:

• GamePort (UDP): 8766
• QueryPort (UDP): 27016
• BlobSyncPort (UDP): 9700

Exposing a SOFT Server to LAN (Local Area Network)

Making your game server available on the LAN requires careful consideration and configuration. Follow these detailed steps:

1. Set the “LanOnly” Flag:

• Optionally, set the “LanOnly” flag to true if you want to hide your game server from internet searches.

1. Port Redirection:

• In LAN, port redirection is typically not necessary if all clients are within the same network. However, ensure proper firewall setup.

1. Network Trust:

• Ensure that your local network is trusted by your operating system and allows traffic. Set your Network Profile to Private if necessary.

1. Multiple Network Adapters:

• Be aware of potential issues when using multiple network adapters. In some cases, Steam may pick up the wrong one for LAN game discovery. Temporarily disable other network interfaces if issues arise.

Sons of the Forest Server User Data Folder

The Sons of the Forest dedicated server utilizes a user data folder for various purposes, including configuration files, game saves, and logs. Here’s what you need to know:

• Default Location:
• The default location for the user data folder is:
  C:\Users\<user>\AppData\LocalLow\Endnight\SonsOfTheForestDS
• Customization:
• You can specify a custom directory using a command-line argument:
  -userdatapath "c:/path/to/directory"
• Usage:
• Throughout this guide, we will refer to this folder as <user data folder>.

Sons of the Forest Server Configuration Files Location

All configuration files related to the game server can be found in the user data folder. These include:

• ownerswhitelist.txt: Server owners list.
• dedicatedserver.cfg: Game server configuration.
• Saves folder: Game saves.
• SonsGameSettings: Game settings.

It’s important to note that these files may not exist immediately after installation and may require starting the game server at least once to be created.