Garry's Mod Server Hosting

Garry’s Mod on Game Lords

Garry’s Mod (GMod) is a physics sandbox game that supports countless game modes and modifications. Our GMod servers provide excellent performance for creative building, roleplay, and custom game modes.

Server Setup

Initial Configuration

1. Select “Garry’s Mod” from game list
2. Choose game mode:
   • Sandbox: Creative building and experimentation
   • DarkRP: Roleplay servers with jobs and economy
   • TTT (Trouble in Terrorist Town): Social deduction game
   • Murder: Hide and seek with weapons
   • Prop Hunt: Props hide from hunters
   • Jailbreak: Prison-themed roleplay
3. Configure basic settings:
   • Server Name: Displayed in browser
   • Map: Starting map for your game mode
   • Max Players: 8-128 depending on game mode
   • Password: Optional for private servers

Recommended Specifications

Game Mode	Players	RAM	CPU	Storage
Sandbox	8-16	2GB	2 cores	15GB
DarkRP	32-64	4GB	4 cores	30GB
TTT	16-32	3GB	3 cores	20GB
Prop Hunt	16-24	3GB	3 cores	25GB
Modded Servers	32+	8GB+	6+ cores	50GB+

Server Configuration

server.cfg

Basic server configuration:

// Server Information
hostname "My Garry's Mod Server"
sv_password ""
sv_region 255
sv_contact "admin@example.com"

// Network Settings
sv_lan 0
sv_downloadurl ""
sv_allowupload 1
sv_allowdownload 1

// Game Settings
mp_falldamage 0
mp_footsteps 1
mp_flashlight 1
mp_autocrosshair 1
mp_teamplay 0
mp_friendlyfire 0

// Physics and Performance
sv_gravity 600
sv_friction 8
sv_bounce 0
sv_stepsize 18
sv_waterfriction 1

// Admin Settings
rcon_password "your_rcon_password"
sv_rcon_banpenalty 0
sv_rcon_maxfailures 5

// Logging
log on
sv_logbans 1
sv_logecho 1
sv_logfile 1
sv_log_onefile 0

Game Mode Specific Settings

DarkRP Configuration

// DarkRP specific settings
darkrp_version "2.7.0"
darkrp_language "en"

// Economy settings
darkrp_currency "$"
darkrp_defaultmoney 500
darkrp_maxmoney 2000000
darkrp_deathpay 0.05

// Job settings
darkrp_maxjobs 4
darkrp_maxcops 4
darkrp_enableshipments 1
darkrp_restrictallteams 0

// Building settings
darkrp_allowvnocollide 0
darkrp_godmodeafterdelay 5
darkrp_removeclassitems 1

TTT Configuration

// TTT specific settings
ttt_roundtime_minutes 10
ttt_preptime_seconds 30
ttt_posttime_seconds 30
ttt_round_limit 6
ttt_time_limit_minutes 75

// Player ratios
ttt_traitor_pct 0.25
ttt_detective_pct 0.125

// Karma system
ttt_karma 1
ttt_karma_starting 1000
ttt_karma_max 1000
ttt_karma_ratio 0.001

Workshop Content

Adding Workshop Collections

1. Create Steam Workshop collection
2. Get collection ID from URL
3. Add to server startup parameters:

   +host_workshop_collection COLLECTION_ID

4. Or use individual addons:

   +host_workshop_map WORKSHOP_ID

Essential Workshop Content

Maps

• gm_flatgrass: Classic sandbox map
• gm_construct: Popular building map
• rp_downtown_v4c: Large roleplay city
• ttt_minecraft_b5: TTT map in Minecraft style
• de_dust2: Counter-Strike map port

Game Modes

• DarkRP: Most popular roleplay framework
• TTT: Trouble in Terrorist Town
• Murder: Hide and seek with murder theme
• Prop Hunt (Enhanced): Advanced prop hiding
• Jailbreak: Prison roleplay system

Utility Addons

• Wiremod: Advanced contraption building
• PAC3: Player and prop customization
• ULX/ULib: Admin management system
• DarkRP Mods: Extensions for DarkRP servers
• VCMod: Realistic vehicle system

Managing Workshop Content

1. Server Collection: Create comprehensive addon list
2. Client Downloads: Ensure fast download speeds
3. Auto-Updates: Workshop content updates automatically
4. Compatibility: Test addons for conflicts
5. Size Management: Monitor total download size

Admin Systems

ULX Admin System

ULX is the most popular admin system for GMod:

Installation

1. Subscribe to ULX and ULib on Workshop
2. Add to server collection
3. Configure admin groups and permissions
4. Set yourself as superadmin

Basic ULX Commands

// Player Management
!kick <player> [reason]            # Kick player
!ban <player> <time> [reason]      # Ban player
!unban <steamid>                   # Unban player
!slay <player>                     # Kill player
!spectate <player>                 # Force spectate mode

// Server Management
!map <mapname>                     # Change map
!maprestart                        # Restart current map
!rcon <command>                    # Execute console command
!freeze <player>                   # Freeze player in place
!unfreeze <player>                 # Unfreeze player

// Utility Commands
!goto <player>                     # Teleport to player
!bring <player>                    # Bring player to you
!send <player> <target>            # Send player to target
!noclip [player]                   # Toggle noclip mode
!god [player]                      # Toggle god mode

Permission Groups

Configure in “data/ulx/groups.txt”:

"superadmin"
{
    "allow"
    {
        "*"                        # All permissions
    }
    "inherit_from"    ""
}

"admin"
{
    "allow"
    {
        "ulx kick"
        "ulx ban"
        "ulx slay"
        "ulx spectate"
        "ulx map"
    }
    "inherit_from"    "operator"
}

"moderator"
{
    "allow"
    {
        "ulx kick"
        "ulx slay"
        "ulx spectate"
    }
    "inherit_from"    "user"
}

Popular Game Modes

DarkRP (Roleplay)

Server Setup

1. Install DarkRP from Workshop
2. Configure jobs and economy
3. Set up laws and rules
4. Add custom content (cars, weapons, etc.)

Essential DarkRP Addons

• M9K Weapons: Realistic weapon pack
• TDMCars: Vehicle system
• DarkRP Modifications: Additional features
• Advanced Duplicator 2: Save and share builds
• Precision Tool: Accurate building placement

Job Configuration

Edit “darkrp_customthings/jobs.lua”:

TEAM_CITIZEN = DarkRP.createJob("Citizen", {
    color = Color(20, 150, 20, 255),
    model = {"models/player/Group01/Female_01.mdl"},
    description = [[The Citizen is the most basic level of society.]],
    weapons = {},
    command = "citizen",
    max = 0,
    salary = 45,
    admin = 0,
    vote = false,
    hasLicense = false,
    candemote = false,
})

TEAM_POLICE = DarkRP.createJob("Civil Protection", {
    color = Color(25, 25, 170, 255),
    model = {"models/player/police.mdl"},
    description = [[Protect and serve the citizens.]],
    weapons = {"arrest_stick", "unarrest_stick", "weapon_pistol", "stunstick"},
    command = "cp",
    max = 4,
    salary = 75,
    admin = 0,
    vote = true,
    hasLicense = true,
    candemote = false,
})

Trouble in Terrorist Town (TTT)

Setup Process

1. Install TTT gamemode
2. Configure player ratios
3. Add custom weapons and items
4. Set up maps rotation

TTT Weapon Configuration

Add custom weapons in “terrortown/entities/weapons/” Popular TTT weapon packs:

• TTT Weapons Collection
• CS:S Weapons for TTT
• M9K TTT Weapons

Round Settings

ttt_round_limit 6              # Rounds before map change
ttt_time_limit_minutes 75      # Time limit for session
ttt_roundtime_minutes 10       # Individual round time
ttt_preptime_seconds 30        # Preparation time
ttt_posttime_seconds 30        # Post-round discussion time

Prop Hunt

Configuration

Popular Prop Hunt versions:

• Prop Hunt (Enhanced)
• Fretta Prop Hunt
• Custom Prop Hunt

Basic settings:

ph_round_time 300              # Round duration in seconds
ph_hide_time 30                # Hide time for props
ph_hunter_blind_time 15        # Hunter blind time
ph_auto_balance 1              # Auto-balance teams

Performance Optimization

Server Performance

// Performance settings
sv_maxrate 30000
sv_minrate 5000
fps_max 300
sv_maxcmdrate 66
sv_mincmdrate 10
sv_maxupdaterate 66
sv_minupdaterate 10

// Entity limits
sbox_maxprops 150
sbox_maxragdolls 10
sbox_maxvehicles 6
sbox_maxeffects 50
sbox_maxdynamite 10
sbox_maxlamps 20
sbox_maxthrusters 30
sbox_maxwheels 20
sbox_maxhoverballs 20
sbox_maxballoons 100
sbox_maxnpcs 10
sbox_maxsents 100

Lua Optimizations

-- Disable unnecessary hooks
hook.Remove("Think", "CheckSchedules")

-- Optimize physics
RunConsoleCommand("sv_gravity", "600")
RunConsoleCommand("phys_timescale", "1")
RunConsoleCommand("phys_pushscale", "1")

-- Reduce network usage
RunConsoleCommand("sv_parallel_sendsound", "1")
RunConsoleCommand("sv_compressskeletondata", "1")

Resource Management

• Prop limits: Prevent server overload
• Cleanup systems: Remove old entities
• Map restarts: Regular map changes for performance
• Workshop size: Limit total addon size

Custom Content

Lua Scripting

GMod uses Lua for customization:

Basic Lua Structure

-- Shared code (runs on client and server)
if SERVER then
    -- Server-side code
    print("Server loaded!")
elseif CLIENT then
    -- Client-side code
    print("Client loaded!")
end

-- Hook into game events
hook.Add("PlayerSpawn", "MyPlayerSpawn", function(ply)
    ply:SetHealth(100)
    ply:SetArmor(0)
end)

Creating Custom Entities

-- lua/entities/my_entity/init.lua (server)
AddCSLuaFile("cl_init.lua")
AddCSLuaFile("shared.lua")
include("shared.lua")

function ENT:Initialize()
    self:SetModel("models/props_c17/oildrum001.mdl")
    self:PhysicsInit(SOLID_VPHYSICS)
    self:SetMoveType(MOVETYPE_VPHYSICS)
    self:SetSolid(SOLID_VPHYSICS)
end

FastDL Setup

For faster content downloads:

1. Web server: Set up HTTP download server
2. sv_downloadurl: Point to your web server
3. Compression: Use bzip2 compression
4. Organization: Mirror server file structure

Example sv_downloadurl setup:

sv_downloadurl "http://fastdl.myserver.com/"
sv_allowupload 0
sv_allowdownload 1

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

High CPU Usage

• Too many props: Implement prop limits
• Heavy addons: Remove resource-intensive mods
• Physics calculations: Optimize physics settings
• Infinite loops: Check custom Lua code

Memory Leaks

• Map changes: Regular restarts help
• Addon conflicts: Isolate problematic addons
• Entity cleanup: Implement cleanup systems
• Garbage collection: Monitor Lua memory usage

Network Issues

• Download timeouts: Optimize FastDL
• Lag compensation: Adjust network settings
• Packet loss: Check server connection quality
• Rate limiting: Configure bandwidth limits

Debugging Tools

// Lua error reporting
lua_log_sv 1
lua_log_cl 1

// Network debugging
net_graph 3
developer 1

// Performance monitoring
sv_stats 1

Community Management

Server Rules

Essential rules for GMod servers:

• No griefing: Protect player creations
• No exploiting: Prevent abuse of game mechanics
• Respectful behavior: Maintain friendly environment
• Follow roleplay: Stay in character (RP servers)

Moderation Tools

• Admin spectate: Monitor player behavior
• Logs system: Track player actions
• Automated systems: Anti-spam, anti-grief
• Community reporting: Player-driven moderation

Events and Activities

• Building contests: Creative competitions
• Roleplay events: Planned RP scenarios
• Game nights: Special game mode sessions
• Community showcases: Display player creations

Getting Help

GMod Resources

• Facepunch Forums: Official GMod community
• GMod Wiki: Comprehensive documentation
• Coderhire: Custom Lua development
• GitHub: Open-source GMod projects
• YouTube: Tutorial videos and guides

Game Lords Support

Specialized GMod support includes:

• Workshop collection setup
• Custom gamemode installation
• Performance optimization
• Lua scripting assistance

When requesting help, provide:

• List of installed addons
• Server configuration files
• Console error messages
• Description of expected behavior

Enjoy your Garry’s Mod server adventure!