Rust Server Hosting

Rust on Game Lords

Rust is a popular multiplayer survival game featuring intense PvP combat, base building, and resource gathering. Our Rust servers provide excellent performance and full Oxide/uMod plugin support.

Server Setup

Initial Configuration

Select “Rust” from the game list
Choose server specifications:
- Location: Closest to your player base
- Map Size: 1000-4000 (larger = more players)
- Wipe Schedule: Weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly
Configure basic settings:
- Server Name: Displayed in server browser
- Description: Server information for players
- Max Players: Based on map size
- Password: Optional for private servers

Recommended Server Specs

Map Size	Players	RAM	CPU	Storage
1000	10-25	4GB	4 cores	20GB
2000	25-50	8GB	6 cores	40GB
3000	50-100	12GB	8 cores	60GB
4000	100-200	16GB+	8+ cores	80GB+

Server Configuration

server.cfg Settings

Key configuration options:

# Server Identity
server.hostname "My Rust Server"
server.description "Welcome to our server!"
server.url "https://mywebsite.com"
server.headerimage "https://mysite.com/header.jpg"

# Player Limits
server.maxplayers 100
server.queuelimit 500

# World Settings
server.worldsize 3000
server.seed 12345
server.levelurl ""

# Gameplay Settings
server.pve false
server.radiation true
server.antihack 1

# Network Settings
server.port 28015
server.queryport 28016
rcon.port 28016
rcon.password "your_rcon_password"

# Performance Settings
fps.limit 30
server.tickrate 30

Map and Wipe Settings

Map Generation

World Size: 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000
Seed: Custom number for repeatable maps
Custom Maps: Upload community-created maps
Procedural Generation: Random map each wipe

Wipe Schedules

Map Wipes (terrain reset):

Weekly: High-activity servers
Bi-weekly: Balanced gameplay
Monthly: Longer-term building

Blueprint Wipes (player progress reset):

Less frequent: Usually monthly or quarterly
Coordinated: Often with major game updates

Oxide/uMod Plugin System

Installing Oxide

Oxide comes pre-installed on Game Lords Rust servers:

Verify installation in server files
Check “oxide” folder exists
Restart server to enable Oxide
Verify loading in console logs

Essential Plugins

Administration

AdminRadar: See all players and entities
VanishAdmin: Invisible admin mode
BetterChatMute: Advanced player muting
AdminTools: Comprehensive admin utilities

Quality of Life

RemoverTool: Easy building removal
Stack Size Controller: Adjust item stack sizes
Teleportation: Player teleport system
Kits: Predefined item kits for players

Economy and Trading

Economics: Server currency system
Shop: Buy/sell items with currency
Trade: Secure player-to-player trading
Reward: Daily login rewards

PvP and Combat

Deathmatch: Arena-style combat events
Clans: Team management system
FriendlyFire: Configure team damage
Raid Protection: Offline raid protection

Plugin Installation

Download plugins from umod.org
Upload .cs files to “oxide/plugins” folder
Restart server or use o.reload PluginName
Configure in “oxide/config” folder

Plugin Configuration

Most plugins create config files:

{
  "Plugin Settings": {
    "Setting1": "Value1",
    "Setting2": true,
    "Setting3": 100
  }
}

Admin Commands

Basic Admin Commands

Grant yourself admin privileges first:

ownerid YOUR_STEAM_ID "Your Name" "owner"

Player Management

kick playername "reason"           # Kick player
ban playername "reason"            # Ban player permanently
banid steamid "reason"             # Ban by Steam ID
unban steamid                      # Remove ban

Server Control

save                               # Force save server data
quit                              # Stop server gracefully
weather 0                         # Clear weather
env.time 12                       # Set time (0-24)

Item and Building

giveid playerid itemid amount      # Give items to player
entid                             # Get entity ID of object you're looking at
kill radius                       # Destroy objects in radius

RCON Management

Remote console access:

Set RCON password in server.cfg
Use RCON tools or web interface
Execute commands remotely
Monitor server without being in-game

Performance Optimization

Server Settings

Optimize performance in server.cfg:

# FPS and Tick Rate
fps.limit 30
server.tickrate 30

# Entity Limits
spawn.max_density 1
spawn.max_rate 1

# Network Optimization
net.visdebug false
net.sendrate 20
net.receieverate 20

# Garbage Collection
gc.incremental_enabled true
gc.incremental_milliseconds 5

Hardware Optimization

CPU: Rust is CPU-intensive, prioritize clock speed
RAM: More RAM allows larger maps and more players
Storage: SSD recommended for faster map loading
Network: High bandwidth for many concurrent players

Plugin Performance

Monitor resource usage: Check plugin impact
Remove unused plugins: Less is often more
Update regularly: Keep plugins current
Profile performance: Use built-in profiling tools

Map Management

Custom Maps

Install community maps:

Download map files from sites like RustMaps.com
Upload to server directory
Set server.levelurl in configuration
Restart server with new map

Map Rotation

Set up automatic map changes:

Configure multiple map files
Use plugins like MapRotator
Schedule map changes with wipes
Notify players of upcoming changes

Wipe Management

Planning Wipes

Consider these factors:

Player population: More players = more frequent wipes needed
Server performance: Large bases can impact performance
Game updates: Forced wipes with major updates
Community preference: Poll your players

Wipe Process

Announce wipe: Give players advance notice
Final backup: Save pre-wipe state
Execute wipe: Delete save files or change map
Restart server: Load fresh map
Monitor startup: Ensure clean start

Partial Wipes

Alternative to full wipes:

Player wipe only: Keep bases, reset inventories
Base decay: Accelerated decay to clear old bases
Zone wipes: Clear specific map areas only

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Server Won’t Start

Check console for errors:

Port conflicts: Change server port
Corrupted saves: Delete save files
Plugin errors: Disable problematic plugins
Insufficient RAM: Increase server resources

High CPU Usage

Reduce tickrate: Lower server.tickrate
Limit entities: Adjust spawn rates
Plugin review: Disable resource-heavy plugins
Map optimization: Use smaller or optimized maps

Player Connection Issues

Port forwarding: Ensure ports are accessible
Steam authentication: Check Steam API status
Version mismatch: Verify game version compatibility
Queue system: Configure queue limits properly

Performance Monitoring

Monitor these metrics:

FPS: Server framerate (aim for 30+ FPS)
Memory usage: RAM consumption over time
Player count vs. performance: Identify capacity limits
Network traffic: Bandwidth utilization

Community Management

Server Rules

Establish clear guidelines:

PvP policies: Raiding rules and restrictions
Building regulations: Foundation limits, area restrictions
Chat rules: Language and behavior standards
Admin policies: Fair play and abuse prevention

Events and Activities

Keep players engaged:

Scheduled events: PvP tournaments, building contests
Admin events: Helicopter calls, supply drops
Community projects: Group builds, town creation
Seasonal themes: Holiday decorations, special events

Communication

Stay connected with your community:

Discord integration: Server status and notifications
In-game announcements: Use plugins for messages
Website/forums: Detailed rules and updates
Social media: Broader community engagement

Advanced Features

Skin and Item Control

Manage cosmetic items:

# Workshop skins
workshop.enabled true
workshop.download_items true

# Item restrictions
itemhideinfo true
itemrestrictionsEnabled true

Custom Loot Tables

Modify loot spawns:

Edit loot table files
Adjust spawn rates and items
Create custom loot zones
Balance economy and progression

Server Clustering

Link multiple servers:

Shared player data: Characters transfer between servers
Cross-server communication: Plugin-based clustering
Load balancing: Distribute players across servers

Getting Help

Rust Resources

Rust Community: /r/playrust subreddit
Oxide Community: umod.org forums
FacePunch Studios: Official developer communication
Rust Admin Academy: Server administration guides

Game Lords Support

Specialized Rust support includes:

Plugin installation assistance
Performance optimization
Wipe scheduling help
Community management advice

When contacting support, include:

Server console logs
Plugin list and versions
Player count and map size
Specific error messages

Good luck building your Rust community!