Starting Your Own Rust Server

Starting your own Rust server is a relatively simple process, but it does require some technical knowledge. Here is a general overview of the steps involved in starting a Rust server:

1. First, you will need either a local machine or ideally a dedicated server or VPS (Virtual Private Server) that meets the minimum requirements for running a Rust server.
   1. These include a modern 64-bit operating system (such as Windows or Linux),
   2. A minimum of 4GB of RAM (8GB recommended)
   3. A stable internet connection
2. Once you have a server set up, you will need to download and install the Rust server files. These can be downloaded from the official Rust website or from the SteamCMD tool.
   1. Direct Download: You can download the server files from the official Rust website by visiting the following link: https://rust.facepunch.com/download/server/
   2. SteamCMD: See full article: SteamCMD.
3. After the installation of the server files, you will need to configure the server by editing the server's startup settings. This includes specifying the server's name, description, player limit, and other settings.
   1. To directly modify Rust server settings, you can edit the configuration files located in the server's directory. The main configuration file is called "server.cfg", this file contains all the settings that are used to configure the server.
4. Once the server is configured, you can start the server by running the startup script provided with the Rust server files.
5. To connect to the server, players will need to know the server's IP address and port number, which can be found in the server's configuration settings.
6. To manage the server, you can use a web-based control panel such as Pterodactyl, which allows you to manage multiple servers from a single location, schedule automatic backups and restarts, use custom startup and shutdown commands, and monitor the server's resource usage.
7. Finally, it's important to keep your server updated and patched, to ensure it runs smoothly and to prevent security vulnerabilities.

It's worth noting that running a Rust server can require a significant amount of resources, and it can be expensive to run a server with a high player count. It's also recommended to make a backup of the server files periodically, in case something goes wrong.