# How to host a 7 Days to Die dedicated server The best way to enjoy a **shared online adventure in Navezgane** is with your own “7 Days to Die” server. It’s simple to download the dedicated server software through the command line client, SteamCMD. All you need is the right hardware. The zombie sandbox RPG “7 Days to Die” has been in the **Early Access phase** since 2013, but the developer team known as “The Fun Pimps” regularly provides new content, bug fixes, and other improvements. If you want to fight the zombies as a group, we recommend hosting your own “7 Days to Die” dedicated server for a **better** **performance**. We’ll explain in the following sections what hardware you need for this, and the server application’s installation and setup. ## 7 Days to Die: Dedicated server in the data center or co-op play? “7 Days to Die” has a built-in feature for hosting multiplayer adventures over the Internet. These game sessions, which can be private or public, run **directly on your device**. This is advantageous as you don’t have to buy or rent additional hardware. However, this option is only recommended if you want to **play the game with a group of people.** Also, it is worth noting that the server only runs when you are running the session. As soon as you shut down your device or quit 7 Days to Die, the server will be offline for all players. Players who are playing with four players or more should definitely consider the “7 Days to Die” dedicated server software and the dedicated hardware. This will enable you to offer a long term and **stable gaming experience** to users who have connected to the server. Another option is to rent the hardware from a provider, which means you won’t have to worry about **security measures** and **maintenance**. You’ll also benefit from the provider’s excellent Internet connection, which is significantly stronger than connections available in private households. --- ### Tip There is great freedom and resources available when renting hardware for a “7 Days to Die" server from a hosting provider. For example, you can set up a [Mumble server](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/know-how/mumble-server-setup/ "Mumble server setup") for high-quality communication in “7 Days to Die”. It is also possible to create additional [gaming servers](https://www.ionos.com/cloud/game-server-hosting "IONOS Game Servers") such as the [Valheim server](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/know-how/set-up-a-valheim-server/ "Set up a Valheim server"). --- ## What are the system requirements for a 7 Days to Die server? There is no official information from the developers regarding the hardware requirements for hosting the “7 Days to Die” dedicated server software. Therefore, the values provided below are based on empirical values. The requirements are more or less the same as other multiplayer games. The CPU and RAM should be planned around the size of **game world** and the number of **players**. The same should be considered when **using different mods**. The following hardware is recommended starting out: - **Processor (CPU)**: AMD or Intel (2 cores) from 2.4 gigahertz for 1-4 players; 3 gigahertz for 5-16 players - **RAM**: 3-4 gigabytes for 2-4 players; 8 gigabytes for 5-16 players - **Hard disk space**: 12 gigabytes; additional space for saving games and installed mods As well as the computing power, resources for the respective operating system (Linux or Windows) must also be taken into consideration for the “7 Days to Die” server application. For example**,** the following additional power would be required for the **2019** **Windows server**: - 1.4 GHz processor (64-bit) - 512 MB or 2 GB RAM (without or with graphical user interface respectively) - 32 or 36 GB hard disk space (without or with graphical user interface respectively) ## Which option does IONOS offer for the “7 Days to Die” server? You can rent hardware for the “7 Days to Die” dedicated server software from several providers. Typically, you’ll have different **performance plans** and different **types of servers** to choose from. However, this amount of variety may be difficult for beginners to find a suitable plan which offers the right amount of performance. You can choose between the following three server models with IONOS, each of which has multiple plans: - [Cloud Server](https://www.ionos.com/cloud/cloud-servers "Rent Cloud Server with IONOS"): Cloud Server from IONOS grants you access to a virtualized server environment which can be conveniently scaled and adjusted to meet situational needs. It is **billed by the minute**, so you only pay for what you actually use. - [vServer](https://www.ionos.com/servers/vps "Rent vServer for a reasonable price with IONOS"): vServer, or also known as Virtual Private Servers (VPS), are based on virtualized hardware. However, **monthly fixed costs** apply. - [Dedicated Server](https://www.ionos.com/servers/dedicated-servers "Dedicated server with Windows or Linux - IONOS"): IONOS provides you with **dedicated enterprise hardware** with high single-core computing power. ### “7 Days to Die” dedicated server scenarios and suitable IONOS solutions Should your server run around the clock? And have a large game world with different mods? Maybe you also want to exceed the unofficial player limit of 16 players per server or run multiple servers in parallel? We have considered **three possible scenarios** for your “7 Days to Die” server and suggested the most suitable IONOS servers.
“7 Days to Die” server scenario Recommended IONOS Server
2-4 players, permanently online VPS L
5-16 players, large game world + mods, permanently online VPS XL RAM
>16 players, multi-server, large game world + mods, permanently online Dedicated server AR6-32 SSD
--- ### Tip Rent the [Cloud Server](https://www.ionos.com/cloud/cloud-servers "Rent the Cloud Server with IONOS") or [vServer](https://www.ionos.com/servers/vps "Rent the vServer for a reasonable price with IONOS") with IONOS and enjoy the benefits of flexible virtualized hardware with the highest security standards, guaranteed availability (99.99 percent), and unlimited traffic. --- ## 7 Days to Die: Create a dedicated server - Step-by-step tutorial It’s simple to put your plans into action for a “7 Days to Die” server once you have the right hardware. All you need is a **suitable operating system**. There is a large choice available, from the classic Linux and Windows server systems such as Ubuntu, Debian, or Windows Server, to the **Steam command line client**, SteamCMD. We will show you the **setup process** in the following tutorial with examples from IONOS customers (vServer, Cloud Server, Dedicated Server). Windows Server 2019 is the operating system used. ### Step 1: Establish remote connection to the server The first step is to establish a **remote connection** to your rented server. As a IONOS customer, you can conveniently set this up via the Cloud Panel, which is the web-based customer center. Simply log in on the [login page](https://login.ionos.com/ "IONOS Cloud Panel: Login page") with your IONOS login data and proceed as follows: 1. Go to the “**Server & Cloud**” section. 2. Select the server hardware you have rented for the “7 Days to Die” server. 3. Click into the server and go to the **overview of the login data**. 4. Press Download in the **Remote Desktop connection** section. [![Image: IONOS Cloud Panel: Server login data](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/3/0/csm_7-days-cloud-panel-server_df0e528cf7.webp "IONOS Cloud Panel: Server login data")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2022/7-days-cloud-panel-server.png) IONOS Cloud Panel: Server login data. Run the file called “**Remote Desktop connection**” and click “**Connect**” in the following section. Enter the login data for your server. You will also find your login data in Features (User and Initial Password) in case you would like to change it. --- ### Note You must classify the server’s security certificate as **trustworthy** when establishing the connection for the first time. You can establish the remote connection afterwards! --- ### Step 2: Install SteamCMD You can get the “7 Days to Die” dedicated server application from SteamCMD. This tool is a **command line version** of the Steam client which allows you to connect with the server’s game platform servers quickly. You can download the installation package (in this case for Windows) using this [download link](https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd.zip "SteamCMD download link"). --- ### Tip We go into detail about [how to install SteamCMD](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/know-how/install-steamcmd/) on both Windows and Linux in other sections of the Digital Guide. --- Unzip the ZIP file in a folder of your choice (e.g. under *C:\\SteamCMD*) and start the **installation by** **double-clicking on *steamcmd.exe***. Windows will automatically start the command prompt and download all the required SteamCMD files. You should see the input line “**steam>**” after installation. [![Image: SteamCMD installation using the Windows command prompt](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/7/d/csm_7-days-steamcmd-installation-windows-command-prompt_077d6e68a3.webp "SteamCMD installation using the Windows command prompt")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2022/7-days-steamcmd-installation-windows-command-prompt.png) SteamCMD installation using the Windows command prompt. ### Step 3: Install the “7 Days to Die” dedicated server You can then connect to the Steam servers to download the dedicated server application with the Steam input line. First, you have to log in. Logging in as an anonymous user is sufficient for “7 Days to Die”: ```none login anonymous ``` Create the installation folder for the server in the next step: ```none force_install_dir C:\7daystodie-ds\ ``` Finally, download the application with the following command: ```none app_update 294420 validate ``` [![Image: “7 Days to Die” dedicated server: Download using SteamCMD](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/c/b/csm_7-days-to-die-dedicated-server-download-steamcmd_ace6f1ab7d.webp "“7 Days to Die” dedicated server: Download using SteamCMD")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2022/7-days-to-die-dedicated-server-download-steamcmd.png) “7 Days to Die” dedicated server: Download using SteamCMD Exit the command line application with the “**quit**” command once the download and installation are complete. --- ### Tip The number “294420” is the **app ID of the “7 Days to Die” server application** on the Steam network. You can update the server files at any time using “app\_update 294420”. --- ### Step 4: Enable server ports You also have to enable the correct ports in firewall settings. This allows your server to exchange data with the Steam network and be available over the Internet. In the case of 7 Days to Die, these are **TCP/UDP port 26900 and UDP ports 26901**, **26902** and **26903**. IONOS customers can customize the firewall policies of their leased server in the Cloud Panel which was shown in Step 1: 1. Log in to the IONOS Cloud Panel. 2. Go to the “**Server & Cloud**” section. 3. Click “**Network**” and “**Firewall Policies**” in the left side menu. 4. Enter the rules for the desired ports under “**Incoming**”. 5. Save new rules by clicking on “**Add rule**”. [![Image: “7 Days to Die” server: Port sharing in the IONOS Cloud Panel](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/a/c/csm_7-days-to-die-server-port-sharing_9b1221a1e3.webp "“7 Days to Die” server: Port sharing in the IONOS Cloud Panel")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2022/7-days-to-die-server-port-sharing.png) “7 Days to Die” server: Port sharing in the IONOS Cloud Panel. --- ### Note Enabling ports takes some time. You can check the current **status of the configuration** in the top section of the firewall settings in the IONOS Cloud Panel. In some cases, it may be necessary to restart the server after configuration. --- ### Step 5: Configure and start server Go to the installation folder of the “7 Days to Die” ***server*** and open the ***serverconfig.xml*** file with your choice of editor. You can choose the server’s basic settings by changing the names and values, such as the server name, the required password, or the number of players. It is important to leave the rest of the configuration file content as it is. Changes should only be made between the quotation marks of the ***entries***. Check out the [dedicated server page in the “7 Days to Die” Steam Wiki](https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/7_Days_to_Die_Dedicated_Server#Serverconfig.xml "developer.valvesoftware.com: 7 Days to Die dedicated server") for a detailed list of settings. Save the *serverconfig.xml* if you have made any changes. Then start the server based on the configuration file by running the batch script ***startdedicated.bat***. [![Image: 7 Days to Die: Configuration file, BAT script, and server console](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/2/4/csm_7-days-to-die-configuration-file_1958b58ea6.webp "7 Days to Die: Configuration file, BAT script, and server console")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2022/7-days-to-die-configuration-file.png) 7 Days to Die: Configuration file, BAT script, and server console. ### Step 6: Connect to the “7 Days to Die” server You can now log in to your “7 Days to Die” dedicated server at any time. Simply start the game using Steam and click “**Join Game**” in the menu. Use the search function to find your server in the browser. Type in the **server** **name** which you assigned in *serverconfig.xml.* Alternatively, you can use the “**CONNECT TO IP** ...” option and type in the IP address of your server to establish the connection. [![Image: 7 Days to Die: Server Browser](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/3/5/csm_7-days-to-die-server-browser-en_cd8fa5e4ce.webp "7 Days to Die: Server Browser")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2022/7-days-to-die-server-browser-en.jpg) 7 Days to Die: Server Browser. You can finally begin your self-hosted online adventure in Navezgane once the connection is established. [![Image: Screenshot from “7 Days to Die”](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/d/f/csm_screenshot-from-7-days-to-die_6b89171b96.webp "Screenshot from “7 Days to Die”")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2022/screenshot-from-7-days-to-die.jpg) Screenshot from “7 Days to Die”: You have to make a sleeping bag from plant fibers in the beginning. --- ### Tip: .gg Domain Make a statement with your own .gg domain and let the games begin. Register your own [.gg domain](https://www.ionos.com/domains/gg-domain ".gg Domain - IONOS") now with IONOS. --- This is a markdown version of: [https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/know-how/create-a-7-days-to-die-server/](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/know-how/create-a-7-days-to-die-server/) for AI/LLM consumption.