How To Make A Rust Server

To run your own Rust server, download the Rust dedicated server files with SteamCMD (anonymous login, app ID 258550), create a batch file with your launch command, forward port 28015 on your router, then connect through the F1 console or the client server list. A Rust dedicated server gives you complete control over server settings, player slots, the procedural map, and mod support.

This guide is for players, friend groups, and community owners who want a private or modded server and are comfortable using the command line on a Windows server (Linux notes included). You’ll need enough disk space, a decent upload speed, and a public IP. If you’d rather skip port forwarding and server crashes, we’ll also cover when Rust server hosting is the better fit.

Easiest Method: Use A Sparked Host Server

Want to skip the setup?
Rust server hosting with Sparked Host removes the SteamCMD install, batch file, and port forwarding. You can have a server running in a few minutes:

1. Pick a Rust plan based on your player slots: Rust server hosting plans →

2. Deploy and pick your map size, seed, and server settings from the control panel.

3. Copy your server IP and connect through the `F1` console or the client server list.

No port forwarding, no leaving your PC on, and no restarting after server crashes.

Rust Dedicated Server System Requirements

Disk Space, RAM, and CPU

Upload Speed and Network Needs

• Minimum: 20-50 Mbps upload for a small server.

• Recommended: 100 Mbps or more for larger communities.

• You need a public IP, so other players can reach your PC from the internet.

• A wired connection is more reliable than Wi-Fi.

Using Windows Server vs. Linux

• Windows: The easiest choice, since you can use a batch file and the Windows firewall.

• Linux: Better for a dedicated machine, since it uses fewer resources. You use SteamCMD and a start script instead of a batch file.

How to Set Up a Rust Dedicated Server

Step 1: Install SteamCMD

Windows:

1. Download SteamCMD.

2. Create a folder and extract the zip file into it.

3. Double-click `steamcmd.exe` to run it. It updates itself, then opens a `Steam>` prompt for commands.

Linux:

1. Create a user for the server.

2. Install the 32-bit libraries SteamCMD needs. The package names depend on your distribution, so follow Valve’s SteamCMD guide for yours.

3. Download and extract SteamCMD into a folder, then run `./steamcmd.sh`.

Step 2: Download the Rust Server Files (login anonymous, app_update 258550)

At the `Steam>` prompt, run these commands one at a time:

login anonymous
force_install_dir C:\rustserver
app_update 258550 validate
quit

Step 3: Verify the Necessary Files and Start Downloading

1. Wait for the download to finish. It’s several GB, so it can take a while.

2. When SteamCMD reports the app is fully installed, open your install folder.

3. Check that `RustDedicated.exe` (or `RustDedicated` on Linux) is in it.

4. If files are missing or the download stopped, run the same commands again.

How to Create a Batch File to Run a Rust Server

A batch file saves your launch command so you don’t have to type it every time.

1. Open your server folder `C:\rustserver`.

2. Right-click, choose New > Text Document, and open it.

3. Paste in the command below.

4. Choose File > Save As, set the file type to All Files, and name it `start.bat`.

Basic Launch Command (hostname, description shown, server.port, rcon.port 28016, rcon.password)

RustDedicated.exe -batchmode ^
+server.port 28015 ^
+server.level "Procedural Map" ^
+server.seed 1234 ^
+server.worldsize 3000 ^
+server.maxplayers 10 ^
+server.hostname "My Rust Server" ^
+server.description "Welcome to my server" ^
+server.identity "server1" ^
+rcon.port 28016 ^
+rcon.password "YourStrongPassword" ^
+rcon.web 1 ^
-logfile "rustserverlog.txt"

Auto-Restart Loop (goto start) for Server Crashes

If the server crashes or stops, this version updates it and starts it again by itself:

@echo off
:start
C:\steamcmd\steamcmd.exe +force_install_dir C:\rustserver +login anonymous +app_update 258550 +quit
RustDedicated.exe -batchmode +server.port 28015 +server.level "Procedural Map" +server.seed 1234 +server.worldsize 3000 +server.maxplayers 10 +server.hostname "My Rust Server" +server.description "Welcome to my server" +server.identity "server1" +rcon.port 28016 +rcon.password "YourStrongPassword" +rcon.web 1 -logfile "rustserverlog.txt"
goto start

Port Forwarding A Rust Server

Other players can’t reach your PC from the internet unless your router sends their traffic to it. If you only want to play on your own network, you can skip this.

Find Your Public IP and Local IP

• Local IP: Open Command Prompt and type `ipconfig`. Look for IPv4 Address.

• Public IP: Search “what is my IP” in a browser. This is what your friends use to connect.

Ports to Open (28015 game, 28016 RCON)

1. Log in to your router’s admin page.

2. Find the Port Forwarding section.

3. Add a rule for port `28015` with the UDP protocol, pointing to your PC’s local IP.

4. If you want remote RCON, add a rule for port `28016` with the TCP protocol.

5. Save and restart your router.

Changing Your Firewall Rules

1. Open PowerShell as administrator.

2. Run these commands:

New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Rust Game" -Direction Inbound -Protocol UDP -LocalPort 28015 -Action Allow
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Rust RCON" -Direction Inbound -Protocol TCP -LocalPort 28016 -Action Allow

On Linux, open the same ports in your firewall (for example, with `ufw allow 28015/udp` and `ufw allow 28016/tcp`).

How to Connect to Your Rust Server

1. Open Rust and press F1 to open the console.

2. On the same PC as the server, type `client.connect localhost:28015` and press Enter.

3. From another PC, type `client.connect YOUR_PUBLIC_IP:28015`, using your public IP.

4. You can also search for your server’s name in the client server list.

Updated on: 26/10/2026