You can run a persistent 7 Days to Die multiplayer world on a Linux VPS with SteamCMD, the separate dedicated-server application, and a service manager such as systemd. The essential sequence is: provision a VPS with a public IPv4 address and persistent disk, install SteamCMD, download app 294420, create a durable XML configuration, open the game ports in both firewall layers, and run the headless server under a supervisor.
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This guide covers the complete self-managed setup, including port rules, configuration choices, backups, updates, security, and the checks to make when players cannot connect.
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What a Linux VPS server actually runs
The dedicated server is not the same application as the game client. Steam identifies the client as app 251570 and the dedicated-server tool as app 294420. The server runs without a graphical desktop, so a small Linux installation is sufficient; players still use their normal game clients to connect.
SteamCMD installs and validates the server files. The game process then runs headlessly with dedicated-server and no-graphics flags. Your world, configuration, logs, and administrator list are files on the VPS, so storage persistence and backups matter as much as CPU or memory.
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Choose the VPS before installing anything
Required capabilities
- A public IPv4 address that players can reach.
- Persistent disk storage for the server files, generated world, save-game data, configuration, and logs.
- Root access or a sudo-capable account for package installation, firewall rules, and service management.
- A configurable Linux firewall and a separate provider-level firewall or security-group control.
- Enough disk capacity for world growth, logs, and dated backups.
Exact CPU and RAM requirements depend on the game build, world, view distance, mods, and concurrent players. The current references do not publish a reliable sizing table for a specified player count, so do not treat an arbitrary “minimum VPS” number as authoritative. Start with a plan that leaves headroom, then monitor CPU, memory, disk growth, and network traffic while people play.
Public or private world
Decide whether strangers should be able to find the server. In the official configuration reference, ServerVisibility value 2 is public, 1 is friends-only behavior, and 0 is unlisted. A private group should still use a strong ServerPassword; visibility alone is not an access-control substitute.
Self-managed VPS or managed hosting
A VPS gives you operating-system access and control over files, mods, update timing, firewall policy, and service supervision. You are also responsible for patching Linux, protecting administrative interfaces, checking disk space, and restoring backups. Managed hosting trades some system-level control for a shorter setup and provider support.
| Decision factor | Self-managed Linux VPS | Managed game hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | Not stated; depends on the VPS plan, storage, backups, and traffic. | Not stated; depends on the host and selected resources. |
| Setup time | Longer: you install SteamCMD, configure Linux, and secure the service. | Usually shorter because the provider supplies a game-specific control panel. |
| Linux administration | You handle packages, users, firewalls, updates, logs, and recovery. | The provider handles much of the operating-system work. |
| Root and configuration control | Broad control over files, launch flags, services, and network rules. | Limited to the controls exposed by the provider. |
| Mods and update flexibility | You choose when to validate, update, and install compatible content. | Depends on the host’s supported workflow and restrictions. |
| Backups | You must schedule, verify, and retain them yourself or purchase a backup service. | Backup frequency and restore options depend on the host’s plan. |
| Support | Community documentation and your own troubleshooting. | Provider support may reduce operating-system troubleshooting. |
| Network controls | You can set both host and cloud firewall rules directly. | The provider determines which network controls are exposed. |
Install SteamCMD and the dedicated server
1. Create a service account
Do not run the game process as root. Create a dedicated account and a directory owned by it. The exact commands differ slightly by distribution, but the intent is the same:
sudo useradd --system --create-home --home-dir /srv/7dtd --shell /usr/sbin/nologin 7dtd
sudo mkdir -p /srv/7dtd-server
sudo chown -R 7dtd:7dtd /srv/7dtd /srv/7dtd-serverUse your distribution’s supported SteamCMD package method, then make sure the 7dtd account can execute it and write to the installation directory. Keep administrative work in your sudo account rather than granting the game account broad privileges.
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2. Download and validate app 294420
Start SteamCMD and use a dedicated installation directory. At the SteamCMD prompt, the documented pattern is:
force_install_dir /srv/7dtd-server
login anonymous
app_update 294420 validate
quitapp_update 294420 validate both installs missing files and checks the local installation against Steam’s current files. A successful completion should not show an installation error. Run the command again after a failed or interrupted update rather than trying to start a partial installation.
3. Preserve your configuration in a custom file
The installation includes a shipped server configuration. Copy it to a separate file, such as /srv/7dtd/serverconfig.xml or myserver.xml, and edit the copy. Keeping custom settings outside the shipped template reduces the risk that a future update replaces your changes.
sudo -u 7dtd cp /srv/7dtd-server/serverconfig.xml /srv/7dtd/serverconfig.xmlThe exact source path can vary between builds. If that file is not present at the top level, locate the supplied XML inside the installed server directory and copy it into the durable /srv/7dtd configuration area.
Configure identity, world, access, and saves
XML element names and available options follow the server build’s shipped template and the official configuration reference. Edit only the values you need, retain the surrounding XML structure, and make a backup before changing world-generation settings.
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Identity and player limits
ServerNameis the label shown in the server browser.ServerPasswordprotects a private group. Use a long, unique value and do not reuse an account password.ServerMaxPlayerCountlimits concurrent players and is also a practical workload control.ServerPortdefaults to26900.
World selection and reproducibility
GameWorldselects a handcrafted map or the world mode supplied by the build.WorldGenSeedlets you reproduce a procedurally generated world when the same generation inputs are used.SaveGameFolderdirects generated worlds and save data to a chosen location. Put it on fast, persistent storage rather than temporary container storage.
Changing world-generation values can create a different world or make an existing save unavailable under the expected name. Before making such a change, stop the server and take a dated copy of the entire save directory.
Visibility and administration
Set ServerVisibility deliberately: 2 publishes the server, 1 provides friends-only behavior, and 0 keeps it unlisted. Add trusted administrators in serveradmin.xml using their 64-bit Steam IDs. Keep this list as short as possible and protect the file’s ownership and permissions.
TelnetEnabled, TelnetPassword, and WebDashboardEnabled control administrative interfaces. They are optional; do not expose them simply because the binary supports them. If you need one, use a strong credential and restrict its source addresses in both firewall layers.
Launch the server headlessly
The Linux launch pattern uses a log file, batch mode, no graphics, and the dedicated flag. Adapt the executable path and configuration-file argument to the files installed by your build:
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-logfile /srv/7dtd/server.log
-quit -batchmode -nographics -dedicated
-configfile=/srv/7dtd/serverconfig.xmlSome builds expose the binary as 7DaysToDieServer rather than the .x86_64 filename. Confirm the installed name and use the path shown by the package. The process should remain in the foreground while you test it, allowing you to read startup errors and confirm the configured port in the log.
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Keep it running with systemd
A supervisor starts the server after reboot, restarts it after an unexpected exit, and gives you a consistent place to inspect status and logs. Create a unit such as /etc/systemd/system/7dtd.service:
[Unit]
Description=7 Days to Die dedicated server
After=network-online.target
Wants=network-online.target
[Service]
User=7dtd
Group=7dtd
WorkingDirectory=/srv/7dtd-server
ExecStart=/srv/7dtd-server/7DaysToDieServer.x86_64 -logfile /srv/7dtd/server.log -quit -batchmode -nographics -dedicated -configfile=/srv/7dtd/serverconfig.xml
Restart=on-failure
RestartSec=10
[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.targetReload units, enable the service, and start it:
sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable --now 7dtd
sudo systemctl status 7dtd
sudo journalctl -u 7dtd -fIf your build uses a different executable or configuration switch, change only ExecStart. A Docker deployment is also possible, but bind-mount the server directory and save directory to persistent host storage; replacing a container must never delete the world.
Open the correct network ports
The default game port is TCP and UDP 26900. Common deployments also use adjacent UDP ports 26901 and 26902. A community Linux guide lists UDP 26903 for LiteNetLib, while the official configuration notes protocol-dependent behavior. Start with the ports required by your build’s logs and configuration instead of opening a broad range permanently.
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| Port | Protocol | Typical role | How to treat it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26900 | TCP and UDP | Default game server port. | Open in the Linux firewall and VPS provider firewall. |
| 26901 | UDP | Adjacent port used by common deployments. | Open when the build or logs require it. |
| 26902 | UDP | Adjacent port used by common deployments. | Open when the build or logs require it. |
| 26903 | UDP | Listed by a community Linux guide for LiteNetLib. | Verify against the actual build before allowing it. |
Apply both firewall layers
Opening a port in Linux does not override a provider security group, and changing the provider firewall does not override a host firewall. Add the required TCP and UDP rules in both places. For a host using UFW, the rules would be expressed as:
sudo ufw allow 26900/tcp
sudo ufw allow 26900/udp
sudo ufw allow 26901/udp
sudo ufw allow 26902/udp
sudo ufw status verboseAdd UDP 26903 only if the server’s protocol and logs demonstrate that it is needed. Keep Telnet and dashboard ports closed to the public internet; if administration is required, allow only a known management address or use a private tunnel.
Connect from the game client
Players use the VPS public IPv4 address and the configured game port. If the server is public, it may appear in the browser after startup and registration; an unlisted or friends-only server may require a direct connection through the game’s interface.
When a direct connection fails, check the provider firewall first, then the Linux firewall, then the process itself. Confirm that the service is listening on the expected address and port, that the VPS really has a public IPv4 address, and that the client and server builds are compatible. A password mismatch, a different visibility value, or a save/configuration path owned by the wrong user can look like a network failure to the player.
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What must survive a reboot or replacement
- The custom server configuration, including
serverconfig.xml. serveradmin.xmland any other administration files.- Generated worlds and save-game data under the configured
SaveGameFolder. - Logs useful for diagnosing crashes and connection problems.
Keep these on persistent disk. In a container, mount both the server files and saves from the host. Check ownership after every migration so the 7dtd account can read and write the world.
Update procedure
- Announce a maintenance window and stop the service cleanly with
sudo systemctl stop 7dtd. - Create a dated archive of the save directory and configuration files. Retain at least one known-good copy before changing world-generation or major gameplay settings.
- Run SteamCMD with
app_update 294420 validateand wait for it to finish without errors. - Review configuration ownership and permissions, then start the service with
sudo systemctl start 7dtd. - Watch the log, confirm the expected port, and have a player test login before declaring the update complete.
Do not update while the process is writing the world. A clean stop and a dated backup give you a recovery point if a new build, mod, or configuration change causes a failure.
Security controls that are easy to miss
- Use a non-root service account and keep the installation and saves writable only by that account and trusted administrators.
- Use a strong, unique server password for private play.
- Do not publish Telnet or the web dashboard unless there is a specific administrative need.
- When an administrative interface is enabled, use strong credentials and source-address restrictions at the host and provider firewall.
- Keep only the game ports required by the active build open to the internet.
- Patch the Linux host and SteamCMD components, and inspect logs after updates or unexpected restarts.
- Back up saves before installing mods or changing world-generation settings.
Troubleshoot a server that does not appear or accept players
SteamCMD or missing-file errors
- Run
app_update 294420 validateagain and read the final SteamCMD output. - Check that the installation directory is owned by the service account and has free disk space.
- Confirm that the executable path in the service unit matches the installed build.
The service is running but unreachable
- Use
systemctl status 7dtdand the server log to confirm that startup completed. - Verify TCP and UDP 26900 in both firewall layers, then check UDP 26901 and 26902 if the build uses them.
- Confirm the provider assigned a public IPv4 address and is not filtering required UDP traffic.
- Check the process bind address and listening sockets; a process bound only to a private interface cannot accept internet clients.
- Ensure the client and server versions match.
The server starts but the world is missing
- Recheck
GameWorld,WorldGenSeed, andSaveGameFolderin the custom XML. - Confirm that the save directory exists, is persistent, and is owned by
7dtd. - If a container or service was replaced, verify that the persistent mount is still attached.
- Restore the most recent known-good save only after stopping the service.
Administration creates a security concern
Disable Telnet or the dashboard temporarily while diagnosing connectivity. After the game connection works, enable only the interface you need, set a strong password, and restrict it to trusted source addresses. Never use an unrestricted public administrative port as a substitute for proper firewalling.
Quick Recap
A practical launch checklist
- VPS has public IPv4, persistent storage, sudo access, and provider plus host firewall controls.
- Dedicated service account exists and is not root.
- SteamCMD installed app 294420 and completed validation.
- Custom XML is stored outside the shipped template.
- Server name, password, player cap, world, seed, visibility, and save path are intentional.
- 64-bit Steam IDs in
serveradmin.xmlare limited to trusted administrators. - Headless launch succeeds and writes a readable log.
- systemd or another supervisor starts the process after reboot and restarts failures.
- TCP/UDP 26900 and required adjacent UDP ports are open in both firewall layers.
- Saves and configuration are on persistent storage and have a dated backup.
- Telnet and dashboard access are disabled or tightly restricted.
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