Knowledgebase

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up a Left 4 Dead 2 Server

Prerequisites

• Left 4 Dead 2: You need a legal copy of the game installed on your machine.
• SteamCMD: This tool is required to download and update game server files.
• Basic Networking Knowledge: Familiarity with IP addresses and port forwarding.

Instructions

1. Install SteamCMD

   • Download SteamCMD from the SteamCMD website.
   • Extract the files to a folder (e.g., C:\SteamCMD).

2. Create a Directory for L4D2 Server

   • Create a new folder for your Left 4 Dead 2 server files (e.g., C:\L4D2_Server).

3. Download L4D2 Server Files

   • Open Command Prompt and navigate to the SteamCMD directory: bash cd C:\SteamCMD
   • Run SteamCMD: bash steamcmd
   • Log in anonymously: bash login anonymous
   • Set the installation directory for your L4D2 server: bash force_install_dir C:\L4D2_Server
   • Download the Left 4 Dead 2 server files: bash app_update 222860 validate
   • Wait for the download to complete, then type quit to exit SteamCMD.

4. Configure the Server

   • Navigate to your L4D2 server directory (e.g., C:\L4D2_Server).
   • Create a configuration file named server.cfg in the left4dead2 folder (inside C:\L4D2_Server), and add the following basic settings:

   // Server Name  
   hostname "My L4D2 Server"
   
   // RCON settings  
   rcon_password "your_rcon_password"
   
   // Maximum players  
   maxplayers 8
   
   // Set the game mode  
   sv_gametypes "coop" // Change to "versus" for Versus mode
   
   // Enable/Disable friendly fire  
   friendlyfire 0

5. Set Up Port Forwarding

   • Access your router settings (typically through a web browser at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
   • Forward the following ports to your server’s local IP address:
     • UDP: 27015 (default L4D2 port)
   • Check your local IP address using ipconfig in Command Prompt.

6. Run the Server

   • Create a batch file (start.bat) in your server directory to start the server easily. Open Notepad and add the following:

   @echo off  
   start "" "C:\L4D2_Server\left4dead2\srcds.exe" -console -game left4dead2 +map c1m1_highway +maxplayers 8 +exec server.cfg

   • Save it as start.bat in the C:\L4D2_Server directory.

7. Start the Server

   • Double-click start.bat to run your server.
   • A console window will open, and you should see messages indicating that the server is starting.

8. Connect to Your Server

   • Launch Left 4 Dead 2 on your PC.
   • Click on “Find Multiplayer Game” or “Play with Friends.”
   • You can connect directly to your server using the console by typing: plaintext connect your_public_ip:27015
   • If you're on the same machine, you can use localhost:27015.

9. Optional: Install Mods or Plugins

   • If you wish to enhance your server with mods, you can use tools like Addons Manager for L4D2. Place the downloaded addons in the left4dead2/addons folder.

Additional Tips

• Firewall Settings: Ensure your firewall allows traffic through the port you opened.
• Regular Updates: Periodically update your server files using SteamCMD to ensure you have the latest version.
• Community Resources: Join L4D2 communities for additional help, mods, and configurations.

By following these steps, you’ll have a fully functional Left 4 Dead 2 game server ready for you and your friends to enjoy! Happy gaming!