How To Install A Counter-Strike Source Server On Ubuntu

In this tutorial we will be covering the process of installing and running a CS:S Game server.

Prerequisites

• A Vultr Instance with 2 GB of RAM and running Ubuntu.

Getting Started

1. Update the packages: sudo apt-get update -y && sudo apt-get upgrade -y.
2. Install these additional libraries: sudo apt-get install lib32gcc1 libc6-i386.
3. Add a new user for running the game server: sudo adduser steam (For security purposes).
4. Login to the new user that we created: su steam.

Downloading SteamCMD

SteamCMD is a free tool created by Valve and used to download Game Server files easily.

1. As you are logged as the steam user, make sure you’re in /home/steam.
2. Create a directory for SteamCMD: mkdir SteamCMD.
3. Navigate to the newly created directory and download the SteamCMD archive: cd steamCMD && wget http://media.steampowered.com/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz.
4. Extract the archive:tar -xvzf steamcmd_linux.tar.gz.

Running SteamCMD

Now we get to the exciting bit, downloading the actual files that make the game server operate.

1. Run SteamCMD: ./steamcmd.sh.
2. Login to Steam servers anonymously: login anonymous.
3. Set the install directory: force_install_dir ./css/.
4. Download the game files: app_update 232330 validate (This may take a while).
5. Quit the SteamCMD console: quit.

Running the CS:S server

1. Navigate to the CS:S Installation Directory: cd css
2. Execute this command to run the server: ./srcds_run -console -game cstrike -maxplayers 20 - port 27015 +map de_dust2.

Conclusion

Your CS:S server should be up and running! To connect to it use the IP on your Vultr instance.