Complete Guide to Installing ARK: Survival Evolved Server on Ubuntu

Ready to host your own prehistoric world? This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of setting up an ARK: Survival Evolved server on Ubuntu. Whether you’re looking to play with friends or build a larger community, this step-by-step tutorial has got you covered.

Prerequisites

Before we embark on this journey, ensure you have:

  1. An Ubuntu 20.04 LTS server (18.04 LTS will also work)
  2. Root or sudo access to your server
  3. At least 16GB of RAM (32GB recommended for optimal performance)
  4. At least 50GB of free disk space
  5. A stable internet connection

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Step 1: Update Your System

First, let’s ensure your system is up-to-date:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Install Required Dependencies

Install the necessary packages:

sudo apt install lib32gcc1 lib32stdc++6 libc6-i386 wget curl unzip -y

Step 3: Create a Steam User

It’s a good practice to run your server under a dedicated user:

sudo useradd -m -r -s /bin/bash arkserver
sudo su - arkserver

Step 4: Install SteamCMD

Now, let’s install SteamCMD:

mkdir ~/steamcmd && cd ~/steamcmd
curl -sqL "https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz" | tar zxvf -

Step 5: Install ARK Server Files

Launch SteamCMD and install ARK server files:

./steamcmd.sh +login anonymous +force_install_dir ~/ark-server +app_update 376030 validate +quit

This process might take a while depending on your server’s internet speed.

Step 6: Configure Your ARK Server

Create a startup script:

cd ~/ark-server/ShooterGame/Binaries/Linux/
nano start_ark.sh

Add the following content:

#!/bin/bash
./ShooterGameServer TheIsland?listen?SessionName="My ARK Server"?ServerPassword="yourpassword"?ServerAdminPassword="youradminpassword" -server -log

Make the script executable:

chmod +x start_ark.sh

Step 7: Create a Service File

To run the ARK server as a service, create a systemd service file:

sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/arkserver.service

Add the following content:

[Unit]
Description=ARK: Survival Evolved Server
After=network.target

[Service]
Type=simple
User=arkserver
WorkingDirectory=/home/arkserver/ark-server/ShooterGame/Binaries/Linux
ExecStart=/home/arkserver/ark-server/ShooterGame/Binaries/Linux/start_ark.sh
Restart=on-failure

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

Step 8: Start Your ARK Server

Now, let’s start the ARK server:

sudo systemctl start arkserver

To make it start automatically on boot:

sudo systemctl enable arkserver

Step 9: Configure Firewall

If you’re using UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall), open the necessary ports:

sudo ufw allow 27015/udp
sudo ufw allow 7777/udp
sudo ufw allow 7778/udp

Optimizing Your ARK Server

For the best gaming experience, consider these tips:

  1. Allocate Sufficient Resources: ARK is resource-intensive. Ensure your server has enough CPU and RAM. Servers Guru offers a range of high-performance options tailored for demanding games like ARK.

  2. Regular Updates: Keep your server updated:

    ~/steamcmd/steamcmd.sh +login anonymous +force_install_dir ~/ark-server +app_update 376030 validate +quit

  3. Customize Game Settings: Edit the GameUserSettings.ini file in ~/ark-server/ShooterGame/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/ to adjust game settings.

  4. Mod Support: To add mods, you’ll need to edit your start script and include mod IDs. Research popular ARK mods to enhance your server’s gameplay.

  5. Backups: Regularly backup your server files and database to prevent data loss.

Monitoring Your ARK Server

To check if your server is running:

sudo systemctl status arkserver

To view server logs:

journalctl -u arkserver

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve successfully set up your ARK: Survival Evolved server on Ubuntu. Remember, hosting a smooth ARK experience requires robust hardware and a reliable network. If you’re looking for top-notch performance and 24/7 support, consider hosting your ARK server with Servers Guru.

Happy surviving, and may your dinosaurs be ever in your favor!