Complete Guide to Setting Up a Factorio Server on Ubuntu
Are you ready to automate your factory on a grand scale? This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of setting up your own Factorio server on Ubuntu. Whether you’re playing with friends or building a larger community, we’ve got you covered.
Prerequisites
Before we begin, ensure you have:
- An Ubuntu server (20.04 LTS or newer recommended)
- Root or sudo access to your server
- At least 4GB of RAM (8GB recommended for larger maps)
- At least 5GB of free disk space
- A stable internet connection
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Step 1: Prepare Your Ubuntu Server
Let’s start by updating your system and installing necessary packages:
These packages are essential for downloading, extracting, and managing your Factorio server.
Step 2: Create a Dedicated User
It’s a good practice to run your server under a dedicated user:
Log out and log back in for the group changes to take effect.
Step 3: Install the Factorio Server
Now, let’s download and set up the Factorio server:
Step 4: Create a New Game Save
Switch to the factorio user and create a new game save:
If you want to use custom map settings:
Step 5: Create Start and Stop Scripts
Create a start script (/home/factorio/start_server.sh
):
Create a stop script (/home/factorio/stop_server.sh
):
Make both scripts executable:
Step 6: Create a Systemd Service
Create a service file (/etc/systemd/system/factorioserver.service
):
Step 7: Enable and Start the Service
Enable the service to start on boot:
Start the service:
Managing Your Factorio Server
- To start the server:
sudo systemctl start factorioserver
- To stop the server:
sudo systemctl stop factorioserver
- To enable auto-start on boot:
sudo systemctl enable factorioserver
- To disable auto-start on boot:
sudo systemctl disable factorioserver
Accessing the Server Console
To access the Factorio server console:
To detach from the console, press Ctrl+A
, then Ctrl+D
.
Optimizing Your Factorio Server
For the best gaming experience, consider these tips:
-
Allocate Sufficient Resources: Ensure your server has enough CPU and RAM. Servers Guru offers a range of high-performance options tailored for gaming.
-
Regular Backups: Regularly backup your save files located in
/home/factorio/server/saves/
. -
Update Frequently: The start script automatically updates the server, but you can manually update by restarting the service.
-
Monitor Performance: Use tools like
htop
to monitor server resource usage. -
Optimize Map Settings: Adjust map settings to balance between performance and gameplay experience.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You now have your own Factorio server up and running on Ubuntu. Remember, a great gaming experience starts with a reliable server. If you’re looking for top-notch performance and 24/7 support, consider hosting your Factorio server with Servers Guru.
May your factories be ever-efficient and your resources plentiful!