How Do I Run My Own Private Dedicated Server?

[Foxhound]

I only desire to be able to play with a couple buddies in our own ARK, but I want a dedicated server rather than having to host it to avoid worldly limitations and connection instability. I see youtubers do this all the time where they collaborate on their own private server for a PvE experience. There are various sources offering servers to rent with differentiating prices. The question is which one to subscribe to. Every individual video guide apprises something different.

I've been out of touch with the game for a long time so forgive me if this topic has already been answered.

[Vesuvius]

https://youtu.be/275CW07MZO4
Ark Server Manager tutorial
Youtube is your friend 😎

[Vesuvius]

https://youtu.be/PPgegBYRME4

[retsam1]

Originally posted by Foxhound:

I only desire to be able to play with a couple buddies in our own ARK, but I want a dedicated server rather than having to host it to avoid worldly limitations and connection instability. I see youtubers do this all the time where they collaborate on their own private server for a PvE experience. There are various sources offering servers to rent with differentiating prices. The question is which one to subscribe to. Every individual video guide apprises something different.

I've been out of touch with the game for a long time so forgive me if this topic has already been answered.

Also make sure your computer can run such well otherwise, if your computer is on the weak side, your running a server from it for your friends will have just as many if not more issues.

[Foxhound]

Originally posted by retsam1:

Originally posted by Foxhound:

I only desire to be able to play with a couple buddies in our own ARK, but I want a dedicated server rather than having to host it to avoid worldly limitations and connection instability. I see youtubers do this all the time where they collaborate on their own private server for a PvE experience. There are various sources offering servers to rent with differentiating prices. The question is which one to subscribe to. Every individual video guide apprises something different.

I've been out of touch with the game for a long time so forgive me if this topic has already been answered.

Also make sure your computer can run such well otherwise, if your computer is on the weak side, your running a server from it for your friends will have just as many if not more issues.

I do not want to host it, instead pay for a company owned cluster computer (if that's the correct term) that can allocate ram for the server. Otherwise I don't understand why I would be giving my money away if I'm having to do all the heavy lifting.

[Cataclisto]

Well... If you want your own then look for places that host dedicated servers, (not ark servers). ovh would be one example, https://www.ovh.com/world/dedicated-servers/hosting/

They cost alot more then normal dedicated ark servers, if you dont want to pay that then finding a cheaper alternative could come from one of these places, some also offer cluster server hosting https://ark.gamepedia.com/Dedicated_Server_Providers

[Foxhound]

Originally posted by Cataclisto:

Well... If you want your own then look for places that host dedicated servers, (not ark servers). ovh would be one example, https://www.ovh.com/world/dedicated-servers/hosting/

They cost alot more then normal dedicated ark servers, if you dont want to pay that then finding a cheaper alternative could come from one of these places, some also offer cluster server hosting https://ark.gamepedia.com/Dedicated_Server_Providers

I bought a server on ARK4u (75 slots) to see if it works but it remains to display in the browser. It makes no mention of any third party or external software that I need to install.

[KitsuneShiro]

The virtual servers you rent should have a web based setup page. Probably tutorials and hopefully support.

[Foxhound]

I figured it out. I have to paste my server IP via view>servers>favorites>add a server. Thanks for support.

[Vesuvius]

Originally posted by Foxhound:

Originally posted by Cataclisto:

Well... If you want your own then look for places that host dedicated servers, (not ark servers). ovh would be one example, https://www.ovh.com/world/dedicated-servers/hosting/

They cost alot more then normal dedicated ark servers, if you dont want to pay that then finding a cheaper alternative could come from one of these places, some also offer cluster server hosting https://ark.gamepedia.com/Dedicated_Server_Providers

I bought a server on ARK4u (75 slots) to see if it works but it remains to display in the browser. It makes no mention of any third party or external software that I need to install.

75 slots for just a few buddies? yeesh lol

[Foxhound]

Originally posted by Vesuvious:

Originally posted by Foxhound:

I bought a server on ARK4u (75 slots) to see if it works but it remains to display in the browser. It makes no mention of any third party or external software that I need to install.

75 slots for just a few buddies? yeesh lol

It was the cheapest option but I won't complain.

[Vesuvius]

Originally posted by Foxhound:

Originally posted by Vesuvious:

75 slots for just a few buddies? yeesh lol

It was the cheapest option but I won't complain.

how much usd is it costing you? i pay just under $18usd for 1x 30 slot server ... so a cluster of 3 maps for a total of 90 slots? $54usd ... 75 slots for one server is alot of waste if you are not going to have even half that number online

[Wikumos]

I have 8 servers from Host Havoc clustered, each are $15/month with 30 slots, works great! Awesome customer service, and always reply within 10 minutes 24 hours a day, 7days a week, to any support tickets!

[Kyle]

I use a linux VPS and set it up manually, host us - 16gbRAM\6cores\1gbps uplink. Currently run 2 servers on here but could almost have a third, may upgrade again for more maps. $18 USD. If you're able to set somthing like this up yourself up yourself its by far the better and cheaper option

[Vesuvius]

Originally posted by Wikumos:

I have 8 servers from Host Havoc clustered, each are $15/month with 30 slots, works great! Awesome customer service, and always reply within 10 minutes 24 hours a day, 7days a week, to any support tickets!

Has HH changed the way they cluster? when we used them we were unable to have seperate .ini's for each server in the cluster.

[Foxhound]

Originally posted by Vesuvious:

Originally posted by Foxhound:

It was the cheapest option but I won't complain.

how much usd is it costing you? i pay just under $18usd for 1x 30 slot server ... so a cluster of 3 maps for a total of 90 slots? $54usd ... 75 slots for one server is alot of waste if you are not going to have even half that number online

The cost per server is roughly $25 a month which comes with some added benefits e.g. higher cpu priority, custom map, mods, SSD, and so on.
The amount of slots certainly is excessive but it works. I was going to promote it as public eventually so I don't see much of a loss.
As for the future, I might switch sites and perhaps rent more servers but the one at the moment fulfills my immediate needs