Garry’s Mod Listen Server Guide For Mingebags!

EDIT: I will not be supporting this guide anymore. Instead, I recommend you create a Dedicated Server, which is a bit harder to set up, but ultimately better than a Listen Server. There are tons and tons of guides on Steam alone (and tons more online) that show you how to set it up. It may seem daunting at first, but if you've created a listen server before, you can create a dedicated server. It will only take more time since you'll need to download about 3GBs worth of Garry's Mod content for the server. Anyways, thanks for giving this many thumbs up and favorites, it really meant a lot to me haha. Glad I could help everyone. Peace out :D

EDIT 2: ALSO NOTICE THAT THIS GUIDE IS A BIT OUTDATED. I first created this guide in 2013, and Garry's Mod has still changed since then. That is also another reason why I've stop supporting it, mainly because I didn't want to have to write a brand new one. Most of the content in the guide is still the same, such as port forwarding, console commands and so forth. Okay, that's all I wanted to say. Peace out once again :3


Garry’s Mod Listen Server Guide For Mingebags!
Make sure to give this a thumbs up and favorite!

A listen server is a quick, small factor server that can get you and your friends into the game quickly. It's easy, reliable and it just downright works. The worst part about a listen server is that it is ran directly from the host's game, so if somehow the host exits the game or it crashes, the server crashes. Besides that it's really easy to use and make, plus it's reliable!

This guide is here to help you create a listen server and get into the game with you and your friends!

Port Fowarding

Before you can get started, you must port forward your router. Very basically, this means that you're opening a port in your router that will allow access from other computers. Don't worry, no one can gain acsess without your knowledge of them doing so. This is used so that other players can join your server.

STEP ONE

Click the START (bottom left) button, and type cmd and open the program called 'cmd'.

STEP TWO

Type ipconfig without the apostrophes and press enter. You will get a list of different things. Towards the top, there should be "Default Gateway then a bunch of numbers. Copy those numbers on a sheet of paper. These numbers make up your IP code.
NOTE THESE ARE NOT THE SAME NUMBERS YOU WILL USE TO CONNECT TO THE SERVER

STEP THREE

Paste the numbers into your favorite web browser's address bar. You will most likely get a login. For the most part, the username is Admin, and the password is the same password as the one you use to connect to your router. If for some case it isn't, try the password Admin. If you don't know at all, ask someone who would, like a roommate or a parent.

STEP FOUR

Different router manufacturers will have different menus. Some menus will have the port forwarding tab at first glance while other menus you will have to do some looking. On my Cisco menu, I have to click the Applications and Gaming tab and there I will see the port forwarding tab. Do some looking around and if you can't find where it's at google it.

STEP FIVE

For External Port, type 27015. For Internal Port, type 27005. If it says Start and Finish, type the numbers in the same order. Same thing goes for Public and Private. For protocol, select Both. "To IPv4 Adress", you should type 100. Make sure to click the Enabled button. Save Settings and port forwarding is done.

STEP SIX

Isn't required but it's HIGHLY reccomended. Powercycling Go to your router and unplug the power supply and wait for about a minute. Be sure to ask everyone using the internet if it's okay to unplug it. It will take 2 minutes max for it to be back up and running, one minute to unplug and one minute to restart. After a minute, replug the cord and give it a minute to readjust itself. This restarts the router and allows it to recognize the port better, plus sometimes it helps speed up your wifi speeds.

Getting Your Server to Work

Now that your ports are forwarded, let's look at how to actually start the server.

STEP ONE

On Garry's Mod's main menu, click Start Singleplayer Game. Pick the map you want to play on, and look at the right. Select how many players you think will play the game. 2, 4, 8 and so on, your choice. Then, make sure that this is NOT a local game and that it is an internet game. Local game means LAN and LAN means bad for people who aren't on the same network as you. Finally, configure the settings to your liking. I suggest putting all the settings to 1000000 just to be sure. Add a password if you like, I reccommend it. Make the password easy, such as 123. It's not like anyone can hack your computer from a Garry's Mod server. Once you are finished, click play.

STEP TWO

Once in game, you will have to type some commands. Press the tilde (`) key on the upper left. If a command console does not open, go to Options, Keyboard, Advanced and Allow Console. Once you open it, type the following command:


sv_lan 0 Double checks that it's an internet game, not LAN. LAN is bad in this case. Don't do it.

Once those commands are typed, it's time for your friends to play the game but there's still one step left.

STEP THREE

Open the Steam Overlay (default Shift+Tab), open the web browser and go to www.ipchicken.com . Copy the IP address that shows up. Then, send the code to your friends. Tell them to open the console, then type connect XXX. The XXX is the code you gave them from www.ipchicken.com. They should be able to join the server now.

HAVE FUN!

Other Tips and Tricks

GETTING ADDONS FOR YOUR SERVER

Unlike a dedicated server, people who connect to your listen server cannot download addons directly from the server. The easiest way to make sure everyone has the same addons is to make a Steam Workshop Collection. To do this, go to the Garry's Mod Steam Workshop and above the addons there should be a tab titled Collections. Click that and on the right click Create Collection. From there, you can add the addons you're subscribed to onto the collection. Once you publish the collection, send the link to your friends and they can download the addons that you guys want to use on your server.

POWERCYCLING

As previously disscussed, powercycling can be very useful to your internet speeds. Powercycling is literally just unplugging your router and modem, waiting about 30 seconds - 1 minute, then plugging them back in. The way I see it, it gives your router and your modem a little sort of 'break' from working so much. Either way, for the most part it can boost your speeds. I do this about once every few days just to be sure, plus when my internet bogs down a lot for unknown reasons (not because other people are streaming Netflix or something, it just happens to me sometimes) I powercycle then my speeds are good as new. Make sure to tell everyone using the internet that you'll be doing this and it should only take but 2 minutes (one minute to powercycle, another for your computers and devices to reconnect). REMEMBER that this doesn't always work for everyone, so don't get mad at me when you do it correctly but nothing changes.