# How to install, host and configure an Avorion server On your own Avorion dedicated server, you can define your personal play style for exciting space adventures in co-op or PvP mode. All you need is sufficient computing power, access to the firewall and the command line tool SteamCMD. ## What are the requirements for an Avorion server? You can run your own Avorion server on either a Windows or a Linux operating system since the dedicated server software is compatible with both systems. Regardless of your choice, **hosting on external hardware** is recommended for two reasons. Running a server requires additional computing power and bandwidth. If you also want to play the game on the same device, your computer may quickly reach its limits—unlike with external hosting. Renting hardware, on the other hand, ensures that the dedicated server remains online independently of your device. To host an Avorion dedicated server for stable multiplayer sessions, your setup should fulfill the following **minimum requirements**: - **CPU/processor**: Quad core [CPU](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/server/know-how/cpu/) with min. 2.0 GHz - **RAM/working memory**: min. 4-6 GB - **Hard disk storage**: 5 GB In addition to the computing power needed for the Avorion software, the requirements of the respective operating system must also be considered. For a Windows Server 2022, for example, an additional 1.4 GHz CPU, 2 GB RAM (for graphical user interface) and 32 GB storage space must be planned for. ## IONOS offers these options for your own Avorion server You can find suitable hardware for an Avorion dedicated server from a hosting provider that offers server solutions in its portfolio, such as IONOS. The [vServer](https://www.ionos.ca/servers/vps "Rent IONOS vServers at an affordable price") (also VPS) is a server variant in which the underlying hardware is **completely virtualized**. The various plans are available at a fixed monthly price. As an enterprise alternative, [dedicated servers](https://www.ionos.ca/servers/dedicated-servers "Dedicated servers from IONOS") are an option based on **dedicated hardware**. These high-performance servers with optional virtualization are suitable for even the most demanding application scenarios. With this model, the performance used is billed by the minute. Note Regardless of the model and plan selected, you can rely on an **external broadband connection of up to 1 Gbit/s** when choosing a server from IONOS. This makes the solutions ideal for a high-performance Avorion server, but also for various other gaming scenarios such as a [DayZ server](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/server/know-how/dayz-server-hosting/) or a [Terraria server](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/server/know-how/terraria-server-hosting/). For a simpler overview of the server plans on offer and their respective suitability for hosting your own Avorion server, we’ve summarized **three possible use cases** in the following table and assigned the most suitable IONOS plans to them.
Avorion: Dedicated server scenario Suitable IONOS server plan
Simple PvE server for 2-4 players VPS Windows L
PvE/PvP server for 4-8 players VPS Windows XL
Server for any scenario and 8+ players Dedicated Server AR6-32 SSD
## Savings tip for server newbies If you want to start off with a **small co-op adventure** in the world of Avorion, a low-cost plan will suffice. As soon as you realize that you need more computing capacity, simply upgrade to a higher performance plan. The cheapest plan with suitable computing power: [Windows VPS M](https://www.ionos.ca/servers/vps "Windows VPS M from IONOS"). ## How to create an Avorion server (Windows server) The following step-by-step guide will show you exactly how to install and configure the Avorion dedicated server software on the respective hardware using SteamCMD. The steps provided are based on the perspective of **IONOS** customers, with **Windows Server 2022** as the operating system. ### Step 1: Connect to the server remotely To install and set up the Avorion application on the rented server hardware, the first step is to connect to the system via [remote access](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/server/know-how/remote-desktop-success-of-the-application/). IONOS customers can set up this remote connection via their customer account. You’ll need to carry out the following steps: 1. [Log in](https://login.ionos.com/ "IONOS Login page") with your personal login details. 2. Go to the **Server & Cloud** section. 3. Click on the rented server in the list. 4. Press **Actions** and **Open remote console** in succession. The remote console will automatically open in a new browser tab. You can find the login credentials for accessing the Windows server in the corresponding section of your customer account. [![Image: Avorion server: Open remote console with IONOS](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/b/0/csm_ionos-avorion-remote-console_8dfbd46934.webp "Avorion server: Open remote console with IONOS")](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2024/ionos-avorion-remote-console.png) In the customer account, you can not only open the remote console, but also restart or stop your Avorion server with one click. Tip Instead of using the remote console, you can also initialize the remote connection using the Windows app **Remote Desktop Connection**. You can find out more about this topic in the article “[Connecting to Windows server via remote desktop](https://www.ionos.com/help/server-cloud-infrastructure/getting-started/connecting-to-a-windows-server-with-remote-desktop-connection/ "Connecting to Windows Server via Remote Desktop - IONOS Help")” in the IONOS Help Center. ### Step 2: Install SteamCMD Once you have established a connection, the second step is to install the SteamCMD software. This command line client enables fast and secure access to the public Steam servers and is therefore the best solution for obtaining the **dedicated server application for Avorion**. Click on the following [SteamCMD download link](https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd.zip "SteamCMD: Windows Installer") to download the installer for Windows. Then unzip the package in a directory of your choice and double-click the unzipped file to install [SteamCMD](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/server/know-how/install-steamcmd/). ### Step 3: Install the Steam app “Avorion dedicated server” You can now use SteamCMD for Steam access at any time by executing the file `steamcmd.exe`. Once the service is ready for use, you’ll be presented with the command line `Steam>` in the command prompt window. First, specify an **installation directory for the Avorion server**. With the following command, for example, you can ensure that SteamCMD downloads the server files to the directory `C:\avorion-dedicated-server` and installs them there: ```bash force_install_dir C:\avorion-dedicated-server ``` In the next step, you connect anonymously to the public Steam servers: ```bash login anonymous ``` After successfully logging in, you can download the server software. To do this, combine the command `app_update` with the Steam app ID (565060) of the required application “Avorion Dedicated Server”: ```bash app_update 565060 ``` [![Image: Avorion: Dedicated server download via SteamCMD](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/e/0/csm_avorion-server-steamcmd_7bc7d73a26.webp "Avorion: Dedicated server download via SteamCMD")](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2024/avorion-server-steamcmd.png) In order to download the Avorion server software, you do not need to install the game itself on the rented server. To log out of the Steam servers — and close the client — finally execute the `quit` command. ### Step 4: Customize the start script To start the server instance, there is a simple start script with the name `server.bat` in the unpacked directory. If you open this file with any editor, you can **freely customize the start parameters**. By default, you will only find the two parameters `--server-name` for the name of the Avorion server and `--admin` for the Steam ID of the administrator of the server. You can append as many parameters as you like and then save the file to apply the changes. You’ll find the most important available options in the following table:
Avorion start parameters Description
`--port VALUE` Port on which the server is listening (Standard: `27000`)
`--save-interval VALUE` Automatic storage interval (Standard: `300`)
`--seed VALUE` Seed of the server
`--difficulty VALUE` Difficulty level; possible values `-3`, `-2`, `-1`, `0`, `1`, `2`, `3` (Standard: `0`)
`--collision-damage VALUE` Settles the collision damage; (standard for full damage: `1`)
`--infinite-resources VALUE` Unlimited resources for all players if the value `true` is set
`--same-start-sector VALUE` All players start in the same sector if the value `true` is set
`--exit-on-last-admin-logout` Server is switched off as soon as the last admin disconnects
`--public VALUE` Set server public (`true`) or private (`false`)
`--listed VALUE` Show server in the server listing (`true`) or not (`false`)
### Step 5: Configure the Avorion server Apart from the simple parameters for the server start, you have even more versatile options for **customizing the game world and the gameplay in Avorion individually**. However, the `server.ini` file required for this is only generated after the first execution of the Avorion dedicated server. To do this, double-click the `server.bat` script (adapted or unchanged) and close the prompt window after a few seconds. You’ll then find the configuration file under the following path: `C:\users\username\AppData\Roaming\Avorion\galaxies\`. Open the file with the editor of your choice. You can then adjust the values shown for the game world to suit your requirements. Detailed **explanations** of the individual setting options can be found in the [Avorion Wiki on fandom.com](https://avorion.fandom.com/wiki/Server#Server_Configuration_Options "avorion.fandom.com - Server configuration"). [![Image: Avorion: server.ini](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/e/8/csm_avarion-server-settings_37480868f9.webp "Avorion: server.ini")](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2024/avarion-server-settings.png) The configuration of your Avorion dedicated server can be adjusted at any time via the server.ini - to apply the changes, however, you must restart the server. ### Step 6: Enable server ports To make your server publicly accessible, the next step is to enable the [TCP/UDP ports](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/server/know-how/tcp-ports-and-udp-ports/) 27000, 27003, 27020 and 27021. To do this, you must adjust the **Firewall settings** accordingly, which can also be done in the customer account or cloud panel for an IONOS server: 1. Log in to your account via the [login page](https://login.ionos.com/ "IONOS Login page"). 2. Go to the **Server & Cloud** section. 3. Select the hardware on which you have previously set up the Avorion server. 4. Press **Network** and **Firewall policies** in the menu on the left in succession. 5. Add rules for the TCP and UDP ports 27000, 27003, 27020 and 27021 under **Incoming**. [![Image: IONOS Avorion ports](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/a/0/csm_ionos-avorion-ports_edbc16b205.webp "IONOS Avorion ports")](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2024/ionos-avorion-ports.png) When enabling ports in the IONOS Cloud Panel, make sure to select the correct protocols for the rules. ### Step 7: Start the Avorion server You can now start your Avorion dedicated server at any time using the `server.bat` macro with the desired parameters. To do this, double-click the [batch file](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/server/tools/batch-commands/) as described in step 5. You can follow the initialization of the server instance live in the prompt window that opens. If the start was successful, you’ll see the line **Server startup complete**. [![Image: Avorion server successful](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/2/6/csm_avorion-server-successful_31c5d730ab.webp "Avorion server successful")](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2024/avorion-server-successful.png) Successfully launched Avorion dedicated server ### Step 8: Connect to your own server Once the server instance is running, you and your fellow players can join the created Avorion server as follows: 1. Start Avorion. 2. Press **Multiplayer**. 3. Select the item **Browse Servers** and search for your server in the list. 4. Alternatively, press **Join via IP** and enter the IP address of the rented server and any server name. Click **Add server**. 5. Connect to the Avorion server by clicking **Join**. [![Image: Join Avorion server](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/1/8/csm_avorion-server-join_e500bc5641.webp "Join Avorion server")](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2024/avorion-server-join.jpg) To join via IP, you only need the IP address of your Avorion server, which you can view at any time under the access data in the customer account. After a short loading time, you will find yourself in space — and the joint search for shipwrecks, asteroid fields and giant asteroids as well as fleet construction can finally begin! [![Image: Screenshot from Avorion](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/5/1/csm_avorion-ingame-screenshot_36b978849a.webp "Screenshot from Avorion")](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2024/avorion-ingame-screenshot.jpg) Screenshot from Avorion Your server is clearly identifiable and accessible via the IP address. However, you can also **link the Avorion server with your own domain** and give it an individual name that is easier to remember and type in. Use the domain check from IONOS and find your dream address with suitable endings such as *.space* or *.games*. This is a markdown version of: [https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/server/know-how/avorion-dedicated-server/](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/server/know-how/avorion-dedicated-server/) for AI/LLM consumption.