What Are the Minimum Requirements for an ARK Server?
ARK: Survival Evolved is a popular survival video game that allows players to build and manage their own servers. If you’re planning to host your own ARK server, it’s essential to know the minimum requirements to ensure a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience. In this article, we’ll cover the bare essentials you need to set up an ARK server.
Hardware Requirements
Before we dive into the software requirements, let’s cover the essential hardware requirements.
- CPU: 2 CPU cores with more than 3.0 GHz
- RAM: 8 GB
- Disk Space: 20 GB minimum, but we recommend 25-50 GB
As you can see, having a decent CPU and plenty of RAM is crucial to ensure a smooth gaming experience. You’ll also need sufficient disk space to accommodate the game files and players’ data.
Operating System
ARK servers require a 64-bit operating system. You can opt for either Windows or Linux, but CentOS Linux is the recommended choice for standalone servers.
Software Requirements
Now that we’ve covered the hardware requirements, let’s move on to the software requirements.
- ARK Server Software: Make sure you have the official ARK Server Software installed on your server.
- Steam: You need to have Steam installed and configured on your server.
- Game Server Port: You’ll need to allocate a port for your ARK server. The recommended port is 27015, but you can customize it to your liking.
- Query Port: You’ll also need to allocate a query port, which is used for query requests. The recommended query port is 27015, but you can also use a different port.
- RCON (Remote Console) Port: RCON is used to remotely manage your ARK server. You’ll need to allocate a port for RCON, which is usually 27020.
- Game Mod: If you want to play with mods, you’ll need to install the specific mod files on your server.
Server Configuration
Here are some essential configuration settings you should consider for your ARK server.
- Server Name: Give your server a name that reflects its purpose or theme.
- Server IP: Set the server’s IP address to allow players to connect.
- Server Port: Set the server port to the same port you allocated earlier (e.g., 27015).
- Password: Set a password for your server to prevent unwanted access.
- whitelisting: Whitelisting allows you to manage who can join your server. You can set this to "on" or "off" depending on your preferences.
- PvP: Determine whether your server will have PvP (player versus player) combat enabled or not.
Conclusion
That’s it! With this article, you should now have a good understanding of the minimum requirements for an ARK server. Remember to allocate sufficient resources, such as CPU, RAM, and disk space, and ensure you have the right software and configuration settings. By following these guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to setting up a successful ARK server.
Additional Tips and Resources
Here are some additional tips and resources to help you get started:
- ARK Server Performance: Check out this ARK server performance guide for tips on optimizing your server’s performance.
- ARK Server Settings: Familiarize yourself with these ARK server settings for a better understanding of what each setting does.
- ARK Server Troubleshooting: Check out this ARK server troubleshooting guide for help resolving common issues.
By following these tips and resources, you’ll be well-equipped to host a successful ARK server that provides a great experience for your players.