Your Project Zomboid server: installation and setup on a VPS/dedicated server

Your Own Project Zomboid Server: Installation and Setup on a VPS/Dedicated Server

To create your own Project Zomboid server with full control over the world, mods, and performance, choosing a virtual private server (VPS) or a dedicated server is optimal. These provide stable hosting, sufficient CPU, RAM, and NVMe disk resources for comfortable gameplay for several dozen users.

Project Zomboid is a unique zombie apocalypse survival simulator game known for its hardcore nature, detail, and vast modding possibilities. When playing with friends, many encounter limitations with standard hosting via Steam or P2P connections, leading to delays, loss of progress, and the inability to install desired mods. In such cases, your own Project Zomboid server, deployed on a powerful VPS or dedicated server, comes to the rescue.

In this article, we will detail the process of installing and configuring a Project Zomboid dedicated server, and provide recommendations for choosing the optimal hosting based on your needs and budget. We will delve into technical aspects, from operating system selection and hardware requirements to fine-tuning configuration files, installing mods, and ensuring security.

Why You Need Your Own Project Zomboid Server and Why It's Better

Using your own server for Project Zomboid offers several significant advantages compared to playing through Steam's built-in features or connecting to other public servers. These benefits are especially crucial for stable and full-fledged multiplayer gameplay.

Full Control Over Gameplay and the World

When you have your own Project Zomboid server, you become a full administrator. This means you can:

• Customize game rules: Change the speed of time, zombie parameters (speed, strength, sensitivity), loot spawn frequency, weather conditions, and much more. You can create both a maximally hardcore experience and a more casual one, focused on exploration and building.
• Manage players: Grant administrator rights, ban offenders, teleport players, restore lost items, or even revive characters.
• Save progress: The entire game world and player progress are saved on your server. You don't have to worry about someone's host shutting down and losing hours of gameplay. The server runs 24/7 (if it's a VPS/dedicated server), providing constant access to your world.

Unlimited Possibilities for Mods and Customization

Project Zomboid is renowned for its active modding community. Mods can drastically change gameplay, adding new items, weapons, vehicles, maps, professions, character traits, and mechanics. On your own server, you can:

• Install any mods: Unlike public servers where the mod list is limited by the administrator's choice, on your own server, you can install any modifications from the Steam Workshop or third-party sources, combining them as you wish.
• Create a unique gaming experience: Experiment with different mod builds, adapting the game to your style and your group's preferences. For example, create a server focused on realism, wilderness survival, or massive battles with zombie hordes.

Stability, Performance, and DDoS Protection

Hosting Project Zomboid on a professional VPS or dedicated server from Valebyte.com provides:

• High performance: The game server receives dedicated resources (CPU, RAM, disk), which minimizes lag and freezes even with a large number of players and complex mods.
• Reliable connection: Valebyte.com data centers are located in strategically important regions (e.g., Ashburn, Virginia, or Los Angeles), ensuring low ping for players from different regions.
• 24/7 availability: The server runs 24/7, and players can connect at any time, regardless of whether the host is online.
• DDoS attack protection: An important aspect for any game server. Valebyte.com provides built-in DDoS protection, which helps shield your Project Zomboid dedicated server from malicious attacks, ensuring continuous operation.

What Resources Are Needed for a Project Zomboid Dedicated Server?

Project Zomboid, despite its seemingly simple graphics, can be quite demanding on server resources, especially with a large number of players, active mod usage, and extensive maps. The correct choice of VPS or dedicated server configuration is critically important for stable and comfortable gameplay.

CPU: Clock Speed or Cores: What's More Important?

The Project Zomboid server, like many other game servers, is primarily single-threaded. This means it relies more on high single-core clock speed (single-core performance) rather than the total number of cores. While multi-core processors are useful for the operating system and other background processes, the Zomboid game server itself will predominantly use one core.

• Recommendation: Look for processors with a clock speed of 3.0 GHz and higher. Modern high-frequency Intel Xeon E3/E5 or current AMD Ryzen/Intel Core (for more expensive VPS/dedicated servers) will be an excellent choice.
• Number of cores:
  • For 2-4 players: 2 vCPUs (virtual cores) with high frequency.
  • For 5-10 players: 2-4 vCPUs, but with an emphasis on frequency.
  • For 10+ players and mods: 4-6+ vCPUs with the maximum available clock speed.

RAM: How Much Memory Will Be Needed?

RAM is the second most important resource. Project Zomboid actively uses RAM to store world state, player inventories, zombie information, loaded map chunks, and, of course, mods. Mods can significantly increase RAM consumption.

• Basic requirements (no mods, 2-4 players): 4 GB RAM or more.
• Medium requirements (5-10 players, a few mods): 8-12 GB RAM.
• High requirements (10-20+ players, many mods, large map): 16-32 GB RAM or more.
• Important: Keep in mind that the operating system itself consumes some RAM (from 0.5 GB for Linux to 2-4 GB for Windows Server). Always allocate a bit more than seems necessary to avoid swapping to disk, which severely slows down server performance.

Disk and Network: NVMe SSD and Stable Connection

• Disk (Storage):
  • Type: NVMe SSD is highly recommended. Project Zomboid constantly reads and writes data about the world, players, and logs. The high read/write speed of NVMe SSDs significantly speeds up world loading, progress saving, and overall server responsiveness. HDDs or even SATA SSDs will perform noticeably slower, causing delays.
  • Volume:
    • Basic: 50-100 GB. The server itself and basic game files take up about 5-10 GB. The world can grow, and mods and logs will occupy additional space.
    • With mods and long-term play: 100-200 GB. It is recommended to have extra space for backups.
• Network:
  • Bandwidth: Project Zomboid does not require gigantic bandwidth, but connection stability is important. A 100 Mbps symmetrical connection is usually sufficient for most servers. For very large servers (20+ players) or if you plan to host other services, 1 Gbps would be preferable.
  • Stability and ping: Choose a data center that is geographically close to most of your players. Valebyte.com offers locations in the USA, including Miami, which is convenient for players from North and South America. Low ping ensures comfortable, lag-free gameplay.

Choosing an Operating System and Preparing Your VPS/Dedicated Server

Once you have determined the necessary resources, the next step is to choose an operating system for your VPS or dedicated server and perform its initial preparation.

Linux vs. Windows: The Optimal Choice

Both options have their pros and cons for hosting Project Zomboid:

• Linux (recommended):
  • Advantages: Lower system resource consumption (RAM, CPU), leaving more for the game server. High stability and security. Most automation guides and scripts are tailored for Linux. No licensing required (for free distributions).
  • Disadvantages: Requires basic command-line knowledge.
  • Recommended distributions: Ubuntu Server (20.04 LTS or 22.04 LTS), Debian (10 or 11).
• Windows Server:
  • Advantages: Familiar graphical interface (if you're used to it). Easier to manage for beginners unfamiliar with Linux CLI.
  • Disadvantages: Higher resource consumption. Requires purchasing a Windows Server license, which increases the total hosting cost. Less optimized for server tasks compared to Linux.
  • Recommended versions: Windows Server 2019 or 2022.

For most users, especially those aiming for maximum performance and cost savings, Linux is the preferred choice for a Project Zomboid dedicated server.

Initial Server Preparation

Regardless of the chosen OS, several basic steps must be performed before installing the game server.

For Linux (Ubuntu/Debian):

1. Connect via SSH: Use an SSH client (e.g., PuTTY for Windows, or the built-in terminal for macOS/Linux) to connect to your server.

   ssh root@YOUR_SERVER_IP

   You will need to enter the root password provided by your hosting provider.
2. Update the system: Always start by updating packages to get the latest security and stability fixes.

   sudo apt update
   sudo apt upgrade -y

3. Create a separate user: Running the game server as root is insecure. Create a new user for the game server.

   sudo adduser pzserver
   sudo usermod -aG sudo pzserver # Add user to sudo group (optional, for administration)

   After creation, switch to this user:

   su - pzserver

4. Install necessary packages: The Project Zomboid server requires some libraries.

   sudo apt install -y screen lib32gcc-s1 curl wget unzip

   screen is very useful for running the server in the background so it continues to operate after closing the SSH session.
5. Configure firewall (UFW): Open the necessary ports for SSH and Project Zomboid.

   sudo ufw allow OpenSSH
   sudo ufw allow 8766/tcp # Port for client connections
   sudo ufw allow 8767/udp # Port for Steam browser
   sudo ufw allow 16261/udp # Port for Voice Chat (if used)
   sudo ufw enable
   sudo ufw status

   Ensure the firewall is enabled and ports are open.

For Windows Server:

1. Connect via RDP: Use Remote Desktop Connection to connect to your server.
2. Update the system: Perform all available Windows updates.
3. Disable IE Enhanced Security (optional): For easier file downloads, you can disable "IE Enhanced Security Configuration" in Server Manager.
4. Install Java: Project Zomboid requires a Java Runtime Environment (JRE). Download and install the latest x64 JRE version (e.g., AdoptOpenJDK or Oracle JRE).
5. Configure Windows Defender Firewall: Open ports 8766 (TCP), 8767 (UDP), and 16261 (UDP) for inbound connections. This can be done via "Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security" -> "Inbound Rules" -> "New Rule...".

Installation and First Launch of Project Zomboid Dedicated Server

Now that the server is prepared, you can proceed with installing the Project Zomboid game server itself. We will cover the process for Linux, as it is the most popular and efficient option for hosting.

Installing SteamCMD on Linux

SteamCMD is a Steam console utility that allows you to download and update game server files. To install the Project Zomboid dedicated server via SteamCMD, follow these steps (as user pzserver):

1. Create a directory for SteamCMD:

   mkdir ~/steamcmd
   cd ~/steamcmd

2. Download SteamCMD:

   wget https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz

3. Unpack the archive:

   tar -xvzf steamcmd_linux.tar.gz

4. Run SteamCMD:

   ./steamcmd.sh

   SteamCMD will update on first run. Wait for the Steam> prompt to appear.
5. Login (anonymous):

   login anonymous

6. Install Project Zomboid Server:

   force_install_dir ../pzserver
   app_update 380870 validate

   • force_install_dir ../pzserver instructs SteamCMD to install the server files into the ~/pzserver directory (one level above the current steamcmd directory).
   • app_update 380870 validate downloads or updates the Project Zomboid server files (App ID 380870). validate verifies file integrity.
   This process may take some time depending on your internet connection speed. Wait for the download to complete.
7. Exit SteamCMD:

   quit

Starting the Server on Linux

After installation, the Project Zomboid server files will be located in the ~/pzserver directory. For the first launch and creation of basic configuration files:

1. Navigate to the server directory:

   cd ~/pzserver

2. Start the server using screen: Using screen allows the server to run in the background, even if you disconnect from SSH.

   screen -S pz-server java -Xms3g -Xmx6g -Dzomboid.steam=1 -Dzomboid.znetlog=1 -Djava.awt.headless=true -jar ProjectZomboid.jar -servername servertest

   • -S pz-server: Creates a new screen session named "pz-server".
   • -Xms3g -Xmx6g: JVM arguments setting the minimum (initial) and maximum (maximum) Java heap size. In this example, 3 to 6 GB of RAM is allocated. These values should be adjusted based on your server's RAM and the number of players/mods. Ensure that -Xmx does not exceed available RAM.
   • -Dzomboid.steam=1: Activates Steam server features.
   • -Dzomboid.znetlog=1: Enables network event logging.
   • -Djava.awt.headless=true: Runs Java in "headless" mode, which is optimal for servers without a graphical interface.
   • -jar ProjectZomboid.jar: Launches the main server JAR file.
   • -servername servertest: Specifies the server's configuration profile name. By default, this is "servertest".
   On first launch, the server will generate all necessary configuration files and the world. This may take some time.
3. Detach from screen session: To exit the screen session but leave the server running, press Ctrl+A, then D.
4. Reconnect to screen session: To return to the server console, use:

   screen -r pz-server

5. Stop the server: Inside the screen session, type quit into the Project Zomboid server console.

Windows Installation Specifics

On Windows, the installation process is similar, but without SteamCMD:

1. Download server files: If you own Project Zomboid on Steam, you can find the server files in Steam\steamapps\common\ProjectZomboid. If not, you can use SteamCMD for Windows or find pre-built packages.
2. Install Java: Ensure you have a 64-bit Java Runtime Environment (JRE) installed.
3. Start the server: Locate the StartServer64.bat file in the server's root folder (or ProjectZomboidServer.bat). Edit it to configure JVM parameters (-Xms, -Xmx). Run it. For background operation, you can use utilities like NSSM (Non-Sucking Service Manager) or simply leave the console window open.

Fine-Tuning Project Zomboid Server: Configs, Ports, Mods

After the first launch, your Project Zomboid dedicated server is ready, but full gameplay requires configuration. The main server parameters are stored in configuration files.

Main Configuration Files: servertest.ini and Others

All Project Zomboid server configuration files are located in the ~/.zomboid/Server/ directory (for Linux) or C:\Users\YOUR_USERNAME\Zomboid\Server\ (for Windows).

• servertest.ini (or YOUR_SERVER_NAME.ini): This is the main file that controls most game parameters.

  # Example servertest.ini content
  Public=true
  PublicName=ValebyteZomboidServer
  PublicDescription=Survival in Project Zomboid with Valebyte.com
  Password=your_login_password
  MaxPlayers=10
  RCONPort=27015
  RCONPassword=your_rcon_password
  OpenPort=8766 # Main port for clients
  UDPPort=8767 # Port for Steam browser
  VoicePort=16261 # Port for Voice Chat (if used)
  
  # World and zombie parameters
  Map=Muldraugh, KY
  SpawnPoint=0,0,0
  ResetID=123456 # Change to reset world
  ZombieRespawnDelay=72.0
  ZombieRespawnHours=6.0
  ZombieRespawnMultiplier=1.0
  
  # Mods
  Mods=
  WorkshopItems=
  # Example: Mods=Hydrocraft;ORGM
  # Example: WorkshopItems=87654321;12345678

  Important parameters:

  • Public=true/false: Makes the server visible in the public Steam list.
  • PublicName, PublicDescription: Server name and description.
  • Password: Password to join the server. Leave empty if not needed.
  • MaxPlayers: Maximum number of players.
  • OpenPort, UDPPort, VoicePort: Ports that must be open in the firewall.
  • Mods, WorkshopItems: List of mod IDs (see below).
  • Many other parameters for configuring zombies, loot, time, weather, etc. It is recommended to consult the official wiki for a complete list.
• server.ini: This file contains general server settings, such as the name, administrator password, and Steam API Key.

  # Example server.ini content
  ServerName=servertest
  AdminPassword=your_admin_password
  DoSteamAuth=true
  SteamVAC=true
  SteamAPIKey=YOUR_STEAM_API_KEY # Recommended for better Steam functionality
  # ... other settings ...

  AdminPassword: Set an administrator password to execute commands via the in-game console (press ~ in-game) or via RCON.

  SteamAPIKey: You can obtain it on the Steam API Key page. It improves the functionality of Steam features, such as player authentication and server information display.

After editing any .ini file, save the changes and restart the server for them to take effect.

Ports and Firewall Rules

For the Project Zomboid server to function correctly, you must ensure that the following ports are open in your VPS/dedicated server's firewall (as we already did in the server preparation section):

• 8766/TCP: Main game port for client connections.
• 8767/UDP: Port for the Steam browser, so your server is visible in the Steam server list.
• 16261/UDP: Port for the built-in voice chat (if you plan to use it).
• 27015/TCP (optional): Port for RCON, if you want to manage the server remotely via an RCON client.

If you are using UFW on Linux, the commands for opening ports were provided above. For other firewalls (e.g., firewalld on CentOS/RHEL or a cloud provider's firewall), the syntax will differ.

Installing Mods from Steam Workshop

Installing mods on Project Zomboid hosting requires two steps: specifying mod IDs and Steam Workshop item IDs.

1. Find mod and Workshop item IDs:
   • Go to the mod's page on Steam Workshop (e.g., "Minimal Display Bars").
   • Workshop ID: This is the number in the URL after ?id= (e.g., 2687679169).
   • Mod ID: Usually specified on the mod's page in the description or under "Required Items". If not specified, it can be found in the mod.info file inside the mod's folder after downloading it (either on the client or after the first server launch with WorkshopItems). For example, for "Minimal Display Bars", the Mod ID might be MinimalDisplayBars.
2. Add IDs to servertest.ini:

   # Example for Minimal Display Bars mod (Workshop ID: 2687679169, Mod ID: MinimalDisplayBars)
   WorkshopItems=2687679169
   Mods=MinimalDisplayBars

   If you have multiple mods, separate them with semicolons without spaces:

   WorkshopItems=2687679169;1234567890
   Mods=MinimalDisplayBars;MyAwesomeMod

   The order in Mods= is important if mods have dependencies or overwrite each other's files. Typically, mods with dependencies should come after their dependencies.

3. Restart the server: Upon startup, the server will automatically download the specified mods from the Steam Workshop.

Optimizing Performance and Protecting Your Project Zomboid Server from DDoS

To ensure the best gaming experience and security for your Project Zomboid hosting, it's important to focus on optimization and protection.

JVM Arguments and Other Tweaks

The Java Virtual Machine (JVM) is the foundation for the Project Zomboid server, and correctly configuring its arguments can significantly impact performance and memory consumption.

• -Xms and -Xmx parameters: These are the most important arguments for managing allocated RAM.
  • -Xms: Minimum (initial) Java heap size. It is recommended to set it equal to -Xmx to avoid dynamic resizing of the heap during operation, which can cause delays.
  • -Xmx: Maximum Java heap size. Never set this value higher than the physically available RAM on your server minus resources for the OS and other processes. If you allocate too much, the system will start using a swap file, leading to a catastrophic drop in performance.

  Example: For a server with 8 GB RAM, where the OS consumes about 1-2 GB, you can allocate 6 GB for Project Zomboid:

  java -Xms6g -Xmx6g ...

• Garbage Collector parameters: For game servers, low-latency garbage collectors like G1GC or Shenandoah are often recommended. However, for Project Zomboid, the standard ParallelGC usually works well, and experimenting with others can be complex.

  If you want to try G1GC:

  java -Xms6g -Xmx6g -XX:+UseG1GC ...

  Monitoring server performance after changing these parameters is critically important.
• Automatic server restart: Use systemd (for Linux) or scripts to automatically restart the server in case of a crash or on a schedule (e.g., every 24 hours to clear memory and reload the world).

  Example systemd service unit for Project Zomboid:

  # /etc/systemd/system/pzserver.service
  [Unit]
  Description=Project Zomboid Server
  After=network.target
  
  [Service]
  User=pzserver
  Group=pzserver
  WorkingDirectory=/home/pzserver/pzserver
  ExecStart=/usr/bin/screen -DmS pz-server /usr/bin/java -Xms6g -Xmx6g -Dzomboid.steam=1 -Dzomboid.znetlog=1 -Djava.awt.headless=true -jar ProjectZomboid.jar -servername servertest
  ExecStop=/usr/bin/screen -p 0 -S pz-server -X eval 'stuff "quit"\015'
  Restart=always
  RestartSec=10
  
  [Install]
  WantedBy=multi-user.target

  After creating the file, execute:

  sudo systemctl daemon-reload
  sudo systemctl enable pzserver
  sudo systemctl start pzserver
  sudo systemctl status pzserver

  This will allow you to manage the server as a system service and ensure its automatic restart.

Backup and Monitoring

Regular backups are your insurance against losing progress due to crashes, errors, or incorrect mods. Monitoring helps track performance and identify issues before they become critical.

• Backup:
  • What to back up: The entire ~/.zomboid/Server/ directory (for Linux) or C:\Users\YOUR_USERNAME\Zomboid\Server\ (for Windows). It contains all world saves, configurations, and logs.
  • How often: Daily or several times a day, depending on server activity.
  • Where: To a separate disk, cloud storage, or another server. Never store backups on the same disk as the server itself.
  • Automation: Use cron (for Linux) to create automatic backup scripts.

    # Example script for compression and copying
    #!/bin/bash
    DATE=$(date +%Y%m%d%H%M%S)
    BACKUP_DIR="/path/to/your/backups" # Specify your path
    SERVER_DATA="/home/pzserver/.zomboid/Server"
    
    mkdir -p $BACKUP_DIR
    tar -czvf $BACKUP_DIR/pzserver_backup_$DATE.tar.gz $SERVER_DATA
    
    # Delete old backups (e.g., older than 7 days)
    find $BACKUP_DIR -name "pzserver_backup_*.tar.gz" -type f -mtime +7 -delete

    Add this script to crontab -e for regular execution.
• Monitoring:
  • Resource usage: Monitor CPU load, RAM consumption, and disk I/O (htop, top, free -h, iostat on Linux; Task Manager on Windows).
  • Server logs: Regularly review Project Zomboid log files (in the ~/.zomboid/Server/ directory) for errors or warnings.
  • External services: Use monitoring tools provided by Valebyte.com, or third-party solutions (Zabbix, Prometheus, Grafana) for deeper analysis.

DDoS Attack Protection: What Does Valebyte Offer?

Game servers often become targets for DDoS attacks, which can lead to server unavailability and a poor gaming experience. Valebyte.com understands this threat and provides comprehensive protection:

• Built-in DDoS protection: All VPS and dedicated servers from Valebyte.com include basic or advanced network-level DDoS protection. This protection automatically filters malicious traffic, allowing legitimate requests to reach your server.
• Constant monitoring: Our systems continuously monitor network traffic to identify and neutralize potential attacks.
• Geographic distribution: Locating servers in various data centers (e.g., in the USA) helps distribute risks and ensure stability.

Having such protection allows you to focus on gameplay and server management without worrying about external threats.

Which VPS/Dedicated Server Config to Choose for Different Numbers of Project Zomboid Players?

Choosing the optimal VPS or dedicated server configuration depends on the planned number of players, the quantity and complexity of mods, and your financial capabilities. Below is a table with recommended configurations and approximate prices, which may vary.

Table of Recommended Configurations and Prices

These recommendations are based on experience and can serve as a starting point. Actual resource consumption may vary.

Factors Influencing Choice: Mods, Map, Activity

When choosing Project Zomboid hosting, consider the following factors:

• Number and complexity of mods: Some mods can significantly increase RAM and CPU consumption. Mods that add new mechanics, objects, or scripts are more demanding.
• Map size and loaded chunks: The more explored areas and active players, the more world data needs to be stored in RAM.
• Player activity: A large number of concurrent players building bases, fighting zombies, and exploring the world creates a significant load on the server.
• Zombie spawn rate and parameters: The server must constantly process zombie behavior. A large number of zombies or more complex behavior models (e.g., "smart" zombies) require more resources.
• Additional services: If you plan to host other applications on the same server (Discord bots, web servers, monitoring), allocate additional resources for them.

Start with a configuration that slightly exceeds your minimum expectations to have a performance buffer. Most hosting providers, including Valebyte.com, allow you to easily scale your VPS by adding RAM or CPU as your server's needs grow.

Conclusion

Your own Project Zomboid server on VPS or dedicated hosting provides unparalleled control, stability, and performance for comfortable gameplay with friends. Choosing the optimal configuration, careful setup, and attention to security, including DDoS protection from Valebyte.com, guarantee the best gaming experience. Start with an adequate tariff plan and scale it as your community grows, ensuring uninterrupted survival in the zombie apocalypse world.