[EE] The Forest Dedicated Server Setup Guide (Windows)

Overview

Doublee’s The Forest Setup GuideIf you have a old PC or new SERVER, these instructions will get you up and running in no time!I have used an old Windows 7 PC, Windows Server 2016/2019, and Windows 10 to test it.I am no longer supporting The Forest dedicated servers. I will be when SONS OF THE FOREST (Part 2) arrives!If you are still having issues after this guide, check out the UMOD for The Forest and copy that over your setup from here. Keep in mind the SERVER.CFG and SAVES will be moved to the ROOT folder and not the USERS/APPDATA folder (this is actually better). This should get you working as it did me. UMOD: It’s been fun hosting and meeting everyone. Thanks for the good times. LOOK FOR ME hosting Sons of The Forest when it drops! STAY POSITIVE AND KEEP GAMING!-EE

Introduction

Hi all! I was asked from many people to put together a guide on how I (Doublee) setup my server without using the Steam Client, etc. This guide will help clear up a few things if you just want to setup the server without using the client and all the confusing APPIDs, etc. I hope this helps you and I will keep it updated.

This is currently still in proof/editting

Last Update: 10/17/2019 – Added new Server.cfg stuff and correct .bat batch file mistake 🙂 This will help new server setups. Thx guys/gals!

-EE

PreReqs

You will need the following to setup a The Forest server with Windows:

Windows (tested on Windows 7/8/10-Windows Server 2012-2016) x64
SteamCMD: [link]
DirectX Runtime: [link]
Recommend:
- Notepad ++ (best for editing configs,etc): [link]

Setting up a folder for your server

First thing you will want to do is setup a folder for your new server install. You will want to create it now and also the SteamCMD inside of it. So this is what I did:

D:ServersTheForest

Now that you folder is created, you will want to make your SteamCMD inside of it:

D:ServersTheForestSteamCMD

So your folder should look something like mine above. Now on to the SteamCMD Setup.

Downloading SteamCMD and installing it

You will beed SteamCMD which will setup and update your server when The Forest is updated. You you will need to download the SteamCMD for Windows from Steam’s website provided here: [link]

Once you have downloaded it, you can move it into your SteamCMD folder you created in your server folder in the previous step.

You will need to extract the .zip file by right-clicking on it and hit Extract. If you don’t have these options I recommend you download 7Zip or a program that handles .zip files.

Now you should have a Steamcmd.exe file in your SteamCMD folder. You can now double-click the file and run it in the SteamCMD folder. You can delete the .zip file after you do this step as you have the .exe now.

It’s time to install The Forest server files now!

Installing The Forest Dedicated Server

The first thing you will want to do is create a .bat file to run the commands required to install and update your server. Make sure you have you file extensions enabled in your View column so you see the .bat at the end of the file. This is easier if you can see things.

Open notepad and this is where we will put the install/update commands that will run once we save the .bat file.

You will need to put the following information into the notepad:

@echo off
start “” steamcmd.exe +login anonymous +force_install_dir “D:ServersTheForest” +app_update 556450 validate +quit

Ok, now you want to change the file path to where you setup the server folder. This is important you have these settings correct to install it properly.

Save the notepad file in the SteamCMD folder and call it something you will remember (IE: setupforest.bat….forestinstall.bat).

Now you can open the SteamCMD folder and let it create your server! You will see it working and then your server folder will have the Dedicated Server files ready.

Open the TheForestDedicatedServer.exe and let it create your save folders, etc. This is needed one time to create the save folders and will make it easier.

I would recommend you create a shortcut of your TheForestDedicatedServer.exe file and open up the properties on it and add this to the Target path has -batchmode -nographics -nosteamclient added at the end: C:ServersTheForestTheForestDedicatedServer.exe -batchmode -nographics -nosteamclient

You can also create a batch file if you know how (place it in your server folder and create a shortcut to your desktop). Here’s my batch file to launch the server (from Lake): [link]

Great! Now you can move the shortcut to your desktop or wherever you want it. Now open the shortcut and it will launch the server. Let it sit for about 5 minutes so it creates all the save folders so its easy to modify when we close it.

Ok, close the black windows and now we will goto the next setup to configure your configs and ports.

Customize your settings and open ports/firewall

You now will want to customize your settings and open the ports you specify in your Server.cfg file. Let’s start with the Server.cfg as thats going to be needed so you know what ports, etc.

The Forest Dedicated Server stores your Server.cfg file under your login accounts user folder. So you will need to enable Show hidden files in your view settings so you can see the hidden folder. Or you can just copy and paste this in RUN and it should open it for you: C:Users%username%AppDataLocalLowSKSTheForestDedicatedServer

You should now see the ds folder which you need to open.

In the ds folder you will see your Server.cfg and save folder. This is good and means you have everything (you ran the shortcut on the other page one time).

So now you will want to open the Server.cfg file and change the ports to suit your server:

Ok, now you want to specify the serverIP, serverSteamPort, serverGamePort, serverQueryPort, serverSteamAccount which are the most important.

You can use the default ports if you aren’t hosting any other servers on the LAN that use the same port (IE: ARK, Conan Exiles, etc). You would have to change it to something else if you are. Ignore that and leave the defaults if you just have this.

The serverSteamAccount is recommend to create so it links you to the server. This requires you creating a token which you can do at this page: [link] Once you have the token you can paste the log # in or just leave it blank if you aren’t using it (will use anonymous however might have issues if not using your account during testing phases)

Make sure to save the file!

Now you will want to open the ports you have (3 in config) on your router and Windows Firewall if you have it enabled. If you need help with port forwarding, etc, I would visit [link] and it might have your router model and walk you through step by step. This isn’t easy to explain since there are thousands of routers out there. Just make sure you have the ports open pointing to your LAN IP of the server with both TCP/UDP. As for Windows Firewall you can open it to allow access from your router to the server by going in the Allow Apps (Control PanelAll Control Panel ItemsWindows FirewallAllowed apps) and point to location to your TheForestDedicatedServer.exe file where you made the folder. If you are more advanced, you can do the Advanced Options in your Windows Firewall and just open the ports to the IP Address if you know what your doing. IMPORTANT:Make sure your IP address on your server is Static so if it changes on DHCP you won’t be down. You can edit the IP Address in your Network Adapters and change the TCP/IP 4 settings. I usually recommand looking at what you currently have (in DHCP) and writing those down. Then you can make one and have all the info to put in (Subnet, Gateway, DNS). You can use a high IP address like 192.168.1.253 which most routers would go that high. Or if you know how to exclude IP addresses you can do that and make it whatever.

Note: It looks like it creates an entry in your Windows Firewall if you browse it. Scroll down to “theforestdedicatedserver” and make sure its checked for Private/Public. You can also manually add the ports in under “Advanced” if you just want the 3 ports open (create TCP/UDP). I would prefer you check the Advanced Settings and make sure The Forest is in and even delete it and add it like this (both TCP and UDP):

TCP: {LINK REMOVED}https://snag.gy/akYPm3.jpg
UDP: {LINK REMOVED}https://snag.gy/mFMoKN.jpg

Server Configuration (Server.cfg) Settings

Current Server Options:

// Dedicated Server Settings.
// Server IP address – Note: If you have a router, this address is the internal address, and you need to configure ports forwarding
serverIP 192.168.50.3
// Steam Communication Port – Note: If you have a router you will need to open this port.
serverSteamPort 8768
// Game Communication Port – Note: If you have a router you will need to open this port.
serverGamePort 27018
// Query Communication Port – Note: If you have a router you will need to open this port.
serverQueryPort 27019
// Server display name
serverName Doublee Savages
// Maximum number of players
serverPlayers 15
// Enable VAC (Valve Anti-cheat System at the server. Must be set off or on
enableVAC on
// Server password. blank means no password
serverPassword STAYOUT!!
// Server administration password. blank means no password
serverPasswordAdmin PASS!@#$
// Your Steam account name. blank means anonymous
serverSteamAccount 51903547F16E5EREFF3343434DDEC
// Time between server auto saves in minutes – The minumum time is 15 minutes, the default time is 30
serverAutoSaveInterval 15
// Game difficulty mode. Must be set to Peaceful Normal or Hard
difficulty Normal
// New or continue a game. Must be set to New or Continue
initType Continue
// Slot to save the game. Must be set 1 2 3 4 or 5
slot 1
// Show event log. Must be set off or on
showLogs off
// Contact email for server admin
serverContact [email protected]
// No enemies
veganMode off
// No enemies during day time
vegetarianMode off
// Reset all structure holes when loading a save
resetHolesMode off
// Regrow 10% of cut down trees when sleeping
treeRegrowMode off
// Allow building destruction
allowBuildingDestruction off
// Allow enemies in creative games
allowEnemiesCreativeMode off
// Allow clients to use the built in debug console
allowCheats off
// Allows defining a custom folder for save slots, leave empty to use the default location
saveFolderPath D:ServersTheForestSavesMultiplayer
// Target FPS when no client is connected
targetFpsIdle 5
// Target FPS when there is at least one client connected
targetFpsActive 60

Make sure to leave the serverSteamAccount blank for now until fixed! If not your server will fail.

Updating your server files on updates

You can easily update your server files by running the .bat file we created on the third page of this guide. It will download any new updates and then you can just reopen the server. If they add new INIs you will want to watch the patch notes so you can add them, etc.

This guide is still being editted proofed. This was all typed out of my head with no pictures but should get you going. I might add pictures when I clean it up.

Thanks for viewing this and I hope you have a server up and running!

Other resources

I would recommend the guide from SurvivalistGaming which I originally got started with. He shows how to do it with the command line as well, but I prefer it all in the .cfg file.

Dedicated Server Tutorial:
By SurvivalistGaming [C.M.] and 3 collaborators
[link]

Unsorted Notes (need to be put in the main guide soon)

I have everything currently updated and here is my config for my server and outputs of console for Devs and Admins if they want to see how it looks and is working as intended. I’m testing tree regrow ON with a new map in slot1 now and will report back.

I run this on a Windows 10 Pro x64 VM:

Here is my testing with all options setup correctly on the server (I believe so – see server.cfg)

Launch Shortcut: D:ServersTheForestTheForestDedicatedServer.exe -nosteamclient (can’t get the configfilepath working)
Server.cfg path: (located in my C:Users%username%AppDataLocalLowSKSds

For those who use my Steam Guide for The Forest, I will update it with all these pics and correct any issues from before. Make sure to SUB and RATE IT UP please 🙂 I will continue to compile install, fixes, configs, etc.

Thanks,

-EE

Known Issues

None

The Forest Guide