How To Get Your Dedicated Server To Show Up In The Online Server Browser

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Like many of you, I set up a server on my VDS to host Homefront. The server ran great but it would not appear in the in-game multiplayer server search. The only way to connect to it was with direct IP entry. I searched everywhere on the net for a solution including here in this discussion page for help and came up with nothing.

Finally "IAMISOBE" was kind enough to share how he had managed to get it working on his home server and I decided to give it a try on my VDS. Below I will explain what I had to do. Now my server is running and visible to anyone that wants to join it!

It seems that in order for the game server to be visible, STEAM has to be installed and running on that server in order for the game to be seen in the in-game server search. No other game I have hosted on a server needed this but this one does. Originally, I did not want STEAM running in the background because the less stuff you have running on a server the more resources there are available for the game you’re hosting. However I was surprised at how little resources STEAM takes while running in the background, So I don’t think this will ever be an issue.

1. In the server you are hosting the game, Install STEAM in it’s default location: (C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam)

2. Now create a new STEAM account. (Write down all your info so you don’t forget it because you might need it in the future at some point). Also don’t worry about creating a profile because this account will only be used for running STEAM in the background and nothing else.

*** Note: You don't need to buy or even own the game to download the games Dedicated Server files for this account.

3. If you have already installed the Dedicated Server files via “Steam.cmd” (app 55280) and have configured the server using the “ Homefront Launcher & RCON” admin control panel that’s fine, you can leave them in the folder and location where they are. STEAM does not need to know where they are.

4, Start STEAM, let it open then just minimize it. (Running in the background).

5. Now start your Homefront server how you normally do, with the “DedicatedServer.exe” and BAM your server should now be listed in the Homefront multiplayer online server browser!

I hope this will help you guy’s out. If you have any issues or questions please ask. I will try to help in any way I can!

Thanks again to IAMISOBE for his insight!

The Doctros...