How to Host a Squad Server: Complete Setup Guide (2025)

Squad is one of the most immersive tactical military shooters available, and hosting your own server gives you complete control over the gameplay experience. Whether you want a clan server, competitive environment, or custom game modes, this guide covers everything you need to know.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

Hardware requirements for Squad servers
Step-by-step installation process
Configuration and optimization
Admin commands and management
Common issues and solutions

What is Squad?
Why Host Your Own Server?
Hardware Requirements
Hosting Options
Installing Squad Server (Windows)
Installing Squad Server (Linux)
Server Configuration
Advanced Settings
Admin Commands
Performance Optimization
Mods and Custom Content
Troubleshooting

What is Squad?

Squad is a 50v50 tactical FPS that emphasizes teamwork, communication, and realistic military simulation. Released by Offworld Industries, it’s known for:

Large-scale battles - Up to 100 players
Team coordination - Squad leaders, fireteams, commander
Realistic combat - Ballistics, vehicle simulation, logistics
Multiple factions - US Army, Russian Ground Forces, British Army, and more
Combined arms warfare - Infantry, armor, air support, logistics

Server Requirements: Unlike casual shooters, Squad demands significant resources due to its large player counts, detailed ballistics calculations, and vehicle physics.

Why Host Your Own Server?

Benefits of Private Squad Server:

🎮 Full Control

Choose maps and rotations
Set custom rules (no FOBs, infantry only, etc.)
Whitelist for clan/community
Ban troublemakers permanently

👥 Build Community

Create competitive team
Train new players properly
Establish server culture
Develop loyal playerbase

⚙️ Custom Configuration

Adjust ticket counts
Modify vehicle respawn times
Change faction restrictions
Enable/disable vehicles

🏆 Competitive Play

Host scrimmages
Run tournaments
Practice strategies
Closed training sessions

💰 Monetization (Optional)

Reserved slots
Priority queue
Cosmetic perks
VIP access

Hardware Requirements

Squad is very resource-intensive. Don’t skimp on hardware!

Minimum Requirements (40-50 Players)

CPU: Intel i7-8700K or AMD Ryzen 7 2700X
     - 6 cores / 12 threads minimum
     - 3.5GHz+ base clock
     - Single-core performance critical

RAM: 16GB DDR4
     - 2666MHz or faster
     - Must be dedicated to server

Storage: 100GB SSD
         - 30GB for game files
         - 70GB for logs, maps, mods
         - NVMe recommended

Network: 100 Mbps upload minimum
         - 50-player server uses ~50-75 Mbps
         - Low latency critical (<50ms to players)

OS: Windows Server 2019+ or Ubuntu 20.04+

Recommended Requirements (80-100 Players)

CPU: Intel i9-10900K or AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
     - 8+ cores / 16+ threads
     - 4.0GHz+ boost clock
     - Latest generation preferred

RAM: 32GB DDR4
     - 3200MHz or faster
     - 64GB for multiple servers

Storage: 250GB NVMe SSD
         - Faster load times
         - Better server performance
         - Room for growth

Network: 1 Gbps dedicated
         - Burstable to handle full server
         - DDoS protection essential

OS: Windows Server 2022 or Ubuntu 22.04 LTS

Why Squad Needs So Much Power

CPU Intensive:

Ballistics calculations for every bullet
Vehicle physics simulation
100 player positions updated constantly
AI calculations (insurgency mode)
Network packet processing

RAM Heavy:

Large maps (up to 16 km²)
Vehicle states and positions
Player data for 100 players
Texture and asset loading
Map layers and objectives

Network Demanding:

100 players = 100 connections
Position updates 10-20 times per second
Voice chat (squad radio, local, command)
Vehicle physics sync
Projectile trajectories

Hosting Options

Option 1: Managed Game Server Hosting (Easiest)

Recommended Providers:

Mamba Host - Best Value

Starting at $39.99/mo (50 players)
Ryzen 9 5950X processors
NVMe SSD storage
DDoS protection included
24/7 Discord support
One-click mod installation
Get Started →

GTX Gaming

$29/mo (40 players)
Decent hardware
Good uptime
Average support

Host Havoc

$35/mo (50 players)
Premium hardware
Excellent support
Higher pricing

Low.ms

$40/mo (50 players)
Location options
Good performance
Complex panel

Option 2: VPS Hosting (More Control)

Best VPS Providers:

OVH

Game servers: $60-120/mo
Excellent DDoS protection
Multiple locations
Good for Squad

Hetzner

Dedicated: $40-80/mo
Best price/performance
Germany/Finland locations
Popular with EU servers

DigitalOcean

Droplets: $80-160/mo
Easy to use
Good for testing
US locations

Option 3: Dedicated Server (Maximum Performance)

When to Use:

Running multiple Squad servers
80+ player servers
Need guaranteed performance
Long-term commitment

Cost: $100-300/mo depending on specs

Cost Comparison

Option	50-Player Setup	Pros	Cons
Managed Hosting	$30-50/mo	Easy, supported	Limited control
VPS	$60-100/mo	More control, flexible	Requires setup
Dedicated	$100-200/mo	Best performance	Expensive, technical
Self-Host	$0 (+ electricity)	Free, full control	PC always on, limited

Installing Squad Server (Windows)

Before You Begin:

Windows Server 2019 or newer
Administrator access
At least 50GB free space
Ports forwarded (if home hosting)

Step 1: Install SteamCMD

Download SteamCMD:

Create folder: C:\steamcmd
Download: steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd.zip
Extract to C:\steamcmd

Run SteamCMD:

cd C:\steamcmd
steamcmd.exe

You’ll see:

Steam>

Step 2: Download Squad Server Files

In SteamCMD:

login anonymous
force_install_dir C:\SquadServer
app_update 403240 validate
quit

This will:

Download ~30GB of Squad server files
Install to C:\SquadServer
Take 15-30 minutes depending on internet

⏳ Wait for completion:

Success! App '403240' fully installed.

Step 3: Configure Server

Navigate to config folder:

cd C:\SquadServer\SquadGame\ServerConfig

Key Files:

Server.cfg - Main server configuration
Admins.cfg - Admin Steam IDs
Bans.cfg - Banned players
RemoteAdminList.cfg - RCON admins
Rcon.cfg - RCON settings
License.cfg - Server license (if required)

Step 4: Edit Server.cfg

Create/Edit Server.cfg:

[/Script/Engine.GameSession]
MaxPlayers=80

[/Game/Blueprints/GameModes/BPGM_Gameplay.BPGM_Gameplay_C]
AllowTeamChanges=True
PreventTeamChangeIfUnbalanced=True
TeamChangeDelay=300

[OnlineSubsystemSteam]
ServerName=My Squad Server | New Player Friendly
ServerPassword=
ServerBattlEyeRequired=true
RecordingEnabled=false

[SystemSettings]
net.MaxInternetClientRate=50000
net.MaxClientRate=50000

[/Script/Squad.SquadComms]
bEnableVoiceChat=True

[/Script/Squad.SquadVehicleSystem]
VehicleRespawnDelay=300

⚠️ Important Settings Explained:

MaxPlayers:

Maximum server capacity
Must match your hardware (40-80 typical)

ServerName:

Shows in server browser
Use descriptive name
Include tags: [NEW], [EU], [NOOB], etc.

ServerPassword:

Leave empty for public server
Set password for private/clan server

AllowTeamChanges:

True = Players can switch teams
False = Locked after joining

PreventTeamChangeIfUnbalanced:

Prevents stacking one team
Highly recommended = True

Step 5: Add Admins

Edit Admins.cfg:

Admin=76561198012345678:YourName

Find Your Steam ID:

Go to steamid.io
Enter your Steam profile URL
Copy “steamID64”

Admin Levels:

Admin=76561198012345678:FullAdmin     // Full permissions
Moderator=76561198087654321:ModName   // Kick/warn only

Step 6: Configure Port Forwarding

Required Ports:

7787 UDP - Game port (query port)
7788 UDP - Game port + 1
7789 UDP - Game port + 2
21114 TCP - RCON port

Router Setup:

Access router admin (usually 192.168.1.1)
Find Port Forwarding section
Forward all ports above to server IP
Save and restart router

Firewall Rules (Windows):

netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="Squad Game" dir=in action=allow protocol=UDP localport=7787-7789
netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="Squad RCON" dir=in action=allow protocol=TCP localport=21114

Step 7: Create Start Script

Create start_server.bat:

@echo off
cd /d C:\SquadServer
start "" "SquadGameServer.exe" MULTIHOME=YOUR_IP_HERE Port=7787 QueryPort=27165 RANDOM=NONE -log

Replace:

YOUR_IP_HERE with your public IP
Or remove MULTIHOME if only one IP

Advanced Start Options:

SquadGameServer.exe Port=7787 QueryPort=27165 RANDOM=NONE -log FIXEDMAXPLAYERS=80 FIXEDMAXTICKRATE=50

Parameters Explained:

Port=7787 - Server port
QueryPort=27165 - Server browser query port
RANDOM=NONE - Start with specific map (or RANDOM for random)
-log - Enable logging
FIXEDMAXPLAYERS=80 - Set max players
FIXEDMAXTICKRATE=50 - Set tick rate

Step 8: Start Your Server

Run start_server.bat

You’ll see:

LogInit: Display: Running engine for game: /Game/Blueprints/GameModes/BPGM_Gameplay.BPGM_Gameplay_C
LogNet: Game port 7787
LogNet: Query port 27165
LogSquad: Server started successfully

Server is now running! ✅

Installing Squad Server (Linux)

Recommended: Ubuntu 22.04 LTS

Step 1: Update System

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo apt install lib32gcc-s1 wget tar curl -y

Step 2: Create User

Don’t run server as root!

sudo adduser squad
sudo usermod -aG sudo squad
su - squad

Step 3: Install SteamCMD

cd ~
mkdir steamcmd
cd steamcmd
wget https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz
tar -xvzf steamcmd_linux.tar.gz

Step 4: Download Squad Server

./steamcmd.sh +login anonymous +force_install_dir ~/squadserver +app_update 403240 validate +quit

Wait for download (~30GB, 10-30 minutes)

Step 5: Configure Server

Create config directory:

cd ~/squadserver/SquadGame/ServerConfig

Create Server.cfg:

nano Server.cfg

Paste configuration:

[/Script/Engine.GameSession]
MaxPlayers=80

[OnlineSubsystemSteam]
ServerName=My Linux Squad Server | Tactical Gameplay
ServerPassword=
ServerBattlEyeRequired=true

[/Game/Blueprints/GameModes/BPGM_Gameplay.BPGM_Gameplay_C]
AllowTeamChanges=True
PreventTeamChangeIfUnbalanced=True

Save: Ctrl+X, Y, Enter

Step 6: Create Start Script

cd ~/squadserver
nano start.sh

Script content:

#!/bin/bash
cd ~/squadserver

./SquadGameServer.sh Port=7787 QueryPort=27165 RANDOM=NONE -log

Make executable:

chmod +x start.sh

Step 7: Open Firewall Ports

sudo ufw allow 7787:7789/udp
sudo ufw allow 21114/tcp
sudo ufw enable

Step 8: Create Systemd Service (Auto-Start)

Create service file:

sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/squad.service

Content:

[Unit]
Description=Squad Dedicated Server
After=network.target

[Service]
Type=simple
User=squad
WorkingDirectory=/home/squad/squadserver
ExecStart=/home/squad/squadserver/start.sh
Restart=on-failure
RestartSec=20

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

Enable and start:

sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable squad
sudo systemctl start squad

Check status:

sudo systemctl status squad

Server Configuration

Essential Server.cfg Settings

Full Example Configuration:

[/Script/Engine.GameSession]
MaxPlayers=80

[OnlineSubsystemSteam]
ServerName=[EU] Tactical Squad | New Player Friendly | Discord.gg/example
ServerPassword=
ServerBattlEyeRequired=true
RecordingEnabled=false

[/Game/Blueprints/GameModes/BPGM_Gameplay.BPGM_Gameplay_C]
AllowTeamChanges=True
PreventTeamChangeIfUnbalanced=True
TeamChangeDelay=300
VoteKickEnabled=True
VoteKickThreshold=0.6
TeamKillLimit=5
TeamKillKickEnabled=True

[/Script/Squad.SquadVehicleSystem]
VehicleRespawnDelay=600
VehicleRespawnDelayMultiplier=1.0

[/Script/Squad.SQGameMode]
TKAutoKickEnabled=True
MinimumPlayerCountForVoteKick=15
RespawnTime=60

[SystemSettings]
net.MaxInternetClientRate=50000
net.MaxClientRate=50000

[/Script/Squad.SquadComms]
bEnableVoiceChat=True

Configuration Breakdown

Server Identity:

ServerName=[EU] Tactical Squad | New Player Friendly | Discord.gg/example

Tips:

Include region [EU], [US], [ASIA]
Add gameplay style: Tactical, Arcade, Competitive
Include Discord link for community
Max 255 characters

Player Management:

MaxPlayers=80                          # Server capacity
AllowTeamChanges=True                  # Can switch teams
PreventTeamChangeIfUnbalanced=True     # Prevent team stacking
TeamChangeDelay=300                    # 5 min cooldown between switches

Team Kill Settings:

TeamKillLimit=5                        # TKs before auto-kick
TeamKillKickEnabled=True               # Enable auto-kick
TKAutoKickEnabled=True                 # Confirm auto-kick

Recommended:

New player servers: 7-10 TKs
Competitive servers: 3-5 TKs
Training servers: Disabled

Vote Kick:

VoteKickEnabled=True                   # Allow vote kicks
VoteKickThreshold=0.6                  # 60% must vote yes
MinimumPlayerCountForVoteKick=15       # Need 15+ players online

Vehicle Settings:

VehicleRespawnDelay=600                # 10 minutes (seconds)
VehicleRespawnDelayMultiplier=1.0      # Multiplier (1.0 = default)

Examples:

Infantry focus: 900-1200 (15-20 minutes)
Armor heavy: 300-450 (5-7.5 minutes)
Vanilla: 600 (10 minutes)

Network Optimization:

net.MaxInternetClientRate=50000        # Max bytes per second to client
net.MaxClientRate=50000                # Max bytes per second from client

For High Performance:

net.MaxInternetClientRate=100000       # Higher for better hit registration
net.MaxClientRate=100000               # Higher upload bandwidth

Map Rotation Configuration

MapRotation.cfg Location:

SquadGame/ServerConfig/MapRotation.cfg

Example Rotation:

Skorpo_RAAS_v1
Yehorivka_RAAS_v2
Mutaha_RAAS_v1
Gorodok_RAAS_v2
Mestia_RAAS_v1
Tallil_RAAS_v1
Narva_RAAS_v1
Kohat_RAAS_v1

Popular Layer Types:

RAAS - Random AAS (most popular)
AAS - Advance and Secure
Invasion - Attackers vs Defenders
TC - Territory Control
Insurgency - Asymmetric warfare
Destruction - Destroy weapon caches

To find layer names:

Start server
Use admin camera (F1 → Admin Camera)
Check current layer name
Or check Squad Wiki for complete list

Advanced Settings

RCON Configuration

RCON (Remote Console) lets you admin the server remotely.

Rcon.cfg:

[Rcon]
Enabled=true
Password=YOUR_STRONG_PASSWORD_HERE
Port=21114
Whitelist=

⚠️ Security:

Use strong password (20+ characters)
Change default port (21114)
Whitelist specific IPs if possible
Never share password

Connect via RCON:

Use Squad Admin Tools
BattleMetrics
Or custom RCON client

License Configuration (If Required)

Some GSP (Game Server Providers) require licenses.

License.cfg:

LicenseId=YOUR_LICENSE_ID_HERE

Check with your hosting provider if required.

Server Message of the Day (MOTD)

Create MOTD.txt:

Welcome to [Server Name]!

Rules:
1. No intentional team killing
2. Squad leaders must have microphone
3. No wasting vehicles or assets
4. Follow squad leader orders
5. Be respectful to all players

Discord: discord.gg/yourserver
Website: yourwebsite.com

MOTD shows when players first join.

Admin Commands

In-Game Admin Commands

Access Admin Console: Press ~ (tilde key)

Common Commands:

Player Management:

AdminKick [PlayerName] [Reason]        # Kick player
AdminBan [PlayerName] [Duration] [Reason]  # Ban player
AdminBroadcast [Message]               # Message to all
AdminDemoteCommander                   # Remove commander
AdminEndMatch                          # End current match

Server Control:

AdminChangeMap [LayerName]             # Change map
AdminSetMaxPlayers [Number]            # Change max players
AdminPauseMatch                        # Pause game
AdminUnpauseMatch                      # Resume game

Team Management:

AdminTeamChange [PlayerName] [TeamID]  # Move player (1=Team1, 2=Team2)
AdminListPlayers                       # List all players
AdminListSquads                        # List all squads

Information:

AdminListLayers                        # Show all available layers
AdminCurrentLayer                      # Show current layer
ShowNextMap                            # Show next map in rotation

RCON Commands

Via RCON client (BattleMetrics, etc.):

ListPlayers                            # Show player list with Steam IDs
ShowCurrentMap                         # Current map/layer
ShowNextMap                            # Next map in rotation
AdminKick [Name/ID] [Reason]          # Kick by name or SteamID
AdminBan [Name/ID] [Duration] [Reason] # Ban player
AdminBroadcast [Message]              # Server-wide message
AdminRestartMatch                     # Restart current map

Example:

AdminKick "BadPlayer123" Teamkilling and griefing
AdminBan "76561198012345678" 1440 "Cheating - Permanent ban"
AdminBroadcast Server restart in 5 minutes!

Performance Optimization

System-Level Optimization

Windows:

Process Priority:

wmic process where name="SquadGameServer.exe" CALL setpriority "high priority"

Disable Windows Updates During Play:

Group Policy Editor
Disable automatic updates
Schedule for off-peak hours

Linux:

CPU Affinity (Pin to cores):

taskset -c 0-7 ./SquadGameServer.sh [parameters]

Nice Value (Priority):

nice -n -10 ./SquadGameServer.sh [parameters]

Disable Unnecessary Services:

sudo systemctl disable snapd
sudo systemctl disable bluetooth
sudo systemctl disable cups

Network Optimization

Server.cfg:

[SystemSettings]
net.MaxInternetClientRate=100000
net.MaxClientRate=100000
net.TickRate=50

For 80-100 Players:

Ensure 1Gbps network minimum
Low latency to most players (<50ms)
Quality DDoS protection

Tick Rate Considerations

Default: 50 tick Higher (60 tick): Better responsiveness, more CPU usage Lower (40 tick): Less CPU, slightly worse feel

Set Tick Rate:

SquadGameServer.exe [params] FIXEDMAXTICKRATE=50

Only increase if:

You have powerful CPU (5GHz+)
Server consistently under 70% CPU
Players benefit from lower ping

RAM Optimization

Typical RAM Usage:

40 players: 10-12GB
60 players: 14-16GB
80 players: 18-22GB
100 players: 24-28GB

If RAM usage is high:

Reduce player count
Disable recording features
Clear logs regularly
Restart server daily (auto-restart script)

Auto-Restart Script

Windows (auto_restart.bat):

@echo off
:start
start "Squad Server" /wait start_server.bat
timeout /t 10
goto start

Linux (auto_restart.sh):

#!/bin/bash
while true; do
    ./start.sh
    echo "Server crashed, restarting in 10 seconds..."
    sleep 10
done

Run in screen/tmux:

screen -dmS squad ./auto_restart.sh

Mods and Custom Content

Installing Server Mods

Squad supports mods via Steam Workshop.

Method 1: Via Web Interface (Managed Hosts)

Log into control panel
Find “Mods” section
Search Steam Workshop
Click “Install”
Restart server

Method 2: Manual Installation

Find Mod ID:

Go to Steam Workshop
Find desired mod
Copy number from URL
- Example: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1234567890
- Mod ID: 1234567890

Download with SteamCMD:

./steamcmd.sh +login anonymous +workshop_download_item 393380 1234567890 +quit

Move to server:

cp -r ~/.steam/steamcmd/steamapps/workshop/content/393380/1234567890 ~/squadserver/SquadGame/Plugins/Mods/

Enable in Server.cfg:

[/Script/Squad.SQMod]
Mods=1234567890

Popular Squad Mods

1. Canadian Armed Forces (CAF)

Adds Canadian faction
New vehicles and weapons
Popular on many servers

2. French Foreign Legion

French military forces
Unique equipment
Tactical gameplay focus

3. Middle Eastern Escalation (MEE)

Middle Eastern factions
New maps and vehicles
Asymmetric warfare

4. Steel Division

WWII mod
Historical factions
Completely different gameplay

Troubleshooting

Server Won’t Start

Windows:

Check Error Messages:

cd C:\SquadServer
SquadGameServer.exe Port=7787 QueryPort=27165 -log

Common Issues:

1. Missing DLLs:

Install Visual C++ Redistributables:
- 2013 (x64)
- 2015-2022 (x64)

2. Port Already in Use:

netstat -ano | findstr :7787
taskkill /PID [PID_NUMBER] /F

3. Insufficient Permissions:

Run as Administrator
Check antivirus exclusions

Linux:

Check Logs:

cd ~/squadserver/SquadGame/Saved/Logs
tail -f Squad.log

Common Issues:

1. Missing Libraries:

sudo apt install lib32gcc-s1 lib32stdc++6

2. Permission Errors:

chmod +x SquadGameServer.sh
chmod +x start.sh

3. Port Conflicts:

sudo lsof -i :7787
kill [PID]

Server Not Showing in Browser

Checklist:

Ports Forwarded Correctly
- 7787-7789 UDP
- 21114 TCP
- Check router config
Firewall Rules Allow Traffic
- Windows Firewall
- Linux UFW/iptables
- Add exceptions
Steam Query Port Set
```
QueryPort=27165
```
BattlEye Enabled
```
ServerBattlEyeRequired=true
```
Server Name Not Empty
```
ServerName=My Server Name
```
Wait 5-10 Minutes
- Steam server list updates slowly
- Check BattleMetrics

Players Can’t Connect

Error: “Connection Failed”

Causes:

Server full (check MaxPlayers)
Wrong password (if private)
Version mismatch (update server)
Mods not installed (client needs same mods)
Banned IP

Solutions:

Verify server is running
Check player has correct mods
Ensure server updated to latest version
Check Bans.cfg

High Ping / Lag

Server-Side Causes:

1. Insufficient CPU

Check CPU usage
Reduce player count
Optimize tick rate

2. Network Saturation

Check bandwidth usage
Reduce MaxPlayers
Check for DDoS attack

3. Too Many Background Processes

Kill unnecessary processes
Dedicate server to Squad only

Optimization:

net.MaxInternetClientRate=100000
net.MaxClientRate=100000

Server Crashes Frequently

Common Causes:

1. Insufficient RAM

Check RAM usage before crash
Reduce player count
Add more RAM

2. Corrupted Files

./steamcmd.sh +login anonymous +force_install_dir ~/squadserver +app_update 403240 validate +quit

3. Conflicting Mods

Remove recently added mods
Test one mod at a time

4. Map-Specific Issues

Remove problematic map from rotation
Update to latest version

Admin Commands Not Working

Checklist:

Steam ID in Admins.cfg
```
Admin=76561198012345678:YourName
```
Correct Format
- No spaces around =
- steamID64 (17 digits)
- Colon before name
Server Restarted After Edit
- Changes require restart
Using Correct Key
- Press ~ (tilde)
- Not ` (backtick)

Maintenance and Updates

Updating Your Server

Check for Updates: Squad updates frequently (every 2-4 weeks).

Windows:

cd C:\steamcmd
steamcmd.exe +login anonymous +force_install_dir C:\SquadServer +app_update 403240 +quit

Linux:

cd ~/steamcmd
./steamcmd.sh +login anonymous +force_install_dir ~/squadserver +app_update 403240 +quit

After Update:

Stop server
Run update command
Wait for completion
Start server
Test for issues

Backup Your Server

What to Backup:

SquadGame/ServerConfig/          # All configs
SquadGame/Saved/Config/          # Additional settings  
Admins.cfg, Bans.cfg             # Admin data
MapRotation.cfg                  # Map rotation

Backup Script (Linux):

#!/bin/bash
DATE=$(date +%Y%m%d)
tar -czf ~/backups/squad_backup_$DATE.tar.gz ~/squadserver/SquadGame/ServerConfig/
# Keep last 7 days
find ~/backups/ -name "squad_backup_*.tar.gz" -mtime +7 -delete

Performance Monitoring

Monitor Key Metrics:

CPU usage (should stay <80%)
RAM usage (should stay <90%)
Player count peaks
Crash frequency
Network latency

Tools:

BattleMetrics (server monitoring)
RCON tools (real-time stats)
System monitoring (htop, Task Manager)

Best Practices

Server Management Tips

1. Seed Your Server

Hardest part of new server
Play during peak hours
Invite friends to help populate
Consider “seeding” events
Patience is key (takes weeks/months)

2. Build Community

Create Discord server
Engage with players
Host events
Recruit active admins
Foster positive culture

3. Consistent Moderation

Enforce rules fairly
Active admins during peak
Ban toxic players quickly
Document incidents

4. Listen to Feedback

Ask players what they want
Adjust settings based on feedback
Test changes during off-peak
Communicate changes clearly

5. Regular Maintenance

Update server weekly
Restart daily (prevents memory leaks)
Clear old logs
Monitor performance
Backup configs regularly

Monetization (Optional)

Allowed by Offworld Industries:

✅ Reserved slots
✅ Priority queue
✅ Cosmetic perks
✅ Supporter badges
✅ Discord perks

NOT Allowed:

❌ Pay-to-win advantages
❌ Exclusive weapons/vehicles
❌ Gameplay advantages
❌ Paid admin powers

Popular Models:

Patreon supporters get reserved slots
Monthly donors get priority queue
Cosmetic Discord roles
Supporter tag in-game

Hosting Recommendations

For Different Budgets

Budget: $30-40/mo

Mamba Host 40-player plan
Shared resources
Good for starting out
View Plans →

Mid-Range: $40-60/mo

Mamba Host 60-player plan
Better hardware
Room to grow
DDoS protection

Premium: $60-80/mo

Mamba Host 80-player plan
Ryzen 9 5950X
NVMe storage
Priority support

Enterprise: $100+/mo

Dedicated server
Multiple Squad servers
Full customization
Maximum performance

Conclusion

Hosting a Squad server is rewarding but demanding. Here’s what you’ve learned:

✅ Hardware requirements (16-32GB RAM, modern CPU) ✅ Installation process (Windows & Linux) ✅ Configuration and optimization ✅ Admin commands and management ✅ Troubleshooting common issues ✅ Best practices for success

Key Takeaways:

Start Small - Begin with 40-50 players
Use Managed Hosting - Easier than VPS for beginners
Be Patient - Seeding takes time
Engage Community - Build loyal playerbase
Regular Maintenance - Keep server updated and optimized

Need Help Getting Started?

Managed Squad Server Hosting:

Mamba Host Squad Hosting

Why Choose Us:

✅ Starting at $39.99/mo (50 players)
✅ Ryzen 9 5950X CPUs (best single-core performance)
✅ NVMe SSD storage (fast load times)
✅ DDoS Protection included
✅ 24/7 Support via Discord & tickets
✅ Instant Setup - Server ready in minutes
✅ One-Click Mods - Easy mod installation
✅ Auto-Updates - Always latest version
✅ Control Panel - Manage via web interface

Perfect For:

New server owners
Clans and communities
Competitive teams
Content creators

Get Started Today →

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much does it cost to host a Squad server?

A: Ranges from $30-100/mo depending on:

Player count (40-100 players)
Managed vs VPS vs dedicated
Hardware quality
Support level

Budget: ~$30-40/mo (40-50 players) Mid-range: ~$40-60/mo (60-80 players) Premium: ~$60-100/mo (80-100 players)

Q: Can I host Squad server on my PC?

A: Technically yes, but not recommended:

PC must run 24/7
High electricity cost
Requires powerful hardware (16GB+ RAM)
Takes up PC resources
Internet upload speed critical
Not reliable for public server

Better to use dedicated hosting.

Q: How many players can my server handle?

A: Depends on hardware:

Basic (16GB RAM, 6 cores): 40-50 players
Good (24GB RAM, 8 cores): 60-70 players
Excellent (32GB RAM, 12+ cores): 80-100 players

Most public servers run 70-80 players as sweet spot.

Q: Do I need a license to run a Squad server?

A: No special license from Offworld Industries. However:

Must own Squad on Steam
Some GSPs require their own license
Must follow Squad server rules
Can’t modify core game files

Q: How long does setup take?

A: Timeline:

Download: 15-30 minutes (30GB files)
Configuration: 30-60 minutes
Testing: 30 minutes
Total: 1.5-2.5 hours for first time

With managed hosting:

Setup: 5-10 minutes
Configuration: 15-30 minutes
Total: 20-40 minutes

Q: Can I run multiple Squad servers on one machine?

A: Yes, if you have resources:

Each server needs ~16GB RAM
Separate ports for each
Dedicated CPU cores recommended
Multiple IPs helpful (but not required)

Example: 64GB RAM = 3-4 servers possible

Q: How do I get players to join my server?

A: Seeding strategies:

Play during peak hours (7-11 PM)
Invite friends to help populate
Join communities and promote tastefully
Quality gameplay - Good admins, fair rules
Unique identity - New player friendly, tactical, etc.
Discord community - Keep players engaged
Consistency - Regular active admins

Patience is key! Takes 4-8 weeks to build regular playerbase.

Q: What’s the best map rotation?

A: Popular rotation:

Mix of infantry and vehicle maps
Variety of sizes (small, medium, large)
Different gameplay modes (RAAS, AAS, Invasion)
Player favorites (Skorpo, Yehorivka, Gorodok)

Example Balanced Rotation:

Skorpo_RAAS_v1         (Popular, balanced)
Mutaha_RAAS_v1         (Infantry focus)
Gorodok_RAAS_v2        (Vehicle heavy)
Mestia_RAAS_v1         (Mountain combat)
Tallil_RAAS_v1         (Desert warfare)
Narva_RAAS_v1          (Urban combat)
Yehorivka_RAAS_v2      (Classic large map)

Rotate every 90-120 minutes.

Additional Resources

Official:

Server Administration:

Community:

r/joinsquad (Reddit)
Squad Official Discord
Server Owner Discord groups

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Last updated: October 27, 2025 Compatible with Squad version 6.0+ Estimated reading time: 25 minutes

How to Host a Squad Server: Complete Setup Guide (2025)

Table of Contents

What is Squad?

Why Host Your Own Server?

Hardware Requirements

Minimum Requirements (40-50 Players)

Recommended Requirements (80-100 Players)

Why Squad Needs So Much Power

Hosting Options

Option 1: Managed Game Server Hosting (Easiest)

Option 2: VPS Hosting (More Control)

Option 3: Dedicated Server (Maximum Performance)

Cost Comparison

Installing Squad Server (Windows)

Step 1: Install SteamCMD

Step 2: Download Squad Server Files

Step 3: Configure Server

Step 4: Edit Server.cfg

Step 5: Add Admins

Step 6: Configure Port Forwarding

Step 7: Create Start Script

Step 8: Start Your Server

Installing Squad Server (Linux)

Step 1: Update System

Step 2: Create User

Step 3: Install SteamCMD

Step 4: Download Squad Server

Step 5: Configure Server

Step 6: Create Start Script

Step 7: Open Firewall Ports

Step 8: Create Systemd Service (Auto-Start)

Server Configuration

Essential Server.cfg Settings

Configuration Breakdown

Map Rotation Configuration

Advanced Settings

RCON Configuration

License Configuration (If Required)

Server Message of the Day (MOTD)

Admin Commands

In-Game Admin Commands

RCON Commands

Performance Optimization

System-Level Optimization

Network Optimization

Tick Rate Considerations

RAM Optimization

Auto-Restart Script

Mods and Custom Content

Installing Server Mods

Popular Squad Mods

Troubleshooting

Server Won’t Start

Server Not Showing in Browser

Players Can’t Connect

High Ping / Lag

Server Crashes Frequently

Admin Commands Not Working

Maintenance and Updates

Updating Your Server

Backup Your Server

Performance Monitoring

Best Practices

Server Management Tips

Monetization (Optional)

Hosting Recommendations

For Different Budgets

Conclusion

Need Help Getting Started?

Mamba Host Squad Hosting

Frequently Asked Questions

Additional Resources

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