How to run Rust as a Windows Service with FireDaemon Pro

Rust is a harsh realistic survival game that pits players against each other, with each other, and against the environment. Rust is still in development so this guide may become out of date. Contact us if it is and we will fix it.

The Rust dedicated server can be run as a Windows service using FireDaemon Pro. This allows you to start and run the dedicated server automatically when Windows boots and before login. FireDaemon Pro also allows you to start multiple instances of the game server, monitoring them and automatically restarting those instances in the event they crash. FireDaemon Fusion can also be used to manage your Rust service, plus other Windows services via your web browser.

Rust Server Setup Under FireDaemon Pro

Please follow the steps below to set up a Rust dedicated server as a Windows service with FireDaemon Pro

Step 1: Download and Install SteamCMD for Windows

SteamCMD is a command-line version of the Steam Client. Its primary use is to install and update various dedicated servers available on Steam using a command-line interface.

1. Create a folder on your system, for SteamCMD, C:\SteamCMD
2. Download SteamCMD to this folder. A single ZIP file steamcmd.zip is downloaded.
3. Extract the contents of the ZIP file into the folder. A single program file, steamcmd.exe, is extracted.
4. Double-click steamcmd.exe. This will download SteamCMD and corresponding support files into the C:\SteamCMD folder.

Step 2: Download and Install FireDaemon Pro

1. Download FireDaemon Pro installer
2. Double-click the installer and follow the installation wizard to complete the installation.
3. For more information about installing FireDaemon, see the FireDaemon Pro Users Guide.

Step 3: Download and Install the Rust Dedicated Game Server

1. Download the Rust server files via the Steam SteamPipe servers. Go to the directory where you installed SteamCMD and create a shortcut to "SteamCMD.exe". In the shortcut, edit the properties and in the target box, at the end of it (with a space before the following), put:

   +login anonymous +force_install_dir "C:\Rust" +app_update 258550 validate +quit

   
   
   The game is currently 3.82GB. If the game successfully downloads, the command window will close on its own. Otherwise, it will stay open and tell you what went wrong (e.g. you ran out of disk space!most likely you don't have enough free disk space).

Step 4: Set Up Rust as a FireDaemon Pro Service

Double click the FireDaemon Pro icon on your desktop, then click on the New (i.e. +) button in the toolbar (or type Ctrl + N) to create a new service. Enter the information into the fields as you see below. Adjust the path names to suit your installation. Note the required parameters.

The most important field on the tab is the Parameters. The Parameters define the initial setup of your server. The full parameter list should be as follows:

-batchmode +server.ip "0.0.0.0" +server.port 28015 +server.level "Procedural Map" +server.seed 1234 +server.worldsize 4000 +server.saveinterval 600 +server.maxplayers 10  +server.hostname "Name" +server.description "Description" +server.url "http://yourwebsite.com" +server.headerimage "http://yourwebsite.com/serverimage.jpg" +server.identity "server1" +rcon.port 28016 +rcon.password changeme +rcon.web 1

• -batchmode runs the game in dedicated server mode
• +server.ip "0.0.0.0" Sets the Server IP. Leave it to 0.0.0.0 unless you have multiple IPs.
• +server.port 28015 Sets the port the server will use. (default 28015 UDP)
• +server.level "Procedural Map" Map type to use. Options are "Procedural Map","Barren",”HapisIsland”,”SavasIsland” and “SavasIsland_koth”. You'll want to leave it on "Procedural Map" most of the time because it's randomly generated.
• +server.seed 1234 Determines shape of procedural and barren maps (used with server.worldsize). Values range from 0 to 2147483647
• +server.worldsize 4000 Determines shape of procedural and barren maps (used with server.seed). Values range from 1000 to 6000.
• +server.saveinterval 600 Time in seconds for map save.
• +server.maxplayers 10 Number of players that can be connected.
• +server.hostname "Name" Name of the server as shown on the client’s server list.
• +server.description "Description" Description shown on the client’s server connection window.
• +server.url "http ://yourwebsite.com" Causes the “View Webpage” button to appear on the connection window. It must use a valid website to work.
• +server.headerimage "http ://yourwebsite.com/serverimage.jpg" A link for the connection window background image. Use a JPG image of 512 x 256.
• +server.identity "server1" Directory name used as the parent for all the server files. Do not use spaces or special characters.
• +rcon.port 28016 Port to listen to for RCON.
• +rcon.password "changeme" Rcon password. Change this or your server can be hijacked!
• +rcon.web 1 If set to 1, use websocket rcon. If set to 0 use legacy, source engine rcon.

Next, click on the FireDaemon Pro Settings tab:

Enter appropriate values in the fields on the Settings tab as follows:

• (Optional) Logon Account: Enter the Windows account under which the game is to be run, e.g. the current user account.
• (Optional) Password / Confirm Password:  Enter the logon account's password twice.
• (Optional) Interact with Desktop: If this setting is enabled (default), the game server's output messages can be seen in the console window on Windows Session 0. To switch to Session 0, it may be necessary to install FireDaemon Zero and ZeroInput. Alternatively, this setting may be disabled, in which case the game server's messages will be hidden.
• (Optional) Priority: To allocate more CPU time to the game server, select a higher scheduling priority in this field.
• (Optional) CPU Bindings: To run the game server on a specific CPU, specify the appropriate CPU in this field.

Next, click on the Lifecycle tab. Set Shutdown By to Induced Exit and check Console Program and set Close Console By Ctrl+C. 

Lastly, click the Save and Close (ie. the tick) button on the toolbar. If the service's Startup Type is set to Automatic or Automatic (Delayed-Start), it will start immediately.

Step 5: Verify that Rust is Running Correctly

The Rust game server's status can easily be checked on the main FireDaemon Pro Services List - look for a Running Status value and a numeric Process ID (PID) value.

If the service's Interact with Desktop setting is enabled, the game status can also be verified by switching to Windows Session 0 to view the game's messages.