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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFor a basic Rust dedicated server, Facepunch lists a host running Windows, Linux, or macOS, with 12 GB of free RAM and 15 GB of free disk space; SSD or NVMe storage is highly preferred. Those are baseline figures, not a guarantee for every map, player count, or plugin setup. The right host depends on your intended workload and whether you want to manage the operating system and network yourself.
What are the requirements to host a Rust server?
Facepunch’s Creating a server guide lists the following baseline for a Rust dedicated server:
- Operating system: Windows, Linux, or macOS-based system.
- Memory: 12 GB of free RAM.
- Storage: 15 GB of free disk space; SSD or NVMe is highly preferred.
Facepunch cautions that these values are not fixed and depend on the server’s use case and population. Treat them as a starting point, not as a promise that a server of any size will run well on exactly those resources. The 15 GB figure is free space, not a complete recommendation for the drive’s capacity: maps, saved data, backups, and other software also need room.
These are dedicated-server requirements, not the specifications for a PC used to play Rust. The game’s client graphics-card and gaming-PC requirements do not define what a headless server needs.
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How much RAM does a Rust server need?
The official baseline is 12 GB of free RAM, but actual memory use varies. Facepunch says larger maps need more memory and disk space. Its guide allows world sizes from 1000 to 6000; that is a configuration range, not a recommendation that every server use the largest map. Choose the map and maximum player capacity you actually intend to run, then confirm that the host has enough usable memory for that workload.
There is no universal player-to-RAM formula in Facepunch’s guide. Nor does it give an exact RAM tier for modded servers. Plugins and workload can change resource demand, so avoid treating a player count alone as a reliable sizing rule. If the provider does not publish relevant limits, ask for workload-specific guidance or benchmark your own deployment.
What CPU, map, and player capacity should you plan for?
Facepunch’s guide says that more maximum players call for a faster CPU, but it does not specify a processor model, benchmark score, or player-count-to-CPU chart. The example launch configuration uses world size 4000 and a maximum of 10 players; these are example settings, not a recommended hosting tier.
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Before choosing a machine or plan, decide on:
- The world size and map type.
- The maximum player capacity you intend to support.
- Whether you will use plugins or other custom server components.
- How much space you need for the server, map data, saved data, and backups.
Compare those needs with the provider’s actual CPU limits or specifications, usable memory, and storage capacity. Facepunch does not publish a universal bandwidth minimum or a guaranteed hardware formula for a given population, so those values must come from the host’s plan details or your own workload testing.
Self-hosting or renting a managed server?
Self-hosting gives you direct control, but it also makes you responsible for installation, updates, operating-system administration, firewall rules, and a reliable public network connection. Facepunch describes installing and starting the server with SteamCMD; public access from behind a home router may require port forwarding and a stable local address.
A managed Rust host can take on some of that administration, but the level of management depends on the service. Check what the provider actually operates and what you must configure yourself.
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| Choice | What you manage | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Self-hosted machine | Server installation and updates, operating system, firewall and port configuration, backups, and network reliability. | Owners who want machine-level control and are prepared to handle ongoing administration. |
| Managed game-server plan | Depends on the provider’s included management; verify update handling, controls, access, backups, and support before buying. | Owners who prefer not to maintain the underlying operating system or network setup themselves. |
When comparing managed plans, check the specific details that affect your server rather than relying on a generic “Rust hosting” label:
- Included memory, CPU limits or performance information, and storage type and capacity.
- Supported player slots, map changes, plugins, and custom-map URLs.
- Access to the ports and protocols required for public listing or optional features.
- Backups, restore controls, update and restart handling, and support availability.
- Server region and latency, DDoS response, renewal price, extra fees, and cancellation terms.
These are comparison questions, not guarantees about what a particular provider includes. A provider’s current plan specifications and terms are the authority for its offer.
Which ports does a Rust server need?
A standard public setup needs a game port and a query port. Facepunch documents both as UDP. The query port enables visibility in the server browser and must be different from the game port. The guide’s example uses game port 28015/UDP and RCON port 28016/TCP; these are examples, so verify your actual configuration with your host and firewall.
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| Service | Protocol | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Game port | UDP | Used for game connections. |
| Query port | UDP | Needed for server-browser visibility; cannot be the same as the game port. |
| RCON | TCP | Remote console access, if enabled. |
If you do not explicitly set the query port, Facepunch says it defaults to one greater than the larger of the game port or RCON port. For a home-hosted public server behind a router, configure port forwarding to the server’s local address; Facepunch recommends that address be static. Open only the ports and protocols required for the services you use, rather than exposing every port.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What changes if you enable Rust+?
Rust+ is optional. If you use it, the Rust Companion Server needs an internet-reachable TCP listener. Facepunch’s Rust+ Server documentation gives the default as the greater of the game port or RCON port, plus 67. With the guide’s example ports, that default is 28082/TCP.
Keep the server’s companion.id file with the server and its backups. Facepunch says not to share it, reuse it across servers, or delete it casually because it represents that server’s Rust+ identity.
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What extra hosting does a custom map require?
Custom maps add a separate dependency: remote players download the map from a public URL. Facepunch’s custom-map guide requires a direct download that remains available; a page that makes players click again is not sufficient. Confirm that your hosting service lets you configure the map URL and that the external download remains reliable.
For a custom-map setup, Facepunch says to remove procedural-map options such as server.worldsize and server.seed. This is distinct from storing the server itself: the map file must be reachable from the public download host as well as configured on the Rust server.
What should you know about updates and plugins?
Facepunch’s server guide uses SteamCMD for installation and updates. If you use Oxide/uMod plugins, account for framework maintenance too: the guide says the framework needs updating after server updates and warns that running SteamCMD in a startup script can revert files to vanilla. If you want plugins, ask a managed host how it supports them and how updates affect installed frameworks and files.
Does a hidden server need different hosting?
Facepunch’s hidden-server guidance is aimed at advanced operators seeking to reduce public discovery or mitigate attack exposure. It discusses third-party approaches because Rust does not provide a built-in whitelist in the described setup, and explains that query-port access can expose a server to server-list systems. Hiding a query port does not guarantee secrecy or prevent attacks; Facepunch warns that IP leakage remains likely.
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Quick Recap
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