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The quickest supported setup is the left4devops/l4d2 image. Use host networking when your Docker platform supports it:
docker run --name l4d2 --network host left4devops/l4d2On Docker Desktop for Windows or macOS, enable host-networking support first. If host networking is unavailable, use bridge networking and publish the selected game port on both TCP and UDP. Persist the server directory and mount add-ons so a recreated container does not download the installation again.
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What you need before creating the container
- A machine with Docker Engine or Docker Desktop installed and enough disk space for the Left 4 Dead 2 dedicated-server files and any add-ons.
- A network path that allows players to reach the host. Players outside your home network need the server port forwarded from the router to the Docker host, and any host firewall must allow that port.
- The Steam dedicated-server package, identified by App ID
222860. - A folder on the host for persistent Steam/server data and, if required, another folder for custom add-ons.
The image documentation recommends host networking because the game server can see connecting player IP addresses correctly. That matters for player bans and for protecting RCON access. Linux Docker hosts generally provide host networking directly. Docker Desktop users on Windows and macOS must enable Docker Desktop’s host-networking feature before using --network host.
Choose host or bridge networking
Host networking
Host mode puts the container on the host’s network stack, so you do not write separate -p rules:
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docker run --name l4d2 --network host left4devops/l4d2The container listens on the host’s selected game and RCON port. This is the preferred mode in the Left4DevOps documentation when it is available, because source IP handling is more accurate than with a typical NAT bridge.
Bridge networking
Bridge mode isolates the container and explicitly publishes the game port:
docker run --name l4d2-bridged
-p 27015:27015/tcp
-p 27015:27015/udp
left4devops/l4d2Both protocol mappings are required. Use the same number on the host and in the container. The project’s documentation warns: “When publishing your ports with bridge networking, ensure the same port is used for both client and host. Otherwise matchmaking will advertise the wrong port and new players will not be able to connect.”
If you set the image’s PORT variable to a different value, replace every 27015 in the mapping with that value. For example, -p 28015:28015/tcp -p 28015:28015/udp must accompany PORT=28015. Mapping one number while the server advertises another can make matchmaking publish an unreachable endpoint.
| Mode | Docker command characteristic | When to use it | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Host | --network host; no port-publish flags |
Linux hosts or Docker Desktop systems with host networking enabled | Not available by default on every Docker Desktop installation |
| Bridge | Publish the game port on TCP and UDP | When you need normal container isolation or host mode is unavailable | Host and container port numbers must match, including the value advertised through PORT |
Start a vanilla server with the Left4DevOps image
Host-mode procedure
- Confirm Docker is running and host networking is enabled if you use Docker Desktop.
- Start the container:
docker run --name l4d2 --network host left4devops/l4d2- Watch the startup output for SteamCMD activity and the server process. Keep the terminal attached while testing, or run the command with
-dif you want the container in the background:
docker run -d --name l4d2 --network host left4devops/l4d2The image can update the dedicated server automatically during its startup process. The first launch therefore takes longer than later launches, especially when the image has to download or update the Steam files.
Bridge-mode procedure
- Choose a port. The documented example uses
27015. - Publish that port on both protocols:
docker run -d --name l4d2-bridged
-p 27015:27015/tcp
-p 27015:27015/udp
left4devops/l4d2- Forward the same external port from your router to the Docker host if players are connecting from the internet.
- Allow both TCP and UDP traffic through the host firewall.
Do not publish only UDP or only TCP. A server that appears to start successfully can still fail to appear in matchmaking or reject direct connections when one protocol is missing.
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Install or update the server with SteamCMD
The dedicated-server package is Steam App ID 222860. If you want to separate installation from runtime, the SteamCMD Docker documentation demonstrates this command:
docker run -it -v "$(pwd)/steamapps:/steamapps"
--name steamcmd left4devops/steamcmd
+login gaben +app_update 222860 +quitThis mounts the host’s steamapps directory at /steamapps, logs in using the documented example, downloads or updates App ID 222860, and exits. An alternative implementation documents validation with:
steamcmd +app_update 222860 validateValidation checks the installed files and reacquires files that do not match Steam’s version. It is useful after an interrupted update or suspected file corruption, but it can take longer than a normal update.
Automatic updates at container startup
The production image is designed to update the server automatically. Allow the first startup to finish before deciding that the container is stuck. For a manually managed workflow, run the SteamCMD update or validation command, then restart the game-server container so it uses the refreshed files.
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Why a volume is essential
Container files are disposable. If you remove and recreate a container without a volume or bind mount, the server files have to be downloaded again. Persisting the directory also keeps configuration and downloaded content across upgrades.
The image-specific mount point should follow the image documentation. The phistrom implementation, for example, mounts the host directory /srv/l4d2 at /l4d2:
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docker run -d --name l4d2
-v /srv/l4d2:/l4d2
phistrom/l4d2For the Left4DevOps image, mount a host directory at the path documented by that image for its server data. Keep the host directory backed up before changing images or applying major updates.
Mount custom content
Mount add-ons into /addons/. A relative-directory example is:
docker run -d --name l4d2
-v ./addons:/addons/
--network host
left4devops/l4d2Combine the add-on mount with a persistent server-data mount when the image supports both. Verify file ownership and permissions if the server starts but does not load an add-on. The container must be able to read the mounted files.
Configure the server with environment variables
Set configuration deliberately instead of relying on defaults. The following variables are documented by the image:
| Variable | Purpose | Documented behavior or values |
|---|---|---|
HOSTNAME |
Name shown in the server browser | Use a clear name that helps friends identify the server |
MOTD |
Message-of-the-day setting | Controls the MOTD behavior |
HOST_CONTENT |
MOTD content source | Used for the host’s message content |
MOTD_CONTENT |
Text displayed in the MOTD | Set the message text explicitly when customizing the welcome message |
REGION |
Numeric matchmaking-region hint | 0 East Coast USA; 1 West Coast USA; 2 South America; 3 Europe; 4 Asia; 5 Australia; 6 Middle East; 7 Africa; 255 World (default) |
STEAM_GROUP |
Associate the server with a Steam Group | Set the group’s identifier as documented by the image |
STEAM_GROUP_EXCLUSIVE |
Restrict ordinary lobby selection | true limits ordinary lobby selection to group members; non-members can still use mm_dedicated_force_servers, according to the documentation |
PORT |
Game and RCON port | The image normally chooses the next free port after 27015 unless you set one explicitly |
Example configured launch
This example chooses a fixed port and browser name while using host networking:
docker run -d --name l4d2
--network host
-e HOSTNAME="Community Campaign Server"
-e REGION=3
-e PORT=27015
-e MOTD_CONTENT="Welcome survivors"
left4devops/l4d2With bridge networking, publish the same value selected by PORT on both protocols. If another process already occupies the requested port, choose a free port and update the TCP mapping, UDP mapping, router rule, firewall rule, and the address you give players.
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How friends join the Docker server
Use normal matchmaking
Players can create or join a lobby and choose Best Available Dedicated. This lets the game’s matchmaking system select an eligible dedicated server, including yours when its region, group, and availability settings match.
Force a specific server from the developer console
- Enable the developer console in the game settings if it is not already enabled.
- Open the console and enter:
mm_dedicated_force_servers ip:portReplace ip:port with the reachable address and selected port. Use the public address for internet players and the host’s LAN address for players on the same network.
Use a Steam Group server
If STEAM_GROUP is configured, players can select the associated Steam Group server. With STEAM_GROUP_EXCLUSIVE=true, ordinary lobby selection is limited to group members, although the documentation notes that non-members can still force the server with mm_dedicated_force_servers.
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Connect directly
Players can open the game’s server browser with:
openserverbrowserThey can also use Steam’s Game Servers view, or enter this console command:
connect ip:portFor an internet connection, provide the public IP address and forwarded port. For a LAN connection, provide the Docker host’s local address. A private address such as 192.168.x.x is not reachable from the public internet.
Keep the server running and recover from failures
Enable restart after crashes and reboots
The server’s srcds_run wrapper includes a watchdog that restarts the game-server process after a crash. Docker itself will not necessarily recreate a stopped container after the host reboots unless you specify a restart policy:
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docker run -d --name l4d2
--restart unless-stopped
--network host
left4devops/l4d2unless-stopped brings the container back after a Docker or host restart, but respects an intentional manual stop until you start it again.
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Inspect runtime output
Follow logs with:
docker logs -f l4d2Look for Steam update completion, the selected port, and the server process reaching its ready state. Press Ctrl+C to stop following logs; it does not stop the container.
Use validation when files are suspect
The alternative image supports an optional non-empty VALIDATE environment variable to run SteamCMD validation before startup. Use it when an update was interrupted or files appear damaged, and remove it for normal launches if you do not need validation on every restart.
Troubleshoot the most common connection problems
The server is visible but nobody can join
- In bridge mode, confirm that the same port is published for TCP and UDP.
- Confirm that the published number matches
PORT. A mismatch can cause matchmaking to advertise the wrong port. - Check the router’s port-forwarding destination and the host firewall.
- Test with the public address from a network outside the server’s LAN; some routers do not support hairpin connections from inside the same network.
The server does not appear in matchmaking
- Check the selected
REGIONand whether the server is restricted bySTEAM_GROUP_EXCLUSIVE. - Use
mm_dedicated_force_servers ip:portto distinguish discovery problems from reachability problems. - Read
docker logs -f l4d2for update errors or a process that never reached its ready state.
The container downloads everything again
The server directory was not persisted, or the recreated container used a different host path. Recreate it with a volume or bind mount and keep that host directory when upgrading the image.
An add-on is ignored
Verify that the host add-on directory is mounted at /addons/, that the files are readable inside the container, and that the add-on is compatible with the server version. A mount pointing at an empty or incorrect host directory will make the container appear to start normally while loading no custom content.
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Enable Docker Desktop host-networking support, then recreate the container. If that feature cannot be enabled, switch to bridge mode and publish the selected port on both TCP and UDP.
A repeatable maintenance routine
- Back up the persistent server directory and add-on directory.
- Stop the container before making configuration or image changes:
docker stop l4d2- Pull the current image when you intentionally want the latest image build:
docker pull left4devops/l4d2- Recreate the container with the same mounts, environment variables, network mode, port mappings, and restart policy.
- Watch the first startup with
docker logs -f l4d2. - After a failed update, run SteamCMD validation, then start the server again.
Keep a written record of the chosen port, region, group settings, host paths, and router rule. Those values must remain consistent whenever the container is recreated.
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