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You can run an always-available American Truck Simulator (ATS) Convoy server on Linux with SCS Software’s official Dedicated Server tool (Steam app ID 2239530). The server process can run without ATS or its DLC being owned on that machine, so a small Linux PC, home server, VPS, or rented game server can host the session while players connect with the normal game.
The reliable setup is: install the dedicated-server files with Steam or SteamCMD, launch them through SCS’s server_launch.sh wrapper, generate server_packages.sii and server_packages.dat from a normal ATS installation, configure server_config.sii, and forward both TCP and UDP traffic for the physical server ports. The guide below covers installation, package generation, networking, multiple instances, and the Linux-specific SteamAPI error.
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What an ATS dedicated server does
A dedicated server is separate from a normal Convoy host. It remains online when no players are connected, so players can leave and return without waiting for the original host to launch the game. SCS describes this as the main advantage of dedicated hosting: the session keeps running even when it is empty.
The headless process does not need the full ATS game, DLC, or Steam Workshop content on the server machine. You do need to create package files from a normal ATS installation; those files describe the map, DLC and mods that the server should make available. The dedicated process cannot browse Steam Workshop directly.
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Hardware and operating-system requirements
Steam’s published Linux requirements for ATS list a 64-bit Ubuntu 14.04 baseline with a quad-core 3.3 GHz processor, 8 GB of RAM and 25 GB of storage. The recommended line lists a quad-core 4.6 GHz processor, 12 GB of RAM and 25 GB of storage. Valve published those figures in 2016 for the game, not as a dedicated-server benchmark, so treat them as a conservative starting point rather than a guarantee for a particular player count or mod set.
| Resource | Published baseline | Published recommended line | How to plan a server |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Ubuntu 14.04 64-bit | Ubuntu 14.04 64-bit | Use a currently supported 64-bit distribution instead of installing an obsolete release. |
| CPU | Quad-core, 3.3 GHz | Quad-core, 4.6 GHz | Leave headroom for the operating system, logging and other services. |
| Memory | 8 GB | 12 GB | More memory helps when you run several instances or a large mod set. |
| Storage | 25 GB | 25 GB | Reserve additional space for updates, logs, crash files and backups. |
Use a dedicated Linux account rather than running the server as root. Keep the distribution patched and confirm that your ISP, router or hosting provider permits inbound game traffic. A VPS or rented server should provide a public IPv4 address or a usable IPv6 arrangement, UDP support and enough bandwidth for your group.
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Install the official server files
Option 1: Steam client
If the machine has the Steam client, install the ATS Dedicated Server tool by its Steam app ID, 2239530. Put the files in a directory owned by the dedicated Linux account. The normal ATS game does not have to be installed on that machine.
Option 2: SteamCMD
SteamCMD is the practical route for a headless Linux host. Install SteamCMD using your distribution’s supported package or Valve’s documented SteamCMD distribution, then download the dedicated-server app:
steamcmd +login anonymous +app_update 2239530 validate +quitAdjust the installation directory according to your distribution’s SteamCMD syntax and place it outside system directories that the service account cannot write. SteamCMD does not automatically update the ATS server. Schedule an update task yourself, and stop the running process before replacing files so that the executable and libraries are not mixed between versions.
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Use the Linux launch wrapper
Start the server with the supplied server_launch.sh wrapper. Linux launches commonly fail when the process cannot find the Steam client library. If you launch the executable directly instead, make sure steamclient.so is available at ~/.steam/sdk64/steamclient.so using the documented symlink arrangement. The wrapper is usually safer because it sets up the expected environment for the dedicated binary.
First launch and required files
Run the server once from its installation directory. The first launch creates the server home directory and a default server_config.sii. The headless server ultimately needs three files:
server_config.sii— session settings, ports, token and moderators.server_packages.sii— the package manifest exported by a normal ATS installation.server_packages.dat— the matching package data file.
Keep the configuration and package files in the server home directory used by the process. If you use a non-default home directory, pass it consistently every time you start that instance.
Generate the package files from a normal ATS installation
The package files are generated by the normal game, not by the headless server. On a computer with ATS installed, enable the developer console:
- Open the ATS configuration file and set
uset g_console "1". - Launch ATS and press the
~key to open the console. - Run
export_server_packages. - Locate the generated
server_packages.siiandserver_packages.datin the game’s data location. - Copy both files to the dedicated server’s home directory.
The export reflects the active map, DLC and mod setup at the time you run it. If you change that setup, export the files again and replace both files together. The headless machine does not need the corresponding DLC or mod archives, and it cannot download Workshop content itself; the exported package data is what tells the server which content the session uses.
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Configure server_config.sii
Edit the generated configuration with a plain-text editor. The file stores the session description, virtual and physical ports, logon token, password and moderator Steam IDs. The documented default maximum is 8 players; treat that as the configuration limit shown by current SCS documentation and verify it again after future server updates.
| Setting | Purpose | Example or rule |
|---|---|---|
connection_virtual_port |
Logical connection port advertised by the session. | Use a unique value for every instance; the example uses 100. |
query_virtual_port |
Logical query port used for discovery. | Use a unique value; the example uses 101. |
connection_dedicated_port |
Physical port carrying player connections. | The documented example uses 27015. |
query_dedicated_port |
Physical query port. | The documented example uses 27016. |
max_players |
Maximum simultaneous players. | The documented default is 8. |
moderator_list |
Steam IDs allowed to moderate the server. | Add IDs explicitly; there is no in-session interface for promoting moderators. |
| Password | Restricts the session to invited players. | Set one for a private group and distribute it securely. |
| Logon token | Gives the server a persistent Steam game-server identity. | Generate it with the ATS game app ID, not dedicated-server app ID 2239530, then place it in the configuration. |
Every simultaneously running instance must have its own ports and logon token. Do not copy one instance’s token into another configuration. The virtual ports must also differ between instances, even though they are not the ports you forward on the router.
Forward the right ports and open the firewall
The dedicated server does not perform NAT punching. To appear in the public session browser, it needs a public IP address or port forwarding from the router. Direct search can still reach a server behind NAT in some cases, but that is not a substitute for correctly publishing the session.
Forward both TCP/IP and UDP for the physical dedicated ports in server_config.sii. With the documented example, forward TCP and UDP for 27015 and 27016 to the Linux host. Do not forward the virtual ports; they are logical values used by the session.
- Give the Linux host a stable address on your local network, preferably a DHCP reservation.
- Create router rules for both TCP and UDP to the configured connection and query dedicated ports.
- Allow the same ports through the host firewall.
- Confirm that the router’s external address is actually reachable from the internet; carrier-grade NAT can prevent inbound connections even when local forwarding is correct.
- Have a player outside your LAN search for the session, or use the game’s direct-search feature if browser publication is unavailable.
Restrict firewall rules to the ports you selected, disable unused services and keep the operating system updated. If you run multiple instances, assign a separate pair of physical ports to each one and forward each pair independently.
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Start, stop and operate the server
Start the process through server_launch.sh after the package files and configuration are in place. Leave the process attached to a terminal while testing so that startup messages are visible. Stop it cleanly with Ctrl+C; a clean shutdown reduces the chance of incomplete log or state writes.
For unattended operation, run the process under a service manager or terminal multiplexer configured for the dedicated account, and arrange a controlled restart after updates. Whatever supervisor you choose, make sure it preserves the intended home directory, working directory and environment used by server_launch.sh. Back up server_config.sii, the two package files and your service definition before making changes.
Run multiple servers
SCS exposes -homedir and -nosingle for multiple instances. Give each instance its own home directory containing a separate configuration, unique virtual ports, unique physical ports and its own logon token. Start each process with the matching home-directory argument; never let two processes write to the same server home.
Diagnose common Linux startup failures
“SteamAPI_Init() failed”
The common message is:
[S_API FAIL] SteamAPI_Init() failed; unable to locate a running instance of Steam, or a local steamclient.dll.On Linux, first start with the supplied server_launch.sh. If you are intentionally launching the binary directly, verify that ~/.steam/sdk64/steamclient.so exists and that the documented symlink points to the installed Steam client library. Check the path as the same Linux account that runs the server; a library visible to your login account may not be visible to a service account.
The process starts but the session is not visible
- Confirm that the physical connection and query ports in the configuration match the router and firewall rules.
- Check both TCP and UDP rules; opening only one protocol is insufficient.
- Verify the host has a public address or that the router is not behind carrier-grade NAT.
- Use direct search to distinguish a browser-publication problem from a process or firewall failure.
- Make sure the logon token was generated with the ATS game app ID and is unique to this instance.
Players see missing content or an unexpected map
Regenerate both package files with export_server_packages after changing the active map, DLC or mods. Copy server_packages.sii and server_packages.dat as a pair. The server does not fetch Workshop content, so the required content must be represented by the export from the normal game installation.
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Find the useful logs
Inspect server.log.txt for startup, networking and configuration messages. If the process terminates unexpectedly, inspect server.crash.txt in the server home directory. Preserve the files before restarting repeatedly if you need to identify the first failure.
Self-hosting versus a rented Linux server
Both approaches run the same official dedicated-server software. The practical difference is who provides uptime, public reachability and hardware.
| Consideration | Home self-hosting | Rented VPS or game server |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | No hosting bill, but you supply electricity and internet service. | Recurring rental cost. |
| Public reachability | You manage the router, public address and port forwarding. | Usually includes a public address; confirm IPv4/IPv6 and UDP support. |
| Uptime | Depends on your power, hardware and ISP. | Provider infrastructure generally simplifies continuous operation. |
| Maintenance | You patch the OS, maintain firewall rules and replace hardware. | You still manage the server software, updates and configuration; the provider manages the underlying platform. |
| Latency | Can be excellent for players near your home connection. | Choose a region close to most players. |
| Backups and logs | You control storage and backups. | Check retention, snapshots and log-access policies before renting. |
| Terms | Your ISP’s service terms apply. | Confirm that the provider permits game servers and the expected traffic. |
Self-hosting is appropriate when you control the router and can tolerate occasional outages. A rented Linux host is usually simpler when you need a public address, continuous uptime or a location closer to your players. In either case, verify CPU, RAM and storage headroom rather than assuming the published ATS game requirements are a dedicated-server performance guarantee.
Pre-launch checklist
- Dedicated-server app
2239530installed under a non-root Linux account. - Server started with
server_launch.sh, or a verifiedsteamclient.sosymlink for a direct launch. - First run completed and the correct server home directory identified.
server_config.sii,server_packages.siiandserver_packages.datpresent.- Package files exported after selecting the intended map, DLC and mods.
- Unique virtual ports, physical ports and logon token assigned to this instance.
- TCP and UDP forwarding and firewall rules applied to the physical ports only.
- Password and moderator Steam IDs configured when needed.
- Logs monitored during startup and an external player test completed.
- Manual update, backup and restart procedures documented.
Bottom line
For a dependable ATS Linux server, use the official app ID 2239530, launch through SCS’s Linux wrapper, export package files from a normal ATS installation, and forward both protocols for the configured physical ports. The dedicated process can stay online without players and without game or DLC ownership on the server, but it will only be discoverable publicly when its network path, token and configuration are correct.
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