How to Host a CS 1.6 Server: Complete Setup Tutorial

💻 Hardware Requirements

Minimum (10-player server):

• CPU: Dual-core 2.0 GHz
• RAM: 512 MB
• Storage: 2 GB
• Network: 10 Mbps upload

Recommended (32-player server):

• CPU: Quad-core 2.5+ GHz
• RAM: 2 GB
• Storage: 5 GB (more for custom content)
• Network: 50 Mbps upload

Reality check: CS 1.6 is OLD. Even a potato PC from 2010 can host a 20-player server. The bottleneck is usually upload speed, not hardware.

🌐 Hosting Options

1. Home PC / Spare Computer

• Cost: Free (electricity only)
• Pros: Full control, no monthly fees
• Cons: Home internet upload limitations, PC must run 24/7
• Best for: Private servers, LAN parties, testing

2. VPS (Virtual Private Server)

• Cost: $3-10/month
• Pros: 24/7 uptime, better network, professional
• Cons: Monthly cost, requires basic Linux knowledge
• Best for: Public servers, communities
• Recommended: DigitalOcean, Vultr, OVH

3. Dedicated Server

• Cost: $30-100/month
• Pros: Maximum performance, can host multiple servers
• Cons: Expensive for single CS 1.6 server
• Best for: Large communities, multiple game servers

4. Game Server Hosting

• Cost: $5-15/month
• Pros: Pre-configured, easy control panel, support
• Cons: Less control, overpriced for what you get
• Best for: Non-technical users who want simplicity

My recommendation: Home PC for private/testing, VPS for public server. VPS offers best value – $5/month gets you 24/7 reliable server.

📥 Step 1: Download SteamCMD

SteamCMD is the official tool to download/update game servers.

1. Create folder: C:\HLDS
2. Download SteamCMD: steamcmd.zip
3. Extract to C:\HLDS
4. Run steamcmd.exe

First launch will update SteamCMD. Wait for completion.

⬇️ Step 2: Download CS 1.6 Server Files

In SteamCMD console, type these commands:

login anonymous force_install_dir C:\HLDS\cstrike app_update 90 validate quit

What this does:

• login anonymous – Log in without Steam account
• force_install_dir – Set installation directory
• app_update 90 – Download Half-Life/CS 1.6 server (App ID 90)
• validate – Verify all files downloaded correctly

Download time: 5-10 minutes depending on internet speed. Server files are ~500 MB.

🚀 Step 3: Launch Your Server

Create a batch file to easily start server.

Create file: C:\HLDS\start_server.bat

@echo off hlds.exe -console -game cstrike +maxplayers 20 +map de_dust2 +sv_lan 0 pause

Parameter breakdown:

• -console: Run with console window
• -game cstrike: Load Counter-Strike
• +maxplayers 20: Maximum 20 players
• +map de_dust2: Starting map
• +sv_lan 0: Internet server (not LAN only)

Double-click start_server.bat to launch!

Server is running when you see:

Connection to Steam servers successful. Public IP is XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX VAC secure mode is activated.

🔧 Step 4: Test Locally

1. Launch CS 1.6 client
2. Find Servers → LAN
3. Your server should appear
4. Join and test

Can’t see server? Make sure server launched successfully. Check console for errors.

🐧 Step 1: Prepare System

SSH into your server and run:

# Update system sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y # Install required packages sudo apt install lib32gcc1 lib32stdc++6 -y # Create user for server (don't run as root) sudo adduser hlds sudo su - hlds

Why separate user? Security. Don’t run game servers as root.

📦 Step 2: Install SteamCMD

# Create directory mkdir ~/steamcmd cd ~/steamcmd # Download and extract wget https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz tar -xvzf steamcmd_linux.tar.gz # Run SteamCMD (first launch updates) ./steamcmd.sh

⬇️ Step 3: Download CS 1.6 Server

In SteamCMD:

login anonymous force_install_dir /home/hlds/cstrike-server app_update 90 validate quit

Wait for download to complete.

🚀 Step 4: Create Start Script

Create file: ~/start.sh

#!/bin/bash cd /home/hlds/cstrike-server ./hlds_run -game cstrike +maxplayers 20 +map de_dust2 +sv_lan 0

Make executable:

chmod +x ~/start.sh

Launch server:

./start.sh

🔄 Step 5: Auto-Start with Screen

Install screen (keeps server running after SSH disconnect):

sudo apt install screen -y

Launch in screen:

screen -S csserver ./start.sh

Detach from screen: Press Ctrl+A then D

Reattach to screen:

screen -r csserver

Now server runs even after you disconnect SSH!

⚙️ Server.cfg Location

Windows: C:\HLDS\cstrike\cstrike\server.cfg

Linux: /home/hlds/cstrike-server/cstrike/server.cfg

If file doesn’t exist, create it.

📝 Basic server.cfg Template

// Server Name hostname "My CS 1.6 Server | Dust2 Only" // RCON Password (admin control) rcon_password "your_secure_password_here" // Server Password (leave empty for public) sv_password "" // Contact Email sv_contact "admin@yourserver.com" // Region (255 = world) sv_region 255 // Server Rates sv_maxrate 25000 sv_minrate 5000 sv_maxupdaterate 101 sv_minupdaterate 10 // Gameplay Settings mp_friendlyfire 0 mp_autoteambalance 1 mp_limitteams 2 mp_autokick 0 mp_tkpunish 0 // Round Settings mp_freezetime 5 mp_roundtime 5 mp_buytime 1.5 mp_startmoney 800 mp_c4timer 45 // Competitive Settings sv_alltalk 0 mp_forcechasecam 2 mp_footsteps 1 // Logging log on sv_logbans 1 sv_logecho 1 // Map Cycle mapcyclefile mapcycle.txt // Execute on server start exec banned_user.cfg exec banned_ip.cfg

Save this file and restart server to apply.

🎮 Game Mode Configs

Classic Competitive:

mp_friendlyfire 1 mp_startmoney 800 mp_roundtime 5 mp_c4timer 45 mp_buytime 1.5 mp_freezetime 5

Casual Public:

mp_friendlyfire 0 mp_startmoney 16000 mp_roundtime 3 mp_buytime 0.25 mp_freezetime 2

Deathmatch:

mp_respawn_on_death 1 mp_timelimit 20 mp_fraglimit 0 mp_startmoney 16000

🗺️ Map Rotation (mapcycle.txt)

Location: Same folder as server.cfg

Example mapcycle.txt:

de_dust2 de_inferno de_nuke de_train de_aztec cs_office cs_italy

One map per line. Server rotates through these after each map ends.

Dust2 Only Server:

de_dust2

Just list one map – it will loop.

⏰ Time Limit vs Win Limit

// Play for 30 minutes then change map mp_timelimit 30 mp_winlimit 0 // Or play until one team wins 16 rounds mp_timelimit 0 mp_winlimit 16 // Or both (whichever comes first) mp_timelimit 45 mp_winlimit 16

🔌 What is AMX Mod X?

AMX Mod X (AMX) is a plugin framework for Half-Life/CS 1.6 servers.

Enables:

• Admin commands (kick, ban, slap, etc.)
• Anti-cheat plugins
• Custom game modes
• Statistics tracking
• Chat commands
• Map voting
• Thousands of community plugins

📥 Step-by-Step Installation

1. Download AMX Mod X

Visit: https://www.amxmodx.org/downloads.php

Download: AMX Mod X 1.10 – Base + CS Addon

2. Extract to Server Directory

Extract downloaded files to your CS 1.6 server root folder.

It will create/update folders: addons/, dlls/

3. Edit liblist.gam

Location: cstrike/liblist.gam

Find line:

gamedll "dlls\mp.dll"

Change to:

gamedll "addons\metamod\dlls\metamod.dll"

4. Restart Server

Restart server. AMX Mod X should load.

5. Verify Installation

Join server, open console, type:

amxx version

Should show AMX Mod X version.

👤 Admin Configuration

File: addons/amxmodx/configs/users.ini

Add admin by Steam ID (recommended):

"STEAM_0:1:12345678" "" "abcdefghijklmnopqrstu" "ce"

Or by name/password:

"AdminName" "password123" "abcdefghijklmnopqrstu" "ce"

Access flags explained:

• a: Immunity (can’t be kicked by other admins)
• b: Reservation (can join full server)
• c: Kick/Ban commands
• d: Slay/Slap commands
• e: Map commands
• f: Cvar commands
• t: Chat admin (colored chat)
• z: Super admin (all access)

Example full admin:

"STEAM_0:1:12345678" "" "abcdefghijklmnopqrstu" "ce"

🔌 Recommended Plugins

Already included with AMX Mod X:

• admincmd.amxx: Basic admin commands
• adminvote.amxx: Admin voting
• mapchooser.amxx: Map voting at end
• nextmap.amxx: Shows next map
• statscfg.amxx: Player statistics

Additional useful plugins:

• Anti-Cheat: Download from AMX forums
• Knife Mod: Knife fights at round start
• Parachute: Deploy parachute in air
• Respawn: Auto-respawn in deathmatch
• Shop: Buy special items with kills

Where to find plugins: AlliedModders AMX Forum

🗺️ Installing Custom Maps

Step 1: Download Map

Find maps at: GameBanana CS 1.6 Maps

Download .bsp file (and .wad files if included)

Step 2: Install Map Files

• .bsp file → cstrike/maps/
• .txt file (map description) → cstrike/maps/
• .wad files (textures) → cstrike/ or cstrike/wads/
• .nav file (bot navigation) → cstrike/maps/

Step 3: Add to Map Rotation

Edit mapcycle.txt, add map name:

de_dust2 de_inferno aim_map_new fy_iceworld

Step 4: Test Map

In server console:

changelevel aim_map_new

If map loads successfully, it’s installed correctly!

⬇️ Fast Download Setup

Problem: Players download maps slowly from your server.

Solution: HTTP/FTP fast download.

Setup with HTTP:

1. Set up web server or use external hosting
2. Upload maps/models/sounds to web directory
3. Add to server.cfg:

sv_downloadurl "http://yourwebsite.com/cstrike" sv_allowdownload 1 sv_allowupload 1

Players now download from HTTP (much faster than game protocol).

🔓 Required Ports

CS 1.6 Server uses these ports:

• 27015 (UDP) – Game server
• 27020 (UDP) – SourceTV (optional)
• 26900 (UDP) – Steam connection

Forward port 27015 UDP minimum.

🏠 Router Configuration

Step-by-step:

1. Find your local IP: ipconfig (Windows) or ifconfig (Linux)
2. Log into router admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1)
3. Find “Port Forwarding” or “Virtual Servers” section
4. Add new rule:
• Service Name: CS 1.6
• Port Range: 27015-27015
• Local IP: Your PC’s IP
• Protocol: UDP
5. Save and apply

Test: Visit canyouseeme.org, check port 27015

🛡️ Windows Firewall

1. Windows Firewall → Advanced Settings
2. Inbound Rules → New Rule
3. Port → UDP → 27015
4. Allow connection
5. Apply to all profiles
6. Name: “CS 1.6 Server”

🐧 Linux Firewall (UFW)

sudo ufw allow 27015/udp sudo ufw allow 26900/udp sudo ufw enable

🔄 Regular Tasks

Daily:

• Check server logs for errors
• Monitor player count/activity
• Respond to admin requests/reports
• Ban cheaters if detected

Weekly:

• Review admin actions (abuse check)
• Update plugins if needed
• Backup server configs
• Check banned_user.cfg / banned_ip.cfg

Monthly:

• Update server files via SteamCMD
• Review and optimize settings based on feedback
• Clean old logs
• Audit admin list

📊 Monitoring Tools

Built-in Commands:

status // Show connected players users // Show user count stats // Server statistics

Log Files Location:

• cstrike/logs/ – Game logs
• addons/amxmodx/logs/ – AMX logs

External Monitoring:

• GameTracker – Server listing/stats
• Discord bots – Real-time status in Discord
• HLSW (Half-Life Server Watch) – Desktop monitoring tool

🚨 Common Issues & Fixes

Server not appearing in list:

• Check sv_lan 0 in server.cfg
• Verify ports forwarded correctly
• Ensure firewall allows connections
• Confirm server is running (not crashed)

High ping / lag:

• Check upload bandwidth (need 1 Mbps per 5 players minimum)
• Lower sv_maxrate
• Reduce maxplayers
• Disable resource-heavy plugins

Server crashes:

• Check logs for errors
• Disable recently added plugins (one at a time)
• Verify server files with SteamCMD
• Check for corrupt maps

Cheaters:

• Install anti-cheat plugin
• Ban by Steam ID (permanent)
• Enable VAC if using Steam
• Active admins are best anti-cheat