An ARK: Survival Evolved dedicated server lets you create a private multiplayer world, manage players, configure mods, and control gameplay settings. Hosting it on a Linux VPS gives you access to server resources and configuration without requiring a desktop environment.
This guide explains how to install an ARK dedicated server on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS using SteamCMD, configure the firewall, automate startup, and protect saved game data.
Note: Test ARK: Survival Evolved's Linux server binaries and dependencies on Ubuntu 24.04 before using this setup for a production server.
1. Choose the Right VPS for ARK Hosting
ARK requires sufficient CPU power, memory, and storage to process player activity, dinosaur AI, and world data.
Server Type
Suggested RAM
CPU
Storage
Small private server
8–12 GB
2–4 vCPU
50 GB SSD
Medium multiplayer server
12–16 GB
4 vCPU
70 GB NVMe
Modded server
16–24 GB+
4–8 vCPU
100 GB NVMe
Multi-map cluster
32 GB+
8+ vCPU
180 GB+
These specifications are estimates. Actual requirements depend on player count, map size, and installed mods.
Consistent single-core CPU performance is particularly important for reducing server lag during demanding gameplay.
2. Prepare Ubuntu 24.04 LTS
Connect to your VPS using SSH:
ssh username@YOUR_SERVER_IP
Update the operating system:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
Install essential packages:
sudo apt install -y curl wget tar bzip2 software-properties-common
Enable 32-bit compatibility for SteamCMD:
sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
sudo add-apt-repository -y universe
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y lib32gcc-s1 libc6:i386 libstdc++6:i386
These libraries support SteamCMD's 32-bit components.
3. Create a Dedicated Steam User
Running the game server under a separate account reduces the risks associated with using root privileges.
sudo useradd -m -s /bin/bash steam
sudo mkdir -p /home/steam/steamcmd /home/steam/arkserver
sudo chown -R steam:steam /home/steam
Increase the open file descriptor limit for the Steam account:
sudo nano /etc/security/limits.d/99-steam.conf
Add:
steam soft nofile 100000
steam hard nofile 100000
The systemd service will have its own file descriptor limit configured later.
4. Install SteamCMD and ARK Server Files
Switch to the Steam account:
sudo -iu steam
cd ~/steamcmd
Download and extract SteamCMD:
wget https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz
tar -xzf steamcmd_linux.tar.gz
ARK: Survival Evolved uses dedicated server App ID 376030.
Install the server:
./steamcmd.sh +force_install_dir /home/steam/arkserver +login anonymous +app_update 376030 validate +quit
Once the download finishes, check the executable:
ls -l /home/steam/arkserver/ShooterGame/Binaries/Linux/ShooterGameServer
The validate option checks the downloaded installation files.
5. Configure the Firewall
ARK uses UDP ports for gameplay and server discovery.
Port
Protocol
Purpose
7777
UDP
Game traffic
7778
UDP
Additional game communication
27015
UDP
Steam server query
27020
TCP
Optional RCON
22
TCP
Default SSH port
Allow the required connections:
sudo ufw allow 22/tcp
sudo ufw allow 7777/udp
sudo ufw allow 7778/udp
sudo ufw allow 27015/udp
sudo ufw enable
sudo ufw status
Confirm your actual SSH port before enabling UFW. If RCON is enabled, restrict its port to trusted administrator IP addresses.
Also check any firewall rules configured by your VPS provider.
6. Start the ARK Dedicated Server
While logged in as the steam user, navigate to the server directory:
cd /home/steam/arkserver/ShooterGame/Binaries/Linux
Start the server:
./ShooterGameServer 'TheIsland?listen?SessionName=MyARKServer?Port=7777?QueryPort=27015?MaxPlayers=20' -server -log
This example launches The Island with a maximum of 20 players.
You can change the map, server name, ports, and player limit according to your requirements.
For a private server, configure passwords through a protected GameUserSettings.ini file.
7. Automate Startup Using systemd
A systemd service allows the server to start automatically after a reboot and restart following unexpected failures.
Stop the manually running ARK instance before configuring the service.
Exit the Steam account and create the service file using an administrative account:
sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/arkserver.service
Add:
[Unit]
Description=ARK Survival Evolved Dedicated Server
Wants=network-online.target
After=network-online.target
[Service]
Type=simple
User=steam
Group=steam
WorkingDirectory=/home/steam/arkserver/ShooterGame/Binaries/Linux
ExecStart=/home/steam/arkserver/ShooterGame/Binaries/Linux/ShooterGameServer TheIsland?listen?SessionName=MyARKServer?Port=7777?QueryPort=27015?MaxPlayers=20 -server -log
LimitNOFILE=100000
Restart=on-failure
RestartSec=15
KillSignal=SIGINT
TimeoutStopSec=120
[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target
Enable and start the service:
sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable arkserver
sudo systemctl start arkserver
Check its status:
sudo systemctl status arkserver
View logs:
sudo journalctl -u arkserver -f
The shutdown signal allows the application time to exit, but regular backups are still necessary to protect game data.
8. Troubleshoot Common Problems
SteamCMD fails to start: Check the required 32-bit libraries and install any missing dependencies reported in the error message.
Server is not visible: Verify UDP ports 7777 and 27015, firewall settings, and server logs.
Server crashes during startup: Check memory usage, available disk space, file limits, and installation integrity.
Useful commands include:
free -h
df -h
sudo journalctl -u arkserver -n 100
Players experience lag: Monitor CPU and RAM usage. Large structures, mods, and high player counts can increase server load.
9. Back Up Your ARK World
ARK stores saved-world data in:
/home/steam/arkserver/ShooterGame/Saved/SavedArks/
Create a backup directory:
sudo mkdir -p /home/steam/ark_backups
sudo chown steam:steam /home/steam/ark_backups
After safely saving the world or stopping the server, create a backup:
sudo tar -czf /home/steam/ark_backups/ark_backup_$(date +%Y%m%d).tar.gz -C /home/steam/arkserver/ShooterGame/Saved SavedArks Config
Store additional backup copies outside your VPS to protect against storage failures.
10. Improve Server Performance
For stable multiplayer gameplay, monitor CPU usage, RAM consumption, disk space, and network latency.
Avoid unnecessary background applications, review demanding mods, and schedule maintenance during low-traffic periods.
A Linux VPS may be sufficient for a private gaming group. Larger communities running several maps may benefit from dedicated hardware with more predictable resource availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ARK: Survival Evolved run on Ubuntu 24.04?
Ubuntu 24.04 can be used to attempt a Linux server deployment, but compatibility with the game's older binaries and libraries should be tested before production use.
How much RAM does an ARK server need?
A small server may require around 8–12 GB. Larger or heavily modded environments can need 16 GB or more.
Is SteamCMD free?
Yes. SteamCMD is Valve's free command-line tool for downloading and updating supported game server applications.
Can I host multiple ARK maps on one VPS?
Yes, if sufficient hardware resources are available. Each server instance needs its own configuration and network ports.
Maintaining Your ARK Dedicated Server
After installation, regularly check server logs, install compatible updates, monitor resource usage, and back up saved-world data. Test major configuration changes before applying them to an active multiplayer world.
Conclusion
Setting up an ARK: Survival Evolved dedicated server on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS gives you control over your multiplayer world, server settings, and player access. With SteamCMD, proper firewall configuration, and systemd, you can manage the server more efficiently.
For stable gameplay, choose a Linux VPS with sufficient CPU, RAM, and storage. Regular backups, performance monitoring, and timely updates help reduce downtime and protect player progress. Before hosting an active community, test the game's compatibility with Ubuntu 24.04 and verify that the server runs correctly.
