Server Setup Guide for [Raft] Gamers

Game Server Requirements

Setting sail in Raft with friends requires a stable and capable server. Understanding the underlying hardware and software demands is crucial for a smooth, lag-free experience. The specific requirements can vary based on the number of players, the complexity of your raft, and the overall game world's progression.

Minimum System Specifications

For a small group of 2-4 players, a relatively modest server can suffice. The primary considerations are CPU, RAM, and storage.

Processor (CPU): A dual-core processor with a clock speed of at least 2.5 GHz is generally recommended. While Raft isn't as CPU-intensive as some other survival games, a faster processor will handle game logic and player interactions more efficiently.

Random Access Memory (RAM): 4 GB of RAM is a good starting point for a small server. This allows the server to load the game world, manage player data, and run essential background processes. As the number of players increases, so too should the RAM allocation.

Storage: A solid-state drive (SSD) is highly recommended over a traditional hard disk drive (HDD). SSDs offer significantly faster read/write speeds, which translates to quicker world loading times and reduced in-game stuttering. At least 20 GB of free space is advisable for the game files and save data.

Network Bandwidth: A stable internet connection with at least 10 Mbps upload and download speed is crucial for a smooth multiplayer experience. Latency (ping) is also a significant factor; lower ping ensures more responsive gameplay.

Recommended System Specifications for Larger Servers

For larger groups (5+ players) or those planning extensive raft builds and prolonged play sessions, scaling up your server resources is essential.

Processor (CPU): A quad-core processor with a clock speed of 3.0 GHz or higher will provide a substantial performance boost. This is particularly important for handling multiple concurrent player actions and complex game mechanics.

Random Access Memory (RAM): 8 GB of RAM or more is recommended for larger servers. This provides ample headroom for the game world, player inventories, and any potential mods or plugins you might wish to implement.

Storage: Continue to prioritize SSD storage, ideally with 50 GB or more of free space. This ensures that even with extensive save files and potential updates, your server will maintain optimal performance.

Network Bandwidth: A dedicated internet connection with at least 50 Mbps upload and download speed is ideal for larger, more active servers. This minimizes lag and ensures a consistent experience for all players.

Operating System Considerations

Raft servers can typically run on various operating systems, with Windows and Linux being the most common choices.

Windows Server: Offers a familiar graphical user interface (GUI) and broad software compatibility. It can be easier for beginners to set up and manage.

Linux Server: Often preferred by experienced users for its efficiency, stability, and lower resource consumption. Distributions like Ubuntu Server or Debian are popular choices for game servers.

Regardless of the operating system, ensure it is kept up-to-date with the latest security patches and drivers.

Beginner's Guide: Setting Up Your Raft Server

Embarking on your journey to host a Raft server might seem daunting, but with this step-by-step guide, you'll be sailing the digital seas in no time. This section will walk you through the essential processes, from downloading the server files to configuring your game.

1. Obtaining the Raft Server Files

Unlike some games, Raft does not have a dedicated server application available directly through Steam. Instead, you will need to use the game client itself to host a "listen server" or utilize a third-party tool or dedicated server provider. For a self-hosted solution, the game client is the primary method.

Install Raft: Ensure you have Raft installed on the computer you intend to use as the server. This is crucial as the game client contains all the necessary assets and executables.

2. Port Forwarding (for Self-Hosted Servers)

If you are hosting the server on your home network, you will need to configure port forwarding on your router. This allows external players to connect to your server.

Identify Your Router's IP Address: Open a command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS) and type ipconfig (Windows) or ifconfig (Linux/macOS) to find your router's default gateway IP address. ( Networking for Dummies )

Access Router Settings: Open a web browser and enter your router's IP address into the address bar. You will typically be prompted for a username and password.

Locate Port Forwarding Settings: The exact location varies by router manufacturer, but it's often found under sections like "WAN," "NAT," "Gaming," or "Firewall."

Create a New Port Forwarding Rule:

External Port: 27015 (This is the default Raft server port).

Internal Port: 27015

Protocol: UDP (User Datagram Protocol)

Internal IP Address: The local IP address of the computer hosting the Raft server. You can find this using ipconfig or ifconfig as mentioned above.

Enable the Rule: Make sure to save and enable the new rule. ( The Complete Guide to Port Forwarding )

Important Security Note: Port forwarding can expose your network to potential security risks if not configured correctly. Ensure your router's firmware is up-to-date and use strong, unique passwords.

3. Starting Your Raft Server

Once port forwarding is configured (if necessary), you can launch your Raft server.

Launch Raft: Start the Raft game client.

Select "Host Game": From the main menu, choose the "Host Game" option.

Configure Game Settings:

World Name: Choose a descriptive name for your server.

Password (Optional): Set a password if you want to restrict access to your server.

Game Mode: Select your preferred game mode (e.g., Survival, Creative).

Difficulty: Adjust the difficulty settings to your liking.

Max Players: Set the maximum number of players your server can accommodate.

Start World: Click "Start World" to launch your server. Your friends can now join by selecting "Join Game" and entering your public IP address (which you can find by searching "what is my IP" on Google) or through the in-game server browser if your server is publicly listed.

4. Inviting Players

Direct IP Connection: Provide your friends with your public IP address and the server password (if applicable). They can enter this information in the "Join Game" section.

Steam Friends List: If you are hosting a listen server, your friends can often join directly through your Steam friends list by right-clicking your name and selecting "Join Game."

Hosting Service Comparison and Recommendations

Choosing the right hosting service for your Raft server is a critical decision that impacts performance, reliability, and your overall gaming experience. This section will compare different hosting options and provide recommendations based on various needs and budgets.

Types of Hosting Services

Self-Hosting (Listen Server): This involves running the Raft server directly on your personal computer.

Pros: Free (excluding your electricity bill and internet costs), full control over server settings.

Cons: Requires your computer to be on constantly, consumes your local resources (CPU, RAM, bandwidth), potential for performance issues if your hardware is insufficient, requires port forwarding.

Virtual Private Server (VPS): A VPS provides you with a virtualized portion of a physical server, offering dedicated resources.

Pros: More control than shared hosting, scalable resources, often good performance for the price.

Cons: Requires some technical knowledge to set up and manage, can be more expensive than shared hosting.

Dedicated Server: You rent an entire physical server, giving you maximum performance and control.

Pros: Unparalleled performance, complete control over hardware and software, ideal for large communities.

Cons: Most expensive option, requires significant technical expertise to manage.

Game Server Hosting Providers: These companies specialize in hosting game servers, offering pre-configured Raft servers with user-friendly control panels.

Pros: Easy setup and management, dedicated support, optimized for game performance, often include DDoS protection.

Cons: Less control over the underlying operating system, monthly subscription fees.

Key Factors for Comparison

When evaluating hosting services, consider the following:

Performance: Look for providers offering high-clock-speed CPUs, ample RAM, and SSD storage.

Reliability and Uptime: A good host will guarantee high uptime (e.g., 99.9%) to ensure your server is always available.

Location of Servers: Choose a server location geographically close to the majority of your players to minimize latency.

Customer Support: Responsive and knowledgeable support is invaluable, especially for beginners.

Pricing: Compare monthly costs, setup fees, and any hidden charges.

Control Panel: A user-friendly control panel simplifies server management.

Backup Solutions: Ensure the provider offers regular backups of your server data.

DDoS Protection: Essential for protecting your server from malicious attacks.

Recommendations

Here are some general recommendations based on different user profiles:

For Casual Play with a Few Friends (2-4 players):

Self-Hosting: If you have a decent internet connection and a spare computer, self-hosting is the most cost-effective option. Be prepared for the technical aspects of port forwarding.

Entry-Level Game Server Hosting: Providers like Survival Servers, GPORTAL, or Nitrado often offer affordable plans suitable for small Raft servers. They handle the technical complexities, making it easy to get started.

For Moderate-Sized Communities (5-10 players) or More Serious Play:

Mid-Tier Game Server Hosting: Look for providers with more robust hardware and better support. These plans will offer more RAM and CPU cores, ensuring smoother gameplay.

Small VPS: If you have some technical experience, a VPS can offer a good balance of control and performance.

For Large Communities (10+ players) or Competitive Play:

High-End Game Server Hosting: Premium game server hosts will provide dedicated resources and advanced features.

Dedicated Server: For ultimate performance and control, a dedicated server is the best choice, but it comes with a higher price tag and requires significant technical expertise.

Always read reviews and compare features before committing to a hosting provider. Many providers offer trial periods, which can be a great way to test their service before making a long-term commitment.

Troubleshooting Common Raft Server Issues

Even the most meticulously set up Raft server can encounter issues. This section provides solutions to common problems, helping you get back to sailing the open seas without unnecessary delays.

1. Players Cannot Connect to the Server

This is arguably the most frequent issue encountered by server administrators.

Verify Server Status: First, ensure the Raft server application is actually running. Check the console or control panel for any error messages.

Firewall Issues:

Server-Side Firewall: Ensure that the firewall on the server machine (Windows Firewall, ufw on Linux, etc.) is not blocking incoming connections on port 27015 (UDP). You may need to create an inbound rule to allow this traffic.

Router Firewall: If you are self-hosting, double-check your router's port forwarding settings. Ensure port 27015 (UDP) is correctly forwarded to the internal IP address of your server machine.

Incorrect IP Address: Players might be trying to connect to the wrong IP address. If you are self-hosting, provide your public IP address, not your local network IP. If using a hosting provider, ensure players have the correct server IP and port.

Server Password: If your server is password-protected, ensure players are entering the correct password.

Antivirus Software: Some aggressive antivirus programs can interfere with network connections. Temporarily disable your antivirus to see if it resolves the issue (re-enable it immediately after testing).

Internet Service Provider (ISP) Restrictions: Some ISPs block certain ports. Contact your ISP if you suspect this is the case.

2. High Latency (Lag)

Lag can severely impact the Raft experience.

Server Location: The physical distance between players and the server significantly affects latency. Choose a hosting provider with server locations close to the majority of your player base.

Server Resources: Insufficient CPU, RAM, or network bandwidth on the server can lead to lag. Monitor your server's resource usage. If consistently high, consider upgrading your hosting plan or optimizing your server.

Player Internet Connection: Individual player internet connections can also contribute to lag. Ask players to check their own connection stability.

Too Many Entities/Complex Builds: In Raft, extremely large rafts with many moving parts or a high density of items can put a strain on the server. Encourage players to optimize their builds.

Background Processes: Ensure no other demanding applications are running on the server machine that could be consuming resources.

3. Server Crashing or Freezing

A crashing server is frustrating for everyone.

Out of Memory (OOM) Errors: This is a common cause. Check your server logs for "out of memory" messages. If found, increase the allocated RAM for your server.

Corrupted Save File: A corrupted world save can lead to crashes. Regularly back up your server's save data. If a crash occurs after a specific event, try restoring a previous backup.

Game Bugs: Raft is an actively developed game, and occasional bugs can cause server instability. Ensure your game client and server files are up-to-date. Check official Raft forums or community channels for known issues.

Hardware Failure: In rare cases, underlying hardware issues on a self-hosted server can cause crashes. Run diagnostic tools to check your CPU, RAM, and storage.

Mod Conflicts (if applicable): If you are using mods, ensure they are compatible with your Raft version and with each other. Introduce mods one at a time to identify any conflicts.

4. Save File Issues

Lost Progress: Always ensure your server is configured to save regularly. Most game server hosts have automatic backup features. For self-hosted servers, implement a routine backup schedule.

Unable to Load Save: If a save file won't load, it might be corrupted. Try loading an older backup. If the issue persists, consult Raft community forums for potential solutions or file repair tools.

5. Server Not Appearing in In-Game Browser

Public IP Address: Ensure your server is configured to be publicly discoverable. Some hosting providers have options for this.

Firewall/Port Forwarding: Re-verify that all necessary ports are open and forwarded correctly.

Game Version Mismatch: Ensure your server and client are running the exact same version of Raft.

When troubleshooting, always approach the problem systematically. Check the simplest solutions first and gather as much information as possible from server logs and error messages.

Performance Optimization Tips

Maximizing your Raft server's performance is key to a smooth and enjoyable multiplayer experience. These tips focus on reducing lag, improving responsiveness, and ensuring stability.

1. Hardware and Hosting Environment

Prioritize SSD Storage: As mentioned in the requirements, SSDs drastically reduce world loading times and improve overall responsiveness compared to HDDs.

Sufficient RAM: Ensure your server has enough RAM to comfortably load the game world and accommodate all connected players. Monitor RAM usage and upgrade if consistently high.

High-Clock-Speed CPU: Raft can be somewhat CPU-intensive, especially with many players and complex raft builds. A CPU with a higher clock speed (even if it has fewer cores) can sometimes outperform a multi-core CPU with lower individual core speeds for game server tasks.

Optimal Server Location: Host your server in a data center geographically close to the majority of your players to minimize network latency (ping).

Dedicated Resources: If using a VPS, ensure you have dedicated CPU cores and RAM, rather than shared resources, which can lead to inconsistent performance.

2. In-Game Settings and Player Management

Limit Max Players: While tempting to host for many, more players inherently demand more server resources. Set a reasonable player limit based on your server's capabilities.

Reduce Entity Count: Overly complex rafts with hundreds of collection nets, crop plots, or animals can strain the server. Encourage players to optimize their builds and remove unnecessary items.

Disable Unused Features: If your server doesn't use certain game features (e.g., creative mode if playing survival), ensure they are disabled to reduce overhead.

Regular World Backups: While not directly a performance tip, regular backups prevent data loss and allow for quick recovery in case of corruption, which can indirectly impact perceived performance by minimizing downtime.

3. Network Optimization

Stable Internet Connection: For self-hosted servers, a high-bandwidth, low-latency internet connection is paramount. Avoid running other bandwidth-intensive applications on the server machine.

Quality of Service (QoS): If your router supports QoS, you can prioritize game server traffic to ensure it receives preferential bandwidth.

Avoid Wi-Fi for Server: Whenever possible, connect your server machine directly to your router via an Ethernet cable. Wi-Fi introduces higher latency and potential instability.

4. Operating System and Software Optimization

Minimal OS Installation: For dedicated servers or VPS, install a minimal operating system (e.g., a headless Linux distribution) to reduce background processes and resource consumption.

Keep OS and Drivers Updated: Ensure your operating system and network drivers are always up-to-date for optimal performance and security.

Disable Unnecessary Services: On the server machine, disable any non-essential services or applications that consume CPU or RAM.

Antivirus Exclusions: Configure your antivirus software (if any) to exclude the Raft server directory to prevent it from scanning game files, which can cause performance dips.

5. Advanced Configuration (if applicable)

Server Tick Rate: Some game servers allow adjustment of the "tick rate," which determines how many times per second the server updates the game state. A higher tick rate provides a more responsive experience but consumes more CPU. Raft typically manages this internally, but if using a custom server wrapper or mod, this might be an option.

Garbage Collection: For games running on platforms with automatic garbage collection (like Java-based games), optimizing garbage collection parameters can reduce stuttering. Raft is built on Unity (C#), and while the engine handles much of this, efficient coding within the game itself is key.

By systematically applying these optimization tips, you can significantly enhance your Raft server's performance, leading to a more enjoyable and lag-free experience for all players.

Technical Q&A

This section addresses common technical questions related to Raft server setup and management, providing concise and accurate answers.

Q: Can I run a Raft server on the same computer I play on?

A: Yes, you can run a Raft server (a "listen server") on the same computer you play on. However, this will consume more of your computer's resources (CPU, RAM, and network bandwidth), potentially leading to lower frame rates or increased lag for you and other players. For the best experience, especially with more than a few players, it's recommended to host the server on a separate machine or use a dedicated hosting provider.

Q: What is the difference between a "listen server" and a "dedicated server"?

A: A listen server is hosted directly within the game client on a player's computer. When the host leaves the game, the server typically shuts down. A dedicated server, on the other hand, runs as a separate application, independent of any player's game client. It can run 24/7 without a player needing to be online and generally offers better performance and stability for larger groups. Raft primarily uses a listen server model for self-hosting, though third-party tools or hosting providers can simulate a dedicated server experience.

Q: How do I update my Raft server?

A: If you are self-hosting using the Raft game client, simply update Raft through Steam as you would for single-player. The server files are part of the game installation. If you are using a game server hosting provider, they typically offer a one-click update option in their control panel. Always ensure your server and client versions match to avoid connection issues.

Q: My server keeps crashing with an "out of memory" error. What should I do?

A: An "out of memory" (OOM) error indicates that your server does not have enough RAM to run the game effectively. The primary solution is to increase the RAM allocated to your server. If you are self-hosting, ensure your computer has sufficient physical RAM and that other applications aren't consuming too much. If using a hosting provider, upgrade your hosting plan to one with more RAM. Also, consider optimizing your Raft world by reducing the number of complex builds or entities.

Q: How can I protect my Raft server from DDoS attacks?

A: Protecting against DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks is crucial for server stability.

Use a Hosting Provider with DDoS Protection: Most reputable game server hosting providers include DDoS protection as a standard feature. This is often the most effective solution.

Firewall Configuration: Implement robust firewall rules to block suspicious traffic.

Obscure IP Address: Avoid publicly sharing your server's direct IP address if possible.

Rate Limiting: Some advanced server configurations or network devices can implement rate limiting to mitigate flood attacks.

Q: Can I transfer my Raft single-player save to a multiplayer server?

A: Yes, it is generally possible to transfer your single-player Raft save file to a multiplayer server.

Locate Save Files: Raft save files are typically located in C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Raft\SavedGames.

Copy Save File: Copy the desired single-player save folder.

Paste to Server: If self-hosting, paste this folder into the corresponding SavedGames directory on your server machine. If using a hosting provider, you will usually need to upload the save file via their control panel's file manager or an FTP client to the designated save game directory.

Rename (if necessary): Sometimes, you might need to rename the save folder to match the server's expected world name. Always back up your original save files before attempting any transfers.

Q: What ports does Raft use for multiplayer?

A: Raft primarily uses UDP port 27015 for its multiplayer server communication. If you are self-hosting, you will need to port forward this UDP port on your router to allow external players to connect.

Q: How do I ban or kick players from my Raft server?

A: Raft has built-in functionality for managing players.

In-Game Menu: As the host, you can usually access a player list from the in-game menu (often by pressing Esc and looking for a "Players" or "Manage Players" option). From there, you can select a player and choose to kick or ban them.

Server Console (if applicable): If using a dedicated server setup or a hosting provider with console access, there might be console commands to kick or ban players by their in-game name or Steam ID.

Q: Are there any mods available for Raft servers?

A: Yes, the Raft community has developed various mods that can enhance gameplay. However, installing mods on a multiplayer server requires careful consideration.

Client-Side vs. Server-Side: Some mods are purely client-side (affecting only the player's experience), while others are server-side (affecting all players and requiring installation on the server).

Compatibility: Ensure any mods you install are compatible with your Raft version and with each other. Mod conflicts can lead to crashes or unexpected behavior.

Installation: Mod installation methods vary. For server-side mods, you will typically need to manually place files into specific server directories or use a mod manager provided by your hosting service. Always back up your server before installing mods.

Q: How often should I back up my Raft server?

A: The frequency of backups depends on how critical your progress is and how often your players are active.

Daily Backups: For active servers, daily backups are highly recommended to minimize potential data loss.

Before Major Changes: Always perform a backup before installing new mods, making significant configuration changes, or updating the game version.

Automated Backups: Utilize automated backup solutions offered by your hosting provider or set up a script for self-hosted servers to ensure consistency.