Server Setup Guide for [Assetto Corsa Competizione (private lobbies/leagues)] Gamers

Game Server Requirements

Establishing a robust and reliable server for Assetto Corsa Competizione (ACC) private lobbies and leagues is paramount for a seamless and competitive racing experience. The foundational requirements extend beyond mere hardware specifications, encompassing network infrastructure, operating system considerations, and the specific demands of the ACC server application itself. Understanding these elements is crucial for preventing latency spikes, desynchronization issues, and overall performance degradation that can mar the immersive nature of sim racing.

At the core, the server's Central Processing Unit (CPU) is a critical component. ACC's dedicated server, while not as graphically intensive as the client application, still performs significant computational tasks, including physics calculations, AI management (if enabled), and network packet processing. A multi-core processor with a high clock speed is generally recommended. While the server application may not fully saturate all available cores, a strong single-thread performance is highly beneficial. For instance, a CPU with a base clock speed of 3.0 GHz or higher, and at least four physical cores, would provide a solid foundation. Examples include Intel Xeon E3 or E5 series processors for dedicated server environments, or consumer-grade Intel Core i7/i9 or AMD Ryzen 7/9 processors for more modest setups (Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach). The specific generation of the CPU also plays a role, with newer architectures offering improved instruction per cycle (IPC) performance, leading to more efficient processing even at similar clock speeds.

Random Access Memory (RAM) is another vital resource. The ACC dedicated server, especially when hosting a full grid of 24+ cars and managing complex track environments, can consume a significant amount of memory. Insufficient RAM can lead to excessive disk swapping, which severely impacts performance. A minimum of 8 GB of RAM is often cited, but for optimal performance and to accommodate potential future updates or additional server-side applications, 16 GB or even 32 GB is highly recommended. Error-Correcting Code (ECC) RAM, while typically found in enterprise-grade servers, offers enhanced data integrity and stability, which can be beneficial for long-running server operations (Modern Operating Systems).

Storage solutions also demand careful consideration. While the server application itself and track data do not require exceptionally high read/write speeds for continuous operation, the initial loading times and any server-side logging can benefit from faster storage. Solid State Drives (SSDs) are unequivocally superior to traditional Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) for server environments due to their significantly faster input/output operations per second (IOPS) and lower latency. A 250 GB or 500 GB SSD would be ample for the operating system, ACC server files, and any associated logs or configuration files. NVMe SSDs offer even greater performance, though the benefits for an ACC dedicated server might be less pronounced compared to applications with extremely high I/O demands.

Network connectivity is arguably the most critical factor for a smooth online racing experience. The server requires a stable, low-latency, and high-bandwidth internet connection. While the raw bandwidth requirements for ACC are not astronomically high (typically a few megabits per second per client, depending on data rate settings), the consistency and low latency of the connection are paramount. A dedicated internet line with symmetrical upload and download speeds is ideal. Fiber optic connections are generally preferred over cable or DSL due to their superior latency characteristics. The server's network interface card (NIC) should be a Gigabit Ethernet adapter, ensuring that the internal network infrastructure does not become a bottleneck. Furthermore, the server should be located in a data center with robust peering agreements and geographically close to the majority of the intended player base to minimize ping times (Computer Networks).

The operating system (OS) choice also influences server performance and ease of management. While ACC's dedicated server application is primarily designed for Windows environments, Linux-based solutions are also viable through compatibility layers like Wine or specific server distributions. Windows Server editions (e.g., Windows Server 2019, 2022) offer a stable and secure platform with good compatibility for the ACC server software. For those comfortable with Linux, distributions like Ubuntu Server or Debian offer lightweight, secure, and highly customizable environments, often with lower resource overhead. However, managing a Linux server may require more technical expertise (Operating System Concepts). Regardless of the OS, it should be kept updated with the latest security patches and drivers to ensure optimal performance and mitigate vulnerabilities.

Finally, the specific configuration of the ACC server application itself plays a significant role. Parameters such as tick rate, maximum client count, and physics update frequency can impact resource utilization. Higher tick rates and more clients will naturally demand more CPU and network resources. Careful tuning of these settings, often through trial and error and monitoring server performance, is essential to strike a balance between fidelity and stability.

Beginner's Guide

Embarking on the journey of hosting your own Assetto Corsa Competizione (ACC) private lobbies and leagues can seem daunting, but with a structured approach, it becomes an accessible and rewarding endeavor. This guide will demystify the process, from initial setup to basic configuration, empowering you to create a bespoke racing environment for your community.

The very first step involves acquiring the ACC dedicated server files. These are typically available through SteamCMD, a command-line version of the Steam client. You'll need to install SteamCMD on your chosen server machine. Once installed, you can use specific commands to download the ACC server application. The process generally involves logging in anonymously (or with a Steam account if required for specific game versions) and then using the app_update command with the ACC dedicated server's application ID. It's crucial to ensure that the server files are kept up-to-date, as Kunos Simulazioni frequently releases patches and updates that can impact server compatibility and performance. Regularly running the app_update command is a good practice (Steamworks Documentation).

Once the server files are downloaded, the next critical phase is configuration. ACC servers are primarily configured through a series of JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) files. These files dictate everything from track selection and weather conditions to race rules and administrative passwords. The primary configuration files you'll interact with include configuration.json, event.json, settings.json, and assist.json.

configuration.json: This file defines general server settings, such as the server name, password, maximum number of clients, and port numbers. It's here you'll set the public name your server will display in the ACC server browser.

event.json: This file is where you define the specifics of your racing event. This includes the chosen track, the number of practice, qualifying, and race sessions, their durations, and the time of day and weather conditions for each session. ACC offers dynamic weather and time progression, allowing for highly immersive and varied racing scenarios.

settings.json: This file controls various gameplay settings, such as driver assists (Traction Control, ABS, Stability Control), tire wear and fuel consumption rates, damage multipliers, and penalties. This is where you can tailor the difficulty and realism to suit your league's preferences.

assist.json: This file specifically details the allowed driver assists, often mirroring or expanding upon settings found in settings.json.

Editing these JSON files requires a text editor. While Notepad will work, a more advanced editor like Notepad++ or Visual Studio Code offers syntax highlighting and validation, which can help prevent errors. It's imperative to maintain correct JSON syntax (e.g., proper use of commas, brackets, and quotation marks) as malformed files will prevent the server from starting or cause unexpected behavior.

Port forwarding is a fundamental networking step if your server is behind a router or firewall. The ACC server typically uses specific UDP (User Datagram Protocol) ports for communication (e.g., 9600 for game traffic, 9601 for HTTP API, 9602 for RCON). You will need to configure your router to forward incoming traffic on these ports to the internal IP address of your server machine. Without proper port forwarding, external clients will be unable to connect to your server. Consult your router's manual or your Internet Service Provider (ISP) for specific instructions on how to configure port forwarding.

Once configured and port-forwarded, you can start the server. This is typically done by executing the accServer.exe (on Windows) or the equivalent executable on Linux. The server will then load the configuration files and attempt to establish itself on the network. You can monitor the server's console output for any errors or status messages.

For managing your server, especially in a league environment, Remote Console (RCON) access is invaluable. RCON allows you to send commands to the server remotely, such as kicking players, changing sessions, or broadcasting messages. You'll configure RCON in your configuration.json file by setting a password and port. Various third-party RCON clients are available to facilitate this. Additionally, ACC servers expose an HTTP API, which can be used by external tools for real-time monitoring and management, offering a more sophisticated level of control for league administrators.

Finally, testing is crucial. After setting up your server, attempt to connect to it from a different computer or even your own client (if the server is on a separate machine) to verify that everything is working as expected. Invite a few friends to join and conduct a short test session to identify any latency issues, desynchronization, or configuration errors before a full league event. This iterative process of configuration, testing, and refinement will ensure a stable and enjoyable racing environment.

Hosting Service Comparison and Recommendations

Selecting the right hosting service for your Assetto Corsa Competizione (ACC) private lobbies and leagues is a pivotal decision that directly impacts the quality and reliability of your racing experience. The market offers a diverse array of providers, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. This section will delve into a comparative analysis, highlighting key factors to consider and offering recommendations to guide your choice.

When evaluating hosting services, several critical parameters come into play:

Performance and Hardware: As discussed in "Game Server Requirements," the underlying hardware—CPU, RAM, and SSD storage—is fundamental. Look for providers that offer modern, high-clock-speed CPUs (e.g., Intel Xeon E3/E5 or newer, AMD EPYC), ample RAM (16GB+ recommended), and NVMe SSDs for optimal I/O performance. Some providers offer dedicated CPU cores, which can be a significant advantage over shared core environments where performance can fluctuate due to other users on the same physical machine.

Network Infrastructure and Latency: A low-latency, high-bandwidth network is non-negotiable for sim racing. Investigate the provider's data center locations, peering agreements, and network backbone. Proximity to your primary player base is crucial. Many providers offer looking glass tools or test IP addresses that allow you to ping their servers and assess latency before committing. Redundant network paths and DDoS protection are also valuable features.

Ease of Use and Management: For beginners, a user-friendly control panel (e.g., cPanel, Plesk, or custom game panel interfaces) can significantly simplify server management, installation, and configuration. Features like one-click game server installations, automated backups, and intuitive file managers reduce the technical barrier to entry. More advanced users might prefer direct operating system access (SSH/RDP) for greater control.

Customer Support: Responsive and knowledgeable customer support is invaluable, especially when troubleshooting unexpected issues. Look for providers offering 24/7 support via multiple channels (live chat, tickets, phone) and with a reputation for quick resolution times. The quality of support can often be gauged through online reviews and community feedback.

Pricing and Scalability: Compare pricing models, including hourly, monthly, or annual rates. Understand what's included in the base price and be aware of potential hidden costs. Consider whether the service offers scalability options, allowing you to easily upgrade or downgrade resources as your league grows or shrinks.

Reliability and Uptime Guarantees: A server that frequently goes offline is detrimental to a league. Look for providers with strong Service Level Agreements (SLAs) guaranteeing high uptime (e.g., 99.9% or higher) and clear compensation policies for downtime (Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Foundation).

Hosting Service Categories and Recommendations:

Dedicated Game Server Providers: These companies specialize in hosting game servers and often provide tailored control panels and optimized environments for specific games like ACC. They typically offer a balance of performance, ease of use, and support.

Pros: Optimized for gaming, user-friendly interfaces, often include game-specific features, good support for common game issues.

Cons: Can be slightly more expensive than raw VPS, less flexibility for non-game applications.

Recommendations: Look for providers with a strong reputation in the sim racing community. Examples often include companies like Nitrado, GPORTAL, or Host Havoc. While specific recommendations can become outdated quickly due to market changes, focus on those consistently praised for ACC performance and support in community forums.

Virtual Private Server (VPS) Providers: VPS hosting offers a virtualized slice of a physical server, providing more control than shared hosting but less than a dedicated server. You typically get root access to the operating system, allowing for full customization.

Pros: Greater flexibility and control, often more cost-effective than dedicated servers, scalable.

Cons: Requires more technical expertise to set up and manage the operating system and server application, less specialized support for game-specific issues.

Recommendations: Providers like DigitalOcean, Linode, Vultr, or OVHcloud offer robust VPS solutions. When choosing a VPS, prioritize those with high-frequency CPUs and NVMe storage. You'll be responsible for installing SteamCMD, the ACC server, and configuring the OS yourself.

Dedicated Server Providers: For large, highly competitive leagues or communities with significant resources, a full dedicated server offers unparalleled performance and control. You get exclusive use of an entire physical machine.

Pros: Maximum performance, complete control over hardware and software, ideal for very high player counts or multiple game servers.

Cons: Most expensive option, requires significant technical expertise for setup and maintenance, often overkill for smaller leagues.

Recommendations: Companies like Hetzner, OVHcloud, or local data centers offer dedicated server rentals. This option is best suited for experienced administrators.

When making your final decision, it is highly advisable to consult community forums, read recent reviews, and, if possible, utilize trial periods or short-term rentals to test the performance of a prospective host with your specific ACC server configuration and player base. A host that performs well for one game may not be optimal for another, and individual network conditions can vary significantly.

Troubleshooting

Even with meticulous planning and a robust hosting solution, issues can arise when running an Assetto Corsa Competizione (ACC) dedicated server. Effective troubleshooting requires a systematic approach, combining diagnostic tools with a deep understanding of common failure points. This section will equip you with strategies to diagnose and resolve prevalent server problems, ensuring your private lobbies and leagues run smoothly.

1. Server Not Starting or Crashing:

Check Server Logs: The absolute first step is to examine the server's log files. ACC servers generate detailed logs that often pinpoint the exact cause of a crash or startup failure. Look for error messages, stack traces, or warnings related to configuration files, missing assets, or network issues. These logs are typically found in a Logs directory within your server installation.

Configuration File Errors: Malformed JSON files (e.g., missing commas, incorrect brackets, typos in key names) are a frequent culprit. Use a JSON validator (many are available online) to check your configuration.json, event.json, settings.json, and assist.json files for syntax errors. Even a single misplaced character can prevent the server from loading.

Port Conflicts: Ensure that the ports specified in your configuration.json (e.g., 9600, 9601, 9602) are not already in use by another application on the server machine. On Windows, you can use netstat -ano in the command prompt to see active connections and listening ports. On Linux, lsof -i -P -n or netstat -tulnp can provide similar information.

Missing or Corrupt Files: Verify the integrity of your ACC server installation. If using SteamCMD, run app_update 1430720 validate to check for and redownload any missing or corrupt files.

Resource Exhaustion: If the server starts but crashes shortly after, it might be running out of CPU, RAM, or disk space. Monitor resource usage using tools like Task Manager (Windows) or htop/top (Linux). Increase allocated resources if necessary.

2. Players Cannot Connect:

Port Forwarding: This is the most common reason for connection issues. Double-check that all necessary UDP ports (typically 9600, 9601, 9602) are correctly forwarded from your router/firewall to the server's internal IP address. Ensure the firewall on the server itself (e.g., Windows Firewall, ufw on Linux) is also configured to allow incoming connections on these ports.

Incorrect IP Address/Port: Verify that players are attempting to connect to the correct public IP address of your server and the correct port. You can find your public IP by searching "what is my IP" on Google from the server machine.

Server Not Visible in Browser: If the server isn't appearing in the ACC in-game server browser, ensure the isPublic setting in configuration.json is set to 1 (true). Also, check that the server's master server registration is successful (look for relevant messages in the server logs). Sometimes, it can take a few minutes for a newly started server to appear.

Password Mismatch: If your server is password-protected, ensure players are entering the correct password. Case sensitivity matters.

Network Address Translation (NAT) Issues: In complex network environments, NAT traversal can sometimes cause problems. Ensure your router's NAT settings are not overly restrictive.

3. High Latency / Desynchronization (Desync):

Server Location: The geographical distance between the server and players is a primary factor in latency. If players are widely dispersed, some will inevitably experience higher ping. Consider a hosting provider with data centers closer to your player base.

Server Hardware Performance: An underpowered CPU or insufficient RAM can lead to the server struggling to process game logic and network packets in time, resulting in desync. Monitor CPU and RAM usage.

Network Congestion:

Server-side: Check for other applications on the server machine consuming significant bandwidth. Ensure the server's internet connection is not saturated.

Client-side: Advise players to check their own internet connections for congestion or high ping to other services.

Tick Rate and Client Count: While higher tick rates offer more precise physics, they also demand more CPU and bandwidth. If experiencing desync with a full grid, consider slightly reducing the tickRate in configuration.json or reducing the maximum maxClients.

Packet Loss: Use network diagnostic tools like ping and traceroute (or pathping on Windows) from both the server and client perspectives to identify packet loss along the network path. High packet loss will inevitably lead to desync.

ACC Server Settings: Experiment with updRate and downRate settings in configuration.json. Lowering these can reduce bandwidth usage but might slightly impact precision.

4. Performance Issues (Low FPS on Server, Stuttering):

This typically refers to the server's ability to process game logic, not graphical FPS. If the server's CPU is overloaded, it can lead to "server-side stuttering" where all clients experience inconsistent physics or rubber-banding.

CPU Bottleneck: Use performance monitoring tools to check CPU utilization. If it's consistently at or near 100%, the server's CPU is the bottleneck. Upgrading the CPU or moving to a host with better single-thread performance is necessary.

Disk I/O: While less common for ongoing gameplay, if the server is constantly writing logs or experiencing issues with storage, it can impact performance. Ensure you are using an SSD.

General Troubleshooting Tips:

Isolate the Problem: Determine if the issue affects all players or just a few. Is it constant or intermittent? Does it occur only on specific tracks or with certain car counts?

One Change at a Time: When modifying configuration files or server settings, make only one change at a time and test its effect. This helps isolate the cause of any new problems or confirms the solution.

Consult Community Resources: The official ACC forums, Kunos Simulazioni Discord, and sim racing communities are invaluable resources. Many common issues have already been encountered and solved by others.

Restart Regularly: A periodic server restart can often resolve minor issues, clear memory leaks, and apply new configurations cleanly.

By systematically applying these troubleshooting strategies, you can effectively diagnose and resolve most issues encountered when running an ACC dedicated server, ensuring a stable and enjoyable racing environment for your league.

Performance Optimization Tips

Achieving optimal performance for your Assetto Corsa Competizione (ACC) dedicated server is not merely about meeting minimum requirements; it's about fine-tuning every aspect to deliver the smoothest, most responsive, and most stable racing experience possible. This involves a combination of hardware considerations, operating system configurations, and specific ACC server settings. The goal is to minimize latency, prevent desynchronization, and ensure consistent physics calculations for all participants.

1. Hardware and Infrastructure Optimization:

Prioritize CPU Single-Thread Performance: ACC's dedicated server, like many game servers, benefits significantly from strong single-thread CPU performance. While multi-core CPUs are standard, a higher clock speed on individual cores often yields better results than simply having more cores with lower clock speeds. When choosing a host or hardware, look for CPUs with high base and boost clock frequencies.

Utilize NVMe SSDs: While any SSD is better than an HDD, NVMe drives offer superior read/write speeds and significantly lower latency. This can improve server startup times, track loading, and the efficiency of any disk-intensive operations, even if the continuous I/O for gameplay is not extreme.

Ample RAM: Ensure your server has sufficient RAM (16GB minimum, 32GB recommended for larger grids/leagues). This prevents the operating system from resorting to disk-based swap memory, which is orders of magnitude slower than RAM and a major performance killer.

Dedicated Network Interface: If running other services on the same machine, consider using a dedicated network interface card (NIC) for the ACC server traffic if possible. This can help isolate network traffic and reduce potential bottlenecks.

Geographic Proximity: Host your server in a data center geographically close to the majority of your player base. This is the most effective way to minimize network latency (ping) for your users, which is crucial for a responsive sim racing experience.

2. Operating System (OS) Level Optimization:

Minimal OS Installation: Install a minimal version of your chosen operating system (e.g., Windows Server Core, Ubuntu Server). This reduces background processes, frees up RAM, and minimizes potential conflicts or security vulnerabilities.

Disable Unnecessary Services: Review and disable any non-essential services or applications running on the server. Every background process consumes CPU cycles, RAM, and potentially network bandwidth that could otherwise be dedicated to the ACC server.

Network Driver Optimization: Ensure your network drivers are up-to-date and configured for optimal performance. Some advanced NICs offer settings like "Jumbo Frames" (though typically not beneficial for game servers) or "Receive Side Scaling (RSS)" which can improve network throughput.

Firewall Configuration: Configure your OS firewall (e.g., Windows Firewall, ufw on Linux) to only allow necessary inbound and outbound traffic. While primarily a security measure, an overly complex or misconfigured firewall can introduce latency.

Power Management Settings: On Windows, set the power plan to "High Performance" to ensure the CPU operates at its maximum clock speed consistently, rather than throttling down to save power. On Linux, ensure CPU frequency scaling governors are set to "performance."

Regular Updates: Keep your OS and drivers updated. These updates often include performance improvements, bug fixes, and security patches.

3. ACC Server Configuration Optimization:

configuration.json Settings:

maxClients: While tempting to host a large grid, each client adds to the server's processing load. If experiencing performance issues, consider slightly reducing the maximum number of clients.

tickRate: This setting determines how many times per second the server updates game physics and sends data to clients. A higher tickRate (e.g., 60 Hz) provides more precise physics but demands significantly more CPU and network resources. If performance is an issue, try reducing it to 30 Hz. Find a balance that works for your server's hardware and network.

updRate and downRate: These control the maximum upload and download bandwidth per client. While generally leaving them at default is fine, if you have a very limited internet connection, slightly reducing these values might help prevent saturation, but at the cost of some data precision.

dumpLeaderboards: Setting this to 0 (false) can slightly reduce disk I/O if you don't need the server to continuously dump leaderboard data.

event.json Settings:

Weather and Time Progression: Dynamic weather and time progression add realism but also computational overhead. Complex weather systems (e.g., heavy rain, rapidly changing conditions) require more server resources to calculate and synchronize. If performance is critical, consider simpler weather patterns or fixed conditions.

AI Cars: If you are running AI cars in your sessions, they consume significant CPU resources for their pathfinding and physics calculations. Minimize the number of AI cars if server performance is struggling.

settings.json and assist.json: While these primarily affect gameplay, certain assists (e.g., complex stability control systems) might have a marginal impact on server-side physics calculations. Generally, their impact is minimal compared to tickRate or maxClients.

Server Monitoring: Implement server monitoring tools to track CPU usage, RAM consumption, network traffic, and disk I/O in real-time. This data is invaluable for identifying bottlenecks and understanding the impact of your optimization changes. Many hosting providers offer built-in monitoring, or you can use tools like Grafana with Prometheus for more advanced setups.

By systematically addressing these areas, you can significantly enhance the performance and stability of your Assetto Corsa Competizione dedicated server, providing a superior and more reliable racing experience for your league members.

Technical Q&A

This section addresses common technical questions and advanced considerations for managing an Assetto Corsa Competizione (ACC) dedicated server, providing in-depth answers for administrators seeking to optimize their setup and troubleshoot complex scenarios.

Q1: How does tickRate in configuration.json impact server performance and client experience, and what are optimal values?

A1: The tickRate parameter dictates the frequency at which the server updates the game state, including physics, car positions, and other critical game logic, and then sends this information to connected clients. It is measured in Hertz (Hz), meaning updates per second. A higher tickRate results in more frequent updates, leading to a more precise and responsive simulation for clients. For instance, a tickRate of 60 Hz means the server processes and transmits game state 60 times per second, offering a finer granularity of physics and less perceived latency.

However, increasing tickRate directly correlates with increased resource consumption:

CPU Usage: Each tick requires the server's CPU to perform physics calculations, process game logic, and prepare network packets. Doubling the tickRate roughly doubles the CPU load associated with these operations.

Network Bandwidth: More frequent updates mean more data packets are sent over the network. A higher tickRate will increase both upload and download bandwidth requirements for the server and clients, respectively.

Optimal tickRate values depend heavily on your server's hardware, network connection, and the number of connected clients.

30 Hz: This is often a good baseline for servers with moderate hardware or for larger grids (24+ cars) where network stability is prioritized over absolute physics precision. It offers a reasonable balance between responsiveness and resource usage.

60 Hz: This is the ideal for competitive leagues and smaller grids (up to 20-24 cars) on powerful servers with excellent network connectivity. It provides the most accurate and responsive simulation, minimizing perceived input lag and desynchronization.

Higher than 60 Hz: While theoretically possible, ACC's server application might not fully leverage rates significantly higher than 60 Hz, and the resource overhead becomes disproportionately large for diminishing returns.

It's crucial to monitor your server's CPU and network utilization when adjusting tickRate. If you observe consistent CPU saturation or network congestion, reducing the tickRate is a primary optimization step to maintain stability and prevent desynchronization.

Q2: What is the purpose of the HTTP API and RCON, and how can they be leveraged for advanced server management?

A2: Both the HTTP API and RCON (Remote Console) provide mechanisms for external applications or administrators to interact with and manage the ACC dedicated server remotely, offering different levels of functionality and security.

RCON (Remote Console):

Purpose: RCON is a traditional game server management protocol that allows administrators to send command-line instructions to the server from a remote client. These commands typically include actions like kicking/banning players, changing sessions, broadcasting messages, and querying server status.

Leverage: RCON is excellent for real-time, immediate administrative actions. Many third-party RCON clients (desktop applications or web-based tools) exist, providing a user-friendly interface for common commands. For league administrators, RCON is invaluable for enforcing rules, managing incidents during a race, or quickly transitioning between sessions. It's configured with a password in configuration.json and typically uses a dedicated UDP port (e.g., 9602).

Security: RCON is password-protected, but the commands are often sent in plain text. It's crucial to use a strong, unique password and ensure the RCON port is not exposed unnecessarily.

HTTP API (Application Programming Interface):

Purpose: The HTTP API exposes server data and allows for certain actions via standard HTTP requests (GET, POST). It provides a more structured and programmatic way to access server information and perform operations compared to RCON. This includes retrieving detailed session information, current standings, driver lists, lap times, and potentially triggering events.

Leverage: The HTTP API is ideal for building custom web dashboards, real-time telemetry displays, automated league management systems, or integrating with external services (e.g., Discord bots for race notifications). For example, a league could develop a web application that pulls live timing data from the API to display on a public leaderboard during a race. It's configured with a password and a dedicated TCP port (e.g., 9601) in configuration.json.

Security: The HTTP API can be secured with a password, and communication can be encrypted using HTTPS if a reverse proxy is set up. This offers a more robust security model for programmatic access.

In essence, RCON is for direct, interactive administrative control, while the HTTP API is for programmatic access, data retrieval, and building integrated solutions. Many advanced league setups utilize both in conjunction.

Q3: How can I mitigate the impact of DDoS attacks on my ACC server?

A3: Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks can severely disrupt your ACC server by overwhelming it with malicious traffic, making it inaccessible to legitimate players. Mitigation strategies involve a multi-layered approach:

Hosting Provider DDoS Protection: This is the most critical and often the first line of defense. Choose a hosting provider that explicitly offers robust DDoS protection as part of their service. These providers have specialized hardware and software (scrubbing centers) designed to detect, filter, and absorb large volumes of malicious traffic before it reaches your server. Inquire about the type and capacity of their DDoS protection (e.g., volumetric, protocol, application layer protection, and maximum Gbps/Mpps they can handle).

Firewall Rules: Configure your server's operating system firewall (e.g., Windows Firewall, iptables/ufw on Linux) to only allow traffic on the specific ports required by ACC (e.g., UDP 9600, 9601, 9602). Block all other incoming traffic. This reduces the attack surface.

Rate Limiting: Implement rate limiting on your firewall or through network devices. This restricts the number of connections or packets a single IP address can send to your server within a given timeframe, helping to mitigate certain types of flood attacks. However, be cautious not to be overly aggressive, as it can block legitimate players.

Obscure IP Address (Limited Effectiveness): While not a primary defense, avoiding publicizing your server's direct IP address can make it slightly harder for attackers to target. Relying on the in-game server browser or a domain name (which can be protected by services like Cloudflare) is generally better. However, determined attackers can still discover the IP.

Reverse Proxy (for HTTP API): If you are using the HTTP API, placing it behind a reverse proxy (like Nginx or Apache) with DDoS protection capabilities (e.g., Cloudflare) can shield it from direct attacks. This is less applicable to the UDP game traffic itself.

Monitoring and Alerting: Implement network monitoring to detect unusual traffic patterns or spikes that might indicate a DDoS attack. Early detection allows for quicker response.

Backup and Recovery Plan: In the event of a successful attack, have a plan for quickly restoring your server or migrating to a different IP address if necessary.

It's important to understand that no solution offers 100% immunity from DDoS attacks, especially against very large, sophisticated ones. The goal is to make your server a less attractive or more difficult target than others.

Q4: What are the best practices for managing server updates and ensuring compatibility with client versions?

A4: Managing server updates for ACC is crucial for maintaining compatibility, accessing new features, and ensuring a stable environment. Kunos Simulazioni frequently releases game updates, and the dedicated server must be kept in sync with the client versions.

Regularly Update Server Files:

Use SteamCMD to update your server files regularly. The command app_update 1430720 (or app_update 1430720 validate for integrity check) should be run periodically.