CS2 Server Requirements
CS2 servers have moderate requirements. For a 10-slot competitive server: 2 GB RAM, 2 CPU threads. 20-slot community server: 4 GB RAM, 3 CPU threads. 32-slot public/DM server: 6 GB RAM, 4 CPU threads. Storage: 30 GB for base install + workshop maps. Network: 128-tick servers use more bandwidth — budget 50-100 KB/s per player at 64-tick, 100-200 KB/s at 128-tick. Our CS2 hosting plans handle these requirements with pre-configured settings for competitive play.
Installing CS2 Server via SteamCMD
CS2 servers are deployed through SteamCMD. On your VPS, install SteamCMD: 'sudo apt install steamcmd' (Ubuntu). Create a cs2 user: 'sudo adduser cs2'. Login as cs2: 'sudo -u cs2 -s'. Install CS2: 'steamcmd +force_install_dir /home/cs2/server +login anonymous +app_update 730 validate +quit'. This downloads ~30 GB. Create an auto-update script: 'steamcmd +force_install_dir /home/cs2/server +login anonymous +app_update 730 validate +quit'. Schedule daily updates during off-peak via cron.
Server Configuration (server.cfg)
Create server.cfg in /home/cs2/server/game/csgo/cfg/. Essential settings: hostname "Your Server Name", sv_password "" (empty for public), rcon_password "strongpassword", sv_region 255 (worldwide), sv_tags "competitive,128tick,faceit", mp_maxrounds 30, mp_timelimit 0, mp_roundtime 1.92 (for competitive), mp_buytime 20, mp_freezetime 6, sv_maxrate 786432, sv_minrate 196608, sv_maxcmdrate 128, sv_mincmdrate 128. These settings configure 128-tick competitive play.
Starting the Server as a Service
Create a systemd service file /etc/systemd/system/cs2.service. Contents: '[Unit] Description=CS2 Server After=network.target [Service] Type=simple User=cs2 WorkingDirectory=/home/cs2/server/game/bin/linuxsteamrt64 ExecStart=/home/cs2/server/game/bin/linuxsteamrt64/cs2 -dedicated +game_type 0 +game_mode 1 +map de_dust2 +servercfgfile server.cfg -maxplayers_override 10 -tickrate 128 +sv_setsteamaccount YOUR_GSLT_LOGIN_TOKEN Restart=on-failure RestartSec=10 [Install] WantedBy=multi-user.target'. Enable and start: 'sudo systemctl enable cs2 && sudo systemctl start cs2'. Check logs: 'sudo journalctl -u cs2 -f'.
Getting a GSLT (Game Server Login Token)
CS2 servers require a GSLT to appear on the server browser. Go to https://steamcommunity.com/dev/managegameservers, sign in, enter App ID 730 (CS2), and create a token. Copy it and add '+sv_setsteamaccount YOUR_TOKEN' to your server startup command. Without a GSLT, your server runs but doesn't appear in the in-game browser — players can only connect via direct IP.
Installing SourceMod and MetaMod
SourceMod and MetaMod enable plugins on CS2 servers. Download the latest MetaMod:Source CS2 build and SourceMod CS2 build from their official websites. Extract to /home/cs2/server/game/csgo/. Create the VDF file for MetaMod. After installation, restart the server. Type 'meta version' and 'sm version' in server console to verify both are loaded. Install plugins in /home/cs2/server/game/csgo/addons/sourcemod/plugins/.
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