Building a dedicated game server is easy. You just need to gather the necessary resources and a little hands-on session to get everything going.

The resources you need are as follow:

1. A PC with Windows 2000 or XP installed(with computer RAM of minimum 1GB and CPU speed above the game’s minimum spec)
2. A router (preferably a gaming router such as D-Link DGL-4100 gaming router that can prioritize gaming traffic on your network)
3. A high speed dedicated broadband connection (The higher the speed, the more players you’ll be able to support.)
4. a copy of the game you are hosting and its server version
5. Network Optimizer (Optional. If you already own a router, a network optimizer can prioritizes delivery of the gaming data)

Now for the hands-on session.

First test your broadband speed. Check out www.bandwidthplace.com/speedtest to run a free speed test. If you get a rating of Not bad and above, you should be able to run a smooth session on your dedicated game server. If your connection is slow, contact your service provider to find out the cause or to upgrade to the next higher package.

Take out your router’s manual and follow the instructions to install the router. Once configured, Windows should automatically establish connection to the Internet. Now, you need to set up a static IP address to prevent any network interference during the gameplay session. Go to Start -> Run and type cmd. Type ipconfig/all. Write down the IP address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway and DNS server numbers. Next proceed to Control Panel -> Network Connection. Right click on Local Area Connection and choose Properties. Scroll down to the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click Properties. Select the use the following IP address and key in the number you wrote down just now. Click OK and you are done with setting up a static IP address. Fire up your browser and check if the Internet connection is still working. If not, go back to check if you have keyed in correctly.

You now have a PC with a fixed IP address to host game. The next step is to do a port forwarding to route all game requests to your dedicated game server. Bring out your game’s manual (or check out the game’s website) and check the ports number (different game use different ports, for example a STEAM dedicated game server uses UDP1200, 27000-27015 and 27020, along with TCP 27020-27039
and 27015). Find out those numbers and copy to the clipboard.

Now, fire up your browser again and type in the address to access the router’s configuration page (refer to your router’s manual for the address. It’s usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). Find the port forwarding section. Here is where you need to enter the port numbers that you copy just now. Specify the IP address to the static IP address that you set up earlier. If you are having trouble with this step, go to www.portforward.com, where you?ll find instructions for configuring most routers and games.

You are done configuring the hardware part. It’s time to set up your server software. Install the game and its server version on your PC. For specific game installation instruction, refer to the game’s manual or the game’s website. Once you’re ready, start the server. You should be able to see a tray icon to show that the server is running. Launch the server software. If you have installed any firewall program, mostly like it will ask if you want to let the server accept connection. Set it to allow them.

All’s done? Not yet, still a last step remaining. Head back to the browser and check your LAN’s external IP address at www.whatismyip.com. Give this address to other players and you are ready to go.

Troubleshooting

If your friend cannot detect your server, the main cause is your firewall port protection. Go back to the router configuration page and enter the IP address in the DMZ section. This will eliminate the port protection function.

Here you have built a dedicated game server. Enjoy the session.

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