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Setting up a CSS Dedicated Server (Windows)

By Dag, on September 16th, 2017

Quick note on how to run a CSS server on a Windows server using SteamCMD that took over in 2013 from HLDSUpdateTool which is now entirely deprecated and will not provide updates anymore.

Download SteamCMD from here.

Unzip and run steamcmd.exe which will set up/update a portable steam base and give you a prompt. In my case I want to update/install CS:S Dedicated Server which has the app id of 232330:

Steam> login anonymous
Steam> app-update 232330
Steam> quit

My CSS server startup script (placed outside steamcmd dir so it won't be overwritten or deleted):

ECHO Starting CSS Server...
ECHO.
SET CSSDIR=C:\Users\User\Desktop\SteamCMD\steamcmd\steamapps\common\Counter-Strike Source Dedicated Server
CD "%CSSDIR%"
srcds.exe -steam -console -game cstrike +map cs_office -maxplayers 46

My server.cfg as example:

// server name
hostname "Joe's AngryTown"

// rcon passsword
rcon_password "asd" 

// server password
sv_password "asd"

// server cvars
mp_friendlyfire 1 
mp_footsteps 1 
mp_autoteambalance 1
mp_limitteams 1 
mp_autokick 0 
mp_flashlight 1
mp_tkpunish 0 
mp_forcecamera 0 
sv_alltalk 1 
sv_pausable 0 
sv_cheats 0
sv_consistency 1 
sv_allowupload 1 
sv_allowdownload 1 
sv_maxspeed 320 
mp_hostagepenalty 0 
sv_voiceenable 1 
mp_allowspectators 1 
mp_timelimit 60 
mp_chattime 10 
sv_timeout 90

// round specific cvars
mp_freezetime 6 
mp_roundtime 5
mp_startmoney 16000 
mp_c4timer 45 
mp_fraglimit 0 
mp_maxrounds 0
mp_winlimit 0
mp_playerid 0 
mp_spawnprotectiontime 5 

// bandwidth rates/settings
sv_minrate 0 
sv_maxrate 0 
decalfrequency 10 
sv_maxupdaterate 60 
sv_minupdaterate 10 

// server logging
log off 
sv_logbans 0 
sv_logecho 1 
sv_logfile 1 
sv_log_onefile 0 

// operation
sv_lan 0 
sv_region 0 

// execute ban files
exec banned_user.cfg 
exec banned_ip.cfg

// bots
bot_prefix "[BadLoosers]"
bot_quota 32
bot_quota_mode fill
bot_join_after_player 1
bot_difficulty 0
bot_defer_to_human 1
bot_chatter normal
bot_auto_vacate 1
bot_join_team "any"

// BOT BASED WEAPON USAGE
bot_allow_grenades "1"
bot_allow_machine_guns "1"
bot_allow_pistols "1"
bot_allow_rifles "1"
bot_allow_rogues "1"
bot_allow_shotguns "1"
bot_allow_snipers "1"
bot_allow_sub_machine_guns "1"

Notes on administering the server:

SETTING UP CONSOLE:
	Start game with -console and run:
		bind o "showconsole"
	Start game, press o and exit.
	Should be saved in config.cfg now (tested OK after game restart).

COMMANDS:
	Log on as admin:
	rcon_password <password>

	List users w/ID and name:
	rcon status

	Kick from server:
	rcon kickid <id> Message

	Ban from server:
	rcon banid <minutes> <id>
	rcon writeid

	Remove ban from server:
	rcon listid
	rcon removeid

	Change map:
	rcon changelevel <mapname>
	
	Restart round:
	rcon mp_restartgame 1

Make sure the ban .cfg files mentioned in server.cfg exists if you intend to use them.