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How to Manage a BeamMP Server: Admins, Bans, Commands and Connectivity

A practical BeamMP administration guide covering ServerConfig.toml, working directories, admin identifiers, BeamBase commands, bans and unbans, community moderation plugins, port forwarding and the home-host versus VPS decision.
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Manage a BeamMP server in three layers: configure the current ServerConfig.toml, identify administrators by their BeamMP identifiers, and use the commands supplied by your installed server plugin. BeamBase provides the basic help, player-list, chat, kick and ban workflow; community moderation plugins can add roles, unbans, IP bans and temporary penalties. Public home hosting also requires forwarding the configured port over both TCP and UDP, while BeamMP describes a VPS as easier and more secure.

What you need before changing anything

BeamMP servers run on Windows or Linux. Download the BeamMP-Server build, place it in a dedicated server directory, and launch it once. The first launch creates the configuration and runtime folders. Stop the process before making major configuration changes, then start it again to apply them.

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  • Use a separate folder for each server instance.
  • Keep a backup of the configuration, plugin folders and moderation data before updates.
  • On Linux, create a dedicated service account. BeamMP’s setup guidance advises against running the server as root, with sudo, or as your everyday personal account.
  • For a public server, obtain an AuthKey and choose a port that is reachable from the internet.

The current configuration is ServerConfig.toml

The old Server.cfg format is obsolete. BeamMP’s maintenance documentation says it is no longer used and that it is incompatible with TOML, so converting only part of an old file can leave a server unable to start. Use the ServerConfig.toml generated by the current server build.

Why the working directory matters

The process working directory, not the physical location of the executable, determines where BeamMP creates ServerConfig.toml, log files and the Resources directory. If a service starts the executable from another directory, you may edit one configuration while the running instance reads another. Set the service’s working directory explicitly and verify the path in the startup log.

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Server-side Lua plugins belong in Resources/Server. A plugin normally has its own folder containing Lua files. Top-level Lua files are hot-reloaded when changed, but client resources are ZIP files loaded when the server starts, so restart after changing a client resource.

Minimal first-run sequence

  1. Create a server directory and copy the BeamMP-Server executable into it.
  2. Open a terminal in that directory and launch the executable once.
  3. Stop it after the initial files appear.
  4. Edit the generated ServerConfig.toml with a TOML-aware editor.
  5. Place server plugins under Resources/Server.
  6. Start the process from the intended working directory and watch the log for configuration or binding errors.

Important ServerConfig.toml settings

A representative General section contains the following keys. Exact defaults can vary by server release, so retain keys generated by your build and change only what you understand.

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Setting Purpose and operational notes
Port Listening port for the server. BeamMP documents 1024–65535 and requires the port to be unique on the host.
AuthKey Associates a public server with the BeamMP backend. Keep it private and do not publish it in screenshots or repositories.
AllowGuests Controls whether players without the expected authentication can join.
LogChat Writes chat activity to the server log when enabled; consider retention and access because chat can contain personal information.
Debug Enables more diagnostic output. Use it while troubleshooting, then return to normal logging if the extra volume is unnecessary.
IP Address to bind. Leaving the documented default behavior is generally safer than binding to an address that can disappear when a network interface changes.
Private When true, the server does not appear in the public server list. Set it to false for a listed server, subject to valid authentication and networking.
InformationPacket Controls the information advertised to clients and the listing service.
Name Server name; BeamMP documentation states a 250-character limit.
Tags Listing tags; the documented limit is 100 characters.
MaxCars Limits cars per player or session according to the server’s supported configuration.
MaxPlayers Maximum concurrent players accepted by the instance.
Map Default map identifier; the documented limit is 100 characters.
Description Listing description; the documented limit is 1,000 characters.
ResourceFolder Changes the resource directory. If you use a custom path, make sure the service account can read it and that you place plugins under its Server subdirectory.

A TOML fragment might look like this (use your actual authentication key and values):

[General]
Port = 30814
AuthKey = "your-auth-key"
AllowGuests = true
LogChat = true
Debug = false
IP = "0.0.0.0"
Private = false
InformationPacket = true
Name = "Example BeamMP Server"
Tags = "freeroam,community"
MaxCars = 1
MaxPlayers = 16
Map = "/levels/gridmap_v2/info.json"
Description = "A moderated public server"
ResourceFolder = "Resources"

The sample port is illustrative; it must match your forwarding rule and be unused by every other service on the machine.

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Environment-variable overrides

From server release 3.2.0, environment variables can override General settings. Convert a PascalCase key to uppercase, prefix it with BEAMMP_, and replace no characters: Port becomes BEAMMP_PORT, Name becomes BEAMMP_NAME, and AuthKey becomes BEAMMP_AUTH_KEY. This is useful for service managers and containers because secrets do not need to be written into a shared file. Confirm the override in the startup log, and remember that an environment value can make an apparently correct TOML file behave differently.

Run ./BeamMP-Server --help on Linux, or the equivalent executable command on Windows, to see command-line options supported by your build.

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How BeamMP identifies an administrator

Do not base permanent permissions on a display name. Names can change and may not be unique. BeamBase’s main.lua keeps an admins table containing BeamMP identifier type/value pairs. Its checkAdmin function compares the identifiers supplied by the connected player with that allowlist.

Find the identifier to authorize

  1. Join the server with the account that should receive administration rights.
  2. Use /id or /identifiers in the BeamBase command interface.
  3. To inspect another connected player, supply that player’s numeric session ID when the plugin supports the optional argument.
  4. Copy the identifier type and value exactly into the plugin’s administrator table.
  5. Restart or reload the plugin as its documentation requires, then test a protected command with the new administrator account.

/players lists connected numeric player IDs and names. Those numbers are session targets for commands such as kick and ban; they are not a permanent identity and can change after reconnecting.

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When a non-administrator invokes a protected BeamBase command, the plugin returns an “Insufficient Permissions” message. If a legitimate administrator receives that response, check the identifier type, spelling, plugin version and the file actually loaded from the server’s working directory.

BeamBase’s baseline command set

The exact syntax is plugin-dependent, but BeamBase documents the following commands. Use /help in the live server to see the command names and options exposed by your installed version.

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Command What it does Typical use
/help Displays available commands and help text. Run this after installing or updating a plugin.
/players Lists connected player IDs and names. Find the numeric target for moderation.
/say <message> Broadcasts a server message. Announce a restart or rule reminder.
/id or /identifiers Shows your identifiers, or another player’s when an optional ID is accepted. Verify identity before granting access or recording a ban.
/allowGuestChat Controls whether guest users may chat. Reduce unauthenticated chat without banning everyone.
/allowGuests Controls whether guest connections are accepted. Temporarily require authenticated accounts.
/kick <id> <reason> Disconnects the selected player and broadcasts the kick, including a reason when supplied. Remove disruptive behavior without a persistent penalty.
/ban <id> <reason> Records the target’s identifiers, disconnects the player and blocks future connections recognized by the ban list. Apply a persistent server ban.

Argument parsing and target formats can differ between releases. If /kick 12 griefing fails, run /help and follow the syntax shown there rather than guessing.

Kick and ban safely

Use kick for an immediate, reversible removal

Run /players, confirm the target’s current session ID, then issue /kick <id> <reason>. Keep the reason factual and short; it is broadcast to the server when BeamBase includes it. A kick ends the current connection but does not create persistent moderation data.

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Use ban only after checking the target

  1. List players with /players and verify the numeric ID.
  2. Inspect identifiers with /id or /identifiers if your plugin permits targeting another player.
  3. Check that the account is not a recognized administrator.
  4. Run /ban <id> <reason>.
  5. Confirm the log shows the drop and ban-list update.
  6. Record the reason and date in your moderation notes, without publishing private identifiers.

BeamBase’s ban handler refuses to ban another recognized administrator. It obtains the target’s identifiers, drops the player, appends those identifiers to a bans file, stores them in memory and broadcasts the ban with the optional reason.

Where the bans file is located

The cited BeamBase source initializes a path under Resources/Server/<plugin>/bans.txt, while the ban handler also opens bans.txt for append. That implementation detail is not a universal BeamMP rule. Inspect the exact plugin version, its initialization code or README, and the server working directory before editing a bans file. Back it up before manual changes, stop the server while editing, and use the same line format the plugin writes.

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Unbanning, temporary bans and roles

BeamBase’s documented command set does not include an unban command. Deleting a line from a bans file may work for one implementation, but it can fail if the plugin caches bans in memory or uses a different path; restart the server only after confirming the plugin’s procedure.

Community moderation plugins can supply richer controls. Nickel, for example, documents unban <targetname>, ban, banip, tempban, kick, mute and tempmute. It also documents /grantrole administrator <username> and /listroles. These are Nickel commands, not official or universal BeamMP commands.

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Evaluate a community plugin before enabling it

  • Read the plugin’s README for its exact command syntax, target format and BeamMP version compatibility.
  • Confirm where it stores roles, bans and temporary-expiry data.
  • Check whether a restart is required after permission or configuration changes.
  • Review Lua code before granting it access to chat, player identifiers or filesystem data.
  • Test commands with a non-admin account and keep a rollback copy of the Resources folder.
  • Remove duplicate moderation commands when two plugins register the same name.
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Why players cannot connect

Check the server process and configuration first

  • Confirm the process is running from the directory containing the intended ServerConfig.toml.
  • Make sure Port is between 1024 and 65535 and is not already bound by another service.
  • Verify that Private = false if players are expected to find the server in the public list.
  • Check that the AuthKey is present and valid for a public listing.
  • Read the log for TOML parse errors, failed resource loads or bind failures.

Forward both transport protocols

For a public server hosted at home, configure the router to forward the selected port from the internet to the host’s local IP. BeamMP’s FAQ specifically says to check both TCP and UDP when players see error codes 10060, 10061 or 10038. Forwarding only one protocol can produce a server that appears reachable but fails during the game connection.

  1. Give the host a stable LAN address using a DHCP reservation or static configuration.
  2. Create forwarding rules for the exact BeamMP port over TCP and UDP to that address.
  3. Allow the BeamMP executable through the host firewall for the same protocols.
  4. Restart the server and test from a different network, such as a phone hotspot; testing from inside the same LAN can be misleading when the router lacks NAT loopback.
  5. If the external test fails, inspect the router’s WAN address. Carrier-grade NAT or an ISP block can prevent inbound connections even when local forwarding is correct.

Interpret the common errors

Error 10060 generally indicates a connection timeout; check forwarding, firewall rules and whether the host is reachable. Error 10061 indicates that the connection was refused, often because the process is stopped, the port is wrong or a firewall rejected it. Error 10038 can accompany an invalid or interrupted socket path; verify the same port and protocol settings on the client, router and server.

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Home hosting or a VPS?

BeamMP’s setup guidance characterizes home hosting as free and VPS hosting as easier and more secure. The practical choice depends on your internet connection, uptime expectations and willingness to maintain network equipment.

Consideration Home host VPS
Upfront cost No hosting bill, but you use your own electricity and hardware. Recurring provider charge; exact price depends on the selected service and region.
Network setup Requires router forwarding, firewall rules and a reachable public address. Usually exposes a public address directly; provider firewall rules still need configuration.
Availability Ends when the PC, router or home connection goes offline. Designed for continuous operation, subject to the provider’s maintenance and outages.
Isolation The game server shares a home network with other devices. Separate virtual machine limits interaction with your home LAN.
Maintenance You manage hardware, operating-system updates, backups and power recovery. You manage the guest operating system and BeamMP, while the provider manages the physical platform.
Best fit Private groups, experiments and short sessions. Public communities that need consistent access without exposing a home router.

A VPS does not remove administration: patch the operating system, restrict SSH or remote-desktop access, run BeamMP under its dedicated account, protect the AuthKey and back up plugin data.

Operational security and maintenance

Protect identities and secrets

  • Treat AuthKey values and player identifiers as administrative data.
  • Give administrator access only to stable identifiers you have verified.
  • Do not paste identifiers or ban files into public issue trackers.
  • Use file permissions so the service account can read and write only the server directories it needs.

Control changes

  • Keep a dated copy of ServerConfig.toml before editing.
  • Change one setting or plugin at a time, then restart and inspect the log.
  • Record plugin versions and command changes so moderators use the same procedures.
  • Test a backup by restoring it to a second directory rather than assuming a copy is usable.

Moderation practice

Publish concise rules, use kick before ban when the behavior is ambiguous, and include a reason with every persistent action. Establish who can grant administrator roles and how an appeal is reviewed. If a plugin offers IP bans or temporary penalties, explain that these are plugin-specific and can affect shared networks or legitimate players.

A repeatable administration routine

  1. Start the server from its known working directory and check the first log lines for the loaded configuration path.
  2. Run /help and verify that the expected plugin commands are registered.
  3. Run /players to confirm session IDs match the connected users.
  4. Use /id or /identifiers when granting access or investigating a moderation case.
  5. Use /say for maintenance notices rather than relying on external chat.
  6. Kick disruptive users with a reason; ban only after confirming the target and documenting the action.
  7. After any plugin or configuration change, watch the log, connect with a test account and verify that normal players can still join.

What is official and what is plugin-specific?

ServerConfig.toml, the server process, Windows/Linux support, working-directory behavior, port requirements and environment-variable naming are BeamMP server features documented by BeamMP. The command names and behaviors listed for BeamBase come from that plugin’s source. Roles, unban, banip, temporary bans, mute commands and role-management commands belong to community plugins and can change without BeamMP changing its server binary. Always identify the plugin and version when giving moderators a command to run.

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