To set up a private server for a co-op survival game, first identify the exact game, edition, and platform: server software, hardware needs, ports, and crossplay rules vary. Choose between an in-game co-op session, a dedicated server on your own machine, or managed hosting. Then install the game’s official server files, configure the world and access controls, make only the game-specific network changes required, and test a backup and a friend’s connection before inviting the group.
Decide what your group needs before choosing a server
“Private server” can mean different things: a co-op session hosted by a player, a dedicated process that runs independently of a player’s game session, or a rented server. The right choice depends on your game and how you play. Identify these details first:
- Game, edition, and platform: Which title and version will everyone use, and does it provide dedicated-server software for that edition?
- Crossplay: Do players on different platforms need to join the same world? Check the game’s current server and crossplay documentation; do not assume crossplay works across every edition.
- Group size and availability: How many people will play, and must the world stay available when the usual host is offline?
- Mods and settings: Does the group need mods or configuration control, and do all players need matching files?
- Budget and administration: Do you have a suitable computer, and are you comfortable maintaining it, updating software, and possibly configuring a router and firewall?
Choose a hosting approach
| Option | Best fit | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Player-hosted co-op session | A group that plays when the host is available and the game’s session system meets its needs. | The host’s game session is the point of access; whether the world persists or friends can join independently depends on the game. |
| Self-hosted dedicated server | A group that wants an independently running world and has a machine and administrator willing to maintain it. | Usually offers direct control over configuration, but the operator handles installation, uptime, updates, backups, and any required network or firewall work. Self-hosting avoids a hosting-provider fee, but not the cost of hardware, electricity, or administration. |
| Managed game-server host | A group that would rather rent server capacity than administer a home machine. | Features, supported games, crossplay, player limits, locations, backup and restore options, and total price vary by provider. Verify current terms and compatibility before choosing. |
A dedicated server is separate from a player’s in-game session, so it can keep a world available while that player is offline, provided the server process and host machine remain running. Iron Gate describes Valheim’s dedicated server as a way to provide a persistent world friends can play in (Iron Gate Studio’s Valheim dedicated-server guide).
Check the game-specific requirements
Use the official documentation for the exact game and deployment method before selecting a machine or opening network ports. Requirements from one game are not a safe baseline for another.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors#1 Best Overall
- Durable Carbon Steel: Rack mount screws and cage nuts are made of high-quality carbon steel with a black finish for high strength and dependable durability.
- Easy Installation: Clear metric threads and uniform pitch for better grip. Nylon washers help secure screws and protect equipment surfaces.
- Organized Storage: All parts are packed in a portable storage box for easy organization and access.
- Wide Compatibility: Fits most square-hole racks and cabinets—ideal for server racks, network cabinets, equipment enclosures, and A/V gear.
- 20-Set Kit: Includes 20 mounting screws with nylon washers (M6 x 20 mm) and 20 square cage nuts—40 pieces in total—meeting daily install and replacement needs.
Example: Palworld hardware and storage
Pocketpair’s Palworld server requirements page, identified as version 0.5.0 and reviewed on October 7, 2026, recommends 4 CPU cores and 16 GB of memory. It says 8 GB can boot the server but carries a greater risk of out-of-memory crashes. The page recommends faster SSD storage and warns that low-performance storage may corrupt saved data. These are Palworld-specific published requirements, not universal co-op server specifications. Check the current requirements for your game and version before committing to hardware (Pocketpair’s Palworld server requirements).
Plan for the network separately
Network configuration also depends on the game and the connection method. Some setups require router port forwarding; others use a relay or a managed host’s connection system. Your router interface, firewall, ISP setup, and network topology can affect the exact steps. Do not open ports just because another game’s guide lists them.
Install the official dedicated-server software
Download or install only the server files documented by the game’s publisher. A normal game client is not necessarily a server, and unofficial launch instructions can point to the wrong executable or version.
Valheim on Steam
- In Steam, open Library and enable the Tools filter, then install Valheim Dedicated Server.
- Copy the supplied startup script before editing it. Iron Gate says Steam updates reset the original script, so keep your customized copy separate.
- Edit the copied script with the desired server name, world, password, and other supported arguments, following the current official guide.
- Run the script and wait for the server to report “Game server connected.”
On Linux, Iron Gate’s guide lists libatomic1, libpulse-dev, and libpulse0 as additional requirements. Check the guide for the distribution-specific setup and current instructions (Iron Gate Studio’s Valheim dedicated-server guide).
Rank #3
- High quality cabinet cage nuts and screws
- Package includes: cage nuts x 100pcs screws x 100pcs Washers x 100pcs
- Material: Metal Zinc-plated
- Size: M6 x 16
- Fit all square hole racks server rack or cabinet
Palworld on Steam or SteamCMD
Pocketpair’s deployment guide identifies itself as version 1.0.4 and documents installation through Steam or SteamCMD on Windows, and through SteamCMD on Linux. Its anonymous SteamCMD download and update command is:
steamcmd +login anonymous +app_update 2394010 validate +quit
Rank #4
- Threaded hole hardware kit - 50 each #12-24 screws
- Fastens equipment to threaded hole rack mount rails
- Compatible with all #12-24 threaded hole racks
The guide directs Windows operators to launch PalServer.exe and Linux operators to run ./PalServer.sh. Follow the current deployment guide for the selected operating system and any version-specific configuration; do not assume another game uses these commands (Pocketpair’s Palworld dedicated-server deployment guide).
Configure the world and limit access
Set the world name and other options using the game’s documented configuration method. Depending on the game, controls may be in a launch script, a configuration file, or an administration panel. Valheim’s guide documents settings for the server name, world, password, public visibility, save directory, save interval, backups, and crossplay.
Best Value
- 【Wide Application】 XOOL M6 Rack Mount Screw Kit is great for mounting your rack server cabinets, server shelves, A/V device enclosures, and more. These M6 cage nuts and screws are universally compatible with all square-hole racks and cabinets. Easily mount your equipment using this convenient kit, which comes with everything you'll need to get the job done. These self-locking cable ties are perfect for computer, appliance and electronic cord organization, wire management and storage.
- 【Superb Quality】 The cage nuts and screws is made of high quality Carbon Steel. The Carbon Steel material features strength and offers good corrosion resistance in bad environment like high temperature, cold weather, and high humidity areas. They have superior rust resistance and the excellent of oxidation resistance, which can ensure long time using and prolong screws and nuts lifespan. Wear resistant feature make the cage nuts and screws more durable and solid.
- 【Standard Metric】 Our M6 screws and cage nuts accord with standardized metric system. And the average error is less than 0.01mm. The screw thread is very sharp, clean and accurate without burr. The compact and force uniform screw thread is not easy to out of shape and slid in the process of rolling and installation. The deep and clear flat cross head can make your working more easily and improve your work efficiency.
- 【Safety and Eco-Friendly】 XOOL M6 screws and cage nuts use high quality Carbon Steel raw material, which is environmental protection and non-poisonous. In the process of using, there are no toxic substances releasing, which will ensure your safety. After heat treating, carbon steel has good mechanical properties of ductility, hardness, yield strength, or impact resistance.
- 【Thoughtful Design】 We add self-locking Nylon cable ties on our package. The CABLE TIES is good for home, office, garage, workshop and more. And the screw is very easy to insert with hand.
- Use a private access control: Set a password, allowlist, or equivalent control where supported. In Valheim, the permitted list excludes players who are not on it; configure the list carefully so friends are not locked out.
- Keep credentials private: Share the password only with players who should join, and do not put it in a public server name.
- Restrict administration: Use admin and ban lists where available, and review membership when the group changes.
- Choose visibility deliberately: A hidden server may not appear in a public browser. Tell invited players how the game expects them to connect.
Make the game-specific network changes
First determine whether the chosen game and connection backend require inbound router access. If they do, forward only the documented protocol and ports to the machine running the server, and allow the server through that machine’s firewall. Router labels and firewall controls differ, so use the instructions for your own equipment rather than a generic port-forwarding recipe.
Valheim: Steam backend versus Crossplay
Iron Gate’s 2024 guide gives 2456–2457 as Valheim’s default Steam-backend port range. The game uses the selected port and the next port, so a different chosen port changes the pair. The guide says router forwarding is needed for this Steam-backend setup. Valheim’s Crossplay backend instead connects through a relay and does not require router port forwarding; its connection options differ, so make sure players use a compatible route (Iron Gate Studio’s Valheim dedicated-server guide).
Palworld: its documented default
Pocketpair’s requirements page lists UDP 8211 as Palworld’s default, changeable network port and calls for router configuration. Treat that as Palworld-specific guidance, not a port to forward for other games. Check Pocketpair’s current deployment instructions and your own network setup before changing router rules (Pocketpair’s Palworld server requirements).
Test that players can join and that the world can be recovered
- Start the server and confirm its logs or status indicate that it is running and has loaded the intended world.
- Join from a second device or ask a friend on a different network to connect. Verify the address or server listing, password, game version, and platform or backend match.
- Confirm the world is the expected one and that the access controls behave as intended.
- Create a backup, then verify you know how to restore it. A backup that has never been tested may not be usable when needed.
Valheim’s guide documents a default save interval of 1,800 seconds (30 minutes) and a default automatic-backup schedule that keeps four backups: one two hours old and three spaced twelve hours apart. These are Valheim settings, not a recommended schedule for every game; adjust and verify backup behavior for your own world (Iron Gate Studio’s Valheim dedicated-server guide).
Quick Recap
Keep the server maintained
- Update the server software and players’ clients in a coordinated window; mismatched versions can prevent connections.
- Make a fresh backup before updates or configuration changes, and retain backups long enough to recover from a problem.
- Announce planned restarts so players can leave the world safely.
- Review logs, access lists, and storage health when troubleshooting or after an update.
- If using managed hosting, confirm how to update, download, and restore your world before relying on the provider’s backup policy.
Troubleshoot common connection failures
- Server does not appear or cannot be reached: Confirm the server process is running, the world finished loading, and the player is using the correct address or listing. For self-hosting, verify the firewall rule and, only when the game requires it, the forwarding target and ports.
- Connection fails after an update: Check that the server and client versions match and that the server restarted successfully.
- Only some platforms cannot join: Check whether the selected edition, server backend, and crossplay support those platforms. A relay or crossplay option may have different connection steps from a standard server.
- Password or access error: Re-enter the password and check for an allowlist or permitted-player rule that excludes the player.
- World does not load or saves are at risk: Inspect server logs and available storage, then stop making changes until you have a recoverable backup. For Palworld, Pocketpair specifically warns that low-performance storage may corrupt saved data.
- Home networking is a barrier: Reconsider a game-supported relay option or managed hosting rather than opening undocumented ports or weakening unrelated firewall protections.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
