LinuxGSM is a command-line tool for installing and managing dedicated game servers on Linux. It automates common jobs such as installation, updates, monitoring, alerts, backups and server details; it is not a game server itself or a hosting provider. Whether it is right for your setup depends chiefly on the game’s Linux server support, its dependencies and the workload you expect.
What LinuxGSM does
LinuxGSM provides shell scripts for common game-server administration tasks, including installation, starting and stopping, updates, monitoring, backups and console access. It integrates with SteamCMD for Steam server files and also supports other update methods, including custom JSON and file archives. The project homepage reported support for 142 game servers when accessed on October 4, 2026; that is a changing project count, not a guarantee that every game or version will work on every Linux distribution. LinuxGSM’s official homepage
Before choosing it, confirm that the game has a Linux dedicated-server build and check the game-specific requirements. LinuxGSM’s FAQ says servers that require WINE are not considered for new server scripts. LinuxGSM FAQ
Choose a host and Linux distribution for the game
There is no universal CPU, memory or disk specification for a LinuxGSM host: the game server and its workload determine what is adequate. Consider these factors when selecting a machine:
Recommended Free Tools
#1 Best Overall
- CPU: Per-core performance matters, and needs vary with the game and number of players.
- RAM: Allow for the chosen game, maps, player count and mods.
- Storage: Include space for server files and the backups you intend to retain.
- Network: Consider reliability, latency to your players, packet loss, firewall and port control, and DDoS protection.
- Administration: Choose a system you can maintain, including its updates and game-specific dependencies.
LinuxGSM’s FAQ recommends checking the game’s official documentation or forums for exact server requirements. LinuxGSM FAQ
The project’s distribution guide says its developers primarily use Ubuntu and attempt to support the distributions listed there, but it does not guarantee support for other distributions. It discusses Debian, Rocky Linux and AlmaLinux as options. Check the current guide and the selected game’s dependencies before settling on an OS. LinuxGSM distro guide
Install LinuxGSM
The installer can create required directories, install or advise on dependencies, download server files, load configuration and apply game-specific fixes. LinuxGSM offers an interactive installation and an unattended mode. Dependency installation may need sudo or root privileges, but run the game-server installation as its designated non-root user with correctly owned files. The installation troubleshooting guide identifies running the script as root, incorrect ownership and a non-executable script as common problems. LinuxGSM installation documentation
- Check prerequisites: Confirm the game is supported for your Linux environment and review its dependencies and ports.
- Use the game’s LinuxGSM script: Follow the current game-specific installation instructions in the official documentation.
- Run the installer: Use
./gameserver installfor interactive setup or./gameserver auto-installfor unattended setup. - Correct permissions if needed: Ensure the script is executable and files belong to the designated server user. Use elevated privileges only where dependency installation requires them.
The exact script name and configuration depend on the game, so follow its current LinuxGSM page rather than treating gameserver as a literal filename. LinuxGSM documentation
Rank #3
- Used Book in Good Condition
Manage, update and monitor a server
LinuxGSM’s command interface includes actions for starting, stopping and restarting a server, checking details, creating a backup, updating LinuxGSM itself, monitoring, alerts and updating the game server. Consult the relevant game script’s current help and documentation for exact commands and options. LinuxGSM command documentation
Game-server updates
The update command checks for available updates and applies them; if the server is running, the process may restart it. SteamCMD servers are supported, as are other examples such as TeamSpeak, Minecraft, Mumble and Factorio. Updates can be scheduled with cron or configured to run on server start. The latter can lengthen startup, so confirm the game-specific behavior and decide whether players should wait for an update before the server comes online. LinuxGSM update documentation
Rank #4
- The Game Console 2.0: A Photographic History from Atari to Xbox
- No Starch Press
- ABIS BOOK
Monitoring and automatic recovery
Monitoring checks the server process or tmux session and then queries the game server. If a query fails, LinuxGSM retries every 15 seconds over a 60-second period. If it still cannot query the server, monitoring can reboot it and send an alert. This wait is intended to avoid false restarts during startup, map changes or downloads. The documentation shows cron scheduling, including an example that checks every five minutes; choose a schedule appropriate for your server and recovery needs. LinuxGSM monitoring documentation
Backups and restore planning
The built-in backup command creates a .tar.gz archive of the whole server. That can consume significant disk space. Set a retention policy and decide whether your recovery requirements call for a separate remote or incremental backup method; the built-in archive is not inherently offsite. LinuxGSM backup documentation
Best Value
- Used Book in Good Condition
Run multiple servers on one host
LinuxGSM documents two broad layouts. Choose based on the separation you need, available storage and whether the game supports shared files across instances.
| Layout | How it works | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Separate installation per server | Each server has its own directory and normally its own Linux user. | Separates files and configuration, reducing the chance that one instance’s changes affect another. Uses more disk and repeats setup. |
| Multiple instances from one installation | Distinct LinuxGSM scripts or configurations share base server files. | Can save storage for cloned servers or different modes and maps. Not all games support it; mod conflicts and shared failures can affect every instance. |
Whichever layout you use, assign unique ports and script or session names. LinuxGSM uses the script name as the tmux session name, so duplicate names under the same user can collide. LinuxGSM multiple-server documentation
Quick Recap
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.
