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The following documentation details how to host a public or private game server for [[Holdfast: Nations At War]]. The game offers an anonymous dedicated server for both Linux and Windows.

== Quick Start Guide ==
For rapid local testing before hosting publicly:

# '''Acquire files:''' Install <code>Holdfast: Nations At War - Dedicated Server</code> from your Steam library ('''Tools''' section). 
# '''Configuration:''' Modify the default map rotation file, which is located in (<code>serverconfig_default.txt</code>). 
# '''Launch:''' Start the server using the provided launch script: <code>LaunchServer.ps1</code> (Windows) or <code>LaunchServer.sh</code> (Linux).
# '''Connect:''' In the Holdfast game, go to the server browser, click '''Join Custom Server''', and then click the top '''Connect''' button (leaving the address as <code>Localhost</code> unless you changed the port).
# ⚠️ '''Important:''' To allow other players to connect, you must configure '''port forwarding''' on your router and open the necessary '''UDP ports''' in your local firewall.

== Prevent Overwrites on Update ==
💾 Game updates often overwrite the default launch script and configuration file. To prevent this, always create copies of these files and use the copies for your custom server:

# Duplicate <code>serverconfig_default.txt</code> to a custom name (e.g., <code>serverconfig_myname.txt</code>).
# Duplicate the launch script (e.g., <code>LaunchServer.ps1</code> to <code>LaunchServer_myname.ps1</code>).
# Edit your custom launch script to point to your custom config file.

== Windows Server Hosting ==
=== Obtaining the game files ===
==== Obtaining the Game Files ====
You can acquire the dedicated server files using one of two methods:

==== 1. Steam Client (Recommended) ====
This is the easiest method if you have Steam installed:

# Open your '''Steam Library'''.
# Use the filter to select '''Tools''' (or search for ''Holdfast'' and tick the '''Tools''' box).
# Install '''Holdfast: Nations At War - Dedicated Server'''.
# Once installed, right-click the app → '''Manage''' → '''Browse local files''' to access the server folder.

{|style="margin:0 auto;"
| [[File:ServerSteamLocation.png|thumb|Steam application to download]]
| [[File:ServerBrowseLocalFiles.png|thumb|Browse local files in Steam]]
|}

==== 2. SteamCMD ====
SteamCMD is a command-line utility used to install and update dedicated servers.

# Download and set up SteamCMD.
# Run the following command, replacing <code>[LOGINNAME]</code> and <code>[PASSWORD]</code> with your Steam credentials:
<pre>
steamcmd +login [LOGINNAME] [PASSWORD] +force_install_dir "C:\holdfastser
</pre>

* '''Note:''' The account used must '''own the game'''; anonymous login will fail.
* If the server has issues, run the command again with <code>validate</code> to verify files: <code>+app_update 589290 validate</code>.

=== Basic Configuration & Starting ===
[[File:FolderStructure.jpg|thumb|Holdfast merged server & game files folder structure|alt=|none]]

The server files include example configs. See [[Server_Configuration|Server Configuration]] for all options.

== Basic Configuration & Starting ==
'''Duplicate Files:''' Following the warning above, make copies of the default files:<pre>
serverconfig_default.txt → serverconfig_newserver.txt
LaunchServer.ps1 → LaunchServer_newserver.ps1
</pre>

'''Edit Configuration (<code>serverconfig_newserver.txt</code>):''' Set up your ports and server details. '''Both ports must be unique for each server instance.'''
<pre>
|Server & Steam Ports|
server_port 20100
steam_query_port 27000

|Basic variables|
server_name My Custom Server
server_region europe
#server_admin_password defaultAdminPWReplace (Uncomment and replace)
#server_password mypassword (Uncomment for private server)
</pre>'''Action:''' Ensure the <code>server_port</code> and <code>steam_query_port</code> (UDP) are open in your Windows firewall and have corresponding port forwarding rules on your router. The <code>steam_query_port</code> is what allows the server browser to display information like player count and map.

'''Update Launch Script:''' Edit your custom launch script (<code>LaunchServer_newserver.ps1</code>) to ensure the arguments point to your custom config file:<pre>
# LaunchServer_newserver.ps1 - Example arguments
$args = '-s -r --serverConfigFilePath "serverconfig_newserver.txt" --outputLog "logs_output\outputlog_newserver.txt" ...'
Start-Process -FilePath "vapuriloadtester.exe" -Verb RunAs -ArgumentList $args
</pre>

'''Start Server:''' Run <code>LaunchServer_newserver.ps1</code> to start the server process.
== Linux Server Hosting ==
=== Docker Setup (Recommended) ===
🐳 Using the official Docker image simplifies installation, maintenance, and updates:

# '''Basic Installation:''' This command runs the server and uses the host network to automatically map required ports.
<pre>
docker run -d --net=host --name=holdfastnaw-dedicated cm2network/holdfastnaw
</pre>

'''Custom Ports:''' To run multiple instances, you can specify custom ports using environment variables:):<pre>
docker run -d --net=host -e SERVER_PORT=20100 -e STEAM_QUERY_PORT=27000 --name=holdfastnaw-dedicated cm2network/holdfastnaw 
</pre>

Docker Hub:
[https://hub.docker.com/r/cm2network/holdfastnaw/ https://hub.docker.com/r/cm2network/holdfastnaw/]

'''Note:''' The container automatically checks for updates on start. You must '''restart the container''' after a game update to apply it. The configuration files are located inside the container at <code>/home/steam/holdfastnaw-dedicated/</code>.

=== Manual Setup ===
If you are not using Docker, you can manually set up the server using SteamCMD.

Install [https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD SteamCMD], then run the following to download the dedicated server files (App ID <code>1424230</code>):<pre>
steamcmd.sh +login anonymous +force_install_dir /opt/holdfastserver +app_update 1424230 +quit 
</pre>

'''Note:''' Use <code>+app_update 1424230 validate</code> later to verify the files if needed.
== Basic Configuration & Starting the Server (Manual) ==
'''Duplicate Config:''' Navigate to the server directory and copy the default config:
<pre>
cd /opt/holdfastserver
cp serverconfig_default.txt serverconfig_myserver.txt 
</pre>

* '''Edit Config (<code>serverconfig_myserver.txt</code>):''' Configure your ports and server details as detailed in the Windows section (setting <code>server_port</code> and <code>steam_query_port</code>).
<pre>
cd /opt/holdfastserver
./Holdfast\ NaW \
-startserver -batchmode -nographics \
-screen-width 640 -screen-height 480 -screen-quality "Fastest" \
-framerate "120" --serverheadless \
-serverConfigFilePath "serverconfig_myserver.txt" \
-logFile "logs_output/outputlog_server.txt" \
-logArchivesDirectory "logs_archive/" \
-p "20100"
</pre>

'''Note:''' Replace <code>"serverconfig_myserver.txt"</code> with your actual config file name and verify the port <code>-p "20100"</code> matches your configuration file.

'''Start Server:''' Execute the main game file with required arguments. This uses the <code>-startserver</code> flag and runs in a headless, no-graphics mode for stability:
<pre>
"./Holdfast NaW" -startserver \
  -batchmode \
  -nographics \
  -screen-width 640 \
  -screen-height 480 \
  -screen-quality "Fastest" \
  -framerate "120" \
  --serverheadless \
  -serverConfigFilePath "serverconfig_myserver.txt" \
  -logFile "logs_output/outputlog_server.txt" \
  -logArchivesDirectory "logs_archive/" \
  -p "20100"
</pre><pre>
server_name My Server
server_region europe #
server_admin_password defaultAdminPWReplace
#server_password mypassword
</pre>