Need help with transfering files to a dedicated server.

[cloud coyote]

Alright, let me start from the beginning. We were playing on a hosted server before, but we have decided to move to a dedicated server. I got the server ready, but I'm not quite sure how to transfer the character, world, and mod files, along with the sandbox settings.

Based on some digging I did a few months ago, I located some files and have a couple of questions:

1. World and Sandbox Files

   Worldname.ini

   Worldname_SandboxVars.lua

   Worldname_spawnregions.lua

I believe these are the files required for the sandbox settings and mod configurations, correct? If so, I assume I just need to change the "Worldname" prefix to my new server's name and transfer them to the required locations.

2. Character Files
   I think I have found the character files (specifically the ones under the old world name servertest and the previous server name hosted4). Do I just copy all of these and transfer them to the new server? I assume I should join the new server at least once first to generate the initial character folders before copying them over.

3. Server Settings
   Lastly, I read in an old post that you need to disable AutoModUpdater and set DoLuaChecksum=false. Is this still necessary?

That’s going to be all. Thank you in advance for your answers, I appreciate it a lot!

@silk cedar I dont know if pinging is allowed or not, its its not so sorry for disturbing you.

[small saddle]

I only quickly skimmed through your message, but have you read the Wiki on starting a dedicated server?

You should download SteamCMD

[cloud coyote]

I did.

[cloud coyote]

I watched a couple of videos through it. The server is set right now, just couldnt find information about the transfer process.

[small saddle]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vSgifZo7C4&t=441s

This video explains it well

[cloud coyote]

I watched this.

Doesnt mentions file transfer

[small saddle]

Gotcha if the server is already setup, your locally hosted world is stored in the following directory: C:\Users*your username*\Zomboid

And then the server folder should contain all of the files relating to your world's settings

[cloud coyote]

Oh, so I dont need the

Worldname.ini

Worldname_SandboxVars.lua

Worldname_spawnregions.lua

files?

[cloud coyote]

The server folder is this, correct?

[small saddle]

As for the character saves and all your mods, Im not too sure how to reliably move that stuff over. I would suggest starting over, you could try making backups of the following folders:

-db
-mods
-Saves
-Server

then delete everything in Zomboid, relaunch the game once, move the backups back into Zomboid folder

[small saddle]

no if you go to the Zomboid directory, you should see a folder called 'Server'

[cloud coyote]

Ohhh, that one. Got it.

[cloud coyote]

Let me start over from the beginning though, seems like I did a lot of things wrong.

[small saddle]

I am pretty sure this is where your world is stored locally

or all the files relating to it

[cloud coyote]

The server is not mine, so I'm getting the files from a friend

İts a bit of a hastle haha

[small saddle]

I see, yeah there are a few important directories you probably need to move files from, but as far as moving your server configuration files over (this includes mod additions and load order), all of it will be stored in the Server folder in this path:

C:\Users*your username*\Zomboid\Server

[cloud coyote]

Oh thats amazing to hear. So all the sandbox settings and stuff will be there? Along with the items on the floor? Car locations pencil markers etc.

[small saddle]

All the sandbox settings, yes. Everything else, I don't think so. This is just going to be the files for sandbox configuration (so the settings your friend chose when ya'll set up the server for the first time)

[cloud coyote]

So the pencil markers and stuff like that will disappear? But all the items, cars etc will stay as is right?

[small saddle]

-servertest.ini
-servertest_SandboxVars.lua
-servertest_spawnpoints.lua
-servertest_spawnregions.lua

All of these

No I think all that stuff is probably stored in Saves

so Zomboid > Saves > Multiplayer

[cloud coyote]

Alright amazing, Thanks for all the help! I will let you know when I'm finished with the dedicated server again.

Sorry for taking your time.

[small saddle]

Yeah Im pretty new to this too so I'm definitely no expert, hopefully someone who knows more can chime in

[cloud coyote]

You are helping a lot already haha

By the way, I have 16 gigs of DDR4 ram. İt should be enough to run the game and run the server right?

[small saddle]

Yes it should be

[cloud coyote]

I misses the most crucial step, port forwarding.

I got the static İP from my provider.

Hmm gotta figure out the port forwarding section.

[small saddle]

Usually done in your router UI settings

open command prompt, type ipconfig

then type the default gateway into your browser

unless you have a phone app or something else to manage your router settings

mine is through an app

most of the time its done by going to the default gateway (this is your routers IP address basically)

[cloud coyote]

Yeah finding my local password right now, for some reason its not admin.

[small saddle]

might be on your router physically, otherwise ask your ISP

they should have it or be able to reset it remotely

[cloud coyote]

Probably, asking about it now. I'm a bit familiar to process. I used to spend all my nights trying to figure out errors on minecraft servers 😭

İt was pure hell.

[small saddle]

lolll sounds rough, Zomboid is a different monster. Make sure you only have on reservation too (meaning one IP per port reservation) or you will lease a range of IPs instead of one

and your server will keep requiring you to update your IP address

everytime you are assigned a new IP via DHCP

[cloud coyote]

Static IP?

I already got it.

[small saddle]

you have static IP?

oh I missed that part

[cloud coyote]

Yeah purchased it through my provider, dont want to use external sites like ngrok.

They work but its just not worth the time.

[small saddle]

You can actually do it for free😅

[cloud coyote]

HUH?

I mean it was literally 1 dollar, but still didn't know there was a way to do it free...

[small saddle]

Could be different with your provider, but from my understanding when you get service from someone (any ISP), you become part of a list of DHCP reservations, of those IPs that automatically and randomly get assigned to you, you can reserve one, and then setup the port forward. As far as I know I haven't been chargedxD

[cloud coyote]

I think I know what you mean, but I'm on the CGNAT pool. So pretty sure that prevents me from doing that.

[small saddle]

Ohhh gotcha okay yeah I think mine is NAT pool. Either way $1 ain't bad at all, most VPNs require you to pay monthly and it's wayyy more than $1

[cloud coyote]

VPN's? Huh, I just asked my provider for it. İts literally on the mobile app haha

[cloud coyote]

I remember the first time making a minecraft server, I spend around 9 hours trying to figure out what was the issue because it was not working when I did everything right.

[small saddle]

Yeah I mean if you want a dedicated IP outside of your provider (like NordVPN or Surfshark all offer this service)

[cloud coyote]

I knew what was CGNAT that day.

[small saddle]

Is your Internet provided from a cell carrier?

[cloud coyote]

Cell Carrier? Sorry I'm not a native English speaker

[small saddle]

Like a phone carrier, are they more a telecommunications company?

[cloud coyote]

No not really, they only do home stuff from what I know.

[small saddle]

I see. Either way, that's a good deal compared to what I could find! I hope someone can help you more with moving all your server/world files. I gotta go finish some assignments. Good luck!

[cloud coyote]

Have fun! Thanks again.

[cloud coyote]

@small saddle Alright, so the dedicated server finished downloading again. Now, I didn't change any settings yet. What should I do?

[small saddle]

https://pzwiki.net/wiki/Dedicated_server#Connecting_to_the_server

[cloud coyote]

Alright figured it out.

One step remaining.

Downloading the mods...

[small saddle]

In the section under Configuration the server game settings (Windows), those should be all the files you need to move:)

[cloud coyote]

I asked my friend for the files so I think its already installed? Not sure though. İts looking like this.

But this guy is also saying something about İP's and other commands.

[small saddle]

Looks right, there is a random line break tho, is LIAZ300 one mod?

[cloud coyote]

No idea what you're talking about haha

[small saddle]

And yeah everything that guy posted still holds true I think. If you need to update mods, its better to run the server startup script, and they will update then

[cloud coyote]

What does he mean by the server startup page

[small saddle]

Do you see in the middle where it says LIAZ then one line down it says 300?

[cloud coyote]

Bat file?

[cloud coyote]

Oh yeah.

Thats odd.

Would it cause a problem?

[cloud coyote]

Turns out LIAZ 300 is a truck

[small saddle]

It shouldn't matter actually because it is still separated by semi colon, just better organization if they are in the same line imo

[cloud coyote]

Alright, all done

But the serverstartup page I dont know

[small saddle]

the server startup page I believe is somewhere in the host settings (in game). like if you go to Host > your server (for me I just left as servertest) > and manage settings from there, maybe that option is there somewhere

Let me double check

[small saddle]

ohhh that's right

[cloud coyote]

Trying to find it.

[small saddle]

I wonder which settings.ini

[cloud coyote]

Doesn't seem like its there.

Maybe I'm searching it wrong.

[small saddle]

I may have skipped that step with my server, and honestly I think leaving mod autoupdate is probably good because we are in unstable

so we want the latest versions of mods usually

and when they release a patch, you

[cloud coyote]

Yeah but then they might conflight with eachother no?

[small saddle]

will definitely want newest mod

[small saddle]

which ones?

[cloud coyote]

İf not, I'll just leave it.

[cloud coyote]

No idea

İt should be fine probably.

Alright, everything seems ready. I dont know how to transfer charecters though :/

[small saddle]

No, if you have conflicts you'll know from errors. Do you have the mod Error Magnifier?

It's helpful for telling which mods are problematic

[small saddle]

me neither :/

[cloud coyote]

I dont think so, but we didn't live any issues yet.

[small saddle]

Okay nice! Maybe just start with new characters

Or sign in as admin and give yourself the same levels you had

[cloud coyote]

Yeah that makes sense.

I'm just sad the markers are gone now probably.

Okay, here goes nothing!

[small saddle]

True:( there is probably a way to move saves but I just don't know how I wish I was more help!

Good luck tho!

[cloud coyote]

Thats all good, you already helped me enough! I feel like I owe you haha

[small saddle]

nah that's what these communities are about, so many people have helped me in the short time I've been here

and it's learning experience!

[cloud coyote]

Hopefully I'll do the same once I get the hang of this game.

I still have like 9H of playtime only.

[small saddle]

definitely👍 It's a great game, especially fun with friends

[cloud coyote]

Oh! Also. This is correct right?

Wait one of them is all.

Alright should be fine now.

[small saddle]

Can you do a port range per one address?

[cloud coyote]

You mean like 1 forwarding and both of them? 371-736 for example.

[small saddle]

1 IP address for example:
192.x.x.x

Then a port range:
16261-16272

[cloud coyote]

I tried, but it said invalid format for the internal port

[small saddle]

hmm okay that's weird

it's possible you do not even need the internal port field

does it allow you to leave it empty?

[cloud coyote]

No it doesn't

[small saddle]

What if you put just the start port there and leave the range up above?

When you guys connect, don't check the Steam relay box too

[small saddle]

What I mean is:

External: 16261-16272
Internal: 16261

That first port is reserved for you (the host) anyway I think

[cloud coyote]

I joined the server without doing that.

[cloud coyote]

But I can do that yeah.

[small saddle]

Yeah ideally I think you only want one reservation (assigned to your static IP). Your friends would then join via your public IP if Im not mistaken

This is what setting up a port reservation on my router looks like, for your reference. I lack the Internal and External fields

Do you have an option to only use External?

Like checkbox or anything?

[cloud coyote]

No I dont unfortunately.

[small saddle]

Okay I mean if you're not having issues I see no reason to change anything:) are your friends able to connect and stuff?

[cloud coyote]

They didn't try it yet. Still trying to figure out some issues.

Server starts with the mods but it seems like the word is brand new.

[small saddle]

yeah I think it's related to the save. Project Zomboid uses cloud saves (from Steam) to load your game, world-state, progress, etc.

you probably need to move that over too

[cloud coyote]

We did it.

[small saddle]

got it workin?

[cloud coyote]

Yeah the word is same.

My friend is gonna try joining now.

[small saddle]

ay! nice:)

[cloud coyote]

Hopefully it works.

İn the meantime, what should we do with the PF

Should it just stay like that? 2 seperate ones?

[small saddle]

I suppose if it's not giving you issues that's all that matters😅 some routers look different

[cloud coyote]

We'll see haha

I'm gonna leave the internal port blank

Oh I cant do that, right.

[cloud coyote]

@small saddle For my friend, its saying server failed to respond

İs it because of port forwarding?

[cloud coyote]

WOOOOHOOOOOO

CHARECTERS ARE BACK

SERVER İS BACK

We had to literally dig in to DB files in order to fix the issues and all.