How to Make a GMOD Server [+ Best Practices]

Helpful Summary

Overview: This guide walks you through the process of setting up your own Garry’s Mod (GMOD) server.
Why trust us: At Iceline Hosting, we’ve helped numerous gaming communities launch successful game servers with our premium hosting solutions.
Why it matters: Having full control over your GMOD server allows for personalized gameplay, reliable performance, and community building.
Action points: Choose a reliable hosting provider, customize server settings, and regularly monitor performance for the best gaming experiences.
Further research: Explore our blog posts for more insights on advanced server management tools and additional mods to enhance your server's capabilities.

Wondering How to Set Up a Garry’s Mod Server?

Are you wondering how to set up a Garry’s Mod (GMOD) server? At Iceline Hosting, we understand that running your own server can seem intimidating at first.

However, we’re here to help simplify the process. Whether you aim to create a sandbox world for your friends or launch a community server, we’ll guide you through the steps.

Why Listen to Us?

At Iceline Hosting, we provide premium game server hosting, dedicated servers, web hosting, and DDoS protection, perfect for your GMOD server hosting.

With firsthand experience in supporting gaming communities, we consistently deliver exceptional performance and uptime. Our customers enjoy seamless server experiences backed by dependable customer support.

How to Set Up a GMOD Server?

Garry’s Mod, known as GMOD, is a sandbox game that allows players to manipulate objects and experiment with physics. Since its release, GMOD has grown into a beloved platform for creative freedom, where players can build anything from mini-games to entire worlds.

The flexibility and open-ended nature of the game make it popular for both casual and professional gamers alike. If you’re looking to take your GMOD experience to the next level, setting up your server gives you full control over game modes, mods, and player management.

Now let’s dive into the steps to set up your GMOD server.

1. Choose Your Server Hosting Provider

While it’s possible to run a GMOD server from your own machine, it requires substantial computing power and a strong internet connection. Instead of that, we recommend using a hosting service like Iceline Hosting to ensure stability and 24/7 uptime.

With Iceline Hosting, you’ll benefit from DDoS protection, robust customer support, and an easy-to-use control panel to manage your server. Follow these steps to get started:

Visit Iceline Hosting's website and create an account.
Navigate to the Game Hosting section and choose Garry’s Mod from the list of available games.
Select a plan based on your server requirements. Consider the number of slots (players), RAM, and any other resources based on how many players you expect and the mods you’ll use.

2. Purchase Your GMOD Server

Once you've selected the plan, begin the purchasing process by adding the server to your cart. The next step is to complete the payment. Then you’ll receive an email with the server details after your purchase is successful.

After this, log into your Iceline Hosting account. Navigate to the Control Panel section. This is typically based on TCAdmin or a similar platform and is designed to make server management easy. You can then locate your newly created Garry’s Mod server in the panel.

3. Install GMOD on Your Server

In the control panel, you should see an Install or Setup button for Garry's Mod. Click on it, and the game files will automatically be downloaded and installed on your server. After installation, you'll be able to start the server.

4. Customize Your GMOD Server

The next step is to customize your server. Configure your server settings by accessing the configuration file, or the server.cfg file via the file manager or the configuration section on the control panel.

Modify settings such as server name, max players, game modes, and more. Enable workshop mods, add them using the control panel’s mod management system. You can also add the Steam Workshop IDs directly into the workshop.lua file.

5. Install Addons and Mods

This is an optional step. You can add specific game modes or mods, Iceline Hosting makes it easy through the mod installer. Go to the File Manager or Mod Manager section.

Use the built-in Steam Workshop integration to search for mods or upload custom addons directly to the server's directory.

6. Set Up Admin Privileges

Also, you’ll need to set up admin rights. Use ULX Admin Mod to manage players and admin rights on your server. You can install ULX via the Workshop or upload the files manually. After this, configure the permissions for your admins by editing the ulx_groups.lua file.

7. Launch Your Server

Go back to the Control Panel and click Start to launch your GMOD server. Once running, you can use the server console to input commands and manage your server in real-time. The next step is to share your server.

Once your server is up, you’ll receive an IP address from Iceline Hosting. Share this IP with your friends or community so they can connect to the server. Players can join by typing connect [YourServerIP] in the GMOD console or finding the server in the in-game server browser if you've made it public.

8. Monitor and Manage

Lastly, you can use the Iceline Control Panel to monitor server performance, handle restarts, and install updates. You can also set up automatic restarts or backups to ensure your server runs smoothly without issues.

Best Practices for Setting Up a GMOD Server

After setting up your server, consider these best practices for optimal performance and player experience:

Use a Reliable Hosting Service: Use a trusted GMod hosting provider like Iceline Hosting, it ensures that your server runs smoothly with minimal downtime. We offer high-performance servers explicitly designed for gaming, so you won’t have to worry about lag or crashes. Our customer support team is available 24/7 to assist with any issues.
Optimize Server Performance: Server performance is crucial for a smooth gaming experience. To optimize your GMOD server, limit the number of active add-ons and mods to reduce server load. Also, adjust your server’s tick rate and other performance-related settings to balance quality and stability.
Regularly Update Your Server: Keep your server up to date by periodically checking for updates to GMOD and any installed mods. An outdated server can lead to compatibility issues, causing crashes or disconnections. Iceline Hosting’s one-click update feature simplifies this process.
Backup Server Data: Backing up your server data is vital if you’ve spent hours customizing your game modes and settings. Use automated backup solutions to regularly save your server’s progress and configurations. Iceline Hosting provides built-in backup tools, so you can restore your server to a previous state in case of data loss.
Implement Moderation Tools: You need effective moderation to maintain a fun and respectful gaming environment. Install server management tools like ULX or SAM to give administrators control over player actions. This ensures you can address disruptive behavior promptly.

Conclusion

Setting up a GMOD server doesn’t have to be a complicated process, especially when using a hosting provider like Iceline Hosting. By following the steps outlined in this guide and implementing best practices, you’ll be well on your way to running a successful server for your friends or gaming community.

At Iceline Hosting, we offer the infrastructure, support, and tools needed to ensure your GMOD server runs at peak performance. Ready to get started? Sign up for Iceline Hosting today and elevate your Garry’s Mod experience!

Here’s Our Guide on How to Make a GMOD Server [+ Best Practices]