How to Set Up a Soulmask Dedicated Server on Raspberry Pi

Ben
Ben
@benjislab

Hosting your own Soulmask dedicated server on a Raspberry Pi is an excellent way to play with friends and build a community around this engaging game. The Raspberry Pi is a cost-effective and energy-efficient platform that can handle the requirements of running a dedicated server. This guide will walk you through the steps to set up and run a Soulmask dedicated server on your Raspberry Pi.

Equipment Needed

  • Raspberry Pi (preferably Raspberry Pi 4 for better performance)
  • MicroSD card (at least 16GB)
  • MicroSD card reader
  • Internet connection
  • Power supply for Raspberry Pi

Prepare Your Raspberry Pi

Step 1: Install Raspberry Pi OS

  1. Download Raspberry Pi OS:

Download the latest version of Raspberry Pi OS Lite from the official Raspberry Pi website.

  1. Write the OS to the MicroSD Card:

Use Raspberry Pi Imager or Balena Etcher to write the Raspberry Pi OS image to your MicroSD card.

  1. Set Up the Raspberry Pi:

Insert the MicroSD card into your Raspberry Pi, connect it to a monitor, keyboard, and power it on. Follow the setup instructions to configure your Raspberry Pi.

  1. Update Your System:

Ensure your Raspberry Pi is up-to-date with the latest software and security patches.

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

Step 2: Install Required Packages

Install necessary packages to run the Soulmask server.

sudo apt install -y git build-essential cmake libssl-dev

Download and Compile Soulmask Server

Step 1: Clone the Soulmask Repository

Clone the official Soulmask server repository from GitHub.

git clone https://github.com/soulmask/soulmask-server.git
cd soulmask-server

Step 2: Compile the Server

Follow the instructions in the repository to compile the server. This typically involves running a series of commands to build the project.

mkdir build
cd build
cmake ..
make

Step 3: Configure the Server

Once the server is compiled, you need to configure it. The configuration files are usually located in the config directory.

  1. Edit the Configuration File:

Open the main configuration file with a text editor.

nano config/server.conf
  1. Adjust Settings:

Modify the settings as needed, such as server name, maximum players, and port number. Save the file and exit the editor.

server_name = "My Soulmask Server"
max_players = 20
port = 25565

Set Up Networking

Step 1: Configure Port Forwarding

To allow players to connect to your server, you need to configure port forwarding on your router. Log in to your router's administration page and forward the port you specified in the server configuration (e.g., 25565) to the IP address of your Raspberry Pi.

Step 2: Set a Static IP Address

Assign a static IP address to your Raspberry Pi to ensure it always has the same local IP address. This can be done through your router settings or by editing the dhcpcd.conf file on your Raspberry Pi.

sudo nano /etc/dhcpcd.conf

Add the following lines at the end of the file, replacing 192.168.1.100 with your desired IP address:

interface eth0
static ip_address=192.168.1.100/24
static routers=192.168.1.1
static domain_name_servers=192.168.1.1

Save and close the file, then reboot your Raspberry Pi.

sudo reboot

Start the Soulmask Server

Navigate to the directory where the server executable is located and start the server.

cd ~/soulmask-server/build
./soulmask-server

Your Soulmask server should now be running. You can connect to it using the IP address of your Raspberry Pi and the port number specified in the configuration.

Automate Server Startup

To ensure your server starts automatically on boot, you can create a systemd service.

  1. Create a Service File:
sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/soulmask.service
  1. Add the Following Content:
[Unit]
    Description=Soulmask Server
    After=network.target
    
[Service]
    Type=simple
    User=pi
    ExecStart=/home/pi/soulmask-server/build/soulmask-server
    Restart=on-failure
    
[Install]
    WantedBy=multi-user.target

Save and close the file.

  1. Enable and Start the Service:
sudo systemctl enable soulmask.service
sudo systemctl start soulmask.service

Conclusion

Setting up a Soulmask dedicated server on your Raspberry Pi allows you to host your own game server, providing a platform for friends and community to play together. With the steps outlined in this guide, you can configure, run, and manage your Soulmask server efficiently, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience.