How to Set Up a Factorio Dedicated Server

Option 1: the headless server by hand

Wube publishes a headless Linux build of the server on factorio.com, free to download. It runs a save file with the settings in a server-settings.json beside it.

1. Download the stable headless build for Linux from factorio.com and unpack it.
2. Create a map: ./bin/x64/factorio --create ./saves/my-factory.zip
3. Copy data/server-settings.example.json to server-settings.json and set the name, password and visibility.
4. Start it: ./bin/x64/factorio --start-server ./saves/my-factory.zip --server-settings ./server-settings.json
5. Open UDP 34197 in your firewall and forward it on your router.

Option 2: Docker

factoriotools/factorio packages the headless server with a start script: it creates a map on first start, loads the newest save after that, generates an RCON password, and switches Space Age on or off from DLC_SPACE_AGE.

• Use the stable tag, not latest: latest follows the experimental branch, and players on stable cannot join it.
• Mount /factorio on a volume: saves, mods and config live there.
• Publish UDP 34197 for the game, and TCP 27015 if you want RCON.
• Memory starts low: a fresh map with Space Age used about 320 MB in our tests.

Option 3: managed on Flux

Deploy a Factorio server on the Flux decentralized cloud, on that same image, on its stable tag by default or the experimental branch or one fixed release, with the ports opened and routed for you, DDoS protection included, and a dashboard with server-settings.json as a form, an RCON console, a file browser for saves and mods, a live terminal and backups. Plans start at $2.49 a month.

1. Pick the 2, 4 or 8 GB plan.
2. Choose a region close to your players.
3. Keep Space Age on or switch it off, and deploy. A new map is ready within seconds.
4. Set the name and password in Server Settings, or upload your own save in the Saves tab.