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L4D2 Linux Working Server

This repository documents a working Left 4 Dead 2 Dedicated Server setup on Linux.

The final working setup uses a native Linux server install with:

  • Left 4 Dead 2 Dedicated Server
  • MetaMod:Source
  • SourceMod
  • Left 4 DHooks Direct
  • Custom SourceMod plugins
  • Modified Tank on Spawn plugin for guaranteed Versus Tank chapters
  • Versus mode configuration
  • Steam group configuration
  • screen for keeping the server running in the background

There is also an older Docker Compose setup included, but that setup is only recommended for a vanilla server without mods.

Important Notes

Recommended Setup

Use the native Linux setup if you want:

  • MetaMod
  • SourceMod
  • Admin menu
  • SourceMod plugins
  • Left 4 DHooks Direct
  • Custom server configuration
  • Versus mode support

This is the setup that successfully worked with mods.

Docker Compose Setup

The included docker-compose.yml is from the earlier Docker setup.

That setup can work for a basic vanilla L4D2 server, but it is not recommended for MetaMod/SourceMod.

During testing, the Docker image caused plugin loading problems with MetaMod/SourceMod because it attempted to load the wrong plugin architecture.

Native Linux setup = recommended for mods
Docker Compose setup = vanilla only

Final Working Server Path

The working native Linux server is installed here:

/mnt/l4d2/l4d2-server

SteamCMD is kept separately here:

/mnt/l4d2/steamcmd

Folder layout:

/mnt/l4d2/
├── steamcmd/
└── l4d2-server/

Features Working

  • Server starts successfully
  • Server is joinable by public IP
  • Steam connection works
  • VAC secure mode works
  • MetaMod loads successfully
  • SourceMod loads successfully
  • Left 4 DHooks Direct loads successfully
  • SourceMod plugins load successfully
  • Modified Tank on Spawn 1.30-ziggy1 loads successfully
  • Versus mode works when started with the correct command
  • SourceMod admin menu works after adding admin SteamID
  • Server can run in the background using screen

Verified Working Versions

MetaMod:Source

Metamod:Source version 1.12.0-dev+1224

SourceMod

SourceMod Version: 1.12.0.7212

Left 4 DHooks Direct

Left 4 DHooks Direct 1.166

Basic Server Start Command

Use this command for the working Versus setup:

cd /mnt/l4d2/l4d2-server

./srcds_run -game left4dead2 -console -usercon -ip 0.0.0.0 -port 27015 +mp_gamemode versus +map c8m1_apartment versus +maxplayers 8 +sv_gametypes versus +sv_allow_lobby_connect_only 0

Important part:

+mp_gamemode versus +map c8m1_apartment versus

Without that, the server may start as campaign/coop instead of Versus.

Recommended: Run Server in screen

Start a screen session:

screen -S l4d2

Start the server inside screen:

cd /mnt/l4d2/l4d2-server

./srcds_run -game left4dead2 -console -usercon -ip 0.0.0.0 -port 27015 +mp_gamemode versus +map c8m1_apartment versus +maxplayers 8 +sv_gametypes versus +sv_allow_lobby_connect_only 0

Detach without stopping the server:

CTRL + A
then press D

Reconnect later:

screen -r l4d2

Check running screen sessions:

screen -ls

Stop the server safely from the server console:

quit

Current Custom Tank Setup

The server currently uses a modified version of [L4D1 & L4D2] Tank on Spawn:

[L4D] Tank on Spawn (1.30-ziggy1) by Dragokas

Purpose of the modified version:

  • Runs in Versus only.
  • Gives each chapter one guaranteed Tank opportunity after survivors leave saferoom.
  • Allows normal director Tanks to spawn naturally.
  • Does not force an extra Tank if the director already spawned one that chapter.
  • Enforces only one living Tank at a time.
  • Leaves Tank HP alone with l4d_tank_on_spawn_control_hp "0", so Versus/default Tank HP stays normal.

Important files:

custom-plugins/tank-on-spawn-ziggy/addons/sourcemod/scripting/l4d_TankOnSpawn.sp
custom-plugins/tank-on-spawn-ziggy/addons/sourcemod/translations/l4d_TankOnSpawn.phrases.txt
custom-plugins/tank-on-spawn-ziggy/addons/sourcemod/gamedata/tankonspawn.txt
custom-plugins/tank-on-spawn-ziggy/cfg/sourcemod/l4d_tank_on_spawn.cfg

Server install locations:

left4dead2/addons/sourcemod/plugins/l4d_TankOnSpawn.smx
left4dead2/addons/sourcemod/translations/l4d_TankOnSpawn.phrases.txt
left4dead2/addons/sourcemod/gamedata/tankonspawn.txt
left4dead2/cfg/sourcemod/l4d_tank_on_spawn.cfg

Compile command:

cd /mnt/l4d2/l4d2-server/left4dead2/addons/sourcemod/scripting
./spcomp l4d_TankOnSpawn.sp
cp l4d_TankOnSpawn.smx ../plugins/l4d_TankOnSpawn.smx

Server Configuration

The main server config file is:

/mnt/l4d2/l4d2-server/left4dead2/cfg/server.cfg

Current working server.cfg example:

hostname "L4D2 Versus Server"
sv_gametypes "versus"
mp_gamemode "versus"
sv_allow_lobby_connect_only "0"
sv_visiblemaxplayers "8"
sv_lan "0"

sv_steamgroup "your steam group number"
sv_steamgroup_exclusive "0"

Note: Some team balance/shuffle cvars do not work in L4D2 multiplayer and may show as unknown commands or cheat-protected. If teams shuffle between rounds, a SourceMod team-management plugin may be needed.

Steam Group / Joining Notes

The server is configured with a Steam group:

sv_steamgroup "your steam group number"
sv_steamgroup_exclusive "0"

Steam group link:

https://steamcommunity.com/groups/"your steam group"

However, the Steam Group Servers list in L4D2 can be unreliable. Even with the correct group ID, the server may not always appear for group members.

Reliable join methods:

Direct connect from L4D2 console

connect PUBLIC_IP:27015

Example format:

connect 47.xxx.xxx.xxx:27015

Steam favorites

Friends can add the server through Steam:

Steam → View → Game Servers → Favorites → Add Server
PUBLIC_IP:27015

In-game server browser

In L4D2 console:

openserverbrowser

Then check the Favorites tab.

MetaMod and SourceMod Verification

Run these commands in the server console.

Check MetaMod:

meta version
meta list

Check SourceMod:

sm version
sm plugins list

Expected results should show:

Metamod:Source version 1.12.0-dev+1224
[META] Loaded 1 plugin.
SourceMod Version: 1.12.0.7212
[SM] Listing plugins

SourceMod Admin Setup

To use the in-game SourceMod admin menu:

sm_admin

your SteamID must be added to:

/mnt/l4d2/l4d2-server/left4dead2/addons/sourcemod/configs/admins_simple.ini

Example format:

"[U:1:STEAM3_ID_NUMBER]" "99:z"

After editing, reload admins from the server console:

sm_reloadadmins

Then in-game:

sm_admin

SourceMod Notes

The default SourceMod nextmap.smx plugin may be incompatible with Left 4 Dead 2.

If it shows an error, move it to the disabled folder:

cd /mnt/l4d2/l4d2-server

mkdir -p left4dead2/addons/sourcemod/plugins/disabled
mv left4dead2/addons/sourcemod/plugins/nextmap.smx left4dead2/addons/sourcemod/plugins/disabled/

Reverse Friendly-Fire Bot Setting

Reverse Friendly-Fire is controlled by:

/mnt/l4d2/l4d2-server/left4dead2/cfg/sourcemod/l4d2_reverse_ff.cfg

To make reverse friendly fire apply when shooting survivor bots:

reverseff_bot "1"
reverseff_botdmgmodifier "0.0"

This means:

Shooting survivor bots reverses damage back to the attacker.
Bots still take no real friendly-fire damage.

Plugin List

The current SourceMod plugin list is documented here:

l4d2-current-plugin-list.md

That file includes:

  • Custom L4D2 plugins
  • SourceMod default plugins
  • Required gamedata files
  • Required translation files
  • Best-effort AlliedMods/source links

Plugin Install Notes

For installing future .smx, .sp, .txt, .cfg, and translation files, see:

sourcemod-plugin-install-format.md

Basic folder rules:

.smx  -> left4dead2/addons/sourcemod/plugins/
.txt  -> left4dead2/addons/sourcemod/gamedata/
.cfg  -> left4dead2/cfg/ or left4dead2/cfg/sourcemod/
.phrases.txt -> left4dead2/addons/sourcemod/translations/
.sp   -> left4dead2/addons/sourcemod/scripting/ then compile with spcomp
.inc  -> left4dead2/addons/sourcemod/scripting/include/

Related Files

This repository may include:

README.md
docker-compose.yml
l4d2-server-setup-guide.md
l4d2-server-command-cheat-sheet.md
l4d2-file-path-cheat-sheet.md
sourcemod-plugin-install-format.md
l4d2-current-plugin-list.md

Recommended reading order:

  1. README.md
  2. l4d2-server-setup-guide.md
  3. l4d2-server-command-cheat-sheet.md
  4. sourcemod-plugin-install-format.md
  5. l4d2-current-plugin-list.md

Docker Compose Option

The included Docker Compose setup is kept for reference.

Use it only if you want a simple vanilla server without MetaMod or SourceMod.

Example Docker Compose concept:

services:
  l4d2-server:
    image: left4devops/l4d2
    container_name: l4d2_server
    ports:
      - "27015:27015/udp"
      - "27015:27015/tcp"
    command: >
      bash -lc "cd /home/louis/l4d2 && ./srcds_run -game left4dead2 -console -usercon -ip 0.0.0.0 -port 27015 +map c8m1_apartment +maxplayers 8 +sv_visiblemaxplayers 8 +sv_gametypes versus +sv_allow_lobby_connect_only 0"

Docker Limitation

The Docker setup was able to run a vanilla server, but MetaMod/SourceMod caused issues.

For plugins and mods, use the native Linux setup instead.

Security Notes

If a real Steam account was used with SteamCMD to download depots:

  • Remove SteamCMD login/session files after downloading
  • Use Steam Guard
  • Change the Steam password afterward if desired
  • Do not commit Steam credentials to GitHub

Cleanup commands used:

rm -rf ~/Steam/config
rm -rf ~/Steam/logs
rm -rf /mnt/l4d2/steamcmd/config
rm -rf /mnt/l4d2/steamcmd/logs
rm -f /mnt/l4d2/steamcmd/ssfn*

Do not commit any personal Steam account information.

Status

Current known-good status:

Native Linux L4D2 server: working
MetaMod: working
SourceMod: working
Left 4 DHooks Direct: working
VAC: working
Versus mode: working with corrected start command
Direct public connect: working
Steam Group Server list: unreliable
Docker vanilla server: worked
Docker modded server: not recommended

About

Working Left 4 Dead 2 Linux dedicated server setup with MetaMod, SourceMod, SteamCMD, and Versus configuration.

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dedicated-server steamcmd sourcemod metamod linux-server left4dead2 l4d2 versus left-4-dead-2

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