Starbound How To Create A Server

Updated the whole post, added some extra tips for your server, also added some features like red text when you need to perform
a action or type something, etc. Be sure to check that out.
I'm terribly sorry if I don't write proper grammar. My main language is Dutch. So I'm trying to
make the tutorial as best as possible. Just correct me if you find anything.
So, a lot of people have trouble with port-forwarding their Starbound server.
So I thought, let's make an tutorial
If you see that it's leaking some information about setting up servers, etc.
Just PM me and I will change it. If it's correct of course.
Thanks to "danks_" for the extra information in this tutorial.

First of all. You can choose between making a LAN-server (This means that people on the same network can join) or making a World-Wide server. For using a World Wide server you need the Port Forward tutorial. If you just want to make an LAN-server check out the other spoiler.

Every router has it's own "site", but the progress will look similar to this tutorial.
I used Thomson for this tutorial.
Go to your menu and search for "cmd.exe". This is a command prompt file.
When opened, type: "ipconfig". You would see a lot of different IP's. And look for the "Default gateway."
Copy that IP and paste it in your URL bar, then press enter.
(Also if you know which brand your router has. Just copy the IP below here:
D-Link 192.168.(0.1) -> 0.30, 0.50, 1.1
Linksys 192.168.(0.1) -> 1.1
Belkin 192.168.2.1
Buffalo 192.168.11.1
Apple 10.0.1.1)

The IP should bring you to your Router's "Site"
It could be possible that you need to log in. Just find or ask for the codes.

2. Search for Game & Application sharing.

3. Click on "Create new ..."

4. Enter a name and select "Manual Entry of Port Maps". Than click next.

5. Enter the port "21025" in the first 3 bars. When done click on "Add"

6. Check if the ports look like this: If it's correct click on "Assign a game or application to a local network device."

If you still got trouble with portforwarding. Please go to http://portforward.com/
This site gives you free information and help with portforwarding with your router.

If you have a LAN-Server (A server without port forwarding) type in this IP: "127.0.0.1" at
step 10

10. Open starbound, click on multi-player, select your character and type your IP in the upper box:
If you have a LAN-Server you type your local IP (127.0.0.1)

Then click on join server.

Modded Servers
Mods are working in servers. Only check if you have the exact same mods as the server runs. Also
if you have the same mods and still have issues this would probably come because the mods aren't compatible or you are running the wrong version.

If you need support because you have trouble. PM me and I will try to help you. Also I will add it here.

________________________________________________________________________________________
Still got issues? Post your problem below

Attached Files:

Last edited: May 15, 2016

danks_ and TrueEdge like this.
Is this possible to go with mods?
Cause me and a friend are having issues trying to start one up cause we get a list or errors.
Please let people know that they should be using 127.0.0.1 instead of their IP if they are hosting the server in the same machine they are playing the game, since this usually is a problem.
The information about port-forwarding you provided is for a specific router model, let the people know that theirs might look different but that the process should be very similar, and also let people know that different routers have usually different IPs, hence why 192.168.2.254 might not work for them try adding a list of common router IPs, which usually depend on the brand, like this one:
D-Link 192.168.(0.1) -> 0.30, 0.50, 1.1 Linksys 192.168.(0.1) -> 1.1 Belkin 192.168.2.1 Buffalo 192.168.11.1 Apple 10.0.1.1
Or explain that you can obtain it by using ipconfig on a cmd prompt, like so:

Provide users to with a link to portforward.com, they explain how to do the portforwading process on many different devices.
Add information about editing the starboung.config file, asking users to disable upnpPortForwarding since this is also a common issue that many have problems with, also explaining things like useDefaultWorldCoordinate, serverPasswords, defaultWorldCoordinate and the allowAdminComands options would definitely be a plus to your tutorial.

Good job on the tutorial, user friendly and goes straight to the point.
Last edited: Nov 11, 2014
My friend finally got his working but sadly for some reason we can't use any custom ship mods cause it'll either crash
the server start up or just won't load.
So do you know why it won't work with custom ship mods like the Xan Union Cargo Cruiser mod?
Are you completely sure that the custom ship mod is the one causing the issue? Many servers have custom ships mods, like the one that allows you to build the ship yourself. Please, provide people with starboud_server.log and starbound.log if you want help, otherwise no one will know what's causing the error.UPnP Port Forwarding is an option many people are having trouble with, if it's enabled the server will try to directly communicate with the Router and ask the router to portforward the ports (without you having to do it), it sounds really cool and it's really useful if you have a router with UPnP capabilities, although some other routers seem to have an issue with this option, sometimes the server will crash or generalte errors while trying to portforward via UPnP, sometimes it just takes like 10 minutes for the portforward to take place, and since you are already explaining how to portforward via Router, turning the UPnP off is a good idea.
serverPasswords, is a very simple option. If one or more passwords are placed inside that option, only the players that know what password is in use will be able to enter the server, and those who don't have the server, can't connect to it. There are already some passwords written inside by default, hence why it's important to change the passwords.

useDefaultWorldCoordinate, this option, if enabled, will make all new players spawn in the default planet. The default planet is defined by defaultWorldCoordinate.
allowAdminComands in the current stable version is not important since there aren't vanilla admin commands, but on the nightly there's already an /admin command, meaning that eventually, people will have to disable this option or modify the list of players that can use the command to avoid people griefing the server.

Good luck!
My tip is to send a post to the designer of the Xan Union Cargo Cruiser mod. I hope he can help you. Because I
don't have much knowledge about the compatibility of mods.
And Danks_ thank you. I will add it later. I'm currently busy with something :L
I just updated the whole Tutorial, added all the extra information you have given me. I also learned a lot from you now.
I also turned off the UPnP-Option because it was meaking me insane to wait that long to start up.
If there is anything else you I can add just PM me. I will always keep it updated for everyone.
Have a nice day ;D
This is wrong, the coordinates that you have to write on the file aren't exactly the ones you find in the game, instead, in order to find that coordinate, you must go into the universe folder, inside it, you will find several .world files. These .world files do have the X and Y coordinates, displayed as such: alpha_305054_44922410 but there are another 3 variables to it, in the case of the world I chose, those extra 3 are _-18803737_10_3, I'm not exactly sure what the first two represent, but, if you visit a planet in the same solar system, you'd get a file named alpha_305054_44922410_-18803737_10_2.world (just an example) meaning that the last number represent the number of the planet in the solar system, I assume the other 2 numbers correspond to the name of the solar system, since most have a name such as "alidsl 76" and then a number represented in the roman fashion "V", after that you have a letter (a, b, c, d...), the planet number in the solar system I already mentioned.
This is probably the most complicated thing about changing the default world, it's not really user friendly and it takes a while until you actually figure out how the option works. You also have to replace all the underscores ( _ ) with colons ( : ), making it look like this: alpha05054:44922410:-18803737:10:2, honestly this is a feature I wouldn't recommend messing with.

Thumbs up on the tutorial.
Thanks, I will change it. And you're right that sure does look complicated.
I'll be busy for a while t figure it out and write it down on the forums.
I appreciate the help you are giving me. Together we make this tutorial awesome
Ok we figured out why the custom ships kept crashing on him.
When he was making the race ship folder for the mod he was moving it out from the ship mod folder out into the mods folder
which caused the server to have a fit and crash.
So once he kept the certain race folders in the ship mod folder it worked without issue.
So I have my huge cargo ship and he has his small ship.
Pixel Goods 3000 pixel cargo container here I come.
I'm happy for you that it's fixed.
Have fun with your awesome ship
Happy playing Starbounder
Hey I'm trying to start playing starbound with my Gf and I've had a lot of difficulty creating a server and getting her connected. I've got a virgin media hub so my post forwarding page looks like this.

I'm not sure what i'm doing so if anyone has any useful tips or can help me at all, it'll be greatly appreciated.
Btw when she tries to connect with my ip address and port number it just says connection failed.
Is she in the same place as you? If not, then you need to give her your external IP address at whatsmyip.org
Sorry for the late reaction.
Have a look on the Port Forward Site for detailed information. If you can't figure it out. Please let me know.
http://portforward.com/english/routers/port_forwarding/TP-Link/default.htm
OK so i Use century link and i cant find the step 2 of port forward anywhere
find your router on this site. It will guide you on how to port forward.
http://portforward.com/
So I have my 0.0.0.21025 port forwarded, but my starbound_server.exe hasnt gotten past "writing root configuration for "..\storage\starbound_server.config", and I'm not certain how all this information helps my problem. Thanks in advance
I'm having problem setting up port forwarding. In my port forwarding page on my router, it asked me for a IP in the form of 198.162.X.X where the X are empty fields where I can enter a number. What is it for and what numbers should I write?