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CS:GO Server

Unraid dedicated server hosting for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

CS:GO Dedicated Server

Video IBRACORP CS:GO Server Tutorial

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Credits​

RoleContributor
Writer / Producerich777
Video Recording and VoiceIBRACORP
Contributorich777
Testing / ProofreadingIBRACORP Community

Feature List​

CS:GO Dedicated Server Features:

  • Full Counter-Strike: Global Offensive multiplayer server
  • Support for competitive and casual game modes
  • Custom map support and workshop integration
  • MetaMod and SourceMod plugin compatibility
  • RCON remote administration
  • Configurable round settings and gameplay options

Prerequisites​

System Requirements:

  • CPU: 4+ cores (2.0GHz or higher)
  • RAM: 6GB minimum
  • Storage: 35GB available space
  • Network: Stable internet connection with port forwarding capability
  • Steam Account: Required for server token generation

Installation​

Unraid Docker Template​

CS:GO Server / ich777's Repository / Gaming

Installation Steps:

  1. Head to the Community Applications store in Unraid
  2. Search for and click to install CS:GO Server from ich777's Repository
  3. If you are using a custom Docker network, select it in the 'Network Type' field
  4. Enter the host port you want to map for the server. By default it is 27015. Only change it if this port is already in use
  5. Generate Steam Token:
    • Visit Steam Token Generator
    • Log in with your Steam account
    • Create a new token for App ID 740 (Counter-Strike: Global Offensive)
    • Copy the generated token
  6. Configure Container:
    • Paste your Steam token in the STEAMTOKEN field
    • Set GAMEMODE to your preferred mode (competitive, casual, deathmatch)
    • Configure MAXPLAYERS (default: 10 for competitive, 20 for casual)
    • Set TICKRATE (64 or 128)
  7. Click Apply and wait for the container to pull down and start
  8. Port Forwarding: Forward port 27015 (UDP/TCP) on your router to your Unraid server

Docker Compose​

version: '3.8'
services:
  csgo-server:
    image: ich777/steamcmd:csgo
    container_name: csgo-server
    restart: unless-stopped
    environment:
      - STEAMTOKEN=YOUR_STEAM_TOKEN_HERE
      - GAMEMODE=competitive
      - MAXPLAYERS=10
      - TICKRATE=128
      - MAPGROUP=mg_active
      - STARTMAP=de_dust2
      - PUID=1000
      - PGID=1000
    ports:
      - "27015:27015/tcp"
      - "27015:27015/udp"
    volumes:
      - ./csgo-data:/serverdata/steamcmd/csgo

Installation Steps:

  1. Save the above configuration as docker-compose.yml
  2. Replace YOUR_STEAM_TOKEN_HERE with your Steam token
  3. Start the container: 
    docker compose up -d
  4. Monitor logs for successful startup

Configuration​

Server Setup Process:

  1. The server will automatically download CS:GO files on first startup
  2. Wait for the download to complete (this may take 30-60 minutes for full installation)
  3. Once complete, your server will be available at YOUR_SERVER_IP:27015
  4. Players can connect using the console command: connect YOUR_SERVER_IP:27015

Game Modes:

  • Competitive: 5v5, MR15, 128-tick recommended
  • Casual: 10v10, relaxed rules
  • Deathmatch: Free-for-all combat
  • Arms Race: Gun progression mode

Server Configuration​

Basic Server Settings​

Server Configuration (server.cfg):

// Server name and info
hostname "My CS:GO Server"
sv_contact "admin@myserver.com"
sv_tags "128tick,competitive"

// RCON settings
rcon_password "your_secure_rcon_password"

// Network settings
sv_lan 0
sv_region 3
sv_pure 1

// Game settings
mp_autoteambalance 1
mp_limitteams 1
mp_roundtime 1.92
mp_freezetime 15
mp_maxmoney 16000
mp_startmoney 800

Competitive Settings​

// Competitive mode
game_type 0
game_mode 1
mapgroup "mg_active"
map "de_dust2"

// Round settings
mp_maxrounds 30
mp_overtime_enable 1
mp_overtime_maxrounds 6
mp_overtime_startmoney 10000

// Buying settings
mp_buytime 20
mp_buy_anywhere 0
mp_buy_during_immunity 0

Server Modification​

Adding Custom Maps​

  1. Workshop Maps:

    • Find the map's Workshop ID from the Steam Workshop URL
    • Add to your server startup: +host_workshop_collection COLLECTION_ID
    • Or use individual maps: +workshop_start_map WORKSHOP_MAP_ID

  2. Manual Map Installation:

    • Navigate to /serverdata/steamcmd/csgo/csgo/maps/
    • Upload your custom map files (.bsp, .nav, .txt)
    • Add map to maplist.txt or mapcycle.txt

MetaMod & SourceMod Installation​

MetaMod Setup:

  1. Download MetaMod:Source from official website
  2. Extract files to /serverdata/steamcmd/csgo/csgo/
  3. Add the following line to /serverdata/steamcmd/csgo/csgo/gameinfo.txt: 
    Game    |gameinfo_path|addons/metamod

SourceMod Setup:

  1. Download SourceMod from official website
  2. Extract files to /serverdata/steamcmd/csgo/csgo/
  3. Restart server to load plugins
  4. Access admin menu in-game with sm_admin
  • Retakes - Retake practice scenarios
  • Multi-1v1 - Multiple 1v1 arenas
  • Executes - Team execute practice
  • WarMod - Competition management
  • Knife Round - Knife round for side selection

Configuration Options​

Server Settings​

SettingDescriptionDefaultValues
GAMEMODEGame mode typecompetitivecompetitive, casual, deathmatch
MAXPLAYERSMaximum players1010, 20, 32
TICKRATEServer tick rate6464, 128
MAPGROUPMap groupmg_activemg_active, mg_reserves
STARTMAPStarting mapde_dust2Any valid map name

Advanced Configuration​

Performance Optimization:

// CPU optimization
host_thread_mode 2
cl_threaded_bone_setup 1
mat_queue_mode 2
r_threaded_renderables 1

// Network optimization
rate 786432
sv_maxrate 786432
sv_minrate 196608
sv_mincmdrate 128
sv_maxcmdrate 128

Admin Management​

Setting Up Admins​

  1. SourceMod Admins:

    • Edit /serverdata/steamcmd/csgo/csgo/addons/sourcemod/configs/admins_simple.ini
    • Add admin Steam IDs:
    "STEAM_1:0:12345678" "z" // Full admin access

  2. RCON Access:

    • Connect to server
    • Open console and type: rcon_password your_password
    • Use RCON commands: rcon status, rcon changelevel de_mirage

Admin Commands​

# Map management
rcon changelevel de_mirage
rcon mp_restartgame 1

# Player management
rcon kick "PlayerName"
rcon ban "PlayerName"
rcon status

# Server control
rcon exec server.cfg
rcon mp_pause_match
rcon mp_unpause_match

Troubleshooting​

Common Issues​

Server Won't Start:

  • Verify Steam token is correct for App ID 740
  • Check available disk space (minimum 35GB)
  • Review container logs for download progress

Players Can't Connect:

  • Confirm port forwarding for 27015 TCP/UDP
  • Check sv_lan is set to 0
  • Ensure Steam token is valid and active

Performance Issues:

  • Use 64-tick for casual servers, 128-tick for competitive
  • Monitor CPU usage during matches
  • Reduce player count if experiencing lag

Map Issues:

  • Verify custom maps are properly installed
  • Check Workshop collection IDs are correct
  • Ensure map files have correct permissions

Log Analysis​

# View container logs
docker logs csgo-server

# Follow logs in real-time
docker logs -f csgo-server

# Server console logs
tail -f ./csgo-data/csgo/console.log

Match Configuration​

Competitive Match Setup​

// Warmup settings
mp_warmup_pausetimer 0
mp_warmuptime 300
mp_warmuptime_all_players_connected 60

// Match settings
mp_maxrounds 30
mp_match_can_clinch 1
mp_match_end_changelevel 1

// Economy settings
mp_maxmoney 16000
mp_startmoney 800
mp_round_restart_delay 5

Practice Configuration​

// Practice mode settings
sv_cheats 1
mp_limitteams 0
mp_autoteambalance 0
mp_maxmoney 16000
mp_startmoney 16000
mp_buytime 9999
mp_buy_anywhere 1
mp_freezetime 0
mp_roundtime 60
mp_roundtime_defuse 60
ammo_grenade_limit_total 5

Special Thanks​

  • ich777 developer for their excellent Docker container and guidance
  • To our fantastic Discord community and our Admins DiscDuck and Hawks for their input and documentation (as always)

Please support the developers and creators involved in this work to help show them some love. ❤️

Final Words​

We hope you enjoyed this guide. It was conceptualized, written, and implemented by our Admin Sycotix.

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