There are many well-known Ark server hosting companies out there for you to choose from. However, did you know that you can host your own server for ARK Survival Evolved? If you are not overly concerned with a 24/7 fast connection server, then perhaps hosting our own server could be the solution you are looking for. It may not be the fastest, but it will save you money.
Hosting vs Buying a Server Host
As you may have already guessed, hosting our own server maybe a little more complicated than buying a host, but it is a cost-effective answer. You may well be able to use your current hardware, so the only additional cost will be on electricity as well as your internet connection. You could rent a VPS (Virtual Private Server), which is also a lot cheaper than a dedicated Ark server. You need to make various considerations before jumping into hosting a server yourself, such as everything will be down to you. You have to maintain it, fix it, ensure you run scans and update and back things up. You may also have to accept the fact that you probably won’t be able to facilitate as many players either. A VPS may be the best option if you want to set up your own server as your spare computer. The fact is you may need greater hardware requirements which may cost more than a VPS.
Buying and Setting up a VPS
If you are located in the US, a great VPS provider is TurnKey, if you are in the UK, OVHCloud is an option. Take a look at the VPS providers in the country you are in and ensure you look at the specification. You want decent uptime and gigabit internet speed as well as reasonable prices. Check out the webpage so you can choose the server location and the starting OS. You should be able to adjust the server spec on the set-up page in a modular fashion. When you buy the VPS, you should receive an email that contains your login details. Once logged in, you should be presented with a range of maintenance features. You shod also have a remote desktop tool too.
Hosting an Ark Server
You will need to set up the server requirements such as 64-bit OS and the right sized RAM – at least 6GB. You also need to optimize the hosting environment, such as the OS you want to use. For many reasons, you should try and set up your server on a separate machine from the one you are using if your server will be hosted from home. Once you have made all the decisions as listed above, it’s quite a simple process to get started with your Ark server. It is made partially easy if you are hosting on a LAN. LAN means that the server is basically only available to computers in your home network. I.e. you! It also means you can connect your friends up when they come over to play. A basic ARK Survival Evolved Server requires the following configuration:
- 8GB RAM
- 20GB Disk Space Minimum (50-75GB Recommended)
- 2 CPU Cores @ 3.0GHz+ (For 10-15 players)
- 64 Bit Windows or Linux OS (CentOS Linux Recommended for a standalone server)
- A reliable network connection, 100Mbps+ recommended
The above configuration can be rented easily or built if you are inclined that way. So, what are you waiting for? Get going and build or buy that server!
