How to make Counter-Strike 1.6 Server with ReHLDS on Linux

Setting up a dedicated Counter-Strike 1.6 server on a Linux machine can be a rewarding experience. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the process of installing ReHLDS (ReGameDLL) and configuring your server step by step. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll have a fully functional CS 1.6 server ready to host games.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, it’s essential to ensure that you have the following prerequisites in place:

• A Linux-based server (we will use Ubuntu for this guide).
• Root or sudo access to install and configure software.
• Counter-Strike 1.6 game files.
• Knowledge of your server’s public IP address.

Step 1: Install Required Software

The first step is to install the necessary software packages to host the server and manage it effectively. Open a terminal on your Linux server and execute the following commands:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install screen htop unzip lib32gcc1

Explanation:

Screen: We use “screen” to run the server in the background, allowing you to disconnect from the terminal while keeping the server running.

Htop: Htop is a useful system resource monitoring tool that helps you keep an eye on server performance.

Unzip: This package is needed for extracting game files.

Lib32gcc1: This package provides 32-bit compatibility, which is crucial for running Counter-Strike 1.6 on a 64-bit Linux system.

Step 2: Create a Directory for Your Server

It’s a good practice to create a dedicated directory to house your server files. In this example, we’ll create a directory named “cs16server” in the home directory:

mkdir ~/cs16server
cd ~/cs16server

Step 3: Copy Game Files

To proceed, you need the Counter-Strike 1.6 game files on your server. Transfer the game files to the server using your preferred method, such as SCP, FTP, or direct upload. Ensure that the game files are located within the “cs16server” directory.

Step 4: Download ReHLDS

ReHLDS (ReGameDLL) is a custom game engine that enhances the functionality of your CS 1.6 server. Here’s how to download and configure it:

1. Visit the official ReHLDS GitHub repository to find the latest release version: ReHLDS GitHub Releases.

2. Download the ReHLDS binary suitable for your system. For 64-bit systems, the file is usually named “hlds_amd.” Be sure to replace “X.X.X.X” with the actual release version (check the repository for the latest version).

wget https://github.com/dreamstalker/rehlds/releases/download/3.13.0.788/rehlds-bin-3.13.0.788.zip

3. Make the downloaded file executable:

chmod +x hlds_amd

4. For convenience, rename the file:

mv hlds_amd hlds

Note: This process ensures you have the latest ReHLDS version, but make sure to check the repository for updates.

Step 5: Configure Your Server

With ReHLDS installed, you’ll need to set up your server configuration. Create a directory for your configuration files:

mkdir cstrike/addons/amxmodx/configs

Create and edit a configuration file for your server:

nano cstrike/addons/amxmodx/configs/rehlds_server.cfg

Customize your server settings by adding the following configuration. Adjust the values to your preferences:

hostname "My Counter-Strike 1.6 Server"
sv_password "" // Password for server (leave blank for public)
maxplayers 16
sv_lan 0
sv_region 3 // Adjust for your region (e.g., 3 for US East Coast)

Save and exit the file. This configuration file controls your server’s name, password, player limit, and region settings.

Step 6: Start the Server

It’s time to launch your CS 1.6 server using ReHLDS. Here’s how to do it:

1. Initiate a new “screen” session. Screen allows you to run the server in the background while being able to disconnect from the terminal:

screen -S cs16server

2. Inside the screen session, start your server using the following command. Make sure to replace “your_server_ip” with your server’s IP address. You can also adjust the map and player limit to your preferences:

./hlds -game cstrike -norestart -console -pidfile hlds.pid +ip your_server_ip +port 27015 +map de_dust2

3. To detach from the screen session and leave the server running, press “Ctrl + A,” then “D.”

Step 7: Access and Administer the Server

Players can now connect to your server using your server’s IP address. To access the server console within the screen session, you can reattach to it with the following command:

screen -r cs16server

Conclusion

You’ve successfully set up a Counter-Strike 1.6 server using ReHLDS on your Linux server. Keep your server up-to-date, configure additional settings and plugins, and provide an enjoyable gaming experience for your players. Enjoy hosting your CS 1.6 server and have fun!