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Intermediate7 min read

Set up a game server with the right ports and firewall rules

Open only what the title needs, and confirm it from outside the machine.

Last updated 1 August 2026

Every title has its own port requirements, and many need UDP rather than TCP. Check the publisher documentation for the exact list before you open anything.

A default-deny ruleset

bash
ufw default deny incoming
ufw default allow outgoing
ufw allow 22/tcp
ufw allow 27015/udp
ufw enable

Confirm from outside

Testing from the server itself proves nothing. Check from another machine, on another network.

bash
nc -vzu 203.0.113.24 27015

Pick the region before you publish the address

Moving a game server after players have saved the address is disruptive. Confirm regional stock first.

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Set up a game server with the right ports and firewall rules — Guide — VdsRent