how to host a dark and light server with dark and light and server manager

How to Install Dark and Light Dedicated Server using Dark and Light Manager

Dedicated Server Managers, Handle the Management.

Dedicated server managers are easy to have a love hate relationship with. On the one hand they seem extremely overwhelming especially if you are new and don’t really even understand what is going on or what you are looking at. It appears at first glance you just have a million places to break things. Once you start to install a few game servers and see that they are not really that complicated, you can really appreciate a manager like Dark and Light Dedicated Server Manager. They essentially simplify the process, that is once you understand it.

We assume you have already read the in’s and out’s of running your own server, things like the monthly costs, the hardware, and leaving your computer up 24/7. If you have not I recommend starting with this quick read, It can save you hours of time and frustration.

You can also host this game from GPortal, Paying for hosting has advantages and disadvantages, you can read about those HERE. IF you decide to use paid hosting, friends of the site get 10% off and it helps support me.

How to Install Dark and Light Server Manager

I have found yet another server manager, This one is for Dark and Light. I did not create this manager, however, whenever I find an excellent resource that will help my fellow survivors I try to get the information out there. If you have trouble with this program or have questions you can contact the developer and seek help on the forums, and as always I will help in my discord channel when I am available.

Here is a link to the owners Website However they do make reference or host these files anymore.

Dark and Light Manager Prerequisites

Operating System: Your system must be running on a 64-bit Windows operating system. This is essential for the proper functioning of the Dark and Light Manager.
.NET Framework 4.6.2 or Higher: The .NET Framework 4.6.2 or a more recent version must be installed on your system. If it’s not already installed, you can download and install it from the provided link: Download Here
Internet Access: An active internet connection is required for various functionalities of Dark and Light Manger, including downloading updates and accessing online resources.

Step 1 Download and Install the Files.

Download the file, the file is a zip file so you will need a program to unzip it unless you are using windows 11, which has a built in zip program (finally).

You download 7-Zip Here.

You can find Dark and Light Manager Here. Since the creator does not host the file, I do.

Make a folder to unzip the files too. You can do this on any drive you want to, I chose to do it on the drive I make my servers on.

Unzip the files to the folder you just made.

Example C:/DnLServerManger_Releases-main. Find the DnLServerManger.exe and double click it to run.

Once downloaded extract the files to the location of your choice.

Right Click on the DnLServerManager application icon and run as administrator. The steamcmd will run and you will get the following window.

Step 2 Setup the Profile

Once the DnL Server Manager starts, (restart if it happens to not start) Click the green plus button to setup a profile.

Name the profile, I find it best to use the map name here, as you will later be able to run either map, and it is easiest to identify which world you are controlling.

Set Location, simply where you want the Dark and Light server files to be located, I use the default.

Note: the installed version currently shows 0.0 because at this point you have simply installed the manager and have not actually installed the server files yet. Clicking the Install button installs DnL server files via steam.

After clicking install you will get another download screen. This time you are downloading the actual server files.

Now you have installed the Dark and Light server, in this game Version 100.54

Step 3 Ports and Configuration

Now we will need to get the server administration setup. This would normally be the hard part, but the Dark and Light Server Manager makes it very easy.

The server manager already has the correct ports listed you will need to go into your router and allow the server IP to use the ports.

Ports

2302
27016

If you have already setup an Ark or Conan server, they should already be set.

Before assigning ports in your router make sure to setup a static ip address. Ports will be forwarded according to your ip and on a dynamic ip your address could change every time your pc restarts breaking your server.

If you don’t know how to forward ports in your router, this page should have everything you need. It is normally easy to do once you have a general understanding of what you are trying to accomplish and if you have the username and password to the router. See how to open ports HERE for more help.

Wait, Wait, Wait for it,

It can look like your server stalled but just leave it, it is still working in the background. Check the status, when it changes to running, your server is up. The actual server screen that is showing how much ram is being used will not change like the other servers.

Now that you have your ports forwarded and have setup a dynamic ip, you simply need to select a map, and hit the start button. Depending on the computer it can take a very long time to start your server the first time, even upwards of 20 minutes, Mine took 4 minutes the first time which felt like a lifetime. You will get a message on the screen that the server has started so until you see that just keep waiting.

Finding your server in game

When you start your game select play online then you must select the world that matches your map name, then in the next screen go over to lan. If a server is showing up regardless of the name that is your server. The first time I started the server it listed it as “test server” I logged in a played for a minute to make sure all was well, then I logged out closed all programs and restarted, after the server was up and running I logged in and it correctly displayed the server name set in the server configuration manager. Servers of any kind can be very goofy. If the server doesn’t show after a second startup check your port forwarding first, that is the most common issue.

When that doesn’t solve the problem start at the top of this page, go slow and make sure you didn’t miss any steps. Again this server manager is no longer supported and could be hard to troubleshoot. I performed every step in order to verify these instructions and my server worked with no errors.

Note: If you don’t want to leave your computer on all the time, another option is server hosting, I work together with G-Portal and Survival Servers. Mostly G-Portal but sometimes on popular games they can become full. G-Portal offers a discount If you use my link.

Once you have verified your stock server is up and running

MESS WITH STUFF!

One of the best things about the ASA Dedicated Server Manager is all the normal adjustments you want to make are broken out really nice in catergories under Game and GameUserSettings. You will need to look around a bit still but its very easy to make changes – just don’t forget to hit save. I have listed just a few settings below to give you an idea of where to find things.