📚 Insurgency: Sandstorm Server Guide

Tactical team-based FPS with realistic combat mechanics

Quick Info

Engine:Unreal Engine 4
Developer:New World Interactive
App ID:581320 (Dedicated Server)
Default Ports:27102 (Game), 27131 (Query), 27015 (RCON)
Max Players:8v8 (16 players typical), up to 32 possible
Game Modes:Push, Firefight, Skirmish, Frontline, Checkpoint, Outpost, Survival
Platforms:Linux, Windows

Navigation

Overview

Insurgency: Sandstorm is a hardcore tactical FPS focusing on close-quarters combat and teamwork. The game features realistic ballistics, minimal HUD, and high lethality combat where positioning and communication matter more than twitch reflexes.

Key Features

🔌 Ports & Firewall Configuration

Required Ports

Port Protocol Purpose Required?
27102 UDP Game Port (client connections) ✓ Required
27131 UDP Query Port (server browser) ✓ Required
27015 TCP RCON Port (remote administration) Optional Recommended

Note: Ports are configurable in Game.ini and Engine.ini. Default ports shown above.

Firewall Configuration Examples

Ubuntu/Debian (UFW)

# Allow Insurgency: Sandstorm ports
sudo ufw allow 27102/udp comment "Insurgency Game Port"
sudo ufw allow 27131/udp comment "Insurgency Query Port"
sudo ufw allow 27015/tcp comment "Insurgency RCON"
sudo ufw reload

CentOS/RHEL (FirewallD)

# Add Insurgency: Sandstorm ports
sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=27102/udp  # Game
sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=27131/udp  # Query
sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=27015/tcp  # RCON
sudo firewall-cmd --reload

Windows (PowerShell - Run as Administrator)

# Create firewall rules for Insurgency: Sandstorm
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Insurgency Game" -Direction Inbound -Protocol UDP -LocalPort 27102 -Action Allow
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Insurgency Query" -Direction Inbound -Protocol UDP -LocalPort 27131 -Action Allow
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Insurgency RCON" -Direction Inbound -Protocol TCP -LocalPort 27015 -Action Allow

iptables (Advanced)

# Allow Insurgency: Sandstorm ports
iptables -A INPUT -p udp --dport 27102 -j ACCEPT -m comment --comment "Insurgency Game"
iptables -A INPUT -p udp --dport 27131 -j ACCEPT -m comment --comment "Insurgency Query"
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 27015 -j ACCEPT -m comment --comment "Insurgency RCON"

# Save rules (Ubuntu/Debian)
netfilter-persistent save

# Save rules (CentOS/RHEL)
service iptables save

Installation

Prerequisites

Linux Installation

# Create server directory
mkdir -p ~/insurgency_server
cd ~/insurgency_server

# Download server files with SteamCMD
steamcmd +force_install_dir ~/insurgency_server +login anonymous +app_update 581320 validate +quit

# Note: App ID 581320 is for Insurgency: Sandstorm Dedicated Server
# Download size is approximately 18-20 GB

Windows Installation

# Download SteamCMD for Windows
# Extract to C:\steamcmd\

# Create server directory
mkdir C:\insurgency_server

# Run SteamCMD
C:\steamcmd\steamcmd.exe +force_install_dir C:\insurgency_server +login anonymous +app_update 581320 validate +quit

⚙️ Configuration

Main Configuration Files

Configuration files are in Insurgency/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/ (Linux) or Insurgency/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/ (Windows):

Engine.ini (Network Configuration)

Edit Insurgency/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/Engine.ini:

[URL]
Port=27102

[/Script/Engine.GameNetworkManager]
TotalNetBandwidth=64000
MaxDynamicBandwidth=32000
MinDynamicBandwidth=16000

[SystemSettings]
net.MaxRepArraySize=2048
net.MaxRepArrayMemory=2048

[/Script/OnlineSubsystemUtils.IpNetDriver]
MaxClientRate=25000
MaxInternetClientRate=25000

Game.ini (Server Settings)

Edit Insurgency/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/Game.ini:

[/Script/Insurgency.INSMultiplayerMode]
bAllowFriendlyFire=True
bMapVoting=True
RoundLimit=3
WinLimit=3
GameTimeLimit=-1
PreRoundTime=15
PostRoundTime=15
PostGameTime=15

[/Script/Insurgency.INSCoopMode]
bAllowFriendlyFire=True
RoundLimit=1
WinLimit=1

Map Rotation Configuration

Create Insurgency/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/MapCycle.txt:

# Competitive Push rotation
(Scenario="Scenario_Crossing_Push",Lighting="Day")
(Scenario="Scenario_Hideout_Push",Lighting="Day")
(Scenario="Scenario_Summit_Push",Lighting="Day")
(Scenario="Scenario_Tell_Push",Lighting="Day")
(Scenario="Scenario_Ministry_Push",Lighting="Day")

# Mix in night maps
(Scenario="Scenario_Hideout_Push",Lighting="Night")
(Scenario="Scenario_Ministry_Push",Lighting="Night")

Game Modes

Competitive Modes (PvP)

Mode Description Players
Push Attackers push through objectives, defenders hold ground 8v8 (16)
Firefight Fast-paced 3 objective control, single life per round 5v5 (10)
Frontline Tug-of-war over middle objectives with respawn waves 8v8 (16)
Skirmish Elimination with limited respawns, capture objectives to gain more 8v8 (16)

Cooperative Modes (PvE)

Mode Description Players
Checkpoint Team captures objectives against AI defenders Up to 8 co-op
Outpost Defend single objective against AI waves (Horde mode) Up to 8 co-op
Survival Extract-based co-op with permadeath and limited resources Up to 8 co-op

🗺️ Official Maps

Core Maps

DLC Maps

Lighting Options

Most maps support multiple lighting scenarios:

🔧 Admin Tools & RCON

Enabling RCON

RCON allows remote administration. Configure in startup parameters or config files.

RCON Commands (Sample)

# Player management
kick [PlayerName] [Reason]
ban [PlayerName]
listplayers

# Map control
travel [MapName]
restartround

# Server settings
say [Message]
setnextmap [MapName]

Admin Console Commands

In-game console (tilde key ~):

# Admin commands (requires admin login)
adminlogin [password]
kick [PlayerName]
ban [PlayerName]
travel [MapName]
restartround
say [Message]

🛠️ Mods & Mutators

Workshop Content

Insurgency: Sandstorm supports Steam Workshop mods:

Installing Workshop Mods

Subscribe to mods on Steam Workshop, then add their IDs to your startup command:

-Mods=123456789,987654321

Popular Mutators

Startup Commands

Linux

#!/bin/bash
# start_insurgency.sh

cd ~/insurgency_server

./Insurgency/Binaries/Linux/InsurgencyServer-Linux-Shipping \
  Crossing?Scenario=Scenario_Crossing_Push?Lighting=Day \
  -Port=27102 -QueryPort=27131 \
  -log -AdminList=Admins -MapCycle=MapCycle \
  -MaxPlayers=16 -Mods

Windows

@echo off
REM start_insurgency.bat

cd C:\insurgency_server

InsurgencyServer.exe Crossing?Scenario=Scenario_Crossing_Push?Lighting=Day ^
  -Port=27102 -QueryPort=27131 ^
  -log -AdminList=Admins -MapCycle=MapCycle ^
  -MaxPlayers=16 -Mods

Startup Parameters

🔧 Troubleshooting

Server Not Appearing in Browser

# Check ports are open
netstat -an | grep 27102
netstat -an | grep 27131

# Verify server is running
ps aux | grep Insurgency  # Linux
tasklist | findstr Insurgency  # Windows

# Check firewall allows both game and query ports
# Wait 5-10 minutes for Steam master server registration

High Ping / Lag Issues

Mods Not Loading

# Ensure -Mods flag is in startup command
# Verify Workshop mod IDs are correct
# Check mod compatibility with current game version
# Some mods require client and server to both have them

# Example with specific mod IDs:
-Mods=2389387394,2318862735

Players Can't Connect

RCON Won't Connect

# Verify RCON port (27015) is open
# Check RCON password is set in startup command or config
# Try connecting from localhost first (127.0.0.1)
# Use RCON tools compatible with Source-style RCON protocol

Server Crashes on Startup

Pro Tips

Resources