📚 Quick Navigation

Quick Info 🔌 Ports Installation Configuration ⚙️ Startup Parameters 🔧 Troubleshooting Related Mods

Call of Duty Server Hosting Guide

Overview

Call of Duty is a legendary World War II first-person shooter that revolutionized multiplayer gaming. This guide covers everything you need to know about hosting a dedicated Call of Duty server on Linux or Windows platforms.

Quick Info

Default Port: 28960 (UDP)
Protocol: UDP
Max Players: 64 (recommended 16-32 for best performance)
Server Executable: cod_lnxded (Linux) / CoDMP.exe (Windows)
Control Protocol: RCON (Remote Console)
Main Config: server.cfg
Recommended RAM: 512MB - 1GB
PunkBuster Support: Yes

🔌 Network Ports Used

Required Ports

Port	Protocol	Purpose	Required?
`28960`	UDP	Main game server port (default)	✓ Yes
`20500-20510`	UDP	Master server queries	○ Optional

Firewall Configuration Examples

# UFW (Ubuntu/Debian)
sudo ufw allow 28960/udp comment 'CoD Server'

# FirewallD (CentOS/RHEL)
sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=28960/udp
sudo firewall-cmd --reload

# iptables
sudo iptables -A INPUT -p udp --dport 28960 -j ACCEPT
sudo iptables-save > /etc/iptables/rules.v4

Installation & Setup

System Requirements

OS: Linux (32-bit or 64-bit with 32-bit libraries) or Windows
CPU: 1+ GHz processor
RAM: Minimum 512MB, 1GB recommended
Storage: 500MB for server files
Bandwidth: 256kbps upload per player

Linux Installation

# Install 32-bit libraries (if on 64-bit system)
sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
sudo apt update
sudo apt install lib32gcc1 lib32stdc++6

# Create server directory
mkdir ~/cod-server
cd ~/cod-server

# Extract server files (upload via FTP or download)
# Server files typically include: cod_lnxded, main/ directory, etc.
chmod +x cod_lnxded

First-Time Setup

# Create basic server.cfg
cat > main/server.cfg << 'EOF'
// Server Settings
set sv_hostname "My CoD Server"
set sv_maxclients 32
set rcon_password "your_secure_password"

// Game Settings
set g_gametype "dm"  // dm, tdm, sd, retrieval
set scr_friendlyfire "1"
set g_allowvote "1"

// Map Rotation
set sv_mapRotation "gametype dm map mp_harbor gametype tdm map mp_pavlov"
EOF

# Start server
./cod_lnxded +set dedicated 2 +set net_port 28960 +exec server.cfg +map_rotate

Server Configuration

server.cfg - Essential Settings

// Server Identity
set sv_hostname "^1My ^7CoD Server"
set sv_maxclients 32

// Network Settings
set sv_maxRate 25000
set sv_maxPing 0
set sv_minPing 0

// Administrative
set rcon_password "your_secure_rcon_password"
set g_password ""  // Server password (leave empty for public)
set g_log "games_mp.log"
set g_logsync "1"

// Gameplay Settings
set g_gametype "dm"  // dm, tdm, sd, retrieval, hq
set scr_friendlyfire "1"
set scr_killcam "1"
set scr_drawfriend "1"
set g_allowvote "1"

// Time Limits and Score
set scr_dm_timelimit "15"
set scr_dm_scorelimit "50"
set scr_tdm_timelimit "15"
set scr_tdm_scorelimit "100"

// Map Rotation
set sv_mapRotation "gametype dm map mp_harbor gametype tdm map mp_pavlov gametype dm map mp_brecourt gametype tdm map mp_carentan"

// PunkBuster (Anti-Cheat)
set sv_punkbuster "1"
pb_sv_enable

⚙️ Startup Parameters

Command Line Parameters

Parameter	Description	Example
`+set dedicated`	Set server type (1=LAN, 2=Internet)	`+set dedicated 2`
`+set net_ip`	Bind to specific IP address	`+set net_ip 0.0.0.0`
`+set net_port`	Set server port	`+set net_port 28960`
`+set fs_basepath`	Base game directory path	`+set fs_basepath /home/cod`
`+set fs_homepath`	Home directory for configs/logs	`+set fs_homepath /home/cod`
`+set fs_game`	Load a mod (folder in main/)	`+set fs_game mods/mymod`
`+set rcon_password`	RCON password for remote admin	`+set rcon_password mypass`
`+set sv_maxclients`	Maximum player slots	`+set sv_maxclients 32`
`+set sv_punkbuster`	Enable PunkBuster (0=off, 1=on)	`+set sv_punkbuster 1`
`+exec`	Execute config file on startup	`+exec server.cfg`
`+map_rotate`	Start map rotation defined in config	`+map_rotate`

Full Startup Command Example

./cod_lnxded +set dedicated 2 +set net_ip 0.0.0.0 +set net_port 28960 +set fs_basepath /home/cod +set fs_homepath /home/cod +set sv_punkbuster 0 +exec server.cfg +set rcon_password mypassword +set sv_maxclients 32 +map_rotate

🔧 Troubleshooting

Common Issues & Solutions

Server Not Visible in Server Browser

Check firewall: Ensure port 28960/UDP is open
Verify dedicated setting: Must be +set dedicated 2 for internet servers
Master server: Official master servers may no longer be active; consider server listing services
Port forwarding: If behind NAT, forward UDP port 28960 to server IP

Server Crashes on Startup

Missing libraries: Install 32-bit libraries on 64-bit Linux systems
Permissions: Ensure server executable has execute permissions (chmod +x cod_lnxded)
Invalid paths: Check fs_basepath and fs_homepath point to valid directories
Corrupted files: Re-verify server file integrity

Players Can't Connect

Version mismatch: Ensure clients and server run same game version/patch
Password protected: Remove g_password or share password with players
Server full: Check sv_maxclients setting
Firewall blocking: Verify firewall rules allow incoming UDP on game port

High Ping / Lag Issues

Bandwidth: Ensure sufficient upload bandwidth (256kbps per player minimum)
Max rate: Adjust sv_maxRate to match available bandwidth
Player count: Reduce sv_maxclients if server can't handle load
CPU usage: Monitor CPU usage; upgrade if consistently maxed out

RCON Not Working

Password: Verify rcon_password is set correctly
Firewall: RCON uses same port as game (28960/UDP)
Tools: Use proper RCON tools (B3, web-based RCON, or in-game console)

Checking Server Status

# Check if server process is running
ps aux | grep cod_lnxded

# View server logs
tail -f main/games_mp.log

# Check port is listening
netstat -ulnp | grep 28960
# or
ss -ulnp | grep 28960

Game Types

dm - Free-for-All Deathmatch
tdm - Team Deathmatch
sd - Search and Destroy
retrieval - Retrieval (Capture the Flag variant)
hq - Headquarters
bel - Behind Enemy Lines

Default Maps

mp_harbor
mp_pavlov
mp_brecourt
mp_carentan
mp_chateau
mp_depot
mp_dawnville
mp_downtown
mp_hurtgen
mp_neuville
mp_powcamp
mp_railyard
mp_rocket
mp_ship
mp_tigertown

Popular server modifications compatible with Call of Duty:

B3 (Big Brother Bot) - Python-based admin bot with RCON wrapper, player warnings, ban management, statistics tracking, and automated moderation for Call of Duty servers

Resources

Official Call of Duty Website
Common Issues Guide
Server configuration generators and map rotation tools available online

Important Notes

Call of Duty (2003) master servers may no longer be operational; direct connect via IP may be required
PunkBuster support may be deprecated; consider community anti-cheat solutions
Back up your server.cfg and any custom configurations regularly
Monitor logs for cheaters and troublemaking players
Keep RCON password secure and change it regularly