Call of Duty: Black Ops Server Guide
๐ Quick Info
Server Specifications
- Game: Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)
- Platform: Windows
- Default Port:
4976/UDP (configurable)
- Max Players: 32 (typical: 18-32)
- Control Protocol: RCON
- Executable: BlackOpsMP.exe
- Special Features: Zombies mode, Wager matches, Theater mode
๐ Ports & Firewall Configuration
Call of Duty: Black Ops servers require specific ports to be open for proper operation:
| Port |
Protocol |
Purpose |
Required |
| 4976 (configurable) |
UDP |
Game port (default) |
Yes |
| Same as game port |
TCP |
RCON remote control |
Optional |
Firewall Examples
UFW (Ubuntu/Debian):
sudo ufw allow 4976/udp comment 'Black Ops Game Port'
sudo ufw allow 4976/tcp comment 'Black Ops RCON'
Windows Firewall:
netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="Black Ops UDP" dir=in action=allow protocol=UDP localport=4976
netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="Black Ops TCP" dir=in action=allow protocol=TCP localport=4976
โ๏ธ Installation & Setup
System Requirements
- OS: Windows 7/8/10/11 or Windows Server 2016+
- CPU: 2+ cores @ 2.5GHz recommended
- RAM: 2GB minimum, 4GB+ recommended for 32 players
- Disk: 20GB for game files + space for logs
- Network: Low latency connection, 15Mbps+ bandwidth
- Requirements: Legitimate Black Ops game files
Installation Steps
- Install Black Ops: You must have legitimate Black Ops game files
- Locate Server Files: Dedicated server files included with installation
- Create Server Directory: Separate directory recommended
- Create Server Config: Create
server.cfg in appropriate folder
- Configure Firewall: Allow game ports through Windows Firewall
๐ Configuration
Basic server.cfg Example (Multiplayer)
// Server Name
set sv_hostname "My Black Ops Server"
// Network Settings
set net_port 4976
// Server Type
set dedicated 2
// Player Limits (MAX 32 for Black Ops)
set sv_maxclients 32
// RCON Password
set rcon_password "your_secure_password_here"
// Game Settings
set g_gametype "war" // dm, war, sab, koth, sd, dom, dd, ctf, hlnd, dem, gun, shrp, hldr
set sv_maxPing 350
// Map Rotation
set sv_mapRotation "gametype war map mp_cracked gametype war map mp_summit gametype war map mp_firing_range"
// Password Protection (leave empty for public)
set g_password ""
// Friendly Fire
set scr_team_fftype 0 // 0=off, 1=on, 2=reflect
// Kill Cam
set scr_game_allowkillcam 1
// Hardcore Mode
set scr_hardcore 0
// Game Log
set g_log "games_mp.log"
set logfile 2
// Voice Chat
set sv_voice 0
// Anti-Lag
set sv_fps 20
// Auto-Balance
set scr_teambalance 1
// Ranked/Unranked
set scr_game_onlyparty 0
Zombies Server Configuration
// Zombies Mode Server
set sv_hostname "My Zombies Server"
set g_gametype "zom" // Zombies game type
set sv_maxclients 4 // Zombies: 4 players recommended
set sv_mapRotation "gametype zom map zombie_theater"
๐ Startup Parameters
| Parameter |
Description |
Example |
| +set dedicated |
Server mode (2=Internet) |
+set dedicated 2 |
| +set net_port |
Server port (default: 4976) |
+set net_port 4976 |
| +set sv_maxclients |
Maximum player slots (MAX 32) |
+set sv_maxclients 32 |
| +set rcon_password |
RCON password for remote admin |
+set rcon_password "secret123" |
| +exec |
Execute config file on startup |
+exec server.cfg |
| +map_rotate |
Start map rotation from config |
+map_rotate |
| +map |
Start with specific map |
+map mp_cracked |
Example Startup Command (Multiplayer)
BlackOpsMP.exe +set dedicated 2 +set net_port 4976 +set sv_maxclients 32 +exec server.cfg +map_rotate
Example Startup Command (Zombies)
BlackOpsMP.exe +set dedicated 2 +set net_port 4976 +set sv_maxclients 4 +exec zombies.cfg +map zombie_theater
Example Batch File (start_server.bat)
@echo off
title Black Ops Dedicated Server
BlackOpsMP.exe +set dedicated 2 +set net_port 4976 +set sv_maxclients 32 +exec server.cfg +map_rotate
pause
๐ง Troubleshooting
Server Not Appearing in Browser
Issue: Players cannot see the server in Black Ops browser.
Solutions:
- Verify
+set dedicated 2 is set
- Ensure UDP port 4976 (or your custom port) is open in firewall
- Try direct connect using IP:PORT
- Master servers may have limited connectivity
Server Crashes on Startup
Issue: Dedicated server crashes immediately after launch.
Solutions:
- Check
games_mp.log for error messages
- Verify all required Black Ops game files are present
- Ensure
server.cfg syntax is correct
- Verify
sv_maxclients does not exceed 32
- Remove custom mods temporarily to isolate issue
Connection Problems
Issue: Players cannot connect or timeout.
Solutions:
- Verify firewall rules allow traffic on game port
- Check
sv_maxPing setting
- Ensure server is not full (max 32 players for MP, 4 for Zombies)
- Disable password if testing:
set g_password ""
- Verify clients are using same Black Ops version
Zombies Mode Issues
Issue: Zombies servers not working properly.
Solutions:
- Verify
g_gametype "zom" is set correctly
- Use 4-8 player slots for zombies (4 recommended)
- Start with official zombies maps first
- Custom zombies maps may require additional files
High Lag/Ping Issues
Issue: Players experience significant lag.
Solutions:
- Increase
sv_fps setting (recommended: 20)
- Reduce
sv_maxclients if server is overloaded
- Check server CPU and RAM usage (32 players requires resources)
- Verify network bandwidth is sufficient
- Lower
sv_maxPing to restrict high-ping players
RCON Not Working
Issue: Cannot connect via RCON.
Solutions:
- Verify
rcon_password is set in server.cfg
- Ensure TCP port is open (same as game UDP port)
- Use Black Ops-compatible RCON tools
- Test RCON from in-game console first
๐ฎ Game Types
Call of Duty: Black Ops supports the following game modes:
Standard Modes
- dm - Deathmatch (Free-for-all)
- war - Team Deathmatch
- sab - Sabotage
- koth - Headquarters
- sd - Search & Destroy
- dom - Domination
- dd - Demolition
- ctf - Capture the Flag
Special Modes
- hlnd - One in the Chamber (Wager match)
- dem - Sticks and Stones (Wager match)
- gun - Gun Game (Wager match)
- shrp - Sharpshooter (Wager match)
- hldr - Grid
- zom - Zombies (co-op survival mode)
๐บ๏ธ Default Maps
Multiplayer Maps (Base Game)
- mp_array - Array
- mp_cairo - Havana
- mp_cosmodrome - Launch
- mp_cracked - Cracked
- mp_crisis - Crisis
- mp_duga - Grid
- mp_firingrange - Firing Range
- mp_hanoi - Hanoi
- mp_havoc - Jungle
- mp_mountain - Summit
- mp_nuked - Nuketown
- mp_radiation - Radiation
- mp_russianbase - WMD
- mp_villa - Villa
Zombies Maps
- zombie_theater - Kino der Toten
- zombie_pentagon - "Five" (Pentagon)
- zombie_coast - Call of the Dead (DLC)
- zombie_temple - Shangri-La (DLC)
- zombie_moon - Moon (DLC)
DLC Multiplayer Maps
- First Strike: Berlin Wall, Discovery, Stadium, Kowloon
- Escalation: Hotel, Convoy, Stockpile, Zoo
- Annihilation: Hangar 18, Drive-In, Silo, Hazard
- Rezurrection: Nacht der Untoten, Verrรผckt, Shi No Numa, Der Riese (remastered zombies maps)
Popular server modifications compatible with Black Ops:
- 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
- Custom Zombies Maps - Community-created zombies content
๐ Resources
- Community Forums: Black Ops modding and server communities
- Zombies Modding: UGX Mods and other zombies communities
- RCON Tools: B3, various web-based RCON panels
- Key Features: Cold War setting, wager matches, extensive zombies content
Important Notes
- Black Ops supports maximum 32 players for multiplayer (higher than MW2/MW3's 18)
- Zombies mode typically uses 4 player slots (can go up to 8 with mods)
- Black Ops features Wager matches - unique competitive game modes
- Default port is 4976 (different from other CoD games' 28960)
- You must own legitimate Black Ops game files
- Black Ops is Windows-only for dedicated servers
- Extensive zombies content with storyline progression across maps
- Theater mode allows replay recording and sharing
- Always secure your RCON password and restrict access
- Regular backups recommended for server configurations and player data