How do I update my Ground Branch server?

Open the Game Server Installer again and select Ground Branch. The installer will display Update. Alternatively, use the Ground Branch (ground-branch) - Update shortcut on the VPS. Your settings are preserved.

Which ports does a Ground Branch server need?

By default, it uses ports 7777 (UDP) and 27015 (UDP). The installer opens them in the Windows Firewall and, when you install through the dashboard, in your VPS's Network Firewall as well.

Ground Branch: Set Up a Server on Your VPS

Learn how to install a Ground Branch server with the Game Server Installer on your VPS, open the ports, and keep it up to date → Learn more

10 November 20264 min read0 Views0 helpful

Introduction

You can run a Ground Branch server on your own VPS at ZapX. You have full control over the system, and the Game Server Installer gets your server set up in just a few minutes, without a remote desktop connection. This guide explains what you need, how to install the server, and how to manage your Ground Branch server afterward.

Ground Branch: Set Up a Server on Your VPS

Requirements

Requirement	Ground Branch
Operating system	Windows Server 2019 or later
Memory	At least 4 GB
Free disk space	At least 8 GB on drive C:

Info

Ground Branch is only available for Windows in the Game Server Installer. If your VPS runs Linux, install a Windows Server template via Settings > Reinstallation. This deletes all data on your VPS. Learn more in Server Reinstallation.

Install Ground Branch

Open your VPS in the ZapX dashboard and go to the Tools tab. Select the Game Server Installer.
Under Your server's operating system, select the Windows tile.
Under Choose game, search for Ground Branch and select it.
Under Set up server, choose the Server name and Player slots (up to 16). You can find the Game port and Query port under Advanced settings.
Click Install on this VPS, then click Start installation.

The installer downloads the Ground Branch server using SteamCMD, sets it up, and starts it. For details on the installation process, see the Game Server Installer guide.

Important

On the first launch, Ground Branch creates the files Admin.ini and AdminSetupPassword.txt in the server\GroundBranch\ServerConfig\ folder. AdminSetupPassword.txt contains the code for setting up admins. You define the admin groups in Admin.ini.

Info

A join password is only requested by the PowerShell command (and is hidden as you type it). When you install through the dashboard, the server has no password.

You can also install Ground Branch yourself using a command: copy the command shown in the final step, connect via Remote Desktop, and run it in Windows PowerShell as an administrator.

After installation

Once the installation is complete, the installer displays your server address under How to connect. For instructions on connecting, see Ground Branch: Connect to the Server.

Your server files are located on the VPS at C:\ZapX-GameServers\ground-branch\:

Folder/file	Contents
`server\`	Ground Branch server files
`server\GroundBranch\ServerConfig\`	Settings: `Server.ini`, map rotation in `MapList.ini`, and admins in `Admin.ini`
`logs\server.log`	Server output

Start, stop, and restart the server

Your Ground Branch server starts automatically when the VPS boots and restarts after a crash. To manage it, connect via Remote Desktop and use the desktop shortcuts:

Ground Branch (ground-branch) - Start
Ground Branch (ground-branch) - Stop
Ground Branch (ground-branch) - Restart

Ground Branch does not save a world. When you stop the server, it shuts down after about 10 seconds, and no data is lost.

Configuration

Ground Branch settings are in the server\GroundBranch\ServerConfig\ folder:

Server.ini: The installer rewrites the server name, player slots, and join password every time you install or update, so change these through the installer. You can edit the welcome message (ServerMOTD), game rules, and spectator slots (MaxSpectators) yourself.
MapList.ini: The map rotation. The installer creates this file once with a selection of co-op maps; after that, you can edit it yourself.
Admin.ini: Admin groups.

Stop the server before editing the files, then restart it afterward.

Update the server

Updates are not installed automatically. To update, open the Game Server Installer again and select Ground Branch. The installer detects the existing installation and displays Update. Alternatively, use the Ground Branch (ground-branch) - Update shortcut on the VPS. Your settings are preserved.

Ports and firewall

Port	Protocol	Usage
7777	UDP	Game
27015	UDP	Query

The installer opens these ports in the Windows Firewall. If you start the installation from the dashboard, it also opens them in your VPS's Network Firewall. If you installed using a command, check the ports there yourself.

Backups

Use the Ground Branch (ground-branch) - Backup shortcut to save the settings in the ServerConfig folder as a ZIP file at C:\ZapX-GameServers\_backups\ground-branch\. Use Ground Branch (ground-branch) - Restore to restore a backup. Ground Branch does not have a world, so the backup contains settings only.

Your entire VPS is also backed up automatically every day. With an active ZapX Pass, you can restore these backups yourself and create your own backups. Learn more in Daily Backups, Restoring Backups, and Restricted Actions.

Conclusion

Your Ground Branch server is now running on your VPS. Edit the map rotation in MapList.ini to play your favorite missions. If you have questions or need help, our support team is here for you every day! 🙂

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Open your VPS in the ZapX dashboard, go to the Tools tab, and select the Game Server Installer. Choose Windows and Ground Branch, adjust the settings, and click Install on this VPS.

Not with the Game Server Installer. Ground Branch is only available for Windows Server 2019 or later. If your VPS runs Linux, install a Windows Server template via Settings > Reinstallation. This deletes all data on your VPS.

In the C:\ZapX-GameServers\ground-branch\server\GroundBranch\ServerConfig\ folder: Server.ini for settings, MapList.ini for the map rotation, and Admin.ini for admins. Stop the server before editing the files.

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Ground Branch: Set Up a Server on Your VPS

Introduction

Requirements

Install Ground Branch

After installation

Start, stop, and restart the server

Configuration

Update the server

Ports and firewall

Backups

Conclusion

Frequently asked questions

Ground Branch

Install Ground Branch

Start, stop, and restart the server

Configuration

Update the server

Backups

Conclusion

Game Server

Servers & Hosting

ZAPX

Resources

ZAP-Hosting