Setup a QSSM Linux Dedicated Server (exabytes.com in Denver, CO)

https://www.exabytes.com/hosting/vps-hosting

Pay: Linux SSD VPS 1 (Ubuntu 16.04)

Email from exabytes: "Linux SSD VPS Starter Account Details", Find SSH IP and SSH Port

SSH login via putty

sudo dpkg --configure -a

sudo do-release-upgrade

three upgrades to 18.04, then 20.04, then 22.04 -- end at Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS

check ubuntu version

sudo apt install vsftpd

install FTP to upload files

sudo timedatectl set-timezone America/Los_Angeles

set local time to a location to yours or servers

sudo systemctl start vsftpd

sudo systemctl enable vsftpd

sudo cp /etc/vsftpd.conf /etc/vsftpd.conf.orig

back up the original config

sudo nano /etc/vsftpd.conf

enable write access write_enable=YES

sudo systemctl restart vsftpd

adduser woods

usermod -aG sudo woods

add woods to admin group

sudo apt-get install build-essential

sudo apt install git -y

sudo apt install curl

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

eval "$(/home/linuxbrew/.linuxbrew/bin/brew shellenv)"

add Homebrew to your PATH

check Brew is working fine

sudo apt-get install libsdl2-2.0

sudo apt install screen

brew install sdl2

latest sdl2 2.26.x, apt doesn't have latest. sdl2 required to run qss) -- this takes ~20 min

sudo apt-get install -y libgl1-mesa-glx

sudo apt-get install libopusfile0

sudo apt-get install libvorbisfile3

sudo apt-get install libmad0

upload QSS-M files via FTP to /home/woods/qssm

sudo chmod 755 QSS-M-l64

set permissions for binary

Running CRx Mod In QSS-M

https://github.com/quakeone/CRx

edit server.cfg, configs, motd.qc then compile progs.dat using fteqcc

customize to your liking

upload CRx files via FTP to /home/woods/qssm/id1

progs.dat, server.cfg, configs folder, maps

screen -S qssm26001

create a screen named "qssm26001" to keep server running in background

./QSS-M-l64 -dedicated -port 26001 -protocol 666 -condebug

other option for more info: +developer 1

screen -r qssm26001

optional: contact to add to https://servers.quakeone.com/about

download ctf maps

https://www.quaddicted.com/files/mirrors/ftp.planetquake.com/threewave/ctf/client/

download more ctf maps

https://www.quaddicted.com/files/mirrors/ftp.planetquake.com/captured/loc/

download rocket arena maps

https://www.quaddicted.com/files/idgames2/planetquake/servers/arena/farena12.zip

Other Useful Commands

✅ QSS-M (QuakeSpasm Spiked Mod) Server

Single socket model: Uses one single UDP socket, typically on port 26000 or whatever you specify.

Simplified port forwarding: You only need to forward one UDP port from your router (e.g. 26000) directly to the same port on your server.

Client compatibility: Compatible with normal Quake clients (e.g., ProQuake, Mark V, FTE, DarkPlaces, etc.), no special client required.

Better NAT handling: QSS-M handles client NAT traversal better, as it doesn’t rely on ephemeral ports. This means even players behind routers or firewalls should connect just fine.

Identity-mapped NAT is ideal, but generally not an issue with typical home setups.

✅ Recommended for modern hosting, especially when dealing with port restrictions or NAT environments.

⚠️ ProQuake Server

Ephemeral ports required: In addition to the main port (e.g., 26000), ProQuake servers also use extra random UDP ports for communication. These must also be open for it to work fully, especially across NATs.

Complicated port forwarding: Requires more than one port to be open on the server and forwarded correctly. This can cause issues when:

Hosting from behind a NAT (typical home routers),

Hosting on networks where only limited ports can be forwarded.

Local connections may still work, but remote clients might fail unless all necessary ports are open and mapped.

Workarounds: You’d need to either forward a range of UDP ports (which is messy) or use a server without NAT in front of it.

❌ Not ideal for NAT or restrictive network setups.