The Eco dedicated server (App ID 739590) installs for free with SteamCMD on Windows or Linux. It uses port 3000 for the game and 3001 for the web interface. RAM needs are not detailed in the sources checked: allow 8 GB as a prudent baseline and 15 to 30 minutes.
Step-by-step installation
Prepare a 64-bit Windows or Linux machine with an SSD.
Install SteamCMD.
Install the server with app_update 739590 -beta default validate (anonymous login).
Run EcoServer.exe (Windows) or ./EcoServer (Linux) once, then stop it.
Edit Eco_Data/Server/Configs/Network.eco (name, password, addresses) with the server stopped.
Open 3000 (UDP and TCP) and 3001 (TCP) in the firewall, at the provider and on the router.
Restart and test: IP:3001 in a browser for the web interface, then join in game.
Create a systemd service (Linux) or a scheduled task (Windows).
Schedule updates and backups of Eco_Data/Server/Storage.
Requirements and world size
No Steam account is needed to download (anonymous). One host states a server token generated on play.eco is required for recent (V11+) servers: not confirmed in the official documentation consulted, check wiki.play.eco. World size is set in WorldGenerator.eco (dimensions divisible by 4, changing it means a new world). Sizes suggested by one host:
- 72×72: 5 to 15 players
- 100×100: 15 to 30 players
- 140×140: 30 to 50 players
- 200×200: 50 to 100 players
Local install (Windows)
Unzip SteamCMD to C:\steamcmd, install the server then run EcoServer.exe. Join in game at 127.0.0.1; the web interface is at http://127.0.0.1:3001.
C:\steamcmd\steamcmd.exe +force_install_dir C:\eco +login anonymous +app_update 739590 -beta default validate +quit
cd C:\eco
.\EcoServer.exeLinux VPS install (Ubuntu/Debian)
The SteamCMD command comes from the official wiki (“Server on Linux”). Use a dedicated non-root user; on Ubuntu enable multiverse and the i386 architecture first to install steamcmd. Any extra system dependencies are not detailed here, see the wiki.
sudo adduser --disabled-password --gecos "" eco
sudo add-apt-repository multiverse && sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386 && sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y steamcmd
sudo -iu eco
/usr/games/steamcmd +force_install_dir ~/Eco +login anonymous +app_update 739590 -beta default validate +quit
cd ~/Eco && chmod +x EcoServer && ./EcoServerPorts to open
Default ports (Network.eco): GameServerPort 3000 and WebServerPort 3001; the official wiki opens 3000 on TCP and UDP and 3001 on TCP in its firewall examples. According to the wiki, web port 3001 applies to recent versions: check your Network.eco. On a home router, forward these ports (NAT); at OVH, Hetzner, Scaleway, also open them in the provider firewall/security group; test from another network. If the detected IP is wrong, set RemoteAddress and WebServerUrl.
- 3000/UDP and 3000/TCP — game (GameServerPort)
- 3001/TCP — web interface (WebServerPort)
Linux firewall (ufw)
Allow SSH before enabling ufw.
sudo ufw allow OpenSSH
sudo ufw allow 3000/udp
sudo ufw allow 3000/tcp
sudo ufw allow 3001/tcp
sudo ufw enableWindows firewall
Administrator PowerShell:
netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="Eco game UDP" dir=in action=allow protocol=UDP localport=3000
netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="Eco TCP" dir=in action=allow protocol=TCP localport=3000-3001systemd service (auto start)
File /etc/systemd/system/eco.service then sudo systemctl enable --now eco. On Windows, a scheduled task “at startup” running EcoServer.exe. Always stop the service cleanly: Eco writes its files on shutdown.
[Unit]
Description=Eco Server
After=network-online.target
Wants=network-online.target
[Service]
User=eco
WorkingDirectory=/home/eco/Eco
ExecStart=/home/eco/Eco/EcoServer
Restart=on-failure
RestartSec=15
TimeoutStopSec=120
[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.targetUpdates and backups
The world lives in Eco_Data/Server/Storage/ (Game.eco, Game.db, Backup/). Stop the service, copy Storage and Configs, rerun the SteamCMD command and restart.
sudo systemctl stop eco
tar czf ~/eco-backup-$(date +%F).tar.gz -C /home/eco/Eco Eco_Data/Server/Storage Eco_Data/Server/Configs
sudo -u eco /usr/games/steamcmd +force_install_dir /home/eco/Eco +login anonymous +app_update 739590 -beta default validate +quit
sudo systemctl start eco
# crontab -e (root) : 0 5 * * * systemctl restart ecoList and find your server
PublicServer=true (default) lists the server in the in-game browser; with false, direct connect by IP:3000 still works. Fill in Description, DetailedDescription and ServerCategory to be found, and add your server on game-rank.com/jeux/eco.
Troubleshooting
- Cannot connect: open 3000 (UDP and TCP) and 3001 (TCP), and check NAT forwarding.
- Web interface unreachable from outside: set WebServerUrl (http + port) and open 3001/TCP.
- Config edits lost: Eco rewrites files on shutdown; always edit while stopped.
- Server missing from the list: check PublicServer=true and that RemoteAddress/IPAddress are correct (leave IPAddress on Any).
- World size change has no effect: WorldGenerator.eco only applies to a new world (delete Storage after backing up).
Frequently asked questions
- What is the Eco server App ID?
- 739590: steamcmd +force_install_dir ~/Eco +login anonymous +app_update 739590 -beta default validate +quit (command from the official wiki).
- Which ports does Eco use?
- By default 3000 (game, UDP; the wiki also opens TCP) and 3001 (web, TCP), changeable with GameServerPort and WebServerPort in Network.eco.
- Where are the config files?
- In Eco_Data/Server/Configs/: Network.eco, Difficulty.eco, WorldGenerator.eco, Disasters.eco, Users.eco (whitelist/admins). The world is in Eco_Data/Server/Storage/.
- How do I update the server?
- Stop it, back up Storage and Configs, rerun the SteamCMD install command and restart.