Introduction

This guide walks through the required steps to correctly set up an Insurgency: Sandstorm community server using the Delta Networks game panel.
It focuses on authentication, server identity, and initial configuration required for the server to appear online and accept players.

Reading time: 5min

Prerequisites / Disclaimers

• An active Insurgency: Sandstorm server

• Access to the Delta Networks game panel and file manager

• A valid Steam account with access to Steam Game Server Login Tokens (GSLT)

• Incorrect or missing authentication tokens will prevent the server from appearing in the server browser
  https://mod.io/g/insurgencysandstorm/r/server-admin-guide

Purpose

To ensure your server:

• Authenticates correctly with Steam

• Appears in the Community Server Browser

• Accepts player connections reliably

• Uses a clean baseline configuration suitable for further customization

• (Optional) Has stats enabled

Procedure

Game Server Login Token (GSLT)

Insurgency: Sandstorm requires a valid Game Server Login Token to authenticate with Steam.

1. Generate a GSLT:

   • Visit https://steamcommunity.com/dev/managegameservers

   • Create a new token using:

     • App ID: 581320

     • Memo: Any identifiable name (e.g. Delta-Sandstorm-01)

2. Copy the generated token.

3. Enter the token into the game panel from the Startup Parameters page

   • Locate the GSLT Authentication field

   • Paste the token and to save click away

Without a valid GSLT, the server will either fail authentication or remain invisible in the server browser.

Example screenshot showing both tokens required for Steam authentication and Stats authentication

Server Configuration Files

Insurgency: Sandstorm uses Unreal Engine, it’s configuration files are located in: /Config/Server/. Or you can just use the “Quick Access” system we have to jump straight into the files.

Example showing you two different ways to access the config files

Common files included:

• Admins.txt > Admins are added to this file

• Bans.json > Banned players are saved here

• MapCycle.txt > Map roster is defined here

• Motd.txt > Motd (displays on loading screen) is defined here

The game panel creates these automatically for you (empty).

Ref: https://mod.io/g/insurgencysandstorm/r/server-admin-guide

Server Identity

Set basic server identity values:

• Server name (Startup Parameters)

• Maximum player count (Startup Parameters)

• Optional server password (can be added in the “additional arguments” parameter)

• Message of the Day (Defined via Motd.txt)

These settings affect how the server appears in the browser and what players see when connecting.

Example showing you the Server Name and Max Players variables that you can adjust

Networking & Ports

• Game and query ports are assigned automatically upon purchase of a server

• If you need RCON, please raise a ticket for an additional port assignment

The server reports its query port to Steam during authentication using the GSLT.

Server Visibility & Validation

After startup:

1. Confirm the server starts without errors

2. Check server logs for Steam authentication success

   Note: Steam server visibility can take 15min-24hrs depending on circumstances.

3. Verify the server appears under Community Servers

4. Attempt a direct connection if needed for testing (should your server not appear just yet in the browser)

If the server does not appear:

• Re-check the GSLT

• Restart the server after changes

Enabling Player Statistics

Insurgency: Sandstorm supports official player statistics tracking (XP, ranks, loadout unlocks) on community servers, provided specific requirements are met.

Statistics are disabled by default unless all conditions are satisfied.

Requirements for Stats to Function

To enable stats, your server must:

• Use a valid GSLT (Game Server Login Token)

• Be Steam authenticated

• Run in Community Server mode

• Have stats explicitly enabled in configuration

• Not use gameplay-altering mutators or mods that disable stat tracking

Ref: https://mod.io/g/insurgencysandstorm/r/server-admin-guide

Configuration

Stats are controlled via the Startup Parameters page. Once a token is created and pasted into the parameter field, the server will attempt to validate the token.

Example showing the GST parameter

Optional: Official Rules

The game ships with a ruleset which are considered official rules; this locks down the options you can change on your dedicated server. If you are running a mostly vanilla server, you may consider opting into this ruleset for your server to appear under the "official rules" filter. To opt-in, add -ruleset=OfficialRules to your server's additional arguments field.

Example parameter

End

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