Shooter · Lightweight
Host a Left 4 Dead 2 Server
Host Left 4 Dead 2 on your own Windows 10/11 or Linux computer. Swarm Hosts gives you a browser control panel to start, stop, monitor, and back up your server.
- Server Actions
- Guided settings
- Backups
Available in Early Access
Hardware and runtime
What Left 4 Dead 2 needs
Minimum requirements are a starting point. World size, player count, content, and game settings can require more resources.
- CPU
- 2+ cores
- Memory
- 2 GiB minimum
- Player traffic
- UDP
- Backup coverage
- 1 saved data location
- Persistent configuration: /server/left4dead2/cfg
- Network: assigned UDP game/query port; RCON remains container-local
- Readiness: Source-query response
- Server Actions: private, authenticated Source RCON; no public RCON port
Technical overview
Left 4 Dead 2 uses UDP for player connections and server queries. Swarm Hosts stores persistent configuration under /server/left4dead2/cfg and waits for a Source-query response before marking the server ready.
Launch workflow
From host to running server
Use Settings → Left 4 Dead 2 Settings for managed values after launch. Saving settings restarts or recreates the server and disconnects players. Manage persistent configuration through Files & Backups, and create a backup before replacing working files.
- Choose Left 4 Dead 2.
- Review the server parameters for map, maximum players, and mode.
- Set CPU and memory limits.
- Leave Server Actions password blank to generate one automatically, or set 16–128 letters, digits, underscores, or hyphens. Keep it private.
- Launch and wait for the Source readiness check.
Networking
How players connect
Players can connect with the published host and assigned UDP port shown on the Swarm Server. Share that endpoint rather than the container's default port.
Managed shared relay when the game, host, and current relay path support it.
Server Actions
Manage your Left 4 Dead 2 server
Available tools depend on the game, server status, and your permissions. The game guide explains any setup needed for Server Actions.
Server status
Read the current map and player summary.
List players
Refresh the verified connected-player list.
List installed maps
Refresh maps installed in the pinned runtime.
List bans
Refresh identities currently banned by the Source server.
Broadcast message
Send a server-authored chat message.
Change map
Change immediately to a freshly verified installed map.
Kick player
Disconnect a freshly verified connected player.
Ban player
Ban and disconnect a freshly verified connected player, then persist the ban list.
Remove ban
Remove a freshly verified Source identity ban and persist the ban list.
Mods & Content status
Mods and custom content
Left 4 Dead 2 addons are usually installed as VPKs or Workshop content. Track ids here, then manage files under the server data directory.
Left 4 Dead 2 has no managed Mods & Content page or automatic addon installation. Files & Backups exposes the persistent cfg directory, not the game's addon directory. Do not rely on an addon installed elsewhere in the container surviving recreation. Back up configuration before making changes, then check readiness and client connectivity.
See Server Actions for the availability matrix.
Know before launch
Before you launch
- Host on Windows 10/11 or Linux with Docker Desktop in Linux-container mode on Windows, or Docker Engine or rootful Podman on Linux.
- Managed shared relay when the game, host, and current relay path support it.
Windows 10/11 + Linux
Ready to host Left 4 Dead 2?
Connect the Windows or Linux computer you already own, then follow the game-specific launch path.