How to create an ARK: Survival Evolved server on Schokr

Create a server from the ARK: Survival Evolved template, give it as much memory and disk as possible, set the session name, passwords and ports in the Startup settings, then start it and join through the Unofficial server list or Steam favourites. ARK is very demanding, so read the resource notes first.

Be realistic about resources#

ARK: Survival Evolved is one of the heaviest dedicated servers you can run.

• Memory: an ARK server on The Island typically needs around 6 GB of memory or more, and usage grows as players build and tame. Schokr's free package gives your whole team 6 GB, so a free ARK server is tight at best and may not start or stay stable.
• Disk: the ARK dedicated server files are very large, more than the free package's 10 GB of disk. You will likely need extra disk before the install can finish.
• CPU: startup and saving are slow on 1.5 cores, and the first boot can take a long time.

If you're serious about ARK, plan to add resources from the store, which are permanent upgrades to your team's pool: 1 GB memory for 450 credits, 10 GB disk for 450 credits and 50% CPU for 300 credits. Earn credits through the daily reward, AFK earnings and referrals, or buy them.

This template is for ARK: Survival Evolved, not ARK: Survival Ascended. Schokr doesn't offer clustering between ARK servers.

Creating the server#

1. Make sure your team has enough free memory and disk in its pool.
2. Sign in at console.schokr.gg and create a server with the ARK: Survival Evolved template.
3. Pick the location nearest your players.
4. Assign as much memory and disk as you can.
5. Create the server and wait for the install. This can take a long time because of the download size.

Ports#

ARK uses more than one port. Your first allocation is the game port. You'll also want:

• Query port: needed for the server to show in the Steam and in-game browser.
• RCON port: needed for remote admin tools.

Add allocations in the Network section, then put the numbers into the query port and RCON port variables in your Startup settings. See adding port allocations.

Startup settings#

Set these before the first start:

• Server name (session name)
• Server password: leave empty for public, or set one for a private server
• Admin password: used for in-game cheat commands and RCON. Make it strong.
• Map: TheIsland is the default; other official maps add to the download and memory use.

First start and joining#

1. Start the server. The first boot can take many minutes while the map loads.
2. Wait for the console to settle and memory use to stop climbing.
3. In ARK, open Join ARK, choose the Unofficial filter, and search your session name. Tick "Show password protected servers" if you set a password.

If it doesn't appear, add it to Steam's server favourites using <server-ip>:<query-port>. See server not in browser.

Next steps#

• Tune rates and rules: ARK GameUserSettings.ini and Game.ini
• Admin commands: ARK admin and cheat commands
• Mods: adding mods to an ARK server

Still stuck?#

If the server stops during startup with no error, it has most likely run out of memory. Ask in the Schokr Discord for help sizing it.