Create factorio_headless_server_on_proxmox_lxc.md

docs/tech/tools/games/factorio_headless_server_on_proxmox_lxc.md

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+# Factorio Headless Server on Proxmox (LXC)
+
+*Guest contribution by [HiSch](https://github.com/HiSch)*
+
+This guide will walk you through creating a Proxmox LXC container and setting up a **Factorio headless server** inside it.
+
+
+***
+
+## 1. Create a New Proxmox LXC Container
+
+1. **Download a CT template**
+    - In Proxmox, select your **host** → go to **local (hostname)** → click **CT Templates**.
+    - Click **Templates** and download one.
+    - For this guide, we’ll use:
+**`debian-12`**
+2. **Create a new container**
+    - Right-click your Proxmox host → **Create CT**.
+    - **Hostname**: choose a name (e.g. `factorio`).
+    - **Password**: set root password. → **Next**
+3. **Storage \& Template**
+    - Pick your storage.
+    - Select the `debian-12` CT template. → **Next**
+4. **Disk Size**
+    - Recommended: `20 GB`.
+5. **CPU**
+    - 2 Cores should be fine (unless you expect very heavy loads).
+6. **Memory**
+    - `4096 MB RAM` + `4096 MB Swap` is a good start.
+    - You can always change later in Proxmox.
+7. **Network**
+    - Enable DHCP (default works for most setups).
+    - Advanced users can configure a custom network.
+8. **DNS Settings**
+    - Default is fine.
+9. **Finish**
+    - Click **Finish** → wait for container creation.
+
+***
+
+## 2. Initial Container Setup
+
+1. Click your new **LXC container** → **Console/Shell**.
+2. Log in as `root` (default).
+3. Update and install required dependencies:
+
+```bash
+apt update
+apt install wget tar rsync -y
+```
+
+4. Create a new user for Factorio:
+
+```bash
+adduser factorio
+```
+
+Set a password when prompted.
+
+***
+
+## 3. Install Factorio Headless
+
+1. Log in as the new user:
+
+```bash
+su - factorio
+```
+
+2. Download Factorio server files:
+
+```bash
+wget https://factorio.com/get-download/stable/headless/linux64 -O ~/factorio_headless.tar.xz
+```
+
+3. Extract and prepare files:
+
+```bash
+tar -xvf ~/factorio_headless.tar.xz -C ~/
+rsync -au ~/factorio/ ~/server/
+rm ~/factorio_headless.tar.xz
+rm -R ~/factorio/
+```
+
+4. Setup server config:
+
+```bash
+cp ~/server/data/server-settings.example.json ~/server/data/server-settings.json
+nano ~/server/data/server-settings.json
+```
+
+(Edit settings as needed: server name, visibility, etc.)
+5. Create your first map save:
+
+```bash
+~/server/bin/x64/factorio --create ~/server/my-save.zip
+```
+
+6. Logout back to `root`:
+
+```bash
+exit
+```
+
+
+***
+
+## 4. Setup Systemd Service
+
+As **root**, create a new `systemd` service:
+
+```bash
+sudo tee /etc/systemd/system/factorio.service > /dev/null << 'EOL'
+[Unit]
+Description=Factorio Headless Server
+After=network.target
+
+[Service]
+Type=simple
+User=factorio
+WorkingDirectory=/home/factorio/server
+ExecStart=/home/factorio/server/bin/x64/factorio --start-server /home/factorio/server/my-save.zip --server-settings /home/factorio/server/data/server-settings.json
+Restart=always
+
+[Install]
+WantedBy=multi-user.target
+EOL
+```
+
+Reload `systemd`:
+
+```bash
+systemctl daemon-reload
+systemctl start factorio
+systemctl enable factorio
+```
+
+
+***
+
+## 5. Done
+
+Your Factorio headless server should now be running automatically on boot.
+
+- To check status:
+
+```bash
+systemctl status factorio
+```
+
+- To stop/start:
+
+```bash
+systemctl stop factorio
+systemctl start factorio
+```
+
+
+***
+
+You now have a dedicated **Factorio server** running inside a Proxmox LXC container!
+
+# Port Forwarding for Factorio Server
+
+By default, Factorio uses port **34197/UDP**.
+If you want people outside your LAN to join your server, you need to make this port reachable from the internet.
+
+## Port Forward on Your Router
+
+On your home router/firewall:
+
+1. Log in to your router admin panel.
+2. Look for **Port Forwarding / NAT / Virtual Server** settings.
+3. Add a new rule:
+    - **Port**: `34197`
+    - **Protocol**: `UDP`
+    - **Destination IP**: IP address of your Factorio container (e.g., `192.168.1.50`).
+    - **Forward To Port**: `34197`
+
+Save and restart your router if necessary.
+
+***
+
+## Test External Connectivity
+
+1. From outside your network (ask a friend, or use mobile hotspot):
+    - Open Factorio → Multiplayer → Connect to your **public IP**.
+    - Public IP can be found by searching *“what is my IP”* on Google.
+2. Make sure your local firewall (Proxmox host or container) is not blocking UDP traffic on port `34197`.
+
+***
+
+## Optional: Register with the Official Server List
+
+Inside your `~/server/data/server-settings.json`, you can configure:
+
+- `"name": "My Awesome Factorio Server"`
+- `"description": "Hosted on Proxmox LXC"`
+- `"visibility": "public"`
+
+This will let your server appear in the official Factorio multiplayer browser.
+(Requires that port forwarding is working correctly.)
+
+***
+
+After completing this, you should be able to join by entering your **public IP (and port 34197)** in Factorio multiplayer.
+
+
+# Updating Factorio Server Automatically
+
+Factorio releases updates often, so it’s a good idea to automate the update process. Below are steps to create a simple script that updates your server daily at 4 AM.
+
+***
+
+## Create the Update Script
+
+Log in as **root** in your Proxmox LXC container and create the script:
+
+```bash
+nano /root/update.sh
+```
+
+Paste the following contents:
+
+```bash
+#!/bin/bash
+
+# Stop Factorio server before updating
+service factorio stop
+
+# Download latest Factorio headless version
+sudo -u factorio wget https://factorio.com/get-download/stable/headless/linux64 -O /home/factorio/factorio_headless.tar.xz
+
+# Extract files to the factorio home directory
+sudo -u factorio tar -xvf /home/factorio/factorio_headless.tar.xz -C /home/factorio/
+
+# Sync new files into server directory (preserves saves & configs)
+sudo -u factorio rsync -au /home/factorio/factorio/ /home/factorio/server/
+
+# Start the server again
+service factorio start
+
+# Cleanup temporary files
+rm /home/factorio/factorio_headless.tar.xz
+rm -R /home/factorio/factorio/
+```
+
+Save and exit (`CTRL+O`, then `CTRL+X`).
+
+***
+
+## Make the Script Executable
+
+```bash
+chmod +x /root/update.sh
+```
+
+
+***
+
+## Schedule Daily Automatic Updates
+
+Edit root’s **crontab**:
+
+```bash
+crontab -e
+```
+
+Add this line at the bottom to run the update daily at 4:00 AM:
+
+```cron
+0 4 * * * /root/update.sh > /dev/null 2>&1
+```
+
+- `0 4 * * *` → every day at **4:00 AM**
+- `> /dev/null 2>&1` → silences script output
+
+Save and exit the crontab editor.
+
+***
+
+## Verify Cron Setup
+
+You can list cron jobs with:
+
+```bash
+crontab -l
+```