Is my password sent anywhere?

No. The generator runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to Space-Node or stored, and the file is built on your own device when you copy or download it.

Where do I put dedicatedserver.cfg?

In the server's user data folder. On Windows that is C:\Users\ \AppData\LocalLow\Endnight\SonsOfTheForestDS, unless you start the server with -userdatapath. With the jammsen Docker image it is game/userdata, and with the Pelican egg it is serverconfig. Restart the server after you replace the file. On a Space-Node server or another Pelican egg panel, set the server name and save slot in the Startup tab: the panel writes them into the file on every start.

Why does my server make a new world on every restart?

SaveMode is set to new. That overwrites the save on your slot on every start. Set SaveMode to continue: it loads the save on the slot, or creates one if the slot is empty.

Can I change the game mode of an existing world?

No. GameMode and the custom game mode settings are only read when the server creates a new save. Tree regrowth and structure damage are the two settings that still apply to an existing save.

How many players can a Sons of the Forest server have?

Up to eight. MaxPlayers accepts 1 to 8.

Does Space-Node host Sons of the Forest servers?

Yes. Our Sons of the Forest servers start at €10.20 a month with 8GB of RAM, with the Wine runtime set up for you. Upload the file this generator makes to the serverconfig folder in the File Manager, and set the server name, players, password, game mode and save slot in the Startup tab, because those win over the file.

Free tool

Sons of the Forest Server Config Generator

Build a valid dedicatedserver.cfg for your Sons of the Forest dedicated server. Pick a name, password, player limit, game mode and save slot, then copy or download the file. Everything runs in your browser, so your password stays with you.

Server

Server name

Shown in the server list and in Steam. On a Space-Node server or another panel with the Pelican egg, set the name in the Startup tab: the panel writes it into this file on every start.

Password

Up to 40 characters. It never leaves your browser. Leave it empty for a public server.

Max players: 4

Sons of the Forest allows 1 to 8 players.

World and saves

Game mode

Only used when the server creates a new save. An existing save keeps its own mode.

Save slot

Folder 0000000001 under Saves/DedicatedServer/Multiplayer.

Save mode

Autosave every (seconds)

Default 600, every 10 minutes.

Time speed while empty

0 to 1. At 0 time stands still while nobody is online.

Trees grow back when players sleep

Buildings can be damaged

These two work in every mode, also on an existing save.

Network

Game port

Query port

BlobSync port

All three are UDP. Open them in your firewall and port forwarding.

LAN only

Hides the server from the internet list. Leave it off for friends who play from home.

Skip the network test

Expert option. Endnight warns a server that fails the test is usually unreachable anyway.

Server owners (optional)SteamID64 of each owner, one per line

Owners get the in-game admin panel. Find your SteamID64 under Account Details in Steam.

dedicatedserver.cfg

{
  "IpAddress": "0.0.0.0",
  "GamePort": 8766,
  "QueryPort": 27016,
  "BlobSyncPort": 9700,
  "ServerName": "Our Island",
  "MaxPlayers": 4,
  "Password": "",
  "LanOnly": false,
  "SaveSlot": 1,
  "SaveMode": "continue",
  "GameMode": "normal",
  "SaveInterval": 600,
  "IdleDayCycleSpeed": 0,
  "IdleTargetFramerate": 5,
  "ActiveTargetFramerate": 60,
  "LogFilesEnabled": false,
  "TimestampLogFilenames": true,
  "TimestampLogEntries": true,
  "SkipNetworkAccessibilityTest": false,
  "GameSettings": {
    "Gameplay.TreeRegrowth": true,
    "Structure.Damage": true
  },
  "CustomGameModeSettings": {}
}

No password: anyone who finds the server in the list can join.

Where the files go

Put both files in the server's user data folder and restart it. On Windows that is C:\Users\<user>\AppData\LocalLow\Endnight\SonsOfTheForestDS. On a panel such as the Pelican egg (Space-Node servers use it too), set the server name, ports, players, password, game mode, save slot and network test in the Startup tab. The panel passes them as start arguments or writes them into this file on every start, so the Startup tab wins over the file.

Three things that cost groups their island

Leaving SaveMode on new

With new the server creates a new game on your slot and overwrites the old one, on every restart. Keep it on continue and pick an empty slot when you want a fresh world.

Changing the game mode of a running world

Game mode and custom settings only count when a save is created. On an existing world the server ignores them, so decide on difficulty before the first start.

A typo in the JSON

The server checks its config on every start and does not boot when the file is invalid. The generator always writes valid JSON, so replacing your file with this one rules that out.

Sons of the Forest server guides

Sons of the Forest dedicated server guideRequirements, SteamCMD, Linux with Wine, ports and backups.Every setting explainedAll keys, allowed values and the custom game mode options.Move your co-op save to a serverFolders, the ten-digit slot name and what carries over.Server not showing up?Self-test, UDP ports, LanOnly and NAT loopback.

Need a machine that stays on?

A dedicated server only helps if it runs somewhere other than the host's PC. Our Sons of the Forest server hosting runs Endnight's Windows server through Wine on Linux, set up for you, from 8 GB of RAM. Your island stays online when the host logs off. Upload this file to the serverconfig folder in the File Manager and set the server name in the Startup tab, because the panel writes it into the file on every start.

Frequently Asked Questions

: No. The generator runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to Space-Node or stored, and the file is built on your own device when you copy or download it.
: In the server's user data folder. On Windows that is C:\Users\<user>\AppData\LocalLow\Endnight\SonsOfTheForestDS, unless you start the server with -userdatapath. With the jammsen Docker image it is game/userdata, and with the Pelican egg it is serverconfig. Restart the server after you replace the file. On a Space-Node server or another Pelican egg panel, set the server name and save slot in the Startup tab: the panel writes them into the file on every start.
: SaveMode is set to new. That overwrites the save on your slot on every start. Set SaveMode to continue: it loads the save on the slot, or creates one if the slot is empty.
: No. GameMode and the custom game mode settings are only read when the server creates a new save. Tree regrowth and structure damage are the two settings that still apply to an existing save.
: Up to eight. MaxPlayers accepts 1 to 8.
: Yes. Our Sons of the Forest servers start at €10.20 a month with 8GB of RAM, with the Wine runtime set up for you. Upload the file this generator makes to the serverconfig folder in the File Manager, and set the server name, players, password, game mode and save slot in the Startup tab, because those win over the file.

Based on Endnight's dedicated server guide (updated 15 January 2025). Not affiliated with Endnight Games.