Hello and welcome to our guide on how to host a TS3 server. TeamSpeak 3 is a popular voice communication software commonly used by gamers, teams, and businesses. By hosting your own server, you can create a custom voice channel for your team without relying on third-party services.
In this guide, we will cover every aspect of hosting a TS3 server, from system requirements to setting up the server and managing users. Our step-by-step approach will ensure that even those new to server hosting can follow along.
System Requirements
Before diving into hosting a TS3 server, it is important to ensure that your system meets the minimum requirements. The server software runs on both Windows and Linux, but we recommend hosting on a dedicated machine or virtual private server (VPS) for better performance.
Here are the minimum system requirements:
| Operating System | CPU | RAM | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows or Linux | Dual-core or better | 2GB or more | 100MB for server, plus additional storage for file uploads and backups |
If you plan to host a large TS3 server with many users and channels, you may need a more powerful system.
Windows
If you plan to host your TS3 server on Windows, you will need to download the server software from the TeamSpeak website. The software is available for both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows.
Here are the steps to download and install the server software:
- Go to the TeamSpeak website and click on “Downloads” in the top menu.
- Scroll down to the “Server” section and click on the link for your version of Windows.
- Download the server software and save it to your computer.
- Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Linux
If you plan to host your TS3 server on Linux, you will need to use the command line to download and install the server software. The software is available as a tar archive that can be extracted to any directory on your system.
Here are the steps to download and install the server software:
- Log in to your Linux server via SSH.
- Download the server software by running the following command:
wget http://dl.4players.de/ts/releases/3.13.6/teamspeak3-server_linux_amd64-3.13.6.tar.bz2 - Extract the tar archive by running the following command:
tar xvf teamspeak3-server_linux_amd64-3.13.6.tar.bz2 - Change to the extracted directory by running the following command:
cd teamspeak3-server_linux_amd64 - Run the server by running the following command:
./ts3server_startscript.sh start
You can stop the server at any time by running the following command:
./ts3server_startscript.sh stop
Setting Up the Server
Now that you have downloaded and installed the TS3 server software, it is time to set up the server and create your first voice channel.
Creating the Server Admin Privilege Key
The first step is to create a Server Admin Privilege Key. This key will allow you to log in to the server and have full administrative privileges.
Here are the steps to create the Server Admin Privilege Key:
- Open the TS3 server console by running the following command:
./ts3server_startscript.sh start - In the console window, you will see a message that says “Welcome to the TeamSpeak 3 ServerQuery interface”. Type the following command to log in:
login serveradmin <your password> - You should see a message that says “Welcome, serveradmin”. Type the following command to create the Server Admin Privilege Key:
tokenadd tokentype=0 tokenid1=0 tokenid2=0 description="My Privilege Key" - You should see a message that contains your new privilege key. Copy this key and save it in a safe place.
Connecting to the Server
Now that you have created the Server Admin Privilege Key, it is time to connect to the server and set up your first voice channel.
Here are the steps to connect to the server:
- Open the TS3 client software on your computer.
- Click on “Connections” in the top menu and select “Connect”.
- In the “Server Address” field, enter the IP address or hostname of your server and the port number (default is 9987).
- In the “Nickname” field, enter your desired nickname.
- Click on “Connect”.
- When prompted for a privilege key, enter the Server Admin Privilege Key that you created earlier.
Managing Users and Channels
Now that you are connected to your TS3 server, you can start creating voice channels and adding users.
Creating Voice Channels
Here are the steps to create a new voice channel:
- Right-click on the “Default Channel” and select “Create Channel”.
- In the “Name” field, enter a name for the channel.
- Set any other options as desired.
- Click on “OK” to create the channel.
Adding Users
Here are the steps to add a user to your TS3 server:
- Right-click on the channel where you want to add the user.
- Select “Add Client” and enter the user’s nickname.
- Set any other options as desired.
- Click on “OK” to add the user to the channel.
FAQs
Q: Can I host a TS3 server on my home computer?
A: While it is technically possible to host a TS3 server on a home computer, we do not recommend it due to the potential security risks and performance issues. We recommend hosting on a dedicated machine or VPS.
Q: How many users can my TS3 server support?
A: The maximum number of users that a TS3 server can support depends on your system’s hardware and network bandwidth. However, the recommended maximum is 512 users.
Q: How can I backup my TS3 server data?
A: You can backup your TS3 server data by copying the entire server directory to a safe location. This should include the server software, configuration files, and any uploaded files.
Q: Can I password-protect my voice channels?
A: Yes, you can password-protect your voice channels by setting a password in the channel options. Users will need to enter the password to join the channel.
Q: How can I customize the TS3 server skins and icons?
A: You can customize the TS3 server skins and icons by modifying the theme files located in the server directory. There are also many third-party themes and icon packs available for download.
Q: Is there a way to automatically kick inactive users?
A: Yes, you can set up an idle time threshold in the server options. Users who are inactive for longer than the threshold will be automatically kicked from the server.
Q: Can I run multiple TS3 servers on the same machine?
A: Yes, you can run multiple TS3 servers on the same machine by using different ports for each server. However, you may need to ensure that your system has enough resources to support multiple servers.
Q: What happens if my TS3 server crashes?
A: If your TS3 server crashes, it will automatically restart if you have set up a startup script. However, you may need to investigate the cause of the crash to prevent it from happening again.
Q: How can I monitor my TS3 server’s performance?
A: You can monitor your TS3 server’s performance by using various tools such as server query commands, log files, and third-party monitoring software.