Skip to main content

Overview

The Public Servers page displays all enabled community servers configured with Valve game modes (non-ranked). Players can browse available servers and connect directly through Steam.
Only servers configured with Valve preset game modes (Casual, Competitive, Deathmatch, etc.) appear in the public server list. Ranked servers are excluded unless they have a connection string configured.

Server Information

Each public server displays:

Server Label

Server name/identifier configured by administrators

Current Map

Active map being played on the server

Player Count

Current players vs. maximum capacity (e.g., 8/32)

Region

Geographic location of the server

Server Type

Game mode (Casual, Competitive, Deathmatch, etc.)

Connection Status

Real-time server connectivity indicator

Connection Methods

Quick Connect Button

Click the Connect button to join a server:
1

Click Connect

Press the connect button next to your desired server.
2

Steam Opens

Your default browser opens a Steam connection URL.
3

Confirm in Steam

Steam prompts you to launch CS2 and connect.
4

Join Server

CS2 launches and connects to the server automatically.

Connection String

Servers provide connection strings for manual connection:
# Connect via console
connect 192.168.1.100:27015; password server-password

# Or using Steam URL
steam://connect/192.168.1.100:27015/server-password
Open the CS2 console (usually ~ key) and paste the connection string directly.

Server Filtering

Server Status Indicators

Servers display real-time connection status:

Status Indicators

  • 🟢 Green Dot: Server online and accepting connections
  • 🔴 Red Dot (pulsing): Server offline or unreachable
interface ServerStatus {
  connected: boolean;     // Plugin connection status
  offline_at: Date | null; // Last disconnect time
}

LAN vs Internet Servers

Servers are automatically separated by network type:
Standard public servers accessible over the internet:
  • Listed in the main server table
  • Use public IP addresses
  • Steam relay optional
  • DDoS protection recommended

Server Information Display

Real-time Server Data

Server information updates automatically via GraphQL subscription:
subscription PublicServers {
  servers(
    where: {
      _and: [
        {
          _or: [
            { type: { _neq: "Ranked" } }
            { connection_string: { _is_null: false } }
          ]
        }
        { enabled: { _eq: true } }
        { connected: { _eq: true } }
      ]
    }
    order_by: { label: asc }
  ) {
    id
    label
    type
    region
    connected
    connection_link
    connection_string
    max_players
    server_region {
      is_lan
    }
  }
}

Server Info Query

Additional server details are polled every 60 seconds:
interface ServerInfo {
  id: string;           // Server ID
  map: string;          // Current map name
  players: number;      // Current player count
  lastPing: number;     // Last successful ping time
}
query GetDedicatedServerInfo {
  getDedicatedServerInfo {
    id
    map
    players
    lastPing
  }
}

Server Types

Public servers support various Valve game modes:

Available Game Modes

Valve’s casual matchmaking mode:
  • 5v5 or 10v10 gameplay
  • Armor and defuse kits provided
  • Team damage disabled
  • Drop-in/drop-out support
Standard competitive ruleset:
  • 5v5 gameplay
  • Economy system
  • MR12 or MR15 format
  • Team damage enabled
Free-for-all deathmatch:
  • Instant respawn
  • Unlimited ammunition
  • All weapons available
  • Score-based gameplay
Gun game progression mode:
  • Progress through weapon tiers
  • Instant respawn
  • First to complete all weapons wins
Simplified competitive mode:
  • Smaller maps
  • Weapon progression per round
  • Best of 16 rounds
Custom game mode configurations:
  • Server-defined rules
  • Modified gameplay parameters
  • Community game modes

Password-Protected Servers

Servers with connect passwords require authentication:

Password Protection

When connecting to password-protected servers:
  1. Connection attempt prompts for password
  2. Enter the server password
  3. Connection proceeds if password is correct
Contact server administrators for password information.
// Server with password
interface PasswordProtectedServer {
  connect_password: string;  // Set by administrator
  connection_string: string; // Includes password in URL
}

Empty Server States

No Servers Available

If no public servers are configured or online, the page displays:
  • Empty state message
  • Explanation about server availability
  • Link to server management (for administrators)

Steam Protocol URLs

5Stack generates Steam protocol URLs for one-click connections:
// Connection link format
const connectionLink = `steam://connect/${host}:${port}/${password || ''}`;

// Example
// steam://connect/192.168.1.100:27015/mypassword

Direct Connection String

// Console command format
const connectionString = `connect ${host}:${port}${password ? `; password ${password}` : ''}`;

// Example
// connect 192.168.1.100:27015; password mypassword

For Administrators

Making Servers Public

To add servers to the public list:
1

Configure Server Type

Set the server type to a Valve preset mode (not “Ranked”).
2

Enable the Server

Toggle the server to “Enabled” status.
3

Verify Connection

Ensure the server is online and connected to 5Stack.
4

Set Max Players

Configure the maximum player count (1-32).
5

Optional: Add Password

Set a connect password if you want to restrict access.

Server Visibility Rules

Servers appear in the public list when:
// Visibility logic
const isPublic = (
  (server.type !== 'Ranked' || server.connection_string) &&
  server.enabled &&
  server.connected
);
Requirements:
  • Server type is not “Ranked” (OR has connection string)
  • Server is enabled
  • Server is connected to 5Stack panel

Connection String Override

Ranked servers can appear in public listings with a connection string:
// Ranked server with public connection
const rankedPublicServer = {
  type: 'Ranked',
  connection_string: 'steam://connect/server:port',
  enabled: true,
  connected: true
};
// This server WILL appear in public list

Best Practices

Use descriptive server labels:
  • Include game mode (e.g., “DM - Dust2 24/7”)
  • Specify region or location
  • Indicate special features (“128 Tick”, “Low Ping”)
  • Keep names concise but informative
Set appropriate max players:
  • Standard competitive: 10 players (5v5)
  • Casual: 20-32 players
  • Deathmatch: 16-32 players
  • Consider server hardware capacity
Use passwords strategically:
  • Public community servers: No password
  • Private group servers: Set password
  • Event servers: Temporary passwords
  • Distribute passwords securely

Troubleshooting

Symptoms: Server exists but doesn’t show on public pageSolutions:
  1. Verify server type is not “Ranked” (or has connection_string)
  2. Ensure server is enabled
  3. Check server is connected (green status)
  4. Confirm server is not in maintenance mode
  5. Refresh the page
Symptoms: Connection fails or times outSolutions:
  1. Verify server is online (green indicator)
  2. Check you have the correct password (if required)
  3. Ensure CS2 is up to date
  4. Try manual console connection
  5. Check firewall isn’t blocking Steam connections
  6. Verify server port is accessible
Symptoms: Player count shows 0 or outdated numbersSolutions:
  1. Wait for next polling interval (60 seconds)
  2. Check server is properly connected
  3. Verify server info query is functioning
  4. Refresh browser page
  5. Review server logs for errors
Symptoms: Map name incorrect or not updatingSolutions:
  1. Wait for next polling interval
  2. Verify server is responding to queries
  3. Check server has proper map installed
  4. Refresh the page

Dedicated Servers

Configure and manage CS2 servers

Regions

Understand server region configuration

Game Server Nodes

Deploy servers with automated management

Build docs developers (and LLMs) love