This guide walks you through setting up and configuring your Insurgency: Sandstorm dedicated server hosted on Legion Hosting, including Steam authentication tokens, startup variables, maps and scenarios, game modes, additional launch parameters, and how to connect. For remote server administration, see RCON (Remote Console) for Insurgency: Sandstorm.
Important: Insurgency: Sandstorm servers are configured entirely through GPanel startup variables and command-line parameters. There are no user-editable config files. All settings are controlled from the Startup tab in GPanel.
Step 1: Authentication Tokens
Insurgency: Sandstorm requires two separate Steam authentication tokens for your server to appear in the public server browser. Without both tokens, your server will start and be playable via direct connect, but it will not be listed publicly.
Game Stats Token (GST)
The GST is a Game Server Login Token (GSLT) that identifies your server to Steam.
- Log in to your Steam account and visit steamcommunity.com/dev/managegameservers.
- In the App ID field, enter
581330(Insurgency: Sandstorm Dedicated Server). - Enter an optional memo (e.g.
Legion Insurgency Server) and click Create. - Copy the generated token.
- In GPanel, open your server's Startup tab and paste the token into the GST (Game Stats Token) field.
GSLT Auth Token (GSLTT)
The GSLTT is a second token required specifically by Insurgency: Sandstorm for server browser authentication.
- On the same Steam Game Server Account Management page, create a second token with App ID
581330. - Use a different memo (e.g.
Legion Insurgency GSLT Auth) so you can tell them apart. - Copy this second token.
- In GPanel's Startup tab, paste it into the GSLTT (GSLT Auth Token) field.
Both tokens are required. If either the GST or GSLTT field is empty or invalid, your server will not appear in the public server browser. Players will only be able to join via direct connect.
Steam account requirements: Your Steam account must be in good standing (no VAC bans) and must own a copy of Insurgency: Sandstorm to generate tokens. Each token is tied to one server. You can hold up to 1000 tokens per account.
Step 2: First Start
- Log in to GPanel and navigate to your Insurgency: Sandstorm server.
- Go to the Startup tab and fill in at minimum your GST and GSLTT tokens (see Step 1).
- Click Start on the main console page.
- On first launch, the server will download and install all game files. This can take several minutes depending on the server's connection speed.
- Watch the console output. When you see a line similar to:
your server is running and ready for connections.LogOnline: OSS: Created session, starting...
About ports: On shared hosting, ports are randomly assigned by the system. You cannot choose specific port numbers. GPanel automatically allocates all the ports your server needs. Check the Network tab in GPanel to see your assigned ports. If you need specific port numbers, you can purchase a server with a private IP address.
Step 3: GPanel Startup Variables
All server configuration is done through the Startup tab in GPanel. The following variables are available:
| Variable | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
HOSTNAME |
(your server name) | The name displayed in the server browser. Set this to something descriptive so players can find your server. |
MAP_NAME |
Canyon |
The map to load on server start. See the Maps and Scenarios section below for all available maps. |
SCENARIO |
Scenario_Crossing_Checkpoint_Insurgents |
The full scenario string that defines the map, game mode, and faction. See below for the naming convention. |
MAX_PLAYERS |
28 |
Maximum number of players allowed on the server. Insurgency: Sandstorm supports up to 28 players in PvP modes (up to 8 in Co-op). |
GST |
(empty) | Game Stats Token. Required for the server to appear in the public browser. See Step 1. |
GSLTT |
(empty) | GSLT Auth Token. The second required token for public browser listing. See Step 1. |
ADDSWITCHES |
(empty) | Additional command-line parameters passed to the server. Use this for advanced configuration such as passwords, mutators, and gameplay tweaks. See the Server Configuration section below. |
After changing any startup variable: You must restart your server from GPanel for the changes to take effect.
Step 4: Maps and Scenarios
Available Maps
Insurgency: Sandstorm ships with the following maps. Use the Map Name value in the MAP_NAME startup variable:
| Map Name | Display Name | Setting |
|---|---|---|
Bab | Bab | Urban streets |
Canyon | Canyon | Desert canyon |
Citadel | Citadel | Mountain fortress |
Crossing | Crossing | River crossing |
Farmhouse | Farmhouse | Rural compound |
Gap | Gap | Mountain pass |
Hideout | Hideout | Cliffside village |
Hillside | Hillside | Hillside town |
Ministry | Ministry | Government ministry building |
Outskirts | Outskirts | Desert outskirts |
Precinct | Precinct | Police precinct |
Refinery | Refinery | Oil refinery |
Summit | Summit | Mountain summit |
Tell | Tell | Desert ruins |
Tideway | Tideway | Coastal area |
Town | Town | Small desert town |
Scenario Naming Convention
The SCENARIO variable uses a specific naming format that defines the map, game mode, and starting faction:
Scenario_<MapName>_<GameMode>_<Faction>- MapName -- the map name (e.g.
Crossing,Ministry,Farmhouse) - GameMode -- the game mode (e.g.
Checkpoint,Push,Frontline) - Faction -- the attacking/starting faction:
SecurityorInsurgents
Common Scenarios
| Scenario | Map | Mode | Faction |
|---|---|---|---|
Scenario_Crossing_Checkpoint_Insurgents |
Crossing | Checkpoint | Insurgents attack |
Scenario_Crossing_Checkpoint_Security |
Crossing | Checkpoint | Security attack |
Scenario_Ministry_Checkpoint_Security |
Ministry | Checkpoint | Security attack |
Scenario_Farmhouse_Push_Insurgents |
Farmhouse | Push | Insurgents attack |
Scenario_Summit_Frontline |
Summit | Frontline | Symmetric |
Scenario_Hideout_Domination |
Hideout | Domination | Symmetric |
Scenario_Precinct_Skirmish |
Precinct | Skirmish | Symmetric |
Scenario_Bab_Push_Security |
Bab | Push | Security attack |
Scenario_Outskirts_Checkpoint_Insurgents |
Outskirts | Checkpoint | Insurgents attack |
Scenario_Tell_Checkpoint_Security |
Tell | Checkpoint | Security attack |
Note: Symmetric game modes like Frontline, Domination, and Skirmish do not include a faction suffix because both teams have identical objectives. Asymmetric modes like Checkpoint and Push require you to specify which faction is attacking.
Step 5: Game Modes
Insurgency: Sandstorm offers several game modes across PvP and Co-op. The game mode is determined by the SCENARIO variable.
PvP Modes
| Mode | Players | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Push | Up to 28 | One team attacks sequentially through objective points while the defending team tries to stop them. The attacking team gains additional reinforcement waves for each objective captured. The classic Insurgency experience. |
| Frontline | Up to 28 | A tug-of-war mode where both teams fight over a chain of objectives. Capturing the enemy's final objective wins the round. Reinforcements are tied to objective control. |
| Skirmish | Up to 16 | A smaller-scale mode with three objectives per side and a weapon cache. Destroying the enemy cache or capturing all objectives wins the round. Good for lower player counts. |
| Firefight | Up to 16 | Three capture points on the map with no respawns. Holding all three points or eliminating the enemy team wins the round. Capturing any point respawns dead teammates. |
| Domination | Up to 28 | Fast-paced mode with three capture points. Teams earn points by holding objectives. First team to reach the score limit wins. Players respawn on a timer. |
| Ambush | Up to 28 | One team must escort a VIP player to an extraction point while the other team tries to eliminate the VIP. |
Co-op Modes
| Mode | Players | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Checkpoint (Co-op) | Up to 8 | Players work together against AI to capture or destroy a series of objectives. The most popular co-op mode. |
| Hardcore Checkpoint | Up to 8 | Same as Checkpoint Co-op but with more punishing settings -- no HUD markers, limited supplies, and tougher AI. |
| Survival | Up to 8 | Players start with minimal equipment and must scavenge weapons while completing objectives and fighting to an extraction point. |
Scenario names for Co-op: Co-op scenarios use
CheckpointHardcore, CheckpointCoop, or Survival as the game mode portion. For example: Scenario_Crossing_CheckpointCoop_Security.
Step 6: Server Configuration via ADDSWITCHES
Since Insurgency: Sandstorm does not use editable config files on the server, all advanced configuration is done through additional command-line parameters in the ADDSWITCHES startup variable.
Enter parameters in the Startup tab's ADDSWITCHES field, separated by spaces. Each parameter starts with a - (dash).
Common Parameters
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
-Password=YourPassword |
Sets a password required to join the server. Leave out entirely for a public server. |
-MapCycle=MapCycle |
Specifies the map cycle file to use (refers to a MapCycle.txt travel list). By default the server cycles through available scenarios. |
-mutators=<list> |
Comma-separated list of mutators to enable. See below for examples. |
-GameStats |
Enables game statistics tracking. Required along with a valid GST for ranked play. |
-EnableCheats |
Enables cheat commands on the server. Do not use on public servers. |
-Rcon |
Enables RCON (Remote Console) access. Must be combined with -RconPassword. See RCON (Remote Console) for Insurgency: Sandstorm for full details. |
-RconPassword=YourRconPass |
Sets the RCON password. Required if -Rcon is enabled. |
-RconListenPort=<port> |
Specifies the RCON listening port. Uses the game query port by default. |
Example ADDSWITCHES Configuration
A typical configuration with a server password and RCON enabled:
-Password=MySecretPass -Rcon -RconPassword=MyRconPass -GameStatsPopular Mutators
Mutators modify gameplay rules. Pass them as a comma-separated list with the -mutators parameter:
-mutators=AllYouCanEat,AntiMaterielRiflesOnly| Mutator | Description |
|---|---|
AllYouCanEat |
Unlimited supply points for loadouts. |
BoltActionsOnly |
Only bolt-action rifles are available. |
Frenzy |
AI enemies rush with melee weapons in co-op. A fan-favourite chaotic mode. |
Guerrillas |
Insurgent team can only use lower-tier weaponry. |
HotPotato |
Grenades and explosives only. |
PistolsOnly |
Only pistol sidearms are available. |
ShotgunsOnly |
Only shotguns are available. |
AntiMaterielRiflesOnly |
Only anti-materiel rifles (e.g. the M82) are available. |
Vampirism |
Killing enemies restores health. |
CompetitiveLoadouts |
Restricts loadouts to competitive rules. |
Mutators and server browser: Servers running mutators may be filtered separately in the in-game browser. Some players specifically search for mutator servers, while others filter them out.
Step 7: How to Connect
Find your server's IP address and assigned port on the Network tab in GPanel. See How to Find Your Server IP and Port for details.
Via the In-Game Server Browser
- Launch Insurgency: Sandstorm and click Play from the main menu.
- Select Browse Servers (you may need to look under Multiplayer).
- Use the filter options to search by server name, game mode, or map.
- Find your server in the list and click Join.
Server not showing up? Ensure both your GST and GSLTT tokens are set correctly in GPanel. If both tokens are valid and the server is running, it should appear in the browser within a few minutes. You can also try refreshing the browser or checking the Internet tab instead of Favourites.
Via Direct Connect (Console)
- Launch Insurgency: Sandstorm.
- Open the in-game console by pressing the ` (tilde/backtick) key. If the console does not open, enable it in Settings > Game > Enable Console.
- Type the following command, replacing the IP and port with your values from GPanel:
open YOUR.SERVER.IP:PORT - If the server has a password, use:
open YOUR.SERVER.IP:PORT?Password=YourPassword
Related Articles
- RCON (Remote Console) for Insurgency: Sandstorm
- How to Find Your Server IP and Port
- Server Startup Guide
- How to Upload Files via SFTP
Need Help?
If you run into an issue not covered in this guide, our support team is available to assist.
Open a support ticket: https://legionhosting.net/submitticket.php
