This guide covers admin setup, Source engine RCON commands, player management, map commands, SourceMod/MetaMod plugin support, custom maps, and troubleshooting for your Black Mesa dedicated server. Black Mesa is a Source engine remake of Half-Life with competitive multiplayer deathmatch. For initial setup, configuration, and connection instructions, see Black Mesa Server Setup Guide.
1. Admin Setup (RCON Password)
Black Mesa uses the Source engine's RCON system for administration. Set the password in GPanel Startup or server.cfg:
rcon_password "YourStrongPassword"Authenticate in-game via console (~):
rcon_password YourStrongPassword
rcon <command>You can also send commands directly through the GPanel Console tab without RCON authentication.
2. Source Engine RCON Commands
Player Management
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
rcon status | List players with user IDs, Steam IDs, IPs, and ping. |
rcon kick <userid> | Kick a player by user ID. |
rcon kick "<playername>" | Kick by display name. |
rcon banid <minutes> <userid> | Ban by user ID. 0 = permanent. |
rcon banip <minutes> <ip> | Ban an IP address. |
rcon removeid <steamid> | Remove a Steam ID ban. |
rcon removeip <ip> | Remove an IP ban. |
rcon writeid | Save ban list to banned_user.cfg. |
rcon writeip | Save IP bans to banned_ip.cfg. |
rcon writeid and rcon writeip after banning. Without saving, bans are lost on restart.
Map Commands
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
rcon changelevel <mapname> | Change map, keeping players connected. |
rcon map <mapname> | Load map from scratch, disconnecting all players. |
rcon maps * | List all available maps. |
rcon mp_timelimit <min> | Change map time limit. |
rcon mp_fraglimit <frags> | Change frag limit. |
rcon mp_restartgame 1 | Restart current round, resetting scores. |
Server Management
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
rcon hostname "Name" | Change server name. |
rcon sv_password "pass" | Set or change join password. |
rcon mp_friendlyfire <0/1> | Toggle friendly fire. |
rcon sv_alltalk <0/1> | Toggle cross-team voice chat. |
rcon say "message" | Send server-wide chat message. |
rcon exec <filename> | Execute a config file. |
rcon quit | Shut down the server. |
3. SourceMod and MetaMod
For advanced admin features, install MetaMod:Source and SourceMod.
Installation
- Stop your server from GPanel.
- Download MetaMod:Source from sourcemm.net and upload to
bms/via SFTP. - Download SourceMod from sourcemod.net and upload to
bms/. - Start the server and verify with
meta versionandsm version.
Adding SourceMod Admins
Edit bms/addons/sourcemod/configs/admins_simple.ini:
"STEAM_0:1:12345678" "99:z" // Full admin accessUse sm_admin in chat or console to open the in-game admin menu for kicking, banning, map changes, and votes.
Popular Plugins
- Map Chooser: End-of-map voting with rock-the-vote.
- Fun Commands: Slay, slap, beacon, and player interaction.
- Anti-Cheat: Server-side cheat detection.
- Reserved Slots: Reserve slots for admins and VIPs.
4. Custom Maps
- Download the custom map
.bspfile and any additional content. - Upload the
.bsptobms/maps/via SFTP (see How to Upload Files via SFTP). - Add the map name to
mapcycle.txtfor rotation. - Test with
rcon changelevel mapname.
For faster custom content downloads, set up a fast download URL in server.cfg:
sv_downloadurl "https://your-fastdl-server.com/bms/"
sv_allowdownload 15. Troubleshooting
Server Crashes on Startup
- Check the GPanel console for error messages.
- If using SourceMod/MetaMod, remove addon directories temporarily to test.
- Verify the start map exists in
bms/maps/. - Delete
server.cfgand restart to regenerate defaults.
Players Cannot Connect
- Verify the server is running in GPanel.
- Check the correct IP and port from the Network tab.
- Ensure both server and player are on the same game version.
RCON or SourceMod Not Working
- Verify
rcon_passwordis set and authenticate before sending commands. - For SourceMod, verify files are in
bms/(not server root) and you have the correct build. - Use the GPanel console directly as an alternative to RCON.
Related Articles
- Black Mesa Server Setup Guide
- How to Find Your Server IP and Port
- How to Upload Files via SFTP
- Server Startup Guide
Need Help?
If you run into issues with your Black Mesa server that are not covered here, open a support ticket and include your server IP, a description of the problem, and any relevant error messages from the GPanel console.
