This guide covers everything you need to get your BeamMP server running on Legion Hosting, from first-time startup and authentication key setup to ServerConfig.toml configuration and how players connect. For admin commands, custom maps, and resource management, see BeamMP Admin and Resource Setup.
What is BeamMP?
BeamMP is a multiplayer mod for BeamNG.drive that allows players to drive, race, and crash together on the same maps. The BeamMP-Server application runs as a standalone dedicated server. Players connect through the BeamMP launcher, which replaces the standard BeamNG.drive launcher for multiplayer sessions.
First Start
When you first receive your BeamMP server, follow these steps to get it online:
- Log in to GPanel and select your BeamMP server.
- Before starting, you must obtain an authentication key (see below). Without it the server will fail to authenticate with BeamMP services.
- Navigate to the Startup tab and paste your authentication key into the
AUTHKEYvariable. - Optionally adjust other startup variables such as server name and max players.
- Go to the Console tab and click Start.
- The server will download the BeamMP-Server files automatically on first boot. This may take a few minutes.
- Once the console displays
[INFO] Server started!or similar, your server is online and will appear in the BeamMP server browser.
Authentication Key (BeamMP Keymaster)
Every BeamMP server requires an authentication key that links it to the BeamMP backend services. This key is free and tied to your BeamMP/Discord account.
How to Get Your Key
- Go to beammp.com/k/keys (the BeamMP Keymaster).
- Log in with your Discord account. If you do not have a BeamMP account, you will be prompted to create one.
- Click Create a key (or + / New Key depending on the current UI).
- Enter a name for your server (this is just a label for your reference) and your server's IP address.
- Copy the generated key string.
Adding the Key to Your Server
- In GPanel, go to the Startup tab.
- Paste your key into the
AUTHKEYvariable. - Restart the server for the change to take effect.
GPanel Startup Variables
BeamMP exposes several configuration options as startup variables in GPanel. Navigate to the Startup tab to view and modify these. Changes require a server restart to take effect.
| Variable | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
AUTHKEY |
empty | Your BeamMP authentication key from the Keymaster. Required for the server to function. |
NAME |
BeamMP Server |
The name displayed in the BeamMP server browser. |
MAX_PLAYERS |
10 |
Maximum number of simultaneous players. Higher values require more CPU and RAM. |
MAP |
/levels/gridmap_v2/info.json |
The map to load. Uses the BeamNG.drive map path format. See the Map Selection section for available maps. |
PORT |
30814 |
The server port. This is pre-configured by GPanel — do not change unless instructed by support. |
MAX_CARS |
1 |
Maximum vehicles per player. More vehicles per player significantly increases bandwidth and CPU usage. |
PRIVATE |
false |
If true, the server will not appear in the public server browser. Players must connect via direct connect. |
ServerConfig.toml
Beyond startup variables, the full server configuration lives in ServerConfig.toml in the server root directory. You can edit this file via the Files tab in GPanel or through SFTP. The startup variables in GPanel override values in this file on each start.
Key Configuration Options
[General]
AuthKey = "your-key-here"
Name = "My BeamMP Server"
Description = "A fun racing and freeroam server"
MaxPlayers = 10
Port = 30814
Map = "/levels/gridmap_v2/info.json"
Private = false
MaxCars = 1
ResourceFolder = "Resources"
LogChat = true| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
AuthKey |
Your BeamMP Keymaster authentication key. |
Name |
Server name shown in the server browser. Supports some formatting codes. |
Description |
A short description displayed under the server name in the browser. |
MaxPlayers |
Player cap. Typical values: 8–20 for smooth gameplay. |
Map |
The map path to load. Must be a valid BeamNG.drive level path. |
Private |
Set to true to hide from the server browser. |
MaxCars |
Vehicles allowed per player. 1 is recommended for larger servers. |
ResourceFolder |
Path to the Resources directory containing server-side mods and plugins. |
LogChat |
If true, player chat messages are logged to the console. |
Map Selection
BeamMP uses the same maps as BeamNG.drive. The map is specified as a level path in the Map setting. Below are the most commonly used default maps:
| Map Name | Map Path | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Grid Map v2 | /levels/gridmap_v2/info.json |
A flat, open testing area. Great for free builds and vehicle testing. |
| West Coast USA | /levels/west_coast_usa/info.json |
A large, detailed map with highways, a town, and varied terrain. Very popular for freeroam. |
| East Coast USA | /levels/east_coast_usa/info.json |
Rolling hills, forests, and a small town. Good for off-road and cruising. |
| Italy | /levels/italy/info.json |
A scenic Italian countryside with narrow roads and a coastal town. |
| Utah | /levels/utah/info.json |
Desert terrain with long highways and off-road trails. |
| Jungle Rock Island | /levels/jungle_rock_island/info.json |
A tropical island with winding roads and dense vegetation. |
| Industrial | /levels/industrial/info.json |
A compact industrial area with ramps, jumps, and obstacle courses. |
| Small Island USA | /levels/small_island/info.json |
A small island with tight roads. Good for smaller player counts. |
| Driver Training | /levels/driver_training/info.json |
An autocross-style track designed for vehicle handling practice. |
Resources/Client folder and using the appropriate map path. See BeamMP Admin and Resource Setup for details on adding custom content.
Max Players and Performance
BeamNG.drive is a physics-intensive game. Each player and vehicle adds significant load to both the server and connected clients. Keep these guidelines in mind:
- MaxPlayers: 8–20 players is typical for a smooth experience. Larger servers (20+) are possible but require more resources and careful configuration.
- MaxCars: Keeping this at
1per player is strongly recommended for servers with more than 10 players. Each additional vehicle multiplies the physics data that must be synchronized. - Map choice matters: Larger, more detailed maps (West Coast USA, Italy) use more memory than simpler maps (Grid Map, Industrial).
- Network bandwidth: BeamMP sends detailed physics data for every vehicle. High player counts with multiple vehicles per player can saturate bandwidth quickly.
MaxCars to 1 and lowering MaxPlayers. This is the single most effective way to improve server performance.
How to Connect
Players connect to BeamMP servers through the BeamMP launcher, not the standard BeamNG.drive launcher.
Via the Server Browser
- Download and install the BeamMP launcher from beammp.com.
- Launch the BeamMP launcher. It will start BeamNG.drive with the BeamMP multiplayer mod loaded.
- From the main menu, select Multiplayer.
- Browse the server list or use the search bar to find your server by name.
- Click on your server and select Connect.
Via Direct Connect
- In the BeamMP multiplayer menu, click Direct Connect.
- Enter your server's IP address and port in the format
IP:PORT(e.g.,192.168.1.1:30814). - Click Connect.
PRIVATE is set to false and your authentication key is valid. It may take a minute or two after startup for the server to appear in the browser. If it still does not appear, check the console for authentication errors. Note that your port is randomly assigned unless you have a private IP -- check GPanel for the correct port.
Save Management
BeamNG.drive is a session-based game. There is no persistent world state or save file for the server. When players disconnect or the server restarts, all vehicle positions and states are reset. Each session starts fresh.
- There are no world saves to back up or manage.
- Server configuration (
ServerConfig.toml) and resources persist across restarts. - Player vehicle configurations are stored client-side, not on the server.
Related Articles
- BeamMP Admin and Resource Setup — Admin commands, custom maps, plugins, and resource management
- How to Find Your Server IP and Port
- How to Upload Files via SFTP
- Server Startup Guide — General guide for starting any game server on Legion Hosting
Need More Help?
If you are experiencing issues not covered in this guide, our support team is available to assist. Open a ticket at legionhosting.net/submitticket.php with your server details and a description of the problem.
