Alpha Game Server Manager

Dedicated server guide

Half-Life 2: Deathmatch

Manage hl2dmserver with AlphaGSM. Choose a runtime supported by the recorded module capabilities.

Recorded lifecycle pass · Support evidence: 2026-10-16.

Build setup commands
Runtime familysteamcmd-linux

Declared runtimes: Docker or a Linux host process.

Network bindings

Default game port: 27015. Protocols and additional port values are unknown; review the game guide.

Mods and plugins

Declared curated families: metamod, sourcemod. The optional sourcemod example installs its dependencies and applies the mod plan before launch.

Backup hook

A module-specific backup hook is declared. Review the game guide for its scope, restore procedure and shutdown requirements.

Choose a supported runtime

Linux and Docker quickstart

Review the game guide for installation, account, licensing and runtime prerequisites before setup.

Docker

Complete interactive setup and review game-specific configuration before starting the server. Review the game guide for installation, account, licensing and runtime prerequisites before setup. Optional curated example: sourcemod. Omit all optional mod steps for a base server.

  1. Start the Docker manager ./alphagsm-docker start
  2. Create the game instance ./alphagsm-docker my-hl2dmserver create hl2dmserver
  3. Complete interactive setup ./alphagsm-docker my-hl2dmserver setup
  4. Optional: add metamod # Optional curated mod: sourcemod; add metamod ./alphagsm-docker my-hl2dmserver mod add manifest metamod
  5. Optional: add sourcemod # Optional curated mod: sourcemod; add sourcemod ./alphagsm-docker my-hl2dmserver mod add manifest sourcemod
  6. Optional: apply the mod plan # Optional: apply the mod plan ./alphagsm-docker my-hl2dmserver mod apply
  7. Start the game server ./alphagsm-docker my-hl2dmserver start
  8. Check the instance status ./alphagsm-docker my-hl2dmserver status
./alphagsm-docker start
./alphagsm-docker my-hl2dmserver create hl2dmserver
./alphagsm-docker my-hl2dmserver setup
# Optional curated mod: sourcemod; add metamod
./alphagsm-docker my-hl2dmserver mod add manifest metamod
# Optional curated mod: sourcemod; add sourcemod
./alphagsm-docker my-hl2dmserver mod add manifest sourcemod
# Optional: apply the mod plan
./alphagsm-docker my-hl2dmserver mod apply
./alphagsm-docker my-hl2dmserver start
./alphagsm-docker my-hl2dmserver status

Host process

Complete interactive setup and review game-specific configuration before starting the server. Review the game guide for installation, account, licensing and runtime prerequisites before setup. Optional curated example: sourcemod. Omit all optional mod steps for a base server.

  1. Create the game instance ./alphagsm my-hl2dmserver create hl2dmserver
  2. Complete interactive setup ./alphagsm my-hl2dmserver setup
  3. Optional: add metamod # Optional curated mod: sourcemod; add metamod ./alphagsm my-hl2dmserver mod add manifest metamod
  4. Optional: add sourcemod # Optional curated mod: sourcemod; add sourcemod ./alphagsm my-hl2dmserver mod add manifest sourcemod
  5. Optional: apply the mod plan # Optional: apply the mod plan ./alphagsm my-hl2dmserver mod apply
  6. Check the host prerequisites ./alphagsm my-hl2dmserver doctor
  7. Start the game server ./alphagsm my-hl2dmserver start
  8. Check the instance status ./alphagsm my-hl2dmserver status
./alphagsm my-hl2dmserver create hl2dmserver
./alphagsm my-hl2dmserver setup
# Optional curated mod: sourcemod; add metamod
./alphagsm my-hl2dmserver mod add manifest metamod
# Optional curated mod: sourcemod; add sourcemod
./alphagsm my-hl2dmserver mod add manifest sourcemod
# Optional: apply the mod plan
./alphagsm my-hl2dmserver mod apply
./alphagsm my-hl2dmserver doctor
./alphagsm my-hl2dmserver start
./alphagsm my-hl2dmserver status

This guide covers the hl2dmserver module in AlphaGSM.

hl2dmserver is currently PASSED on the documented Ubuntu 24.04 Linux baseline. GitHub integration exercises both process and Docker. Local runs stay on the host process path unless you opt into Docker.

Requirements

  • screen (host/process path)
  • SteamCMD runtime libraries (lib32gcc-s1, lib32stdc++6) on the host path
  • Python packages from requirements.txt

Quick Start

alphagsm myhl2dm create hl2dmserver
alphagsm myhl2dm setup
alphagsm myhl2dm start
alphagsm myhl2dm status
alphagsm myhl2dm query
alphagsm myhl2dm info
alphagsm myhl2dm stop

Setup Details

Setup configures:

  • the game port (default 27015)
  • client and SourceTV ports
  • the install directory
  • the executable name (srcds_run)
  • SteamCMD downloads the server files
  • default hl2mp/cfg/server.cfg and backup settings

query and info speak A2S. A hibernating server is not treated as ready; AlphaGSM keeps the dedicated server queryable for those checks.

Useful Commands

alphagsm myhl2dm update
alphagsm myhl2dm update -r
alphagsm myhl2dm backup

See Updating Servers And AlphaGSM and Installing Mods.

Notes

  • Module name: hl2dmserver
  • Default map: dm_lockdown
  • Default port: 27015 (UDP and TCP)
  • Query/info protocol: A2S

Server variables

After create hl2dmserver, inspect or change these with set:

alphagsm myserver set --list
alphagsm myserver set KEY --describe
alphagsm myserver set KEY VALUE
Key Aliases Type What it does
map gamemap, startmap, level, worldname string The currently selected map or level. Example: dm_lockdown.
maxplayers users integer Maximum number of player slots. Example: 16.
port gameport integer The primary game port. Example: 27015.
rconpassword rconpass, querypassword, query_administrator_password string Remote console password for administrative access. Stored as a secret.
servername hostname, name string The server's public name shown to players. Example: AlphaGSM Half-Life 2: Deathmatch.
serverpassword sv_password, password string Password required for players to join the server. Stored as a secret.

Developer Notes

Run File

  • Executable: srcds_run
  • Location: <install_dir>/srcds_run
  • Engine: Source
  • SteamCMD App ID: 232370

Server Configuration

  • Config file: hl2mp/cfg/server.cfg
  • Key settings:
    • hostname — Server name
    • sv_maxrate — Max network rate
    • rcon_password — Remote console password
  • Default port: 27015
  • Default map: dm_lockdown
  • Max players: 16
  • Ports:
    • Game port: 27015 (UDP)
    • Client port: 27005 (UDP)
    • SourceTV port: 27020 (UDP)
  • Template: See server-templates/hl2dmserver/

Maps and Mods

  • Map directory: hl2mp/maps/
  • Mod directory: hl2mp/addons/
  • Workshop support: No
  • Mod notes: AlphaGSM can now manage Half-Life 2: Deathmatch addons from checked-in manifest entries plus direct archive url entries, GameBanana ids, and Mod DB page URLs. The local manifest currently includes popular Source admin/plugin stacks such as MetaMod and SourceMod. Archives must unpack into approved addon paths under hl2mp/addons/. mod cleanup removes only AlphaGSM-tracked addon files and keeps cache/state under .alphagsm/mods/hl2dmserver/.
  • Map install: Copy .bsp files into hl2mp/maps/ and add to hl2mp/cfg/mapcycle.txt.
  • Mod install: Copy addon folders into hl2mp/addons/.

Examples:

alphagsm myhl2dm mod add manifest metamod
alphagsm myhl2dm mod add manifest sourcemod
alphagsm myhl2dm mod add url https://mods.example.invalid/hl2dm-addon-pack.zip
alphagsm myhl2dm mod add gamebanana 12345
alphagsm myhl2dm mod add moddb https://www.moddb.com/mods/example/downloads/example-addon-pack
alphagsm myhl2dm mod apply
alphagsm myhl2dm mod cleanup

Configuration templates

Reference files from this source revision. Review paths, passwords and game-specific settings before use.

Share your server

Sector Alpha server directory

When your server is ready, you can publish its connection details and community information on Sector Alpha. Review your listing and keep the information current.

Find a community

Browse the directory for game servers and their published connection details.

Browse server directory

Publish your server

Prepare a name, address and description for your listing.

Publish a server

Manual server sharing instructions

Frequently asked questions

What support evidence is recorded for Half-Life 2: Deathmatch?

Recorded lifecycle pass. Review the game guide for installation, account, licensing and runtime prerequisites before setup.

Which runtimes can run Half-Life 2: Deathmatch?

Declared runtimes: Docker or a Linux host process.

Which ports does Half-Life 2: Deathmatch use?

Default game port: 27015. Protocols and additional port values are unknown; review the game guide.

Can I add mods to Half-Life 2: Deathmatch?

Declared curated families: metamod, sourcemod. The optional sourcemod example installs its dependencies and applies the mod plan before launch.

How should I back up Half-Life 2: Deathmatch?

A module-specific backup hook is declared. Review the game guide for its scope, restore procedure and shutdown requirements.

Source and support evidence

This guide mirrors AlphaGSM’s upstream documentation at 32cef5ba9e03053c8e461fffa0ba133b160b528d. Commands and prerequisites can change. Check current support notes before installation.

All game guides