Adding your first node

A node is a machine that hosts game servers. Adding one means installing the daemon on it and pointing it at your panel.

What happens

The install script detects your distribution, downloads the matching .deb or .rpm, and installs it. The package lays down a systemd unit, a gamedash system user and the wrapper. The wrapper then fetches the daemon itself at runtime.

You do not need to install Java, generate a keystore, or write a service file. Older documentation described all three; none are required any more.

Install

On the node, as root:

curl -sSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/SchokkerIT/GameDash-Daemon-Installer/main/install.sh | sudo bash

To pin a specific release rather than taking the latest:

curl -sSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/SchokkerIT/GameDash-Daemon-Installer/main/install.sh | sudo bash -s -- version=v1.0.0

The full walkthrough, including Windows and the manual route, is in Installing the daemon.

Point it at the panel

The installer asks for the details the daemon needs to reach your panel — the API domain and an authentication token. That token is what authenticates the node in both directions, so treat it as a secret.

These land in daemon.properties; see Daemon configuration if you need to change them later.

Open the ports

The panel has to be able to reach the node, not just the other way round. Allow at least 2146 and 2147 from the panel, plus 2145 and 2153 depending on your setup, and whatever ports your games need. Ports & firewall explains which and why.

Check it worked

The node registers itself with the licence server on first start, then completes a handshake with the panel. When that succeeds the node appears in the panel as online.

If it does not:

  • Confirm the daemon is running — systemctl status gamedash-daemon
  • Confirm the panel can reach the node's ports, not just that the node has internet
  • Check you have licence headroom for another node
  • Look at Host caveats for provider-specific problems

With a node online you can create your first instance. Which games are available, and how to add one that is not, is covered in Supported games.