CSMM Cloud Hosted Server Manager

Tags: csmm, tools, server-manager, hosting

CSMM (Custom Server Mod Manager) is a powerful web-based management platform for 7 Days to Die servers that provides comprehensive administration tools without requiring local installation of heavy control panels. The cloud-hosted edition allows server owners to connect their game servers to a managed CSMM instance, offering real-time monitoring, player management, automation workflows, and integration with popular services like Discord. This guide covers CSMM installation, configuration, features, and best practices for optimizing your 7 Days to Die server administration.

CSMM vs Other Server Managers

CSMM offers distinct advantages over traditional server management solutions. The following table compares CSMM with other popular 7 Days to Die server management tools:

What you get

CSMM provides a comprehensive suite of server management features accessible through a web-based dashboard. The cloud-hosted edition eliminates the need for local installation while offering robust administration capabilities.

• Live map with online players, land claims, and log viewing.
• Scheduled commands (restarts, messages, backups) from the web UI.
• Discord integration for chat relay and alerts.
• Economy, shop, and teleports if you enable ServerTools integration.

Installation and Setup

Setting up CSMM involves configuring your 7 Days to Die server for remote management and connecting it to the CSMM cloud service. Follow these steps based on your server platform:

Prerequisites

• Telnet Enabled: Your 7 Days to Die server must have telnet enabled with a strong password
• Public IP Address: Server must be accessible from the internet (or via VPN if using private network)
• CSMM Account: Register for a CSMM account at the official CSMM website
• Firewall Rules: Allow inbound connections on your server's telnet port (default: 8081)

Step 1: Enable Telnet on Your Server

Edit your server's configuration files to enable telnet access:

Windows Server

# Edit serverconfig.xml
<property name="TelnetEnabled" value="true"/ > <property name="TelnetPort" value="8081"/ > <property name="TelnetPassword" value="YourStrongPassword123"/ > 

Linux Server

# Edit serverconfig.xml
<property name="TelnetEnabled" value="true"/ > <property name="TelnetPort" value="8081"/ > <property name="TelnetPassword" value="YourStrongPassword123"/ > # Restart server to apply changes
./7dtd.sh restart

Step 2: Configure CSMM Cloud Service

1. Log into your CSMM dashboard at https://csmm.7d2d.net (or your provider's URL)
2. Navigate to "Servers" and click "Add New Server"
3. Enter your server's public IP address and telnet port
4. Provide the telnet password set in Step 1
5. Select your server region and configuration profile
6. Test connection to verify credentials

Step 3: Optional Mod Integration

For extended features like economy, teleports, and shop systems, install compatible mods:

• ServerTools: Provides additional commands and integration points
• CPM (Custom Player Management): Enhanced player management features
• Alloc's Server Fixes: Recommended for performance and stability

Ensure API passwords match between CSMM and mod configurations.

Connecting your server

1) Enable telnet on the game server with a strong password. 2) In CSMM, create a server entry and supply the public IP/port and telnet credentials. 3) Optional: install ServerTools or CPM modlets for extended features and set the API password to match CSMM.

Hardening

• Restrict telnet access to the CSMM IP or a VPN; do not expose it openly.
• Give CSMM its own admin level separate from your personal admin account.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

When setting up or using CSMM, you may encounter the following issues. Use this troubleshooting guide to resolve common problems:

Connection Failures

• Symptom: CSMM cannot connect to your server, shows "Connection timeout" or "Authentication failed".
• Possible Causes:
  • Telnet not enabled on server
  • Firewall blocking telnet port (default 8081)
  • Incorrect IP address or port in CSMM configuration
  • Telnet password mismatch
  • Server behind NAT without port forwarding
• Solutions:
  1. Verify telnet is enabled in serverconfig.xml and server is restarted
  2. Check firewall rules: sudo ufw allow 8081/tcp (Linux) or Windows Firewall exceptions
  3. Test telnet locally: telnet localhost 8081 (should prompt for password)
  4. Ensure public IP is correct (use curl ifconfig.me to check)
  5. Verify port forwarding if behind router

Live Map Not Displaying Players

• Symptom: Live map loads but shows no players or incorrect positions.
• Possible Causes:
  • ServerTools or CPM not installed or configured
  • API password mismatch between CSMM and mods
  • Mod compatibility issues with game version
• Solutions:
  1. Install ServerTools or CPM modlets following official documentation
  2. Ensure API_Password in mod config matches CSMM settings
  3. Check mod versions are compatible with your 7 Days to Die version
  4. Restart server after mod installation

Scheduled Commands Not Executing

• Symptom: Automated restarts, backups, or messages not running as scheduled.
• Possible Causes:
  • Timezone misconfiguration in CSMM settings
  • Server time out of sync
  • CSMM service interruptions
  • Insufficient permissions for CSMM admin account
• Solutions:
  1. Verify timezone settings in CSMM dashboard match server timezone
  2. Synchronize server time with NTP: sudo timedatectl set-ntp true (Linux)
  3. Check CSMM status page for service outages
  4. Ensure CSMM admin account has necessary permissions in serveradmin.xml

Discord Integration Not Working

• Symptom: Discord chat relay not forwarding messages or alerts not sending.
• Possible Causes:
  • Invalid Discord bot token or webhook URL
  • Bot missing permissions in Discord server
  • Firewall blocking Discord API connections
• Solutions:
  1. Regenerate Discord bot token and update CSMM configuration
  2. Ensure bot has "Send Messages", "Read Message History", and "Manage Webhooks" permissions
  3. Test webhook separately using curl: curl -X POST -H "Content-Type: application/json" -d '{"content":"test"}' WEBHOOK_URL
  4. Check CSMM logs for Discord connection errors

Daily use

• Set automated restart and broadcast schedules.
• Review console logs after updates for XML warnings.
• Use the player panel to handle reports quickly without logging into the host.