Server Configuration

Complete reference for the CoD4: Modern Warfare server.cfg file.

Config File Location

main/server.cfg

Edit this file via SFTP. Changes take effect after a server restart.

TIP

If you're running a mod, the mod can have its own server.cfg at mods/<modname>/server.cfg. Settings in the mod config override the main config.

Example Configuration

// ============================================================
// Server Identity
// ============================================================
set sv_hostname "My uHost CoD4 Server"
set sv_maxclients "18"
set sv_privateClients "0"

// ============================================================
// Passwords
// ============================================================
set rcon_password "changeme123"
set g_password ""
set sv_privatePassword ""

// ============================================================
// Network
// ============================================================
set sv_maxRate "25000"
set sv_floodprotect "4"
set sv_pure "1"

// ============================================================
// Downloads
// ============================================================
set sv_allowDownload "1"
// FastDL is auto-configured on uHost. No need to set
// sv_wwwDownload or sv_wwwBaseURL manually.

// ============================================================
// Gameplay
// ============================================================
set g_gametype "war"
set g_allowvote "1"
set g_antilag "1"
set g_deadChat "0"
set scr_teambalance "1"
set scr_game_allowkillcam "1"
set scr_game_hardpoints "1"
set scr_game_spectatetype "2"

// ============================================================
// Team Deathmatch Settings
// ============================================================
set scr_war_timelimit "10"
set scr_war_scorelimit "750"
set scr_war_numlives "0"

// ============================================================
// Search & Destroy Settings
// ============================================================
set scr_sd_timelimit "2.5"
set scr_sd_scorelimit "9"
set scr_sd_numlives "1"
set scr_sd_bombtimer "45"
set scr_sd_planttime "5"
set scr_sd_defusetime "5"
set scr_sd_roundswitch "3"

// ============================================================
// Map Rotation
// ============================================================
set sv_mapRotation "gametype war map mp_crash map mp_backlot map mp_strike map mp_crossfire map mp_overgrown"
set sv_mapRotationCurrent ""

Settings Reference

Server Identity

CVar	Description	Default
sv_hostname	Server name shown in the browser and on connect.	""
sv_maxclients	Maximum number of player slots.	18
sv_privateClients	Number of slots reserved for players who know the sv_privatePassword. Public slots = sv_maxclients minus sv_privateClients.	0
sv_privatePassword	Password for reserved slots.	""
g_motd	Message of the day shown to players on spawn.	""

Passwords

CVar	Description
rcon_password	Password for remote console access. Must be at least 8 alphanumeric characters on CoD4x.
g_password	Server join password. Leave empty for a public server.
sv_privatePassword	Password to access reserved private slots.

Network

CVar	Description	Default
sv_maxRate	Maximum data rate per client in bytes/sec. 25000 is standard.	25000
sv_minRate	Minimum data rate per client.	5000
sv_maxPing	Kick players with ping above this value. 0 = no limit.	0
sv_minPing	Kick players with ping below this value. 0 = no limit.	0
sv_floodprotect	Rate-limit chat messages to prevent spam.	4
sv_timeout	Seconds before an idle client is dropped.	40
sv_reconnectlimit	Max reconnect attempts per period.	5
g_antilag	Lag compensation. Always keep this 1 for online play.	1

File Downloads

CVar	Description	Default
sv_allowDownload	Allow clients to download missing files from the server.	1
sv_wwwDownload	Enable HTTP redirect for faster downloads (FastDL).	Auto
sv_wwwBaseURL	Base URL for HTTP downloads.	Auto
sv_wwwDlDisconnected	0 = stay connected while downloading. 1 = disconnect during download.	0
sv_pure	Enforce file purity. Rejects clients with modified .iwd files.	1

FastDL on uHost

FastDL is configured automatically on uHost servers. The server's built-in HTTP server (nginx) serves mod and map files at full speed. You don't need to set sv_wwwDownload or sv_wwwBaseURL unless you want to use your own external download server.

Gameplay

CVar	Description	Values
g_gametype	Active game mode.	dm, war, sd, sab, dom, koth
g_allowvote	Allow players to call votes.	0 off, 1 on
g_deadChat	Let dead players chat to alive players.	0 off, 1 on
g_gravity	World gravity.	800 (default)
scr_teambalance	Auto-balance teams.	0 off, 1 on
scr_game_allowkillcam	Enable killcam.	0 off, 1 on
scr_game_hardpoints	Enable killstreak rewards (UAV, airstrike, helicopter).	0 off, 1 on
scr_game_spectatetype	Spectator mode.	0 disabled, 1 team only, 2 free
scr_player_maxhealth	Player health.	100
scr_player_healthregentime	Seconds before health starts regenerating.	5
scr_player_sprinttime	Sprint duration in seconds.	4
scr_hardcore	Hardcore mode (reduced HUD, low health, friendly fire).	0 off, 1 on
scr_oldschool	Old School mode (weapon pickups, no classes).	0 off, 1 on

Friendly Fire

CVar	Description	Values
scr_team_fftype	Friendly fire mode.	0 off, 1 on, 2 reflect (damage yourself), 3 shared

Per-Game-Type Settings

Each game type has its own score and time limits. Replace <type> with the game type code (war, sd, dom, sab, dm, koth).

CVar	Description
scr_<type>_scorelimit	Score needed to win. 0 = no limit.
scr_<type>_timelimit	Time limit in minutes. 0 = no limit.
scr_<type>_numlives	Lives per player per round. 0 = unlimited.
scr_<type>_roundlimit	Number of rounds.

Search & Destroy has additional settings:

CVar	Description	Default
scr_sd_bombtimer	Seconds until planted bomb detonates.	45
scr_sd_planttime	Seconds to plant the bomb.	5
scr_sd_defusetime	Seconds to defuse the bomb.	5
scr_sd_roundswitch	Switch sides after this many rounds.	3

Killstreak Settings

CVar	Description	Default
scr_game_hardpoints	Enable killstreaks globally.	1
scr_hardpoint_allowhelicopter	Allow attack helicopters.	1
scr_hardpoint_allowuav	Allow UAV.	1
scr_hardpoint_allowartillery	Allow airstrikes.	1

Helicopter Settings

CVar	Description
scr_helicopter_health	Helicopter hit points.
scr_helicopter_damage	Damage dealt per hit.

Logging

CVar	Description	Default
g_log	Log file name.	games_mp.log
g_logsync	Logging mode. 0 = off, 1 = buffered, 2 = continuous.	2
logfile	Enable the log file.	1
sv_log_damage	Log all damage events.	0

Map Rotation

The sv_mapRotation CVar defines the map and game type cycle. Format:

gametype <type> map <internal_name> map <internal_name> gametype <type> map <internal_name>

The gametype keyword persists until the next gametype keyword. This means you can list multiple maps under the same game type without repeating it:

// TDM on Crash and Backlot, then S&D on Strike and Vacant
set sv_mapRotation "gametype war map mp_crash map mp_backlot gametype sd map mp_strike map mp_vacant"

See the Overview for the full list of map names.

FastDL (HTTP Redirect Downloads)

By default, CoD4 transfers mod and map files to clients over UDP, which is extremely slow. FastDL redirects these downloads to an HTTP server for full-speed transfers.

On uHost, FastDL is configured automatically. The server runs a built-in nginx instance that serves files from your mods/ and usermaps/ directories over HTTP. No setup is required.

If you need to use a custom download server instead:

set sv_wwwDownload "1"
set sv_wwwBaseURL "http://your-download-server.com/cod4/"
set sv_wwwDlDisconnected "0"

The HTTP server directory must mirror your game server's file structure:

server/
  mods/
    pml220/
      mod.ff
      z_c_r.iwd
  usermaps/
    mp_custommap/
      mp_custommap.ff
      mp_custommap.iwd
      mp_custommap_load.ff