What an S&box server runs
S&box is Facepunch's Source 2 sandbox platform. A dedicated server does not run one fixed game: it loads a game package published on sbox.game, such as Sandbox, and optionally a map package. That makes S&box hosting closer to Garry's Mod than to a single-game server.
The dedicated server app
The S&box dedicated server is distributed through Steam as its own app (app ID 1892930) and can be downloaded anonymously with SteamCMD. It runs on Windows and Linux. On Linux it needs the .NET runtime.
Launch parameters
The server is configured with launch parameters:
- +game <package> [map] chooses the game package and optional map, for example +game facepunch.sandbox facepunch.flatgrass.
- +hostname sets the name shown in the server browser.
- +port and +net_query_port set the game and query ports. ASPEC Hosting uses 27015 and 27016.
- +net_game_server_token gives the server a persistent Steam identity. It is optional while testing.
Hosting S&box in Australia
ASPEC Hosting runs S&box on the Performance and Extreme plans. Larger game packages and more players benefit from Extreme. If your community is moving over from Garry's Mod, you can keep the same plan and switch the install from Garry's Mod to S&box when you are ready.