> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.freakhosting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Set Up a SA-MP Server (Getting Started)

> How to set up a SA-MP server on FREAKHOSTING: start it once, set the name and server list in server.cfg, set the Rcon password on Startup and invite players.

To set up a SA-MP server on FREAKHOSTING, open your server in the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and start it once. Then open **Files**, edit `server.cfg` to set `hostname` (the server name) and `announce 1` (to be listed), check your **Rcon password** on **Startup** and restart. Players join with the address shown in the panel, for example `203.0.113.10:7777`.

| Difficulty | Time | Works on | Panel pages |
| - | - | - | - |
| Beginner | 5 to 10 minutes | Every FREAKHOSTING SA-MP server | **Files**, **Startup**, **Console** |

## Before you start

* Log in to the [Game Panel](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-login-and-access-the-game-panel.md).
* Have GTA San Andreas for PC (version 1.0) and the SA-MP client. See [connect to your server](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/samp/how-to-connect-to-a-samp-server.md).

## What does a new SA-MP server include?

Your server runs SA-MP 0.3.7-R2 for Linux. It comes with the Grand Larceny gamemode (`grandlarc`) and four filterscripts: `base`, `gl_actions`, `gl_property` and `gl_realtime`. There is no game settings page for SA-MP: you change the game in `server.cfg`.

## How to set up your SA-MP server

**1. Start the server once**

Click **Start**. The [console](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-use-the-server-console.md) shows `SA-MP Dedicated Server`, the loaded filterscripts and `Running Grand Larceny - by the SA-MP team`. The last line, `Number of vehicle models: 173`, means the server is ready.

**2. Open server.cfg**

Click **Files** and open `server.cfg` in the main folder. See the [File Manager guide](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-use-the-file-manager.md).

**3. Name your server**

Change the `hostname` line, for example `hostname My Stunt Server`. This is the name players see in the server list and when they connect.

**4. Turn on the server list**

Change `announce 0` to `announce 1` if you want your server announced to the server list. Keep `query 1` so players can see its name and player count.

**5. Save and restart**

Save the file and [restart the server](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-start-stop-and-restart-your-game-server.md).

![SA-MP server.cfg open in the Game Panel file editor showing hostname, gamemode0, filterscripts and announce](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/m3ZOEtGPuZd9DW2_/images/games/samp/samp-server-cfg.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=m3ZOEtGPuZd9DW2_\&q=85\&s=c506b6137624fd3f4f05d554d4f3db1a)

server.cfg open in the File Manager

## Which settings does the panel control?

The panel writes three lines in `server.cfg` each time the server starts, so change them in the panel, not in the file:

| Line | Where to change it |
| - | - |
| `rcon_password` | **Rcon password** on **Startup** |
| `maxplayers` | **Max Players** on **Startup** (read only, set by your plan) |
| `port` | Set by the panel to your server's address |

Every other line, such as `hostname`, `gamemode0` and `filterscripts`, stays as you save it. See [server.cfg explained](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/samp/samp-server-cfg-explained.md).

## How to check your RCON password

RCON (remote console) is SA-MP's built-in admin login. Open **Startup** and look at **Rcon password**. On a new server it is set to `random`: the server then makes its own password, saves it in `rcon_password.txt` and shows it in the console when it starts. To use your own, type it (no spaces) and click outside the field; it saves on its own. Restart the server to use it. Players with this password can log in as admin with `/rcon login <password>`. See [RCON commands](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/samp/samp-rcon-commands.md).

![SA-MP Startup page with the Version, Rcon password and read-only Max Players variables](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/m3ZOEtGPuZd9DW2_/images/games/samp/samp-startup.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=m3ZOEtGPuZd9DW2_\&q=85\&s=e5b91dcc2e020a53f72eb7f8f44d93e4)

Rcon password and Max Players on the Startup page

## How do players join?

Copy the address from the top of the panel or the **Console** page, for example `203.0.113.10:7777`. In the SA-MP client or the open.mp launcher, add it to **Favorites** and connect. See [connect to your server](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/samp/how-to-connect-to-a-samp-server.md).

## Make your first backup

Before you add your own gamemode or plugins, make a [backup](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-create-and-restore-backups.md). You can also [set up automatic backups](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-set-up-automatic-backups.md).

## Frequently asked questions

### What port does my SA-MP server use?

The port in the address shown in the panel. The panel sets the `port` line in `server.cfg` to it at every start, so don't change it in the file.

### Why does maxplayers change back after I edit it?

**Max Players** on **Startup** is set by your plan, and the panel writes it to `maxplayers` at every start. For more slots, [open a ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php).

### Can I type commands in the panel console?

The console shows the server's output, but the Linux SA-MP server doesn't answer typed commands. Use RCON in game instead: `/rcon login <password>`, then `/rcon <command>`.

### Where is the server log?

The server writes its output to `server_log.txt` in the main folder. Open it in **Files** or on the [Logs](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-read-server-logs.md) page.

## Related guides

> [card] [SA-MP server guide](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/samp/samp-server-hosting-guide.md)
>
> Every SA-MP page in one place.

> [card] [Connect to your server](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/samp/how-to-connect-to-a-samp-server.md)
>
> Client, launcher and Favorites.

> [card] [Install a gamemode](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/samp/how-to-install-a-samp-gamemode.md)
>
> Run your own gamemode.

> [card] [Set a server password](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/samp/how-to-set-a-password-on-your-samp-server.md)
>
> Make your server private.

> [card] [Not showing in the list](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/samp/samp-server-not-showing-in-list.md)
>
> Get your server listed.

***

> [!NOTE]
>
> **Tested by the FREAKHOSTING team** on our Game Panel on 3 November 2026 (SA-MP 0.3.7-R2 Linux server). Steps may differ slightly if the game changes.

> [!NOTE]
>
> ### Need Extra Help?
>
> If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:
>
> * **Live Chat:** Quick assistance via our website.
> * **Support Ticket:** [Open a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
> * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
> * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)

> [!TIP]
>
> ### Save on Your Hosting
>
> Ready to upgrade your hosting? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first order!

***

**Last Updated:** November 2026


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