4 game server management tools you can host on a NAS to play with your friends

Outfitting your computing lab with a new storage server can be quite thrilling, regardless of whether you’ve bought a top-of-the-line NAS unit or assembled one using your PC-building skills. With modern NAS hardware and operating systems housing more than enough firepower for a file-sharing-cum-backup server, there are plenty of cool things you can pull off using your storage system.

Hosting game servers for multiplayer games is one such project. Depending on the genre of titles you enjoy, you can switch between different tools to power LAN parties using your storage solution.

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MineOS/Minecraft Server package

For all your spelunking and building needs

With Minecraft still retaining a huge player base more than a decade after its triumphant release, it’s no wonder that the NAS ecosystem has different server apps built specifically to help you host customized lobbies for the bestselling title.

If you’re on a TrueNAS or Unraid system, a MineOS server provides a relatively simple setup process for Minecraft, as both operating systems include MineOS containers in their app stores. But for tinkerers who don’t mind working with virtual machines and terminal commands, you can also run a private server using the official Minecraft Server package.

An easy-to-configure server platform

Of course, LAN gaming sessions include multiple titles besides Minecraft, and that’s where the rest of the tools on this list come into play (pun intended). For NAS and home server enthusiasts who desire a simple means to self-host lobbies of their favorite titles, PufferPanel is hands-down the ideal game server tool.

Not only can you host PufferPanel using a simple docker run command, but you can also use pre-defined templates for different titles to deploy servers for quite a few popular multiplayer titles, including Project Zomboid, Arma 3, Counter-Strike:Global Offensive, Don’t Starve Together, and Starbound, among others.

Chock-full of customization tools, but just as difficult to set up

Pterodactyl lies at the opposite end of the difficulty spectrum to PufferPanel, because you’ll have to relinquish quite a few hours setting this behemoth of a tool up. While the official Unraid app for Pterodactyl can take out some of the complexity in configuring this tool, you’ll have to be prepared for a grueling installation procedure involving Debian VMs and Wings packages if you’re on another distro.

However, tinkerers willing to go the extra mile will be rewarded with a game server management tool that supports a decently large game library and ships with multiple customization options to help you manage every aspect of your LAN party.

You’ll need a third-party web UI, though

If you’re someone who prefers more offbeat titles and want a game server platform that’s compatible with tons of games, you should look no further than LinuxGSM. Plus, it’s a lot simpler to deploy private lobbies for your favorite titles with LinuxGSM, as the official repo for this amazing utility includes several docker-compose.yml files fine-tuned for different games.

Unfortunately, LinuxGSM doesn’t have an official web UI like Pterodactyl and PufferPanel, which makes the server management aspect a bit difficult. As such, you’ll either have to work with terminal commands or configure a third-party web UI add-on to manage the intricate details of your private game lobbies.

Running full-on game servers on your NAS

Aside from the four tools I’ve highlighted, CubeCoders Amp is another server management platform worth mentioning. It has a solid library of games and is fairly easy to set up, though you’ll have to purchase a license to run the app.

But if you’re not a fan of gaming, there are other functionalities you can add to your storage server. A Plex/Jellyfin/Emby-powered media streaming setup is easily the most popular project for NAS enthusiasts, and you can combine it with Nextcloud to create a full-on personal cloud system. Considering that your NAS will remain connected to your home network 24/7, a network-wide OPNsense firewall can help safeguard your local devices from malicious traffic.