Tibia Server Setup

Hey, I wanted to write a guide for setting up a 2007 Tibia server. A friend of mine who knows about 50% of the stuff has given me information, and I've attempted to enrich the guide further with the help of Claude. The aim is to set up a private server for friends only, using the 2007 Christmas update.

I'd greatly appreciate feedback; please point out any errors and especially flesh out any parts of the guide you think might need more information. Thanks.



Hosting a Private Tibia 8.10 Server (Christmas 2007 Patch) on OVH VPS
A complete guide from renting the server to your first login

Overview
The Tibia 8.10 client (also known as the "Winter Update 2007" or "Christmas 2007 patch") introduced the Rookgaard revamp, Venore sewers, and several skill/mechanic adjustments. To replicate this era we'll use The Forgotten Server (TFS) 0.3.6, which natively supports protocol 8.10, paired with the MyAAC web panel for account creation, all running on an Ubuntu 22.04 LTS VPS from OVHcloud.

Stack summary:

VPS: OVHcloud VPS Starter or Value (Ubuntu 22.04 LTS)
Server engine: The Forgotten Server 0.3.6 (protocol 8.10)
Database: MySQL 8 / MariaDB
Web server: Apache2 + PHP 8.1
Account manager: MyAAC
Client: Tibia 8.10 + OTLand IP Changer (Windows PC)
Estimated setup time: 2–4 hours.

Part 1 — Renting the OVH VPS
1.1 Choose Your Plan
For a small private server (1–20 players) the VPS Starter is sufficient:

VPS Starter (~$6–8/month): 1 vCore, 2 GB RAM, 20 GB NVMe SSD
VPS Value (~$10–14/month): 2 vCores, 4 GB RAM, 80 GB NVMe SSD — recommended if you want room to grow
Note: OVH has modest price increases rolling out through 2026 due to memory market pressures, so check the current OVHcloud pricing page for exact figures before ordering.

1.2 Order the VPS
Go to https://www.ovhcloud.com/en/vps/ (or your regional OVH site).
Click Order on the Starter or Value plan.
During configuration, select:
Operating System: Ubuntu 22.04 LTS
Datacenter location: Choose the one geographically closest to your players (e.g., Strasbourg/Frankfurt for Europe, BHS for North America).
SSH key: If you already have an SSH key pair, paste your public key here. If not, you can skip this and use the password OVH emails you — but generating an SSH key is recommended (see 1.3).
Complete payment and wait for the provisioning email (~5–15 minutes). It will contain your VPS IP address and root password (if you didn't use an SSH key).
1.3 Generate an SSH Key (Recommended)
On your Windows PC, open PowerShell and run:

powershell:
ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "tibia-server"
Press Enter for defaults. Your keys will be saved to C:\Users\YourName\.ssh\id_ed25519 (private) and id_ed25519.pub (public). Copy the contents of id_ed25519.pub and paste it into the OVH SSH key field during ordering.

Part 2 — Initial Server Setup
2.1 Connect via SSH
From PowerShell (Windows 10/11 has SSH built in):

bash:
ssh root@YOUR_VPS_IP
If you used a password instead of an SSH key, enter it when prompted. You'll see a welcome message from Ubuntu.

2.2 Update the System
bash:
apt update && apt upgrade -y
This may take a few minutes. Reboot if prompted:

bash:
reboot
Reconnect via SSH after ~30 seconds.

2.3 Create a Non-Root User
Running the server as root is a security risk. Create a dedicated user:
adduser tibia

usermod -aG sudo tibia
Set a strong password when prompted. From now on, you can SSH as this user:

bash:
ssh tibia@YOUR_VPS_IP
Or switch to it within your current session:

bash:
su - tibia
2.4 Configure the Firewall
Ubuntu 22.04 includes ufw. Allow only the ports we need:

bash:
sudo ufw allow OpenSSH        # Port 22 - SSH access
sudo ufw allow 7171/tcp       # Tibia login server port
sudo ufw allow 7172/tcp       # Tibia game world port
sudo ufw allow 80/tcp         # HTTP - web account manager
sudo ufw allow 443/tcp        # HTTPS (optional, for later)
sudo ufw enable
sudo ufw status
Confirm that ufw shows all five rules as ALLOW.

Part 3 — Install Dependencies
3.1 Install Build Tools and Libraries
TFS 0.3.6 is a C++ application. We need compilers and libraries:

bash:
sudo apt install -y \
  build-essential \
  cmake \
  git \
  libmysqlclient-dev \
  libboost-all-dev \
  liblua5.1-0-dev \
  libxml2-dev \
  libgmp3-dev \
  libssl-dev \
  zlib1g-dev \
  pkg-config
Note on liblua: TFS 0.3.6 specifically requires Lua 5.1. Ubuntu 22.04 has it available as liblua5.1-0-dev. Do not install Lua 5.4 — it will break compilation.

3.2 Install MariaDB (MySQL)
bash:
sudo apt install -y mariadb-server
sudo systemctl enable mariadb
sudo systemctl start mariadb
Secure the installation:

bash:
sudo mysql_secure_installation
When prompted:

Current root password: press Enter (empty)
Set root password? Y → enter a strong password and remember it
Remove anonymous users? Y
Disallow root login remotely? Y
Remove test database? Y
Reload privilege tables? Y
3.3 Create the Tibia Database and User
Log into MariaDB:

bash:
sudo mysql -u root -p
Enter the root password you just set. Then run these SQL commands:

sql:
CREATE DATABASE tibia_db CHARACTER SET utf8 COLLATE utf8_general_ci;
CREATE USER 'tibia_user'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'YourStrongDBPassword123!';
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON tibia_db.* TO 'tibia_user'@'localhost';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
EXIT;
Replace YourStrongDBPassword123! with something secure. Note it down — you'll need it later.

3.4 Install Apache2 and PHP
The web account manager (MyAAC) needs a web server and PHP:

bash:
sudo apt install -y apache2 php8.1 php8.1-mysql php8.1-xml php8.1-mbstring php8.1-zip php8.1-gd php8.1-curl libapache2-mod-php8.1 composer
sudo a2enmod rewrite
sudo systemctl restart apache2
Part 4 — Compile The Forgotten Server 0.3.6
4.1 Get the Source Code
The recommended source for 8.10 support is the celohere fork of TFS, which targets older protocols cleanly:

bash:
cd /home/tibia
git clone https://github.com/celohere/forgottenserver.git tfs
cd tfs
Protocol note: This repo supports protocol 8.10 (client version 810). If it defaults to a slightly different version, you'll patch config.lua in the next section to force 8.10.

4.2 Compile
bash:
mkdir build
cd build
cmake .. -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release
make -j$(nproc)
$(nproc) uses all available CPU cores. Compilation takes 5–15 minutes. If you see errors about missing libraries, re-check Step 3.1.

When it finishes, you should see an executable called tfs (or otserv) in the build directory. Copy it to the server folder:

bash:
cp tfs /home/tibia/tfs/
Part 5 — Configure the Server
5.1 Import the Database Schema
bash:
cd /home/tibia/tfs
mysql -u tibia_user -p tibia_db < schema.sql
Enter YourStrongDBPassword123! when prompted. This creates all necessary tables (accounts, players, map data, etc.).

5.2 Edit config.lua
This is the main server configuration file:

bash:
cp config.lua.dist config.lua
nano config.lua
Key settings to change (find each line with Ctrl+W in nano):

lua:
-- Server identity
serverName = "My Tibia Server"
statusTimeout = 5000

-- Network
ip = "YOUR_VPS_IP"          -- Your OVH VPS public IP
loginPort = 7171
gamePort = 7172
statusPort = 7171

-- Database
mysqlHost = "127.0.0.1"
mysqlUser = "tibia_user"
mysqlPass = "YourStrongDBPassword123!"
mysqlDatabase = "tibia_db"

-- Protocol version (8.10 = Christmas 2007)
clientVersionMin = 810
clientVersionMax = 810

-- Rates (adjust to taste)
rateExp = 5
rateSkill = 5
rateMagic = 5
rateLoot = 2

-- World type: "pvp", "no-pvp", or "pvp-enforced"
worldType = "pvp"
Save with Ctrl+O, then Enter, then Ctrl+X.

5.3 Download a Real Map (Optional but Recommended)
A "real map" (RL map) is a community-made recreation of the actual Tibia map as it existed in 2007. Without it, the server will have a blank world.

Search OTLand (otland.net) for "8.1 real map" or "8.10 RL map OTBM". The most common format is a .otbm file. Once you have it:

bash:
# Upload via SCP from your PC (run in a new PowerShell window):
scp C:\Downloads\map.otbm tibia@YOUR_VPS_IP:/home/tibia/tfs/data/world/

# On the server, edit config.lua to point to it:
# mapName = "data/world/map.otbm"
5.4 Set Correct Permissions
bash:
chmod +x /home/tibia/tfs/tfs
chown -R tibia:tibia /home/tibia/tfs
Part 6 — Run the Server
6.1 Test Launch
bash:
cd /home/tibia/tfs
./tfs
You should see output like:

> Loading config...
> Loading items... 28083 items loaded.
> Loading map... done.
> Starting Server...
> OpenTibia server running.
If you see errors, they are usually self-explanatory (wrong DB password, missing map file, etc.).

Press Ctrl+C to stop.

6.2 Run as a Background Service with Screen
Install screen so the server keeps running after you disconnect:

bash:
sudo apt install -y screen
screen -S tibia
cd /home/tibia/tfs
./tfs
Press Ctrl+A then D to detach (leave the server running in the background).

To reattach later:

bash:
screen -r tibia
6.3 (Optional) Set Up as a systemd Service for Auto-Start
This makes the server start automatically on reboot:

bash:
sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/tibia.service
Paste:

ini:
[Unit]
Description=Tibia OTS Server
After=network.target mariadb.service

[Service]
Type=simple
User=tibia
WorkingDirectory=/home/tibia/tfs
ExecStart=/home/tibia/tfs/tfs
Restart=on-failure
RestartSec=10

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target
Enable and start:

bash:
sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable tibia
sudo systemctl start tibia
sudo systemctl status tibia
Part 7 — Install the Web Account Manager (MyAAC)
Players (and you) will create accounts through a web portal. We'll use MyAAC, the most actively maintained option.

7.1 Download MyAAC
bash:
cd /var/www/html
sudo rm index.html   # Remove default Apache page
sudo git clone https://github.com/slawkens/myaac.git .
7.2 Configure Permissions
bash:
sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/html
sudo chmod 660 /var/www/html/config.local.php
sudo chmod -R 760 /var/www/html/system/cache
sudo chmod 660 /var/www/html/images/guilds
sudo chmod 660 /var/www/html/images/houses
sudo chmod 660 /var/www/html/images/gallery
7.3 Enable Apache mod_rewrite (if not already done)
bash:
sudo a2enmod rewrite
sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/000-default.conf
Inside the <VirtualHost *:80> block, add:

apache:
<Directory /var/www/html>
    AllowOverride All
    Require all granted
</Directory>
Restart Apache:

bash:
sudo systemctl restart apache2
7.4 Run the Web Installer
Open a browser on your PC and go to:

http://YOUR_VPS_IP/install
The installer will walk you through:

Database settings: Enter 127.0.0.1, tibia_user, your DB password, tibia_db.
Server settings: Point MyAAC to your TFS installation directory (/home/tibia/tfs).
Admin account: Create your admin username and password for the web panel.
Delete install directory when prompted — this is required for security.
After installation, your account manager is live at http://YOUR_VPS_IP.

Part 8 — Create Your First Account and Character
8.1 Create an Account via MyAAC
Open http://YOUR_VPS_IP in your browser.
Click Register and fill in your account name, password, and email.
Log in, then go to your account page and click Create Character.
Choose a name, vocation (Knight, Paladin, Sorcerer, Druid), and sex. Submit.
8.2 Give Yourself God Privileges (Optional)
To give your character full GM/God access for testing, connect to the database:

bash:
sudo mysql -u tibia_user -p tibia_db
sql:
-- Find your account ID:
SELECT id, name FROM accounts WHERE name='YourAccountName';

-- Set group_id to 6 (God) for your player:
UPDATE players SET group_id=6 WHERE name='YourCharacterName';
EXIT;
Part 9 — Connect with the Tibia 8.10 Client
9.1 Download the Tibia 8.10 Client
On your Windows PC, download the Tibia 8.10 client. The community maintains a collection on OTLand. Search for "Tibia client download archive OTLand" or the OTLand thread titled "Download Older, Official Clients." The file is typically named Tibia810.exe or similar. Scan it with your antivirus before running.

9.2 Download an IP Changer
The Tibia 8.10 client is hardcoded to connect to CipSoft's servers. You need an IP changer to redirect it to your VPS.

Download the OTLand IP Changer from otland.net. It is free, safe, and well-known in the OT community.

9.3 Connect to Your Server
Open the OTLand IP Changer.
Enter your VPS IP in the IP field.
Set port to 7171.
Click Apply (or the equivalent button — the UI varies by version).
Launch Tibia 8.10 from within the IP Changer, or launch it separately after applying the redirect.
Log in with your account name and password from Step 8.1.
Select your character and click OK.
You should now be in your private Tibia 8.10 world.

Part 10 — Maintenance & Tips
Saving and Shutting Down Safely
If you're using screen, reattach and press Ctrl+C — TFS will auto-save before closing. If using systemd:

bash:
sudo systemctl stop tibia
Never hard-kill the process without saving or you may lose recent character progress.

Checking Server Logs
bash:
# If using screen:
screen -r tibia

# If using systemd:
sudo journalctl -u tibia -f
Backing Up the Database
Set up a simple cron job for nightly backups:

bash:
crontab -e
Add:

bash:
0 3 * * * mysqldump -u tibia_user -pYourStrongDBPassword123! tibia_db > /home/tibia/backup-$(date +\%F).sql
This dumps the database to a file every day at 3 AM.

Keeping Tibia Data Private
Since this is a private server, you probably don't want it listed publicly. In config.lua, make sure:

lua:
-- Don't broadcast to OTS lists
statusTimeout = 0
GM Commands In-Game
Once logged in as a God character, you can use these in-game commands:

Command	Effect
/a message	Broadcast to all players
/b message	Broadcast in orange
/teleport x,y,z	Teleport to coordinates
/item itemid, amount	Create an item
/kick charactername	Kick a player
/ban accountname	Ban an account
/ghost	Toggle invisibility
Troubleshooting
Server won't start / "cannot open shared libraries" error Run ldd ./tfs to see which library is missing, then install it via apt.

Client says "You are running an outdated version of Tibia" Double-check that clientVersionMin and clientVersionMax in config.lua are both set to 810.

Cannot connect from client / connection refused

Confirm the server is running: sudo systemctl status tibia

Confirm the firewall allows 7171/7172: sudo ufw status

Confirm the IP in config.lua matches your VPS's actual public IP
Website shows blank page or 500 error Check Apache logs: sudo tail -50 /var/log/apache2/error.log



Characters not saving on shutdown Make sure you are stopping the server gracefully (systemctl stop, not kill -9).