RCON Next

RCON Next adds a password-authenticated, server-side Source RCON endpoint to Valheim dedicated servers running BepInEx 5. It lets an RCON client connect to the server and run commands provided by compatible BepInEx plugins.

Only the dedicated server needs this mod. Players do not install it on their game clients.

What this mod provides

• Password-authenticated Source RCON access over TCP.
• Compatibility with common Source RCON clients.
• Connection and packet limits designed to protect server resources.
• Compatibility with plugins built for the earlier rcon integration.

RCON Next provides the connection and authentication layer; it does not add Valheim administration commands by itself. To run native Valheim console commands such as save, also install RCON Next Valheim.

Installation

Install RCON Next on the dedicated server through a Thunderstore-compatible mod manager.

For a manual installation, download the release ZIP and extract it into the Valheim server directory. The plugin should end up at:

BepInEx/plugins/RconNext/rcon.dll

RCON Next replaces the earlier rcon.dll plugin. Do not install both implementations at the same time. Remove the old plugin before installing RCON Next.

Configuration

Start the server once after installation. BepInEx will create:

BepInEx/config/com.github.ferrinius.rcon-next.cfg

Stop the server, edit the file, and configure the endpoint:

[rcon-next]
enabled = true
port = 2458
password = replace-with-a-strong-password

The password must not be empty and may contain printable ASCII characters only. RCON Next refuses to start its listener while the password is still ChangeMe.

A ready-to-edit configuration example is included in the package and available in the repository.

Restart the dedicated server after changing the configuration. A successful startup writes a message similar to this to the BepInEx log:

RCON Next is listening on TCP port 2458.

Connecting

Use a client that supports the Source RCON protocol and enter:

• The address of the Valheim dedicated server.
• The configured RCON TCP port.
• The configured RCON password.

If the server is behind a firewall, container, or router, allow or forward the configured TCP port. UDP forwarding alone is not sufficient.

Available commands depend on the other installed server plugins. With RCON Next Valheim installed, native server-console commands such as save can be invoked through the same connection.

Upgrading from the earlier rcon plugin

RCON Next cannot be installed beside the earlier rcon.dll implementation because both use the same plugin and file names. Remove the earlier DLL first.

If the old nl.avii.plugins.rcon.cfg exists and RCON Next does not yet have its own configuration file, RCON Next imports the old settings on first startup. An existing RCON Next configuration always takes precedence.

Security

Treat RCON access as full administrator access to the dedicated server.

• Use a long, unique password.
• Restrict the RCON port with a firewall or private network.
• Do not expose the port broadly to the public internet.
• Source RCON is not encrypted. Use a trusted network or VPN when connecting across an untrusted network.

Authentication is tracked separately for every connection. Commands are not executed before successful authentication, and a failed authentication attempt closes the connection.

Troubleshooting

The RCON port is not listening

Confirm that enabled is true, the password is not ChangeMe, the password contains printable ASCII characters only, and the configured port is between 1 and 65535. Then restart the server and inspect the BepInEx log for an RCON Next error.

The client reports connection refused or times out

Confirm that the server is running and that the configured TCP port is allowed by the host firewall, container configuration, and router.

Authentication succeeds, but a command is unavailable

RCON Next does not provide game commands by itself. Install a plugin that registers RCON commands, such as RCON Next Valheim, and confirm that the requested command is supported on a dedicated server.

The server reports a conflict involving rcon.dll

Remove the earlier RCON plugin. Only one implementation may be installed.

For other problems, include the relevant BepInEx log messages when opening an issue in the GitHub repository.

Acknowledgements

Credit and thanks go to AviiNL/BepInEx.rcon and its contributors for establishing the original BepInEx RCON integration.

License

RCON Next is distributed under the ISC license.