---
title: "Deploy a Counter-Strike 2 server on the Game Panel"
description: "Deploy a Counter-Strike 2 server using the OVHcloud Game Panel with automated deployment, port configuration, and console connect steps."
url: https://docs.ovhcloud.com/en/guides/bare-metal-cloud/virtual-private-servers/game-panel-quick-start-cs2
lang: en
lastUpdated: 2026-06-30
---
# Deploy a Counter-Strike 2 server on the Game Panel

## Objective

The OVHcloud Game Panel lets you deploy a Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) server with automated installation and port configuration.

**This guide explains how to deploy and connect to a Counter-Strike 2 server on the OVHcloud Game Panel.**

## Requirements

- A [VPS](https://www.ovhcloud.com/en-gb/vps/) or a [dedicated server](https://www.ovhcloud.com/en-gb/bare-metal/) in your OVHcloud account with the Game Panel feature enabled.
- Access to the Game Panel. Refer to [Log in to the Game Panel](/en/guides/bare-metal-cloud/virtual-private-servers/game-panel-log-in/index.md).

## Instructions

### Step 1 — Access the Game Panel

Log in to your OVHcloud Game Panel. From the left-hand menu, go to the **Game Servers**
 section and click `Add Game Server
`.
### Step 2 — Create a Counter-Strike 2 server

Select **Counter-Strike 2** from the game list. A configuration window opens.

![Selecting Counter-Strike 2 from the game list](/images/bare-metal-cloud/virtual-private-servers/game-panel-quick-start-cs2/select-cs2.png)
### Step 3 — Configure the Counter-Strike 2 server

Enter a **Server Name** (for example, `CS2 Competitive Server`). The required network ports are configured automatically during installation.

You can expand `Advanced settings
` to adjust options such as ports binding and resource limits. The defaults are suitable for most game servers.
### Step 4 — Launch the installation

Click `Install
`. The deployment starts automatically. Wait a few minutes while the image downloads and the server installs.
### Step 5 — Monitor the installation

Click `Log/Console
` to follow progress in real time. The status shows **Installing**
.
### Step 6 — Verify the server is running

Check that the server status displays **Running** and that CPU/RAM activity is visible.

Available actions:

- <code className="action">Log/Console</code>: Open the console to monitor startup and check logs if there are any issues.
- <code className="action">Settings</code> > <code className="action">Game Config</code>: Access game settings.

![Counter-Strike 2 server with Running status](/images/bare-metal-cloud/virtual-private-servers/game-panel-quick-start-cs2/cs2-running.png)
### Step 7 — Confirm installation is complete

Once installation finishes, the status changes to **Running** and the server is ready to use.

### Step 8 — Retrieve connection information

In the **Connection** column of the Game Servers list, copy your server's IP address and port.

### Step 9 — Join your server in Counter-Strike 2

In Counter-Strike 2:

1. Enable the console in the game settings (**Settings** > **Game** > **Enable Developer Console**).
2. Open the console (`~`).
3. Type the following command, using the IP address and port from the **Connection** column:

   ```console
   connect IP:PORT
   ```

### Best practices

- Configure permissions via <code className="action">User Administration</code>.
- Perform regular backups.
- Customise your game settings.

:::info
To go further, add mods or competitive configurations, adjust tickrate and performance settings, or restrict access with a password or whitelist.
:::

## Go further

- [Getting started with the Game Panel](/en/guides/bare-metal-cloud/virtual-private-servers/game-panel-getting-started/index.md)
- [Manage users on the Game Panel](/en/guides/bare-metal-cloud/virtual-private-servers/game-panel-manage-users/index.md)

Join our [community of users](https://community.ovhcloud.com/).