System Requirements
Before installing TCAdmin, make sure your server meets the requirements below. TCAdmin v3 is built on .NET 9, so it runs on most modern Windows and Linux servers.
If you're just starting out, a Windows Server 2022 or Ubuntu 24.04 VPS/dedicated server with at least 4 GB RAM and 2 CPU cores is a solid starting point. You can always scale up later.
- Windows
- Linux
| Operating System | Version | Supported | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Server | 2025 | Yes | In Support |
| Windows Server | 2022 | Yes | Support End Oct 14, 2031 |
| Windows Server | 2019 | Yes | Support End Jan 9, 2029 |
| Windows Server | 2016 | Yes | Support End Jan 12, 2027 |
| Windows Server | 2012 R2 | Yes | Extended Support |
| Windows Server | 2012 | Yes | Extended Support |
| Windows | 11 | Yes | In Support |
| Windows | 10 (64 bit) | Yes | Support End Oct 14, 2025 |
Dependencies
MySQL Database (Required)
TCAdmin stores all of its data (users, game servers, settings) in a MySQL-compatible database. You need to install one before setting up TCAdmin.
We recommend MariaDB — it's free, open-source, and fully compatible with MySQL. Install it on the same machine as TCAdmin for the best performance.
During the MariaDB installer, you'll be asked to set a root password — remember this! You'll use it later when configuring TCAdmin. You can also create a dedicated tcadmin3 database user during setup (recommended for security).
Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable (Required)
TCAdmin requires the Visual C++ runtime for game server process management. Without it, game servers will fail to start.
- Microsoft Visual C++ (x64) 2015 to 2022 — required by TCAdmin and most game servers
While only the x64 runtime is required by TCAdmin, many game servers also need the x86 version. We recommend installing both:
- Microsoft Visual C++ (x86) 2015 to 2022
Required by Some Games
These are not needed for TCAdmin itself, but certain game servers won't run without them:
- DirectX — needed by a handful of game servers
- Java — required for Minecraft. We recommend the Adoptium variant
Optional
- Docker Desktop or Docker Engine — only needed if you want to run game servers inside Docker containers
| Operating System | Version | Supported | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu | 24.04 | Yes | Standard LTS End April 2029. Ubuntu Pro support continues until April 2034. |
| Ubuntu | 22.04 | Yes | Standard LTS End April 2027. Ubuntu Pro support continues until April 2032. |
| Debian | 13 | Yes | LTS support ends June 30th, 2030. |
| Debian | 12 | Yes | LTS support ends June 30th, 2028. |
| CentOS Stream | 10 | Yes | End of Life May 31st, 2030. |
| CentOS Stream | 9 | Yes | End of Life May 31st, 2027. |
| AlmaLinux | 10 | Yes | End of Life May 31st, 2035. |
| AlmaLinux | 9 | Yes | End of Life May 31st, 2032. |
| AlmaLinux | 8 | Yes (Security) | Active support ended May 31st, 2024. Security support continues until May 2029. |
| Rocky Linux | 10 | Yes | End of Life May 31st, 2035. |
| Rocky Linux | 9 | Yes | End of Life May 31st, 2032. |
| Rocky Linux | 8 | Yes (Security) | Active support ended May 31st, 2024. Security support continues until May 2029. |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux | 10 | Yes | In Support. |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux | 9 | Yes | End of Life May 31st, 2032. |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux | 8 | Yes | End of Life May 31st, 2029. |
| Fedora | 42 | Yes | Ends security support in May 2026. |
| Fedora | 41 | Yes | Ends security support in November 2025. |
If you're new to Linux, Ubuntu 24.04 LTS or Debian 12 are the easiest to work with and have the most community support.
Dependencies
MySQL Database (Required)
TCAdmin stores all of its data (users, game servers, settings) in a MySQL-compatible database. You need to install one before setting up TCAdmin.
We recommend MariaDB — it's free, open-source, and fully compatible with MySQL. Install it on the same machine as TCAdmin for the best performance.
TCAdmin support does not provide instruction on basic Linux tasks such as logging in via SSH, executing commands, or installing OS-level dependencies. If you're new to Linux, we recommend learning the basics of SSH, package managers (apt, dnf), and file permissions before proceeding.
Required by Some Games
- 32-bit libraries for SteamCMD — most Steam game servers need 32-bit libraries installed on your 64-bit Linux system. Follow the SteamCMD guide to install them.
- Java — required for Minecraft. We recommend the Adoptium variant
Optional
- Docker Engine — only needed if you want to run game servers inside Docker containers
Windows & Linux
If you plan to add remote servers (additional machines to host more game servers), the MySQL database on your master server must be accessible from all your TCAdmin servers over the network. You'll configure this connection during installation.
If you're only running a single server, you don't need to worry about this — just install MySQL on the same machine.
What's Next?
Once your server meets these requirements, proceed to the installation guide for your operating system: