🧰 Prerequisites
Before you begin, ensure you have:
-
A Linux VPS or dedicated server (Ubuntu recommended)
-
Docker & Docker Compose installed
-
COD4 server files (
main,zone,mods,usermaps) — you can copy these from your game installation directory -
Required ports open on your firewall:
28960(UDP & TCP) – Game port8000(TCP) – Web server/monitoring (if used)
🐳 Step 1: Install Docker & Docker Compose
If you haven’t installed Docker and Docker Compose yet, follow my step-by-step guide here: 🔧 install-docker
📁 Step 2: Prepare Server Directory Structure
Organize your server file structure using:
mkdir -p /root/cod4x/{main,zone,Mods,usermaps,logs}Copy your COD4 assets into the corresponding directories:
/root/cod4x/main– Game data files/root/cod4x/zone– Zone files/root/cod4x/Mods– Mod folders (e.g.,nw4mp_dpg_v1)/root/cod4x/usermaps– Custom maps (read-only)/root/cod4x/logs– Server logs and configs
NOTEYou can copy files from game directory to server
Fix file ownership to avoid permission issues:
chown -R ubuntu:ubuntu /root/cod4x/*🔧 Step 3: Create the Docker Compose File
Create a file named docker-compose.yml in your working directory and add the following:
version: "3.7"
services:
cod4:
image: qmcgaw/cod4
container_name: cod4
volumes:
- /root/cod4x/main:/home/user/cod4/main
- /root/cod4x/zone:/home/user/cod4/zone
- /root/cod4x/Mods:/home/user/cod4/mods
- /root/cod4x/usermaps:/home/user/cod4/usermaps:ro
- /root/cod4x/logs:/home/user/.callofduty4
network_mode: bridge
environment:
- HTTP_SERVER=on
- ROOT_URL=/
ports:
- 28960:28960/udp
- 28960:28960/tcp
- 8000:8000/tcp
command: >
+set fs_game mods/nw4mp_dpg_v1
+exec mods/nw4mp_dpg_v1/dpgtdm.cfg
+set r_xassetnum "xmodel=1200"
+set dedicated 2
+set sv_cheats 1
+set sv_maxclients 64
+set ui_maxclients 64
+exec server.cfg
+map_rotate🔁 Customize the mod path (
mods/nw4mp_dpg_v1) and config file if you are using a different mod or settings.
🔧 Step 4: Launch the Server
Run the following commands from the directory where your docker-compose.yml is located:
docker-compose up -dView live logs:
docker logs -f cod4To stop the server:
docker-compose down🔧 Step 5: Verify Server is Online
To test your server:
- Open COD4 and check the in-game server browser (if the server is public).
- Or connect directly via console:
/connect your-server-ip:28960🔧 Optional: Enable RCON and Additional Customizations
- Add remote console access by appending this to the
command:section:
+set rcon_password "yourStrongPassword"- Modify server rules and gameplay settings by editing config files under
/root/cod4x/Mods/<mod_name>/.
🧩 How to Add and Run a Custom Mod in COD4
To run a custom mod like nw4mp_dpg_v1 on your COD4 server, follow these steps:
🛠️ Step 1: Get the Mod Files
Obtain the mod folder (nw4mp_dpg_v1 in this example) from:
- A downloaded
.zipor.rarfrom mod websites (e.g., ModDB) - Another COD4 server installation
- Your own mod build if you created it using the COD4 Mod Tools
Make sure the mod folder includes:
.gscand.cfgfilesmod.csv,mod.ff, andlocalized_*.iwd(if compiled)
📂 Step 2: Place the Mod
Copy the full mod folder into the Mods directory:
cp -r nw4mp_dpg_v1 /root/cod4x/Mods/Now it should exist at:
/root/cod4x/Mods/nw4mp_dpg_v1/⚙️ Step 3: Add/Customize the Config File
Inside the mod folder (nw4mp_dpg_v1), you should have a config file to run, such as dpgtdm.cfg.
If it’s missing, create one and add basic settings like:
// mods/nw4mp_dpg_v1/dpgtdm.cfg
set sv_hostname "My Docker COD4 Server"
set g_gametype "tdm"
map mp_crossfire
set sv_maxclients 32
set scr_teambalance 1
set sv_punkbuster 0🛠 Step 4: Modify Docker Compose Command
In your docker-compose.yml, reference the mod and its config like this:
command: >
+set fs_game mods/nw4mp_dpg_v1
+exec mods/nw4mp_dpg_v1/dpgtdm.cfg
+set r_xassetnum "xmodel=1200"
+set dedicated 2
+set sv_cheats 1
+set sv_maxclients 64
+set ui_maxclients 64
+map_rotateThis tells the server to:
- Load the mod from
mods/nw4mp_dpg_v1 - Execute the
dpgtdm.cfgconfig file from the same mod directory - Enable cheats and set client limits
- Automatically start map rotation