How to Configure Your Layered Map Rotation on Your Squad Server

One of the best ways to keep your Squad server feeling fresh is to set up a good map and layer rotation. Instead of playing the same map over and over, you can queue up a mix of different layers, game modes, and locations so every session feels different for your players.

The RiverHosting panel includes a dedicated Layers page for your Squad server, so you can manage your rotation directly from the panel without editing any config files by hand.

Before you start

• You need an active Squad server on your RiverHosting account.
• Log in to the RiverHosting panel at panel.riverhosting.com.
• Your server should be running Squad. If you need to switch games, use the Game Changer in the left-hand menu.
• You do not need any Linux or server administration experience to follow these steps.

1. Open the Layers page on your Squad server

The Layers page is where you build and manage your server's map rotation. Here is how to get there:

1. Log in to the RiverHosting panel.
2. Click on your Squad server from the server list.
3. In the left-hand menu, click Layers.

The Layers page will show you your current rotation list. If you have not set one up yet, it may be empty or showing a default set of layers.

2. Add layers to your rotation

Once you are on the Layers page, you can start building your rotation by adding the layers you want:

1. Look for the option to add a new layer to your rotation. This is usually a search field or a dropdown where you can browse available layers.
2. Search for the map or game mode you want to add. You can type part of the map name to filter the results.
3. Select the specific layer you want, for example a particular map paired with AAS, RAAS, Invasion, Seed, or another game mode.
4. Add it to your rotation list. Repeat this process for each layer you want to include.

3. Reorder your rotation

The order of layers in your list determines the order they play on your server. You can rearrange the layers to control the flow of your session:

1. On the Layers page, look for drag handles or reorder controls next to each layer in your list.
2. Move layers up or down to set the order you prefer.
3. Consider starting with a lighter Seed layer at the top if you want your server to fill up more easily when it is empty.
4. Save your changes when you are happy with the order.

4. Remove layers from your rotation

If a layer is not working well for your community, you can remove it at any time:

1. On the Layers page, find the layer you want to remove in your rotation list.
2. Click the remove or delete button next to it.
3. Save your changes.

Removing a layer takes effect the next time the server cycles to a new map. The current match will finish normally before the updated rotation kicks in.

5. Restart your server to apply changes

After saving your layer rotation, it is a good idea to restart the server so the new rotation is fully loaded:

1. Go to the Console page in the left-hand menu.
2. Click the Restart button at the top of the page.
3. Wait for the server to come back online.
4. Join the server and confirm the correct layer is loading at the start of your rotation.

Troubleshooting

• The rotation is not changing after I saved it. Try restarting the server fully using the Restart button on the Console page. Some rotation changes only take effect after a full restart.
• The server keeps loading the same map. Check that your rotation list has more than one layer saved. If only one layer is in the list, the server will repeat it every match.
• I cannot find a specific layer in the search. Some layers may only be available on certain Squad versions or with specific mods installed. Make sure your server is running an up-to-date version of Squad.
• Changes I made are not showing up on the Layers page. Try refreshing the page in your browser. If the issue continues, contact RiverHosting support.
• My server is crashing after I updated the rotation. Check the Console page for any error messages. A layer name that is typed incorrectly or a missing mod can sometimes cause startup issues.

Need help?

If you run into any problems setting up your Squad layer rotation or anything else on your server, the RiverHosting support team is happy to help.