ARK Cluster Setup Guide 2026: Connect Multiple Maps

An ARK cluster lets players transfer characters, dinos, and items between different maps on your server network. Instead of being locked to one map, your community can travel between The Island, Ragnarok, Scorched Earth, and any other maps you're running — with everything they've tamed and built.

This guide covers cluster setup for both ARK: Survival Evolved (ASE) and ARK: Survival Ascended (ASA).

What Is an ARK Cluster?

A cluster is a group of ARK server instances that share a common cluster directory or cluster ID. This shared directory stores:

• Transfer data (characters, dinos, items waiting for upload/download)
• Player tribelog history
• Shared ban/whitelist data (optional)

Each map runs as a separate server process with its own ports, but all instances point to the same cluster storage.

Hardware Requirements for an ARK Cluster

Each map needs its own dedicated resources:

Maps in Cluster	Total RAM Needed (ASE)	Total RAM Needed (ASA)
2 maps	12–16 GB	24–32 GB
3 maps	18–24 GB	36–48 GB
4 maps	24–32 GB	48–64 GB

ASA clusters are expensive to run. A 3-map ASA cluster needs 36–48 GB RAM minimum — plan accordingly.

ARK: Survival Evolved Cluster Setup

Step 1: Choose Your Maps and Ports

Each server instance needs three unique ports. Example for a 2-map cluster:

Map	Game Port	Query Port	RCON Port
The Island	7777	27015	32330
Ragnarok	7779	27017	32332

Step 2: Create the Cluster Directory

Create a shared directory accessible by all server instances:

mkdir -p /home/steam/ark/cluster

Step 3: Configure Each Server Instance

In GameUserSettings.ini for both servers:

[ServerSettings]
ClusterDirOverride=/home/steam/ark/cluster
PreventDownloadSurvivors=False
PreventDownloadItems=False
PreventDownloadDinos=False
PreventUploadSurvivors=False
PreventUploadItems=False
PreventUploadDinos=False

Step 4: Launch Commands

The Island:

./ShooterGameServer TheIsland?listen?SessionName="Island"?ServerPassword=""?ServerAdminPassword="admin123"
-server -log -clusterid=mycluster -ClusterDirOverride=/home/steam/ark/cluster
-port=7777 -queryport=27015 -rconport=32330

Ragnarok:

./ShooterGameServer Ragnarok?listen?SessionName="Ragnarok"?ServerPassword=""?ServerAdminPassword="admin123"
-server -log -clusterid=mycluster -ClusterDirOverride=/home/steam/ark/cluster
-port=7779 -queryport=27017 -rconport=32332

The -clusterid must match on all instances. The -ClusterDirOverride path must be identical on all instances and accessible by all server processes.

Step 5: Add Travel Points

Players can transfer via the Obelisks, Transmitters, or the Supply Drops in the game. No extra server configuration is needed — once the cluster directory is shared, the in-game transfer UI works automatically.

ARK: Survival Ascended Cluster Setup

ASA cluster setup is similar but uses different config locations:

Config Location

ShooterGame/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/GameUserSettings.ini

Cluster Settings (GameUserSettings.ini)

[ServerSettings]
ClusterDirOverride=C:\ark\cluster
PreventDownloadSurvivors=False
PreventDownloadItems=False
PreventDownloadDinos=False

Launch Command (ASA)

ArkAscendedServer.exe TheIsland_WP?listen?SessionName="Island"?ServerPassword=""
-clusterid=mycluster -ClusterDirOverride="C:\ark\cluster"
-port=7777 -queryport=27015

Preventing Overpowered Transfers

A fresh cluster can be unbalanced if players transfer end-game dinos and gear to early-game maps. Options to control this:

[ServerSettings]
PreventDownloadItems=True        ; Block item transfers into this map
PreventDownloadDinos=True        ; Block dino transfers into this map
PreventTransferFromFiltering=True ; Require item whitelist for transfers
TributeItemExpirationSeconds=86400 ; Items in tribute expire after 24h

Common Cluster Issues

Characters can't transfer: Check that ClusterDirOverride paths are identical on all instances and the directory exists with correct write permissions for the server process.

Dinos appear missing after transfer: The 15-minute download cooldown is normal. Wait and try downloading again. Also check MaxTributeItems isn't set too low.

Players can't see the second server in the transfer UI: The second server must be running and reachable. Confirm it's online and accessible on its query port.

Renzom ARK Cluster Hosting

Renzom supports multi-instance ARK clusters. We can configure shared cluster directories across instances on the same node.

• ASE cluster from €10.60/month per map
• ASA cluster from €31.80/month per map

Configure your ARK cluster →

Summary

An ARK cluster requires a shared directory or matching cluster ID across all server instances, unique ports per instance, and the PreventDownload/Upload settings configured per your preference. ASE clusters are affordable; ASA clusters require substantial RAM per map. Once running, the in-game transfer system handles the rest.

Start your ARK cluster on Renzom →