PS2 Servers Core CLI Reference
PS2 Servers Core provides terminal-based server execution without a graphical display. Powered by the full Python engine, it supports automation, daemonization under systemd, container deployment, and extensive debugging telemetry.
python ps2servers.py serve <mode> or invoking a packaged binary like PS2Servers.exe serve <mode>, the subcommands and flags are identical. The internal alias --serve is also supported for backward compatibility with existing scripts.
1. Listing Modes & Global Help
# List available server modes
python ps2servers.py --list
# Show help for a specific mode
python ps2servers.py serve udpfs --help
python ps2servers.py serve smbv1 --help
python ps2servers.py serve udpbd --help
python ps2servers.py serve http --help2. serve udpfs Options
python ps2servers.py serve udpfs --root-dir /srv/ps2 [options]| Flag | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
--root-dir PATH |
(Required) | Path to the root games directory (parent of DVD/ and CD/). |
--bind IP |
0.0.0.0 |
Binds Core's data socket to a specific PC LAN address (crucial for multi-adapter PCs). |
--port PORT |
62966 |
Discovery UDP port. |
--data-port PORT |
0 (dynamic) |
Explicit data port for firewalls. |
--single-port |
false |
Route both discovery and data through port 62966. |
--peer-timeout SECS |
3600 |
Session inactivity timeout in seconds (accepts 60 to 86400). |
--read-only |
false |
Disallow write operations. |
--verbose |
false |
Enable high-verbosity packet telemetry and 45-second inactivity diagnostics. |
3. serve smbv1 Options
python ps2servers.py serve smbv1 --share games=/srv/ps2 --port 1111 [options]| Flag | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
--share NAME=PATH |
games=... |
Define a share name mapped to a directory path. Can be repeated. |
--port PORT |
1111 |
TCP listening port. |
--read-only |
false |
Disable writes (saves and VMCs). |
4. serve udpbd Options
python ps2servers.py serve udpbd /srv/images/game.iso --read-only [options]| Flag | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
IMAGE_PATH |
(Positional) | Path to one block-image file, not a DVD/ library folder; its contents must match the PS2 client expectations. |
| UDP port (fixed) | 48573 |
Python UDPBD uses fixed UDP port 48573; --port is not supported here (Edge is separate). |
--bind IP |
0.0.0.0 |
Interface bind address. |
--read-only |
false |
Prevent write modifications to the backing image. |
Select exactly one positional IMAGE_PATH, --raw-device DEVICE, or --virtual-exfat FOLDER. Raw mode defaults to read-only. --exclusive unmounts/locks a raw target; --raw-write requires exclusive access and enables writes/VMC saves. Virtual exFAT is always read-only and requires no raw-device privileges. All modes use UDP 48573. Raw and virtual targets must be smaller than 2 TiB. See storage modes and limits.
UDPBD uses broadcast discovery and is not UDPFS. For client setup and mass0: / "cannot open folder" diagnostics, see the UDPBD guide.
5. Running Under systemd
Create a service unit file at /etc/systemd/system/ps2servers-udpfs.service:
[Unit]
Description=PS2 Servers UDPFS Service
After=network.target
[Service]
Type=simple
User=ps2games
ExecStart=/usr/bin/python3 /opt/ps2-servers/ps2servers.py serve udpfs --root-dir /srv/ps2games --read-only
Restart=on-failure
RestartSec=5s
[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.targetEnable and start the service:
sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable --now ps2servers-udpfs
sudo journalctl -u ps2servers-udpfs -f