How to Set Up a World of Warcraft Private Server Using MaNGOS on Windows

Step 1: Install Dependencies

Ensure that the following dependencies are installed:

• MySQL Server
• Visual C++ Build Tools
• Git for Windows
• OpenSSL for Windows

Step 2: Clone the MaNGOS Repository

Open Git Bash and clone the MaNGOS source repository:

git clone https://github.com/mangoszero/server.git mangos

This will download the MaNGOS server files to your machine.

Step 3: Configure the Database

Open MySQL and create a new database and user for the MaNGOS server:

CREATE DATABASE mangos;
CREATE USER 'mangos_user'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'password';
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON mangos.* TO 'mangos_user'@'localhost';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
EXIT;

Replace password with a secure password. You will use these credentials later.

Step 4: Install EasyBuild

Download and install the EasyBuild tool from the official MaNGOS website. EasyBuild automates the setup process by configuring and building the server with a few clicks.

Step 5: Run EasyBuild to Compile MaNGOS

1. Launch EasyBuild and select the MaNGOS source folder.

2. Follow the prompts to set up the server files and connect to your MySQL database.

3. When ready, click Build to compile the MaNGOS server. This process may take a few minutes.

Step 6: Extract Game Data

Copy necessary game data files from your World of Warcraft client installation to the server’s data folder. These files usually include maps, vmaps, and dbc files.

Use data extraction tools provided by MaNGOS or EasyBuild to prepare these files for the server.

Step 7: Configure the Server

Open the server configuration files, located in the mangos/config directory, and edit the following:

• realmd.conf: Configure login server settings and MySQL database credentials.
• mangosd.conf: Set up game server options, including rates, logging, and connection info.

Save your changes to apply the configurations.

Step 8: Start the Server

Run each server component by opening a terminal in the MaNGOS directory and launching:

realmd.exe
mangosd.exe

Ensure there are no errors. The server should start running, with realmd.exe managing the login server and mangosd.exe managing the game world.

Step 9: Connect the Client

1. Open the realmlist.wtf file in your World of Warcraft client folder.

2. Replace the content with your server's IP address:

set realmlist your_server_ip

Launch the client, log in with an account created in the MaNGOS database, and begin testing.