bobbydigital420/openjkdf2-dedicated-server repository overview

⁠Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II - OpenJKDF2 Server

A multi-architecture (AMD64 / ARM64) Docker container for hosting classic Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II multiplayer matches using the modern OpenJKDF2 source port engine. This image features automated headless desktop staging via VNC/noVNC/Fluxbox to fully support OpenJKDF2's interactive hosting GUI.

⁠⚠️ CRITICAL PERFORMANCE WARNING (PLEASE READ) ⚠️

Because the OpenJKDF2 source port does not feature a separate text-only console binary, the engine must run its 3D graphical subsystem even when hosting a dedicated server.

Inside an isolated headless container, your system's CPU is forced to handle Mesa LLVMpipe 3D Software Rendering.

• High Idle CPU Usage: On standard hardware, the container will persistently pull a significant amount of CPU resources on a single thread (often 60%–160%+ CPU usage) even with zero players connected.
• Low-End Hardware Warning: If you are running this on low-power mini-PCs, older enterprise server nodes, or Raspberry Pi boards, this container may max out a CPU thread, causing server lag or connectivity issues.
• Pro-Tip (The Escape Menu Hack): Once you launch your server lobby inside the noVNC window, press the Escape key to open the in-game menu. This pauses the active 3D world rendering loop and dramatically lowers the idle CPU load.

⁠Quick Start Command Line

Run this command from your terminal to start up a fully functional server instance instantly:

docker run -d -it  \
  --name openjkdf2-server \
  -p 8080:8080/tcp \
  -p  27020:27020/udp \
  -v "/mnt/user/appdata/jkdf2:/jkdf2" \
  bobbydigital420/openjkdf2-dedicated-server:latest

Note: Remember to replace /mnt/user/appdata/jkdf2 with the actual path to your local retail game files (the folder containing JK.EXE)

⁠How to Connect & Launch Your Match

1. Open your web browser and navigate to the visual console: http://[YOUR_SERVER_IP]:8080/vnc.html
2. Click the blue Connect button to enter the headless desktop workspace.
3. Click your character profile, select Multiplayer ➔ Host Game, check the Dedicated Server box in the advanced options, pick your maps and options, and launch the match listener thread.
4. CRITICAL: Press Escape once the server starts to drop background CPU consumption!
5. To join, external players can open their native OpenJKDF2 game client, go to Multiplayer, and punch your server's **Public IP address ** (e.g., 10.0.0.123) straight into the in-game search bar!

⁠Firewall Settings

To allow players outside your local home network to discover and link to your match lobby, you must forward ports 27015-27020 (UDP) from your WAN interface directly to the local static IP address of your hosting server.