Create Your Own WoW Server with Windows 3.3.5 WotLK AzerothCore!

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Hardware Prerequisites
   • Windows OS Requirements
   • Server Hardware Specs
3. Software Prerequisites
   • 7-Zip
   • .NET Desktop Runtime
   • C++ Redistributable Runtimes
   • Git Extensions
   • Boost
   • CMake
   • Notepad++
   • Heidi SQL
   • MySQL
   • Visual Studio
   • OpenSSL
4. Installation Process
   • Installing Prerequisite Software
   • Configuring Environmental Variables
   • Downloading and Building Azeroth Core
   • Moving Dependency DLLs and Map Data
   • Configuring MySQL and Database Initialization
   • Customizing Realm Name and Time Zone
   • Creating Accounts and Enabling Expansions
   • Starting the Auth Server and World Server
5. Conclusion

How to Create Your Own World of Warcraft Wrath of the Lich King Server

Have You ever wanted to Create your own private World of Warcraft Wrath of the Lich King server? In this tutorial, we will guide you through the steps to set up your own server from start to finish, using the Azeroth core project. Please note that this tutorial is for educational purposes only. Now, let's dive into the process and create your own private server!

Hardware Prerequisites

Before we get started, let's ensure that your hardware meets the requirements to run the server smoothly. Here are the hardware prerequisites for running a World of Warcraft Wrath of the Lich King server:

Windows OS Requirements

• Windows 10/11 64-bit or Windows Server 2016/2019/2022

Server Hardware Specs

• Minimum of two physical or virtual CPU cores (four cores recommended for faster compiling)
• Eight gigabytes of RAM
• Minimum of 80 gigabytes of hard drive space for the operating system and server binaries
• 100 megabit Network Interface Card (NIC)

Software Prerequisites

To proceed with the installation, you'll need to have the necessary software packages installed on your system. Here are the required software packages for setting up your own Wrath of the Lich King server:

1. 7-Zip

• Latest version for Windows 64-bit

2. .NET Desktop Runtime

• Download the 64-bit version

3. C++ Redistributable Runtimes

• Use the all-in-one Package for both 64-bit and 32-bit versions

4. Git Extensions

• Download the MSI file from the official Website

5. Boost

• Download the latest version from the official website

6. CMake

• Choose the latest release version for Windows 64-bit

7. Notepad++

• Download and install Notepad++ for easier configuration file handling

8. Heidi SQL

• Install Heidi SQL for SQL management (other SQL management applications can be used as well)

9. MySQL

• Download and install MySQL version 8

10. Visual Studio

- Download and install Visual Studio 2022 community edition

11. OpenSSL

- Get the non-light version and install it

Now that we have all the required software, let's move on to the installation process.

Installation Process

1. Install all the prerequisite software packages that you downloaded in the previous section.

2. Configure the environmental variables on your system. Open the advanced system settings and set up a new system variable called BOOST_ROOT with the proper value. Also, add the MySQL path to the system variable Path.

3. Download and build the Azeroth Core project using the Git Extension tool. Clone the repository and move it to the desired location on your system.

4. Move the necessary dependency DLL files to the bin/Release with Deb info folder. Copy libmysql.dll from the MySQL library folder and legacy.dll and libcrypto-3-x64.dll from the OpenSSL bin folder.

5. Download the map data from the provided website and extract it into the data folder within the Azeroth Core installation directory.

6. Configure MySQL and initialize the databases. Start by creating a new user using Heidi SQL and granting the necessary permissions. Run the provided SQL script to create the required databases.

7. Customize the realm name and time zone in the realm list table of the acore_auth database using Heidi SQL. You can also modify other settings such as PVP flags and icons in this table.

8. Create accounts for players to log in to your server using the account create command. Set the expansion levels for the accounts to enable Burning Crusade and Wrath of the Lich King content.

9. Start the Auth Server and the World Server by running the respective executables. Make sure to allow access through the firewall when prompted.

10. Congratulations! You have successfully set up your own World of Warcraft Wrath of the Lich King server. You can now invite your friends or players to join you in the game.

That's it! Enjoy your own private World of Warcraft server and have fun exploring the game with your friends.