How to Install & Setup a Mumble Server {Murmur} on Linux CentOS 7

Mumble is an open-source, low-latency, high-quality voice chat software primarily designed for online gaming communities. It provides a secure, reliable, and scalable communication system for users. Mumble has two components: the client software that users install on their machines, and the server software (called Murmur) that runs on a dedicated server. This tutorial covers how to install and configure a Mumble server on Linux CentOS 7.

Prerequisites

Before starting the installation process, ensure the following requirements are met:

• A Linux CentOS 7 server with root access

• An SSH client such as PuTTY or Terminal

• A non-root user with sudo privileges

Step 1: Update the System

First, update the CentOS 7 system to the latest version. Log in to the server as a non-root user with sudo privileges and run:

sudo yum update

This command updates all system packages to the latest available versions.

Step 2: Install EPEL Repository

Murmur is not available in the default CentOS 7 repository. Install the Extra Packages for Enterprise Linux (EPEL) repository to access Murmur:

sudo yum install epel-release

Once the EPEL repository is installed, you can proceed with installing Murmur.

Step 3: Install Murmur Server

Install the Murmur server package:

sudo yum install mumble-server

This command downloads and installs Murmur on your CentOS 7 server.

Step 4: Configure Murmur Server

The Murmur server configuration file is located at /etc/mumble-server.ini. Edit this file using a text editor:

sudo nano /etc/mumble-server.ini

Make the following essential configuration changes:

Key Configuration Options

• Set SuperUser Password Find the line serverpassword=, uncomment it, and set a strong password

• Set Server Hostname Configure the server hostname to your server's FQDN

• Set Bandwidth Adjust server bandwidth according to your connection (default: 72000)

Save the file and exit the editor after making your changes.

Step 5: Start and Enable Murmur Server

Start the Murmur server and enable it to start automatically at boot:

sudo systemctl start mumble-server
sudo systemctl enable mumble-server

Check the server status:

sudo systemctl status mumble-server

Step 6: Configure Firewall

CentOS 7 uses firewalld by default. Configure the firewall to allow Murmur traffic on the default port (64738):

sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=64738/tcp
sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=64738/udp
sudo firewall-cmd --reload

These commands open both TCP and UDP traffic on port 64738 for the Murmur server.

Step 7: Connect to the Server

Download the Mumble client software from the official website (https://www.mumble.info/downloads/). After installation:

1. Open the Mumble client and click "Add New..."

2. Enter your server's hostname or IP address

3. Set the port number (default: 64738)

4. Provide a label for your server

5. Click "Connect" and enter your SuperUser credentials

Optional: Enable SSL Encryption

For enhanced security, you can enable SSL encryption. Generate a self-signed certificate:

sudo openssl req -newkey rsa:2048 -nodes -keyout /etc/pki/tls/private/mumble-server.key -x509 -days 365 -out /etc/pki/tls/certs/mumble-server.crt

Add the following lines to your Murmur configuration file:

sslCert=/etc/pki/tls/certs/mumble-server.crt
sslKey=/etc/pki/tls/private/mumble-server.key

Restart the server to apply SSL changes:

sudo systemctl restart mumble-server

Server Maintenance

Keep your Murmur server updated with the latest security patches. Check for updates:

sudo yum check-update mumble-server

Install available updates:

sudo yum update mumble-server

User Management

Murmur allows you to create user groups with different permission levels. Use the Mumble client to:

• Create Moderator groups with kick/ban permissions

• Set up Regular User groups with limited access

• Assign users to appropriate groups based on their roles

Access group management through the "Groups" tab in the Mumble client interface.

Conclusion

You have successfully installed and configured a Murmur server on CentOS 7. This setup provides a reliable, low-latency voice communication system ideal for gaming communities, online meetings, and remote collaboration. Remember to regularly update your server and configure appropriate user permissions for optimal security and performance.