• 2Installation
  • 2.3Instructions (Linux o/s)
• 3Additional Info
  • 3.1Useful Links
  • 3.3Port Forwarding
  • 3.7Multiple Server configuration
  • 3.9Headless Client
  • 3.10Example Files
• 4Support & Troubleshooting

Introduction

This page contains useful information on how to install and configure an ARMA 3 server and includes step by step guides of the install process. Also information on how to configure and run a server.The majority of directories and paths are customizable, however those defined are all consistent with the tutorial instructions.

Much of the tutorial here was created using this forum guide.

This comes pretty much as a standard mission except it comes with an addon called @lifeserver, this file is required to be ran only on the server for it to function. Later on in the future the need for this will be removed as I only used it to keep server-side files away from the public and will be merged into the mission at a later time. D.) Game Server Ban Times ( May Vary ): These times may vary depending on each situation, etc. First, second, and third offenses are based on current warning points. All third offense bans are permanent because 30 warning points is a permanent ban. Attempting to use modified PBOs/files to modify the Arma 3 Life mod, or your stats in the mod. Must I point out, Jonzie, a proud developer of the ArmA Community has lost loads of funds to these scammy servers (all AFPL servers and A3PL INCLUDED!), we are the ONLY server with permission to use his vehicles that are in every A3PL/AFPL server (Keep in mind, Jonzie has not been paid his $2,000 from A3PL). Welcome to PROJECT ARMA LIFE, a roleplay community. Project Arma Life is a community. D.) Game Server Ban Times ( May Vary ): These times may vary depending on each situation, etc. First, second, and third offenses are based on current warning points. All third offense bans are permanent because 30 warning points is a permanent ban. Attempting to use modified PBOs/files to modify the Arma 3 Life mod, or your stats in the mod. Obtaining the server files requires a one-time purchase of $100. Please understand that if you plan to use these files as a whole or in part on a PUBLIC SERVER you will also be required to have an active subscription to use Project Life's Content as well, please refer.

Installation

Requirements

1. Steam Account
2. Supported Operating System:
   • Windows Server 2008 or later
   • A modern Linux distribution
3. Minimum Hardware:

Instructions (Windows o/s)

The following instructions will guide you through setting up one Arma 3 server on 1 box, however they will also set the foundations for installing multiple servers on that same box:

1. Install the latest version of DirectX
2. Create the following empty directories
   • D:AppsSteam
   • D:GamesArmA3A3Master
   • D:GamesArmA3A3Files
3. Download steamcmd.exe and save it to your targetted Steam install directory (E.g D:AppsSteam)
4. Run the steamcmd.exe. (This will download and install the required steam files to your custom steam directory)
5. Create an #Arma3server_steamcmd_example.cmd file and save it to D:GamesArmA3A3Files
6. Run the #Arma3server_steamcmd_example.cmd file
7. Just after logging into Steam, the console window will hang and ask for a validation key
   • Steam will have automatically sent you an email with this validation code, which you then need to input at the command prompt
   • The Update console window should then continue to run and install ArmA3 ((DEV or STABLE) version to the target directory as defined in the .cmd file) eg (D:GamesArmA3A3Master)
8. Create a shortcut for the ArmA3Server.exe on the server desktop
9. Add the following parameters to the Target Line in the shortcut tab of the newly created desktop shortcut
   • -port=2302 (Required if running multiple server instances including any previous ArmA2 instances)
   • '-profiles=D:GamesArma3A3Master'
   • -config=CONFIG_server.cfg
   • -world=empty
     • so it looks something similar to the following
     • 'D:GamesArma3A3Masterarma3server.exe' '-profiles=D:GamesArma3A3Master' -port=2302 -config=CONFIG_server.cfg -world=empty
10. Setup the #Port Forwarding in your firewall orand router accordingly, also doesn't seems like implemented in some routers Port Trigger feature works with Arma 3 Server (tested with ASUS RT-N66U)
11. Make sure you have:
    • Network Discovery enabled for your network type (the setting can be found in [Control PanelNetwork and InternetNetwork and Sharing CenterAdvanced sharing settings]. If you have problem with its state reset on the interface reopen, check if all of the required for this feature services are running: DNS Client, Function Discovery Resource Publication, SSDP Discovery, UPnP Device Host; (makes server accessible from internet) (maybe it is about the services and not the network discovery)
    • Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service enabled (makes server joinable) ;

If you can't connect to server through server browser try to use 'direct connect':this is a client side issue (doesn't mean other clients will have it too), reason for the issue for now unknown,I can say it is not related to: Windows services, Windows network settings, network routers, firewalls...

Device Host;(note: Changes to the above 2 settings require Arma relaunch to be applied, as for server same for client machines;)

Arma 3 Life

1. Start up your shortcut, check the server runs. (You will see a console pop up in your desktop after a few seconds)
2. Close the console window down, then you will need to edit the following files which will have been automatically created
   • D:GamesArma3A3MasterUsersAdminstratorAdministrator.Arma3Profile
   • D:GamesArma3A3MasterUsersAdministratorArma3.cfg
3. Restart the server
4. Start up your client Arma3.exe (Running the same branch as the server, (eg Stable or DEV) and you should then be able to see your server in the server browser (Filters are available to reduce the server list)
5. Login to your server using the password you defined in #CONFIG_server.cfg by typing '/' to open the chat window and then type (#login ADMINPASSWORD) followed by enter.
   Make sure to never forget the '#' in front of any server command!
6. Once logged in you will be presented with a mission list, select one of the missions to start the game
7. Prove the stability of your server by running BI missions initially before you start adding user made content

Instructions (Linux o/s)

Installation

As a security best practice, create a user to run steam instead of running as root or an administrator.This way, if your ArmA server is compromised the attacker will find it more difficult to access the rest of the operating system.

Switch to the newly created steam user.

Create a new directory for SteamCMD to avoid cluttering the home directory.

Download the SteamCMD for Linux tarball from the link at the Valve Developer Community page.Use a command line download tool such as wget or curl.

Extract the tarball.

Execute steamcmd.sh. It will install the rest of the Steam client and start the Steam client shell.If this step fails on a 64-bit OS, you likely need to install 32-bit libraries.

At the Steam client shell, login with a valid Steam username and password.The Valve Developer Community Wiki recommends that you create a new Steam account for this.SteamCMD will cache the login credentials and anyone who gains access to your server will be able to log into the account used here.In addition, you cannot log into a single Steam account from two places at once. You do not need to have Arma 3 purchased on the Steam account used here to download the server.Therefore, you should create a new Steam account with no purchases only for use on this server.

Change the directory SteamCMD will install the server in.

Install the Arma 3 Linux dedicated server. The validate option will check for corruption.

Exit SteamCMD.

Create the directories used to store the profile files and Arma3.cfg file.

Updating

You will have to update the server whenever a patch is released on Steam.

If the server is running, stop it by pressing Ctrl+C in the terminal (or screen/tmux instance) that the server is attached to. Otherwise, switch to the steam user.

Launch steamcmd.

Login to the Steam account used in the installation section above.

Set the Arma 3 installation directory to the same directory used above.

Update the Arma 3 Linux dedicated server. The validate option will check for corruption.

Exit SteamCMD.

Configuration

You will most likely want to customize your server's name, password, security settings, and so on with a server.cfg file. Change to the arma3 directory and create and edit your server.cfg file.

If you don't know how to use vim, use nano instead.

See server.cfg for documentation and examples.

The first time you run the server it will auto-create a profile file at ~/.local/share/Arma 3 - Other Profiles/server/server.Arma3Profile.Edit this file to customize difficulty settings.

Launching

A Linux executable is provided to launch the server. Make sure that you are running it under the steam user and not root or another administrator!

NB: If you are using the -mod= parameter, you must specify relative paths within or below the Arma 3 directory. Symlinks will work.

The arma3server process will attach to the current terminal.If you are connected to the server over SSH, the server will stop when you disconnect.You can keep the server running using a terminal multiplexeer like GNU Screen or tmux.There are many tutorials online on how to use these programs to detach and reattach processes from and to a terminal.

You can safely stop the server by pressing Ctrl+C in the terminal (or screen/tmux instance) that the server is attached to.

Case sensitivity & Mods

Some mods such as CUP Terrains and @ALiVE will not function if there are capital letters in any of their file names. If you do not update your mods on a regular basis, you can just use the command

in the directory where your mods are located. This will recursively search the directory tree and make all the filenames lowercase.

If you regularly update your mods using, e.g. ArmA3Sync, you will find that this will redownload any files/folders that have changed case every time you run it.The solution to this is to use a package called 'ciopfs' - Case Insensitive On Purpose Filesystem. You should first run the 'find . -depth...' command mentioned above on your mod folder.Then, make an empty directory outside of the mods directory, e.g. mods_caseinsensitive. You then mount the directory with:

and tell ArmA3Sync to synchronise in the mods_caseinsensitive directory. Once it has finished, you can unmount the directory with:

You should find that all of the files in the original mods directory are lowercase.

Additional Info

Useful Links

Further Reading

Tools

• ArmA3 server using TA2DST Method
  A YouTube video tutorial by Kirkwood364 which uses Tophe's Arma 2 Dedicated Server Tool to administer and run an A3 server (Links for all the files required are available in the 1st comment of his YouTube video)
• Arma3 Server Monitor - end of support in 2015

Useful Addons

• Zeu_Serverskills (AI Skill setting addon)
• Zeu_ServerBriefing (Inject server information to all missions automatically

File Locations

Some files are automatically created when you use certain commandline parametersSome files have to be created manually.If you have followed the instructions accurately, you will now have the following files and directories in addition to the clean install

• D:GamesArma3A3Master UsersAdministratorAdministrator.Arma3Profile(Difficulty settings)
• D:GamesArma3A3Master UsersAdministratorAdministrator.vars.Arma3Profile(Some binarised content which you cannot edit)
• D:GamesArma3A3Master UsersAdministratorArma3.cfg(Bandwidth settings)
• D:GamesArma3A3Master MPMissions(This is where custom made mission.pbo's need to be placed)
• D:GamesArma3A3Master arma3.rpt(Debug Log, automatically created every time the arma3server.exe is started)
• D:GamesArma3A3Master CONFIG_server.cfg(Manually created)
• D:GamesArmA3A3Files Arma3server_steamcmd_example.cmd(Manually created)
• D:AppsSteam

Port Forwarding

Arma 3 uses the same default ports as Arma 2 with the addition of several ports. So if you intend running A2 and A3 servers on the same machine, you need to edit the ports used.Default ports are all UDP and as follows:

Incoming

• 2302 (default Arma 3 Game port) + (VON is now part of main gameport due to NAT issues)
• 2303 (STEAM query, +1)
• 2304 (Steam port, +2)
• 2305 (VON port, +3 - not used atm. but allocated)
• 2306 (BattlEye traffic, +4)

Outgoing

To define the ArmA3 Game port used,state -port= **** in your command line arguments (Where **** is the new initial Arma 3 Game, e.g 2302)

and to define your Steam portsadd the following lines to your CONFIG_server.cfg (editing the actual port numbers as required)

If you are running multiple servers, i would suggest the following format

SERVER 1

2302 UDP (gameport + VON)
2303 UDP (STEAM query port)
2304 UDP (STEAM master port)
2305 UDP (VON reserved port but not used atm.)
2306 UDP (BattlEye traffic port)
so open ports 2302-2306
... and leave at least 100 ports between the next 2^nd server set

SERVER 2

2402 UDP (gameport + VON)
2403 UDP (STEAM query port)
2404 UDP (STEAM master port)
2405 UDP (VON reserved port but not used atm.)
2406 UDP (BattlEye traffic port)
so open ports 2402-2406
and leave at least 100 ports between the next 3^rd server set, etc.

NAT traversal

UPnP allows you to automatically create port forwarding on your router to bypass NAT (UPnP enabled routers are required).The functionality can be easily enabled in server config as described in the server.cfg page.

Configuring for stable or Dev branch

Edit the Arma3server_steamcmd_example.cmd as defined below then run it

• To select Development version

• To select stable build (Dedicated server package)

• To select stable build (Full clientserver package)

Important Feature

Since 12^th March 2013 the development branch and the stable branch versions are no longer compatible. This means:

• Only DEV clients can connect to a DEV server
• Only Stable clients can connect to stable servers

Advanced Configuration

Bandwidth Optimisation

Multiple Server configuration

There are various methods available to run multiple Dedicated Arma 3 servers on the same box.Each server instance requires:

• Its own unique set of ports
• Its own profile
• Its own config

This post explains it more in depth.

Each method has some pro's and consTo select the preferred methodology that suits your requirements you need to have considered the following

• The useage of the 'Keys' folder
• The useage of the 'MpMissions' folder
• Available Hard drive space
• Update management

METHOD 1

see THIS POST for more detailed informationThis is copy of the master install into a different directoryAs may times as you have space for

Pros

• Most robust
• Unique MpMissions folder
• Unique 'keys' folder
• Allows ability to run seperate instances of different branches of the game, (E.g Dev or Stable)

Cons

• Uses more drive space
• Requires more effort to create and automate the updating process

METHOD 2

This uses 1 master install folder and has renamed arma3server.exe's in sub folders of the mastersee THIS POST for more detailed information

Pros (Compared to Method 1)

• Uses less space than Method 1
• Updating will be easier

Cons (Compared to Method 1)

• Not very robust
• Shares MPMissions folders with all the other exe's (Will create a very cluttered MpMissions folder and allows admins to select addon required missions for a mod this server instance isn't running
• Shares 'keys' folder with all other exe's (This can cause an issue when running various differing -mod servers)
• Will not allow you to run seperate instances of different branches of the game

METHOD 3

This is a hybrid of method 1, in that it is essentially a 'Virtual' copy of the master install in a different directorythe difference being that many folders are sim linked to the initial Master directorysimlink GUI:

Pros (Compared to Method 1)

• Uses less drive space (As you wont have multiple copies of the addons folder)
• Allows for unique MpMissions folder if desired
• Allows for unique 'keys' folder if desired
• Updating will be easier

Cons (Compared to Method 1)

• Requires more effort to initially create the simlinks and directories
• Will not allow you to run seperate instances of different branches of the game at the same time, (E.g Dev or Stable)

For example, on Linux, if you initially have the following folder layout:

arma3server/ ... mods # folder where you keep your mods arma3server ...

Instead of copying the folders as directed in METHOD 1, run the following commands:

Then proceed with the rest of the instructions in METHOD 1.

METHOD 4

Arma 3 Project Life Server Files List

You can of course mix and match all 3 previous methods to suit your specific requirements.

Dedicated Server & Client configuration

The only known issue, is to make sure you start the server up before you start the steam clientFailing to do this causes steam port issues and your client will not be able to connect to the server

Headless Client

A Headless Client can be used by missions to offload AI processing to a dedicated client, freeing up the dedicated server process from most AI processing.Thus more AI units can be spawned and the server process will be able to dedicate most of it is processing towards communication with the clients.For a Headless Client/Dedicated Server to function together efficiently, they both need to be connected to each other via extremely low latency and high bandwidth.Effectively, they need to be on the same LAN at least, but preferably running on the same computer.

Setup and Execution

• Headless Client for ARMA 3 requires a valid active Steam account logged in to function (see Dwarden's post)
• A Headless Client is simply Arma3.exe run from the command line with parameters, for example:

In the example above, the headless client is running on the same host as the dedicated server.It uses a profile called HC and connects to the server with a password as required by the server (the password is for password protected servers, optional).The server in this example is running on port 2444, alter this to the port of your server.

• The Headless Client profile needs to be created like any other profile in Arma 3 (Note: It is best if you name this profile HC)

No configuration of the profile is necessary, but after creation, edit HC.Arma3Profile located in C:UsersyourusernameDocumentsArma 3 - Other ProfilesHC and add this line:

Alternatively, you can use the full Arma 3 client to connect to any multiplayer server with BattlEye enabled and accept the BattlEye License Agreement,which will do the same thing as manually editing HC.Arma3Profile.

Once the profile is ready, copy the profile directory to C:UsersyourusernameDocumentsArma 3 - Other Profiles on the server (if the profile was not created on the server).If the profile was created on the server or is not going to run on the server and is already on the computer it is going to run on, then it is ready to go.

• If the Headless Client is on the server, the server's cfg must have the local loopback address as seen below (e.g. A3Server.cfg):

Dwarden suggests that battleyeLicense=1; be in the server's config, but it is unclear whether this is actually necessary.(Dwarden's post).

• If the Headless Client is running in the same network or the same computer, the server's config has to have the address in localClient[]=x.x.x.x.

This will allow the server to communicate with the Headless Client using unrestricted bandwidth. It is also required to add the adress to headlessClients[]={'x.x.x.x'};.Multiple headless clients at different addresses can be added:

Headless Client on a Dedicated Server Notes

If the Arma 3 Headless Client and an Arma 3 Dedicated Server are running on the same Windows computer (VM or physical),it may be beneficial to set processor affinity to prevent execution intensive threads from being scheduled across the same (v)CPUs.The operating system will generally schedule threads efficiently, but manual CPU allocation is possible.This can be achieved by right-clicking on the process (e.g. Arma3Server.exe(*32)) in the processes tab of the Windows Task Manager and selecting Set Affinity....Be aware that on a physical intel CPU, the odd numbered CPUs are Hyper-thread cores.

Note: You can use automated solution for affinity assign via batch file with commandline CMD /AFFINITY HEXvalue e.g. CMD /C START /AFFINITY 0xF3 arma3server.exe

It has been observed that although the ARMA server and client processes will kick off multiple threads, the bulk of processing is used up by only one or two threads.For example, spawning 50 AI units does not generate 50 threads.There is one thread in the process that handles all of the AI units, irrespective of how many have been spawned.In this way, the ARMA server and client processes do not make maximal use of the processing capability found in modern processors and so AI counts do not scale easily.As such, faster CPU core speed is king and offloading the AI to multiple headless clients on the same computer will probably produce the best possible results for complex missions involving many AI units (albeit an expensive way to get the results).

Arma 3 Project Life Server Files

-

Example Files

Arma3server_steamcmd_example.cmd

• Standalone Server Package (no need for game ownership on STEAM account)
• Note: you might be asked to authorize your STEAM account due to STEAMguard (check email)
• Note: it needs to be ran two or three times (1st authorize, 2nd STEAMcmd update itself, (when done, quit), 3rd update the Arma 3 Server data package)
• Note: STEAMcmd needs to be in separate folder from STEAMclient (so always use unique folder like 'STEAMcmd') to avoid file conflicts
• Note: Arma 3 server data package needs to be in separate folder from Arma 3 client (so always use unique folder like 'A3server' or 'Arma3server') to avoid file conflicts
• Code:

Arma 3 Life Mod Server

CONFIG_server.cfg

server.Arma3Profile

See server.armaprofile.

Arma3.cfg

Support & Troubleshooting

Known Issues

1. My server has 2500ms ping in server browser (This is caused by running the steam client as Non Administrator) see http://feedback.arma3.com/view.php?id=9374
2. MaxMsgSend default is 128, higher values can create Desync problems if the server's available processing and/or bandwidth can not support the higher value
3. if you run Arma 3 Dedicated server data package on system where is also installed client there is possibility the server will load the full client data instead server data package, this is caused by precedence check in registry.
   The solution/workaround to this issue is to use arma3server.exe -mod= (where empty modline ensure it loads data from where server is placed)
4. upnp=1; // in server.cfg may result into server not starting for 600 seconds on server with active firewalls / anti-ddos measures ,
   it's not recommended setting for dedicated-servers where server process related ports are open/forwarded by default
5. using multiple server instances with too narrow ranges in between each (e.g. first 2302, second 2314) may cause problems with query where second server reports at first range, use of minimum +100 ports for next instance next to 2302 thus 2402 then 2502 etc. for utmost safety use +200 or +1000
6. engine has legacy automated port increment system for occupied sockets (used for client-listen servers, upnp) where first is tried 2302, then +12 up to 15 times (so 2314, 2326 ... 2482)

Live Help

For live assistance, join the official Arma 3 Discord server! https://discord.gg/armaEspecially these channels:

• #server_admins
• #server_linux
• #server_windows
• #server_tools

F.A.Q

See Also