How to Setup an Arma 3 Dedicated Server?

ARMA 3 is a military simulation multiplayer online video game, developed and published by Bohemia Interactive. The game was initially released on the Microsoft Windows platform in September 2013.  Two years later, it was also made available for Linux and Mac OS X.

In this article, you will learn about the process of setting up an Arma 3 dedicated server.

Minimum System Requirements

The minimum system requirements for an Arma 3 dedicated server include:

• Processor: 2.4GHz dual-core processor
• RAM: 2GB
• Storage: 32GB
• Operating System: Linux/Windows Server 2008 (or higher)

Recommended System Requirements

If you want a smoother gaming experience, you must have a system that fulfills the recommended system requirements.

• Processor: 3.xGHz+ multi-core processor
• RAM: 4GB+
• Storage: 32GB+
• Operating System: Linux/Windows Server 2008 (or better)

Other Pre-requisites

Before you start setting up your Arma 3 dedicated server, here are some of the things you need:

• A copy of Arma 3 on Steam
• Steam CMD (To download game files from Steam servers)
• TADST (Tool for configuring your server settings)
• Microsoft .net Framework 4.5

How To Install Arma 3 Game Files?

• Extract steam CMD into the desired folder
• Once the extraction process is complete, double click on the steamCMD.exe
• Log in with your Steam account
• Choose a directory you want to install server files in by typing this command

 force_install_dir <path>

• To begin the installation of game files, type this command

app_update 233780 validate

• Quit steam cmd with exit command once the installation process is complete
• Find mission file with  (.pbo) extension and copy it to the MPMissions folder

Port Forwarding

You need to login to your router and forward the following ports.

• UDP 2302 default Arma 3 game port.
• UDP 2303 Steam query port.
• UDP 2304 Steam port.
• UDP 2306 Battleye anti-cheat port.

 How To Configure Your Arma 3 Server?

Configuring your Arma 3 server is not easy especially when you do it manually. This is why it is highly recommended that you use TADST.

• Download TADST
• Extract the zip file. 
• Click on TADST.exe to open it.
• Select server file and choose  arma3server.exe
• Specify a name for your server which will make it easy for gamers to find it.
• Next, set an admin password for the server.
• Choose the “Missions” tab and specify the mission you want to play.
• Click “Save” to save your current settings.
• Go to the “Details” tab to launch the server by clicking on the Launch button in the bottom left corner.

How To Install Arma 3 Dedicated Server?

Here is a step by step process you can follow to install Arma 3 dedicated server

• Login to Secure Shell (SSH) on the server by using this command

ssh root@SERVER-IP

• Create a new ARMA user

adduser arma

su arma

• Create a directory called SteamCMD and download the files by using this command:

mkdir ~/steamcmd && cd ~/steamcmd

nano /etc/apt/sources.list

apt update && apt install steamcmd

• Accept the license agreement
• Start Steam by creating a symbolic link in steam cmd command

apt update && apt install steamcmd

• Steam can be started on a screen

screen

./steamcmd

• Download Arma with the following commands

login steamuser

force_install_dir ./arma3/

app_update 233780 validate

exit

• Create Arma directories with this command

mkdir -p ~/”.local/share/Arma 3″ && mkdir -p ~/”.local/share/Arma 3 – Other Profiles”

• Start the server by using this command

cd “/home/.steam/SteamApps/common/Arma 3 Server/”

./arma3server -name=server -config=server.cfg

How To Use ARMA 3 Mods?

Even though there are numerous ARMA 3 mods that you can use on your server, here are three worth considering:

• Wasteland
• MGS1
• Revenge

When you are using an ARMA 3 mod, it is imperative that your system fulfills the recommended system requirements to accommodate the additional load due to the player’s upload and downloads. The more free storage space you have on your hard drive, the better experience you will have.

Loading A Mod

Here is a step-by-step process for loading a mod:

• Connect to your server by using FTP
• Add the mod to a new folder and assign it a name
• Access the control plane and command manager
• Add the mod in the command line feature
• Save and run the server

Which method do you use to set up an Arma 3 dedicated server? Let us know in the comments section below.