Arma 3

This guide covers setting up a dedicated Arma 3 server on a Linux VPS, including SteamCMD installation, configuration, and mod management.

Arma 3 is heavily CPU-bound. Performance depends significantly on single-core CPU speed, not just core count. For smooth gameplay with high player counts, prioritize single-thread performance over core count.

• RAM: 4GB minimum (8GB recommended for active multiplayer servers)
• vCPU: 2+ cores
• Storage: 20GB+ available space
• Network: Stable connection, upstream bandwidth for player slots
• OS: Ubuntu 20.04+ or similar

First, update your system and install SteamCMD:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo apt install -y steamcmd lib32gcc-s1 lib32stdc++6 libncurses5:i386

Create a directory for the Steam user:

sudo useradd -m -s /bin/bash steam
sudo su - steam
mkdir -p ~/steamcmd
cd ~/steamcmd
steamcmd +quit

The Arma 3 server requires that your Steam account owns a copy of Arma 3. You cannot download the server without owning the game.

Log in to SteamCMD and download the server:

cd ~/steamcmd
./steamcmd.sh +login your_steam_username your_steam_password +app_update 233780 validate +quit

The server will install to ~/steamcmd/steamapps/common/Arma 3 Server/.

Create and configure basic.cfg:

nano ~/steamapps/common/Arma\ 3\ Server/basic.cfg

basic.cfg — contains server identity and core settings:

Create server.cfg:

nano ~/steamapps/common/Arma\ 3\ Server/server.cfg

server.cfg — multiplayer and gameplay settings:

Start the server with:

cd ~/steamapps/common/Arma\ 3\ Server/
./arma3server -config=server.cfg -cfg=basic.cfg -profiles=. -port=2302 -mod=;

Common parameters:

• -config=server.cfg — Main server configuration
• -cfg=basic.cfg — Basic server settings
• -profiles=. — Profile directory
• -port=2302 — Game port
• -mod=mod1;mod2; — Load mods (semicolon-separated)
• -serverMod=mod1;mod2; — Load server-side mods only

Open these UDP ports on your firewall:

sudo ufw allow 2302/udp
sudo ufw allow 2303/udp
sudo ufw allow 2304/udp
sudo ufw allow 2305/udp
sudo ufw allow 27016/udp

Port assignments:

• 2302/UDP — Game traffic
• 2303/UDP — Game traffic (continued)
• 2304/UDP — Game traffic (continued)
• 2305/UDP — Game traffic (continued)
• 27016/UDP — Query port (optional, for server browser)

Download Mods via SteamCMD

Find the mod's Workshop ID, then download it:

./steamcmd.sh +login your_steam_username your_steam_password +workshop_download_item 107410 mod_id +quit

Mods download to steamapps/workshop/content/107410/.

Example: Downloading ACE mod:

./steamcmd.sh +login your_steam_username your_steam_password +workshop_download_item 107410 463939057 +quit

Enable Mods

Create a symlink to your mods directory:

cd ~/steamapps/common/Arma\ 3\ Server/
ln -s ~/steamcmd/steamapps/workshop/content/107410 mods

Launch server with mods:

./arma3server -config=server.cfg -cfg=basic.cfg -profiles=. -port=2302 \
  -mod=mods/463939057;mods/other_mod_id;

Create /etc/systemd/system/arma3-server.service:

sudo tee /etc/systemd/system/arma3-server.service > /dev/null <<'EOF'
[Unit]
Description=Arma 3 Dedicated Server
After=network-online.target
Wants=network-online.target

[Service]
Type=simple
User=steam
WorkingDirectory=/home/steam/steamapps/common/Arma 3 Server
ExecStart=/home/steam/steamapps/common/Arma 3 Server/arma3server \
  -config=server.cfg \
  -cfg=basic.cfg \
  -profiles=. \
  -port=2302
Restart=on-failure
RestartSec=10
StandardOutput=journal
StandardError=journal

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target
EOF

Enable and start the service:

sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable arma3-server
sudo systemctl start arma3-server

Check status:

sudo systemctl status arma3-server
sudo journalctl -u arma3-server -f

BattlEye is built into the server. To enable it, set in server.cfg:

The first time the server runs with BattlEye enabled, it will generate necessary files. Ensure your server account is registered at BattlEye's website for administration features.

The Arma 3 Server Configuration Tool (TADST) is a GUI tool for generating configs:

TADST is optional but helpful if you prefer a UI over manual configuration.

• Download from the Bohemia Interactive forums
• Generate your server.cfg and basic.cfg files
• Transfer the files to your server

Backup Server

tar -czf arma3-server-backup.tar.gz \
  ~/steamapps/common/Arma\ 3\ Server/{server.cfg,basic.cfg,*.log}

Update Server

cd ~/steamcmd
./steamcmd.sh +login your_steam_username your_steam_password +app_update 233780 validate +quit
sudo systemctl restart arma3-server

Monitor Performance

top
free -h
netstat -tupn | grep 2302

Server won't start: Check logs with journalctl -u arma3-server -n 50

Low FPS/Performance: Reduce player count, lower mission complexity, or upgrade CPU

Mods not loading: Verify mod IDs are correct and paths use forward slashes

BattlEye kicks players: Verify BattlEye is properly initialized and players have latest client

Step 1: Download Server on Windows

steamcmd +login your_steam_username your_steam_password +force_install_dir "C:\Arma3-Server" +app_update 233780 validate +quit

Step 2: Create Config Files on Windows

Create C:\Arma3-Server\basic.cfg and C:\Arma3-Server\server.cfg (see Configuration Files section above).

Step 3: Create Startup Batch Script

Create C:\Arma3-Server\start-server.bat:

@echo off
cd /d C:\Arma3-Server
arma3server.exe -config=server.cfg -cfg=basic.cfg -profiles=. -port=2302 -mod=;
pause

Step 4: Run as Service (Optional)

nssm install Arma3Server "C:\Arma3-Server\arma3server.exe" "-config=server.cfg -cfg=basic.cfg"
nssm start Arma3Server

server.cfg Key Parameters

Mod Loading and Management

Load order importance: Ensure dependencies load before dependent mods (e.g., CBA before ACE).

Headless Client Setup

Offload AI processing to dedicated headless client machine:

Main server startup:

Headless client (separate machine):

Headless client connects locally to main server, reducing server CPU burden.

Performance Tuning Flags

Example command:

Admin Commands (In-Game Console)

Use scripting for advanced admin control via .sqf files.

• Configure headless client for large multiplayer missions
• Set up custom mission rotations
• Enable anti-cheat and configure BattlEye whitelists
• Create community mods package (ACE, CBA, etc.)
• Monitor performance and adjust maxPlayers accordingly