How to create a dedicated server [Archive] - Bohemia Interactive Forums

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gagagu

May 29 2009, 05:27

Is there any document, news, tutorial, etc. how to create a dedicated server ?

Thx

{SF} Astra

May 29 2009, 07:03

Have heard you can start a dedi by shortcut "C:\...\ArmA 2\arma.exe" -server
But I don't know how to assign a specific config/port.
Maybe same way like: "C:\...\ArmA 2\arma.exe" -server -port=2537 -config=server.cfg
Next Problem would be the copy protection. So would it be necessery to have the dvd in the drive? Could be quite hard for some roots.

What ever, we might figure it out this weekend :cool:

RM Snipe

May 29 2009, 08:14

Gonna take longer than the weekend for you to figure out. :j:

There is no option to run ARMA 2 as a dedicated server till bis release the server.exe & implement the code in patch 47.982.

Afraid you German guys got sucked in bigtime "beta testing" 1/2 a game.

gagagu

May 29 2009, 08:17

Main features:
Play the entire solo campaign cooperatively or dive into huge PvP battles for control of the whole map.

with no dedicated server ? Are you kidding me ?

{SF} Astra

May 29 2009, 10:52

Afraid you German guys got sucked in bigtime "beta testing" 1/2 a game.
Business as usual :D

No server files = No dedi.
But I read somewhere about the switch "-server" for the main executable.
Maybe thats complete wrong.

What time passed when ArmA1 was released until server files for Win and Linux where out? A mounth for the server.exe and 3 mounth for the Linux Binary?
Can't believe they doing that all again :confused_o:

brit~XR

May 29 2009, 11:34

Business as usual :D

No server files = No dedi.
But I read somewhere about the switch "-server" for the main executable.
Maybe thats complete wrong.

What time passed when ArmA1 was released until server files for Win and Linux where out? A mounth for the server.exe and 3 mounth for the Linux Binary?
Can't believe they doing that all again :confused_o:

You cant exspect a dedicated server.exe when the game aint even released world wide yet. Still kind of beta sence it was only released in germany. Dedicated server files prob come sometime after the 19th of june or a month from now

tomcat_

May 29 2009, 14:30

i'm having the same issue...so i guess we have to wait for the dedicated server files...

just a suggestion though...i wouldn't release a game with no files for dedicated server....after all mp is probably the biggest part of arma2...

mr.g-c

May 29 2009, 14:33

i'm having the same issue...so i guess we have to wait for the dedicated server files...

Yes no Dedicated Server Included yet!

just a suggestion though...i wouldn't release a game with no files for dedicated server....after all mp is probably the biggest part of arma2...
Probably not in the eyes of BIS, if there are Things they invested the most time into, then one of these things is clearly the SP experience (campaign, scenarios) - and its really cool!

tomcat_

May 29 2009, 15:43

i managed to run a dedicated server with the -server switch...however i have no idea what is the name of the server or what are the parameters...i can see players flooding in though....:)

i guess the next step would be to create a server.cfg similar to Arma1 and direct the exe to read that one...

Stroeh

May 29 2009, 15:55

Ackart

May 29 2009, 19:22

Here's an example of the server.cfg I'm using. Note the Master Server change. Works great though.

//
// server.cfg
//
// comments are written with "//" in front of them.

// GLOBAL SETTINGS
hostname="Half-LifeCreations ArmA 2 Austin TX"; // The name of the server that shall be displayed in the public server list
password=""; // Password for joining, eg connecting to the server
passwordAdmin=":p"; // Password to become server admin. When you're in Arma MP and connected to the server, type '#login xyz'
reportingIP="arma2.master.gamespy.com"; // This is the default setting. If you change this, your server might not turn up in the public list. Leave empty for private servers
logFile="server_console.log"; // Tells ArmA-server where the logfile should go and what it should be called

// WELCOME MESSAGE ("message of the day")
// It can be several lines, separated by comma
// Empty messages "" will not be displayed at all but are only for increasing the interval
motd[]={
"", "", "",
"Welcome to the Half-Life Creations ArmA 2 Server",
"",
"Enjoying the game? Visit us!",
"http://www.half-lifecreations.com/",
""
};
motdInterval=5; // Time interval (in seconds) between each message

// JOINING RULES
checkfiles[]={ // Checks if these files are equal to the servers files. If one or more is not, player will be kicked from server
"HWTL\dta\data3d.pbo",
"dta\data3d.pbo"
};
maxPlayers=12; // Maximum amount of players. Civilians and watchers, beholder, bystanders and so on also count as player.
kickDuplicate=1; // Each ArmA version has its own ID. If kickDuplicate is set to 1, a player will be kicked when he joins a server where another player with the same ID is playing.
verifySignatures=0; // Verifies the players files by checking them with the .bisign signatures. Works properly from 1.08 on
equalModRequired=0; // If set to 1, player has to use exactly the same -mod= startup parameter as the server.

// VOTING
voteMissionPlayers=1; // Tells the server how many people must connect so that it displays the mission selection screen.
voteThreshold=0.33; // 33% or more players need to vote for something, for example an admin or a new map, to become effective

// INGAME SETTINGS
disableVoN=1; // If set to 1, Voice over Net will not be available
vonCodecQuality=0; // Quality from 1 to 10
persistent=1; // If 1, missions still run on even after the last player disconnected.

// SCRIPTING ISSUES
onUserConnected=""; // self-explaining
onUserDisconnected="";
doubleIdDetected="";
regularCheck="";

// some ArmA specific stuff - signature verification
onUnsignedData = "kick (_this select 0)"; // unsigned data detected
onHackedData = "ban (_this select 0)"; // tampering of the signature detected
//onDifferentData=""; // data with a valid signature, but different version than the one present on server detected
//BattlEye=1; //Server to use BattlEye system

// MISSIONS CYCLE (see below)
class Missions {
};

tomcat_

May 30 2009, 03:51

Ackart

May 30 2009, 04:31

have you verified that this master server name is the new one for arma2 or you just guessed it?

Cause i use still the one from arma1 and still players can come in the server which means they can see the server...

I honestly just guessed, but people have been able to see and join my server without issue.

Perhaps ArmA2 completely ignores that line?

tomcat_

May 30 2009, 04:47

I honestly just guessed, but people have been able to see and join my server without issue.

Perhaps ArmA2 completely ignores that line?

it looks like it...because i guessed something different or put the same as in arma1 and people could still see and join the server...

also on my server.cfg the line with verifysignatures command came back with an error so i took it completely out...in fact i only kept basic commands in there, like name, password, MOTD etc...

[DirTyDeeDs]-Ziggy-

May 30 2009, 05:01

does the persistent parameter work for your 'dedicated' server config?

tomcat_

May 30 2009, 05:42

i have no idea sorry...

i have installed the game into the dedicated but not on my gaming pc yet...:)

also, the missions are not into the mpmissions folder so i cannot see their names and see if after everyone has logged out of the server the same mission carries on being played...

brit~XR

May 30 2009, 06:40

Runing a multiplayer server without the dedicated server.exe is pretty buggy from what we seen on xr server and other servers. Like there be 16 slot server 8vs8 and when you join its only 7vs7 but cant take 1 of the 2 slots. We noticed when we made 32man warfare mission that when a player leaves server while in game his player slot becomes removed.
Also theres alot of lag with large numbers of players due to the fact theres no multiplayer network settings

Multiplayer only seems good at the moment for playing missions with up to 16players without JIP

tomcat_

May 30 2009, 07:50

Also theres alot of lag with large numbers of players due to the fact theres no multiplayer network settings

i guess the mp network settings have to be added in the arma.cfg the same way as in arma1...

brit~XR

May 30 2009, 08:08

i guess the mp network settings have to be added in the arma.cfg the same way as in arma1...

Done that already but cant exspect a muliplayer server to run right without a dedicated server.exe which would manage things like server input and output i would of though. Every server i played on got desync with 16 players or less

Georg.B

Jun 2 2009, 01:38

You can use the Information provided by the Community-Wiki to adjust your serverconfiguration: http://community.bistudio.com/wiki/server.cfg

Other informations in the BIKI may be usefull as well: http://community.bistudio.com/wiki/ArmA:_Server_configuration

in commandline, simply add "-config=server.cfg" as a parameter to arma2.exe.

Now, I'm sorry for sort of taking this a little bit off topic, but say if someone hosts a game personally (ie basically just hosting a game through the multiplayer menu), are they able to use this method to customize their hosting options? Ie set maximum players, checfiles, equalmod, etc.

Benoist

Jun 2 2009, 20:46

Ok, so we can't create a dedicated server for ArmAII now, or can we?

I'm confused, because someone said that BIS has to upload some files, other says that the already have a server running, etc.

And in case of being positive, how?

gagagu

Jun 3 2009, 06:01

Hi, i'm new in Arma.

I've set up a server and it's running well. So, how do i select the map? change the map during playing?

Thx

.kju [PvPscene]

Jun 3 2009, 06:29

http://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Multiplayer_Server_Commands

BlueSteel

Jun 3 2009, 10:25

Has anyone figured out yet how to run the coop-campaign on a dedicated?

NoBrainer

Jun 6 2009, 12:54

Sorry no.

I have another question.

I have the german patch 1.01 and I use the dedicated ArmA2Server.exe
I have setup "basic.cfg" and "server.cfg" like in ArmA1.
I have copied my own "ArmA2.cfg" and "NoBrainer.ArmA2Profile"
I renamed "NoBrainer.Arma2profile" to "server.Arma2profile".

Then I made a copy of my own installation and copied the files to a "server"...(it's a laptop!)

I use:

D:\ArmA2\ArmA2Server.exe -cfg=basic.cfg -config=server.cfg -profiles=D:\ArmA2_Profiles -name=serverI can see that others and myself are seeing the server on the "Internet", but I have tried to set it up as LAN, without any reporting to gamespy.

I also can't join myself, but most others can join.

Why can't I join and how can I make it LAN and not internet??
Also, why isn't "public.log" created?

Basic.cfg

passwordAdmin = "********"; // scrambeled
password = "********"; // scrambeled
hostname = "PreDOTNet - ArmA2 - No CustomFiles";
maxPlayers = 5;
voteThreshold = 0.33;
voteMissionPlayers = 1;
reportingIP = "<>";
kickduplicate = 1;
equalModRequired = 0;
verifySignatures = 1;
disableVoN = 1;
vonCodecQuality = 7; // 0 min - 10 maks
persistent = 0;
LogFile = "Public.log";
battleye = 0;
motd[] = {
" ",
" ",
"[N.o.N] - NoPryl of Norway",
"Norwegian Campers Clan",
" ",
"Have fun"
};
motdInterval = 3;

class Missions
{
class MPMission_01
{
template = coop_1_10_woodland_squad.chernarus;
cadetMode = 0;
};
};

//Cheat detection
RegularCheck = "{}";
checkfile = 0; //1=slow 0=default
onHackedData = "kick (_this select 0)"; //auto ban hacked addons
onDifferentData = "{}"; // Denne må brukes hvis man bruker verifisering av addons
onUnsignedData = "kick (_this select 0)";
checkfiles[] = {};server.cfg

language="English";
adapter=-1;
3D_Performance=10638.000000;
Resolution_W=800;
Resolution_H=600;
Resolution_Bpp=32;
MaxMsgSend=1024;
MaxSizeGuaranteed=512;
MaxSizeNonguaranteed=256;
MinBandwidth=16777216;
MaxBandwidth=27262976;
MinErrorToSend=0.005;
MaxCustomFileSize=0;

gagagu

Jun 8 2009, 07:50

I cannot understand that there is no official manual how to configure a server.

Instead to release some stupid flash games (sorry) you should invest your time to fix the bugs, create a usable webinterface and manuals for host a server.

Hosting a server is like a quiz show here....

greets

.kju [PvPscene]

Jun 8 2009, 08:40

gagagu here you go ;)
http://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Armed_Assault:Dedicated_Server

NoBrainer

Jun 8 2009, 10:23

gagagu here you go ;)
http://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Armed_Assault:Dedicated_Server

Yes, but that is still ArmA and not ArmA2 config, so if someone could show to the differences and how to setup a dedicated server. I would apprieciete it.

Xeno

Jun 8 2009, 10:25

Yes, but that is still ArmA and not ArmA2 config, so if someone could show to the differences and how to setup a dedicated server. I would apprieciete it.
There is no difference, except that the name of the config files have changed.

And as an edit: I've used exactly the same config files (server.cfg, arma.cfg and profile, the two last renamed for A2) that I've used for ArmA 1.

Xeno

Cross

Jun 8 2009, 10:48

Yes, but that is still ArmA and not ArmA2 config, so if someone could show to the differences and how to setup a dedicated server. I would apprieciete it.

ArmA2 dedicated server capabilities & documentation have not beed published yet.
There may be additional parameters or commands available for A2 DS but we simply do not know yet..

As Q and Xeno said, A1 Dedi-server methodology & files also work for A2.

Check out wiki from time to time for more information that is yet to be posted by the Devs.

gagagu

Jun 8 2009, 14:26

ArmA2 dedicated server capabilities & documentation have not beed published yet.
There may be additional parameters or commands available for A2 DS but we simply do not know yet..

As Q and Xeno said, A1 Dedi-server methodology & files also work for A2.

Check out wiki from time to time for more information that is yet to be posted by the Devs.

For example. You've buyed a new TV with great new features. Now you want to test these new features but you don't know how to handle or use it because there ist no information about in the manual.
And now someone told you. "hey. take a look into the manual of the old version of the tv. Some of them are explained". You take a look into this manual but there are many questions left. What do you think about your new TV ?

Are you lucky with it ?

I have not played ARMA before! I've not seen any ARMA server before!

Goopeh

Jun 8 2009, 14:38

Do you have to buy two copies of ArmA 2 to host a dedicated server (I am aware you need two computers and two internet connections LoL) and play at the same time? I want to use the computer I have at work to host a server for friends.

Also, is there an easy way to host a dedicated server without editing config files etc. ?

NEVER MIND I REALISE THERE IS NO SERVER FILE UNTIL THE GAME IS RELEASED!

Thanks in advance,

Goopeh.:yay:

NoBrainer

Jun 8 2009, 17:01

Cross

Jun 8 2009, 17:38

There IS an Arma2 dedicated server exe. It is provided with the 1.01 German patch.

You do not need to have 2 copies of Arma to host dedi server.

NoBrainer

Jun 12 2009, 11:28

There IS an Arma2 dedicated server exe. It is provided with the 1.01 German patch.

You do not need to have 2 copies of Arma to host dedi server.

hm Did I miss that one?
Because I had no server.exe after patching to 1.01. I had to download the beta server.exe.

And with that server.exe, I can't connect, but others can.
I can't seem to use -profiles and the server.cfg / basic.cfg.

Could somebody "direct" me in the right direction here pleace...

Mojo

Jun 12 2009, 15:07

I use the files from ArmA but like I said, it's not LAN but turned into internet.
I could not connect, but others could. So I'm trying to figure out the problems or to check if anybody else have these problems.

I know that the documentation is not released.

I administrated OFP dedicated server for 3 years before I "converted" to ArmA dedicated server. So I know some of the problems you can have and I know where to look for help. I also accept that there is just a beta dedicated server.exe.

I only want to know if someone have any tips to make my dedicated server work.

It may be you are connecting via LAN to your Laptop, they are connecting via internet. If you see it the the server browser, that is a good start, when you connect, you connect to a 10. or 192. address, where the others are connecting via your public IP, I'd start there.

Cross

Jun 12 2009, 17:01

hm Did I miss that one?
Because I had no server.exe after patching to 1.01. I had to download the beta server.exe.

And with that server.exe, I can't connect, but others can.
I can't seem to use -profiles and the server.cfg / basic.cfg.

Could somebody "direct" me in the right direction here pleace...

Yes thats the one I was talking about.

Here is a small pack I prepared for Arma1.

http://cross.kellys-heroes.eu/MyServer.zip

-Download & Extract it into your ArmA2 Folder.
-Replace the profile file in it with your Arma2 Profile. ***Leave the name "MyServer" as it is.
-Make your changes to the Server.cfg and Arma.cfg files mainly Name & passwords etc..
-There is a shortcut in the folder. Either create a new one for Arma Server exe or change the parameters and the file locations in that one.

Hope it helps

;)

NoBrainer

Jun 12 2009, 18:33

we where 3 people at the LAN and 4 at internet.
both 2 at LAN and the 4 at internet got in, except me...

I can try those files, but they sure looks like the ones I'm using, except arma2pc.master.gamespy.com, which I didn't have correct...

Thanks for reply.

Cross

Jun 12 2009, 18:42

You need to run another instance of regular arma and find the server in the MP list and connect.

NoBrainer

Jun 12 2009, 18:57

You need to run another instance of regular arma and find the server in the MP list and connect.

I run it on another PC.
I don't mix both dedicated server and ArmA2 on the my gaming rig. Too much work...

Cross

Jun 12 2009, 19:01

Then your client do not have access to that other PC....
If your friends can join then your problem is technical and non-arma related.
Check your firewall, port and network settings.

NoBrainer

Jun 12 2009, 21:24

seems strange to me that I find it in Internet MP and not in LAN MP?
The others found it in LAN MP.
Except of course those who where on the internet....

I checked XP firewall and I had allowed ArmA2, so.

But I will try those settings you uploaded and see if I have an error in my config. But that have to wait until sunday/monday.

Thanks for reply!!

Cross

Jun 13 2009, 08:19

NoBrainer

Jun 14 2009, 18:45

If you find it in Internet MP, it means there is nothing wrong with Arma or Arma configs..
You have a problem with your client & server machine network settings. Maybe your client is not in the same domain with the server mechine...
Arma works fine...sort out your intranet/network settings.

Strange, you don't seem to read my posts...

I'm glad you are responding, but your not helping me when you don't read the reply.
I'm on a LAN. I have same GW and NM. No firewall.
Why do I then see it on "Internet" and the two others on the SAME LAN see it in "LAN". The others on the LAN can connect.

It's 192.168.0.103 for my computer
192.168.0.100 for the server
NM: 255.255.255.0
GW: 192.168.0.1

What is there to be sorted out then...

HitmanFF

Jun 14 2009, 19:21

Strange, you don't seem to read my posts...

I'm glad you are responding, but your not helping me when you don't read the reply.
I'm on a LAN. I have same GW and NM. No firewall.
Why do I then see it on "Internet" and the two others on the SAME LAN see it in "LAN". The others on the LAN can connect.

It's 192.168.0.103 for my computer
192.168.0.100 for the server
NM: 255.255.255.0
GW: 192.168.0.1

What is there to be sorted out then...
Do you try to connect to it listing it as LAN or Internet server? It should be LAN at any case.

NoBrainer

Jun 14 2009, 21:32

It was a test and I used the Beta Dedicated server.exe.
So I figure it might show off wrong or strange or what ever...

What I tested is I thought I would see it in LAN, but I didn't.
I found it in "Internet". But I still can't connect.

I turned off firewall at my computer and the "server". I allowed ArmA2 and ArmA2Server.exe in the firewall settings.

Others could play, but not me.

I'm just asking if BIS or anybody else has a problem connecting to there of copy of the game?
I tried with
kickduplicate = 0;
verifySignatures = 0;
battleye = 0;
without any help.

Could there be a bug in the dedicated sever.exe?

HitmanFF

Jun 14 2009, 22:26

What's the netmask of the server set to? Since other people could see the server in the LAN, it would seem that it's either your PC's IP not belonging to the server's LAN (i.e. server's netmask being off) or your PC not letting the server's broadcast messages through.

I've got a test server setup in my LAN, and it's working OK, so it's probably not a bug in the dedicated server.

NoBrainer

Jun 15 2009, 04:56

It's 192.168.0.103 for my computer
NM: 255.255.255.0
GW: 192.168.0.1

192.168.0.100 for the server
NM: 255.255.255.0
GW: 192.168.0.1

This is the setup, since it's on a LAN. They both have the same NM and GW.
But since it's on a LAN I don't need the GW.
But those who connect from internet needs the server to have a GW.

I will try Crawler75 files later tonight. Just need to upload all the files again to a different server. Might get another result this time. At least I can try.

NoBrainer

Jun 15 2009, 07:38

I have now uploaded all needed files, so I can proably complete my test tonight.

NoBrainer

Jun 15 2009, 11:11

I'm now testing Crawler75 files and those don't seem to work.
I set a connecting password, but you don't need it.
I display wrong name, "gameserver" instead og "nopryl".

So I can't seem to get this to work right. I still have to test if I can connect. I only got a friend to test for me.

whisper

Jun 15 2009, 23:21

Yes thats the one I was talking about.

Here is a small pack I prepared for Arma1.

http://cross.kellys-heroes.eu/MyServer.zip

-Download & Extract it into your ArmA2 Folder.
-Replace the profile file in it with your Arma2 Profile. ***Leave the name "MyServer" as it is.
-Make your changes to the Server.cfg and Arma.cfg files mainly Name & passwords etc..
-There is a shortcut in the folder. Either create a new one for Arma Server exe or change the parameters and the file locations in that one.

Hope it helps

;)
I did exactly this. The config files seem to work but until now, I've been unable to use the profile file, none of my profile changes have been activated.

Something's iffy with the way A2 handles the profile files.
Win Server 2008, btw, maybe that changes things

Cross

Jun 15 2009, 23:49

The Arma Profile in my file was for Arma1...

Mke sure you copy the Arma2 profile there first...ie do not use the profile file I've given to you.

Replace the server profile file in the pack with your client ArmA2 profile file but rename it to "MyServer.Arma2Profile"

sorry :(

whisper

Jun 16 2009, 00:41

OMG! ArmA2Profile? :O Gotta test that!

EDIT : That was it :) Thanks a lot

NExt step : how to disable grass all the time? :)

NoBrainer

Jun 16 2009, 11:26

YES!

Thanks to Noraf we fixed it.
3 errors and 2 of them where typo's...
The last one was the "empty" ArmA2Profile.

Now I at least have a running server. Just tuning left.

1)
I called basic.cfg and it's real name was server.cfg

2)
I had an error in basic.cfg when calling two similar lines, causing ArmA2 to crash. onDifferentData=""; was stated twice.

So thanks to all that have help.

fasterthanlight

Nov 19 2010, 18:01

I am so new at this, I apologize. Once the server.cfg is created, where does it go?

I need the steps, before step 1

:o

NoBrainer

Nov 19 2010, 19:18

You just name what file you would like to use.

-name=Server
-profiles=D:\A2F
-cfg=D:\A2F\ArmA2OA.cfg
-config=D:\A2F\serveroa.cfg

Full path