Server Setup & Information
EpochMod.com Server Install Help Forum - http://epochmod.com/forum/index.php?/forum/62-server-install-help/
Don't forget to check out the pinned threads at the top of the forum and don't forget to use the search function - Your question may have already been answered :)
SteamCMD Overview - Contains evertything you need to know about SteamCMD - https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD#Windows
SteamCMD Install Guide - Windows - https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD#Windows
SteamCMD Install Guide - Linux - https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD#Linux
Visual C++ Redistributable Packages for Visual Studio 2013 - http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=40784
This Redist is required on Windows installs due to the custom DLL's Epoch uses for various functions including connection to the RedisDB.
To host Arma 3 Epoch you require a dedicated server - whether you choose to rent an Arma 3 server from a Game Server Provider [GSP], rent/host your own Dedicated Server [DS] or purchase your own Dedicated Server and have it co-located is entirely up to you.
An Arma server rented from a GSP will already have the minimum requirements, performance will be dependant on the GSP, some have better equipped servers than others.
Recommended Dedicated Server Specifications:
| CPU: | 3.0Ghz+ 4c4t Quad Core+ |
| RAM: | 8GB+ |
| HDD: | 512GB+ - Most Dedi's have 1TB+ HDD's these days, some have optional RAID. Remember you still need space for your OS and any mods you plan on using. |
| SSD: | 120GB+ - SSD's are becoming more commonly available from DS companies and many people already have them in thier own dedicated servers. |
| Network Link: | 100MBit+ - Most Dedi's come with a port speed of 1Gbit which is limited by your contract with them - 100/200/300Mbit throughput is common, 1Gbit is usually an extra cost over and above the basic rental of your dedicated server. |
| Bandwidth: | 1TB+ / Month - Bandwidth requirement is dependant on everything you do with your dedicated server, 1TB/month is the absolute bare minimum I would recommend for running your own dedicated game server |
| OS: | Linux or Windows Server 2008/2012 |
HDD or SSD? - Either or both, it depends on what is available to you - if you run the server + redis DB from an SSD your server load times may be faster, Arma is a CPU hungry game and overall it is CPU cycles (Ghz) that effects the server most.
Windows or Linux? - That is entirely up to you,.
Linux is a free open-source operating system, Arma3 support for linux is ever-increasing, Epoch already supports Linux.
Windows Server is available in two flavours that are supported by Arma3: 2008 or 2012. There have been mixed performance reports about which version is better regarding Arma hosting. With Windows you will have to pay a licencing fee to your host company, this cost varies but is usually around £/$/€ 20-40 per month ontop of your server rental cost. Some hosts will let you opt to install your own licenced edition of Windows Server on your dedicated server - This is not a cheap option as Windows Server 2008/2012 is fairly expensive to licence.
Download the latest public server files from the EpochMod.com website:
http://epochmod.com/download_server.php
The Client files are also required on the server, you can download those here:
http://epochmod.com/download.php
Optional Files for supported maps:
Bornholm v1.3:
http://www.armaholic.com/page.php?id=27056
AllInArmaTerrainPack / AIATP - (Required for Chernarus support):
http://epochmod.com/downloads/@allinarmaterrainpack_2015_01_01.zip.torrent (Torrent)
Foreword:
This guide is written on the basis that you have read every article above this in the wiki and have installed SteamCMD on your server already, for more information & links to SteamCMD see the Server Resources page.
DO NOT use your personal Steam account. Create a seperate account for your dedicated server.
Installing the standard Steam client onto a dedicated server is NOT RECOMMENDED due to the extra resources it uses.
Prerequisites:
Visual C++ Redistributable Package for Visual Studio 2013 installed on your system prior to going any further - http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=40784
SteamCMD installed on your system.
Required Files:
Epoch Server files - http://epochmod.com/download_server.php
Epoch Client files - http://epochmod.com/download.php
Optional Files:
Bornholm v1.3 see the Server Files section.
AIATP (Chernarus) see the Server Files section.
Arma 3 Epoch Server Install Guide:
- Create an installation directory for your Arma 3 Server installation:
Example: C:\Arma3Server\ (I will use this directory throughout this guide)
- Install Arma3 with SteamCMD:
Start SteamCMD with the following commandline options: steamcmd.exe +login <USERNAME> <PASSWORD> +force_install_dir "C:\Arma3Server" +app_update 233780 validate +quit Replace <USERNAME> & <PASSWORD> with your dedicated server's Steam account credentials. Wait for SteamCMD to complete it's download and validation of your installation.
- Install Epoch Client Files:
Extract the files from the Epoch_Client_VERSION.zip to your Arma3 Server directory > C:\Arma3Server\ (The filename will vary depending on the version released, but it will always begin with Epoch_Client* )
- Install Epoch Server Files:
Extract the files from the Epoch_Server_VERSION.zip to your Arma3 Server directory > C:\Arma3Server\ (The filename will vary depending on the version released, but it will always begin with Epoch_Server* )
- Setup your Database:
Open the C:\Arma3Server\DB folder and find the "redis.conf" file Edit this file - change ONLY the text after 'requirepass' (This will be your RedisDB password) Run the "start-redis.cmd" file Your database is now running - The Epoch Server will automatically generate the Database Tables it requires when you start your server :)
- Setup EpochServer.ini:
Open the C:\Arma3Server\@EpochHive folder. Edit the "EpochServer.ini" file.
[EpochServer] BattlEyePath = C:\Arma3Server\SC\BattlEye //Path to your Battleye filters folder InstanceID = NA123 // Epoch server Instance ID (used to keep server data seperate on the same database). LogAbuse = 1 // Logs potential database abuse 1 = simple logs 2 = verbose. IP = 127.0.0.1 // IP address to connect to Rcon generally the external IP of your server - Change this to your server's EXTERNAL IP address. Port = 2302 // Gameport your Arma 3 server will be running on - 2302 is the default port Password = changeme // Battleye rcon password - This is also set in the config.cfg file for your server - these need to match. [Redis] IP = 127.0.0.1 // Redis Server IP address. Port = 6379 // Redis Server Port. DB = 0 // Database ID of Redis. Password = foobared // The password you set in the redis.conf file [SteamAPI] Logging = 0 // 1 = Logging of SteamAPI Key = // Requires SteamAPI key to enable feature VACBanned = 0 // 1 = Ban a Vac banned user VACMinimumNumberOfBans = 0 // Minimum number of bans before action is taken VACMaximumDaysSinceLastBan = 0 // Max days since last ban PlayerAllowOlderThan = 0 // In days, This will ban players with account if newer than days set.
- Setup Arma 3 Server config.cfg file:
Open the C:\Arma3Server\SC\ folder. Edit the config.cfg file. For the most part the file is self explanitory when you open it, but you will have to do some editing here. Change the following lines: hostname = "EpochMod.com (0.3.0.3|1.44) ID02 YourHost"; Edit the text inside the inverted commas "" to your liking - Keep the version numbers: the first relates to the mod version, the second is the version of Arma3 you are running. passwordAdmin = "!CHANGE_THIS_PASSWORD"; Change the text inside the inverted commas "" to the same password you set in the [EpochServer] section in the EpochServer.ini file, this is your RCON password. serverCommandPassword = "!CHANGE_THIS_PASSWORD"; Change the text inside the inverted commas "" to a different password from your RCON password - this allows access to the serverCommand features of the Arma 3 server engine.
template = epoch.Altis; - You can change this to the supported map of your choice, Altis is the default, other options are: epoch.Stratis, epoch.Bornholm, epoch.Chernarus
NB: Bornholm requires the Bornholm v1.3 files, Chernarus requires the AIATP files You can find download links to these in the Server Files section.
- Setup BEServer.cfg file:
Open the C:\Arma3Server\SC\Battleye\ folder. Edit the "example-BEServer.cfg" file. Edit the text after RConPassword to the same passwordAdmin password you specified in the config.cfg file. Save this file in the same location as "BEserver.cfg"
Nearly done ;)
- Server Startup Batch File:
There are a whole range of options available to run your server, I won't delve into them here but you can find more information about different methods in the Server Install Help Forum. For purposes of this Guide I will be using simple Batch files. ;)
Open your C:\Arma3Server\ folder. Create a new blank TXT document, name it something along the lines of "Arma3EpochServer.bat" - The filetype will change to a batch. Right click on the "Arma3EpochServer.bat" and select Edit. Copy the below into this file:
@echo off start "arma3" /min "C:\Arma3Server\arma3server.exe" -mod=@Epoch;@EpochHive; -config=C:\Arma3Server\SC\config.cfg -ip=127.0.0.1 -port=2302 -profiles=SC -cfg=C:\Arma3Server\SC\basic.cfg -name=SC NB: For Bornholm change the -mod parameter to: -mod=@Epoch;@EpochHive;@Bornholm; | For Chernarus change the -mod parameter to: -mod=@Epoch;@EpochHive;@AllInArmaTerrainPack;
Change the "-ip=127.0.0.1" to your server's EXTERNAL IP address. Save the file.
- Pre-flight checks:
Open the C:\Arma3Server\ folder. Right-click the "pcre3.dll" file and select properties. If there is an "Unblock" button, press it. - Windows Server automatically blocks unknown DLL's for security reasons, this simply unblocks it to allow it to run. (This library is for Database security)
Open the C:\Arma3Server\@EpochHive\ folder. Right-click the "EpochServer.dll" file and select properties. If there is an "Unblock" button, press it. (This is the library that lets Epoch connect to the game<>database)
- Launch your Arma 3 Epoch Server:
Double Click the "Arma3EpochServer.bat" batch file you created in C:\Arma3Server\.
Enjoy :)
WIP - Documentation Incoming
WIP - Documentation Incoming