Arma 3 Dedicated Server Guide [Windows]

How to make a Arma 3 Dedicated Server + Port Forwarding Guide.


Tags: arma 3, how to make a server, custom server, server, dedicated, private, public, how to make an arma 3 server, how to make an arma 3 server, guide, Steam, arma 3 guide

NOTE

TADST is no longer maintained. You can use FASTER to Install, Launch, and Update your Arma 3 server. https://github.com/Foxlider/FASTER

SteamCMD

First off, you need to download SteamCMD from the Valve Developer Wiki:
https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD
　
Scroll down until you see Downloading SteamCMD and Windows.



Click the download link next to the number 2 and download SteamCMD for Windows.

Back on your desktop (or wherever you want to make the server) create a new folder. I named the folder "SteamCMD," but the name doesn't affect the process.
　　　
Extract the files from the steamcmd.zip to the new folder you created.

Now your newly created folder should have a file inside it called steamcmd.exe.

Run the steamcmd.exe executable inside your folder.
Note: Some users may have to run steamcmd.exe as administrator.

A Windows Command Prompt (CMD) window will pop up and install all the files needed for SteamCMD into the folder you created.


Once done downloading the console should say the following to show that SteamCMD has fully installed.　　

The SteamCMD directory you created should be populated new files and folders.

Logging into SteamCMD

After you are done installing SteamCMD you to have to log in to your steam account through the CMD window.

In the CMD window type: login <steam account username>.

I am using an anonymous login for this guide.

After entering your username, enter your password and 2step-auth if enabled.

If successful, you should see Waiting for user info...OK in the CMD window.

Downloading Arma 3 Server Files

NOTE: The account used to login must own a valid copy of Arma 3.

　
Once logged into your Steam account, you need to download the Arma 3 server files. In the CMD window type app_update 233780 validate.

This will download and verify the Arma 3 server files in your SteamCMD directory.

NOTE:
- app_update 233780 validate is how you will update your server when needed.

The download takes time based on your internet speed.

Once your download is finish and you will see "Success! App '233780' fully installed." in the CMD window.

You now have the Arma 3 Server files and are ready to setup TADST.

Downloading & Installing TADST

You need to download Tophe's Arma Dedicated Server Tool (TADST) Here[forums.bohemia.net]


After downloading Tophe's Arma Dedicated Server Tool go to your Arma 3 Server directory in your SteamCMD folder.

SteamCMD Folder
⠀└📁steamapps
⠀⠀└📁common
⠀⠀⠀└📁Arma 3 Server


- Go into the TADST ZIP folder and find the TADST.exe.
- Drag the TADST.exe into your Arma 3 Server installation folder.

Now you have TADST ready to configure and use.

Setting up the Server

　

First thing you need to do is select the server file. Click the three-dot button to select a server file.


Now you must select the arma3server.exe file.

It is located in your SteamCMD folder:
SteamCMD
⠀└📁steamapps
⠀⠀└📁common
⠀⠀⠀└📁Arma 3 Server


Next, you have to fill out the basic server info.
- The password is optional.
- Take note of the Admin Password and Password if you made one.
- Also note the port if you changed it from the default.

I used "Jake's Server" for the Server Name, "password" for the Password, and "adminpassword" for the Admin Password. You can set your Max Players to what you want.

Setting Server Rules

Server Rules tab has you select rules for when to automatically kick players out of the server.
Kick Duplicates, BattlEye, Max Ping, Max Desync, Max Packet Loss, MODT, and Voting are some of the basic options.

Selecting a Mission

Sandbox Server Mission
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2063334512
Once you have created a playable mission in the Arma 3 Editor, you have to copy it and paste it into your Arma 3 server files from your Arma 3 missions folder.

Your missions folder is located in your documents folder:

\Documents
└📁Arma 3 - Other Profiles
⠀└📁<profile_name>
⠀⠀└📁mpmissions
　
- This directory is where all your in-game editor missions are saved.
- I created a mission called JakeSandbox.Tanoa. I am going to use this mission for my server.
　
Paste the selected mission into the mpmissions in the main Arma 3 Server directory.

　
- After you put your mission in the folder hit the refresh button.
- Your mission should be an option to select.
　
Now you have your Arma 3 Server mission configured for launch.

DLCs and Non-Workshop Mods

- The Mods tab is where you can select what DLCs and mods you want to add to your server.
- If the default DLCs aren't enabled, you can't use them while playing on the server.

Note: Even if enabled must own the DLCs to be able to use them in-game.

Make sure to download all requirements for the mods you use. Not doing so may cause errors or crash your server.
　

　
If you want a simple set of mods, I made a modpack full of mods I like to play with.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1844588969

Saving Custom TADST Profile

To save your settings, go to the profile box down at the bottom left of TADST and click the save button.
　
Now that you saved all of you custom options, you now have an Arma 3 server ready to start.
　
Press the LAUNCH button to start the server.

Using Administrator Commands / Rcon

Using the basic Arma 3 Admin Controls are easy to learn and use.

First of all, you have to get your Admin Password that you set in Configure Server


Once you have fully launched your server and you are connected, open chat by pressing forward slash and type #login "<adminpassword>" (If the password has spaces use quotes)


Once you are logged in you use all the Arma 3 basic server commands. You can find all the commands on the wiki Here[community.bistudio.com].

FAQ / Common Problems

Q: Can I run the server and play the game on the same computer?
A: Yes.

Q: How can I install Steam Workshop mods?
A: You can copy the mod file from a hidden folder in the the
/Steam/steamapps/common/Arma 3/ directory, called !Workshop.
- Guide will be updated.

Q: Can I use the same Steam account on different computers to host the server and play the game?
A: As of March 2022, yes.

Q: SteamCMD: ERROR! Failed to install app '233780' (No subscription).
A: You must own a valid copy of Arma 3 on Steam.

Q: SteamCMD: ERROR! Failed to install app '107410' (No subscription).
A: You must own a valid copy of Arma 3 on Steam.

Q: TADST: Warning: Current Steam AppId: 233780 doesn't match expected value: 107410.
A: The server folder should have a file called appid, it should have the number 233780 written in it and nothing else. Change the value to 107410 and save the file.

Q: Once I select my class in-game and press ok, the server kicks me back to the role assignment.
A: This is usually caused by a "bad" mission file. Try to load yourself into a different mission.


If you find any other problems or find a solution to unanswered problems, please comment so I can update this section.

How to Port Forward

*EDIT Xfinity has change the default router access page. Some things may look different, but the process is still the same.

Port Forwarding is essentially the same with all Internet Service Providers (ISPs). The layout of the page of where you open the port(s) is different.

I will be port forwarding on a Xfinity Router for this tutorial.

First you need to find your router access page. To find out how to get there you are going to want to open a Command Prompt window by pressing on your windows key and searching for CMD.


Once you have the Command Prompt open type ipconfig and press enter.

Now you want to find your Default Gateway.


My Default Gateway is 10.0.0.1. This is the Default Gateway for all Xfinity Routers.

Next you have to login to your router access page.

- The default username and password for my router is admin and password.
- If you don't know your default password, check your router guide or you can look at this website with most modern routers here[192-168-1-1ip.mobi].

This is what the Xifinity router login page looks like.


After logging in you need to go to the Advanced tab, then go to Port Forwarding

Next you have to Enable Port Forwarding.


Click on Add Service (or rule) and fill out the following.
- The Service Name doesn't affect the server.
- Make sure the Service Type is TCP/UDP.
- If you followed this guide, you should make the starting port 2302 and the ending port 2303.


For the Server IPv4 Address go back to your Command Prompt window and look for your "Local" IPv4 Address mine is 10.0.0.3 so that's what I'm going to put in but, yours may be different.

After filling out this information, click Save.

You now have a Port Forwarded Arma 3 Server. You can give people your Public IP to connect.
You can find your Public IP with a Google search[www.google.com]

Choosing a Hosting Service

When choosing a service you should take in to account:
- How many players will be on the server at one time?
- If you will run with mods.
- Am I getting a good price to performance ratio? (I.E. Is it worth the price?)

Vultr (PAID LINK): https://www.vultr.com/?ref=8398914
- Vultr is a cloud computing service I use for small projects.
- You can use Vultr to host game servers on a Windows machine.

[Jake]

FASTER. I the link to its Github page is in the NOTE section at the top of the guide

[Cold_Tungsten]

Thanks Jake! What do you recommend using for Arma 3 dedicated servers these days?

[Jake]

Hi Cold_Tungsten. TADST is no longer maintained and shouldn't be used.

[Cold_Tungsten]

Hi Jake - I'm also trying to figure out how to setup a server TADST to enable a workshop mod - any chance you could update that part of the guide thanks mate?

[sim.imre]

Hello! Do I understand correctly that it is not possible to load a MOD in TADST that was created in Workshop?

[[GG] hkk]

I've got a question about DS itself: how many cores should I assign to it? And what about HCs?
I've got Xeon E5-2680v4 which is 14C/28T CPU paired with 64 GB of RAM and my current setup is:

Arma 3 Server x1 - 4C/8T
HC x3 - 2C/4T each
I/O Threads x1 - 2C/4T
Operating System x1 - 2C/4T

Cores are pinned to tasks so they don't use threads of another process.

Also: does -enableHT flag even work? Or maybe it's a better idea to use -cpuCount?
Is it better to have more cores assigned to server itself or maybe I should use as much HCs as possible?

[Jake]

"The TASDT alternative download link does not work either. I've been directed there from every other guide before this one too. Is this now out of use or something? Thanks"
- Lechuck's Beard

FASTER on Github should work fine. It has a friendly UI that combines different steps in this guide. https://github.com/Foxlider/FASTER

[Lechuck's Beard]

The TASDT alternative download link does not work either. I've been directed there from every other guide before this one too. Is this now out of use or something? Thanks

[Jake]

"Hello, what can i use if TASDT is no more there to install ?"
- TABARNAK

- The link to the download page on this guide is updated. You are going to want to scroll down until you see the -Alternative Download Link-.

[ТАБАРНАК]

Hello, what can i use if TASDT is no more there to install ?