How to set up your Dayz Dedicated Server
Dayz Server Setup
Want to host a Dayz dedicated Server? What about a private server? Good News you came to the right place. For the purposes of this article All these things will be considered the same thing, these instructions are for those that want to setup their own private server on an extra pc. I found Dayz to be one of the worst games to try and setup a server, but it was mostly because the information wasn’t all in one place, hopefully this will solve that.
Technical Warning
Dayz can be installed on a standard windows machine, despite what you read, it works just fine. You will also need knowledge of dynamic vs static ip’s and port forwarding. These things can be set in windows and some in your router, you will need your router username and password. If you are unsure about performing these yourself you can review the steps in the post on the right.
Note: If you don’t want to leave your computer on all the time, another option is server hosting, I work together with G-Portal and Survival Servers. Mostly G-Portal but sometimes on popular games they can become full. G-Portal offers a discount If you use my link.
Things to Know
How many players you plan to have will greatly effect your experience. Most people are looking to setup something for just a couple of their friends or even solo, and that is the main focus of this information.
Bandwidth, your upload speed, will affect how many people can play on your server, generally for every 1mb upload speed you can support 2 players. Also remember anyone using your internet connection while you are playing will effect this. If you are setting this up on your home lan for single player, you do not have to worry about bandwidth.
The developer states the following is required to run a server
The minimum requirements (provisional) for running one server instance are:
- OS: Windows Server 12-16 or Windows 10 (Linux server hosting is not supported yet)
- Processor: Intel Dual-Core 2.4 GHz or AMD Dual-Core Athlon 2.5 GHz
- 6 GB RAM
- 2.5 GB space on the drive
- SSD for logs/install (highly recommended)
GPU, there are no requirements for a GPU (graphics processor) as a server does not draw on a monitor screen, it simply runs in the background.
Storage, You will need at least 2.5 GB of diskspace, This will increase depending on the number of players, tames, saves, backups etc. Storage is cheap so this shouldn’t be an obstacle for most people. Also it is highly recommended to use an SSD.
Pay Options
If you don’t want to run your own old computer for a server, you can pay for a service. They are extremely affordable especially if you don’t already have the hardware or are low on bandwidth. Companies such as Gportal have services worldwide.
Step 1
Download Note++ Here
Go to this GitHub web address and about half way down the page download and install the latest version of the manager.
Step 2
After downloading the manager copy the files to the location you want the server to install. For example D:\Mydayzserver
Download this file Server Manager file and copy it to the folder you choose above. Open the file with Note++. In the upper left of Note++ left click on file and go down to save as and select json as the save as type. Now your folder should look like this.
Step 3
Now you need to edit the server file you just downloaded. Again use Note++ to edit the following lines,
5 Instance ID
35 userid
37 password
232 Steamusername, (you must use your steam user name that owns dayz)
237 Steampassword
253 Mods, this can wait but I left 3 mods in the setup as they are very common but more importantly you will know exactly how to add mods.
363 Hostname
364 number of players
370 battleeye (1) is off
Once done save the file, make sure it remains a json file type.
Again you need to use your steam name and password, usually the server files don’t require ownership validation and will allow anonymous login. Dayz requires you to own the game to setup a server so steam must verify you, also be aware you are likely to need to verify a login from a new computer during the setup so be sure to have your steam email ready to get the code.
Step 4
Create a shortcut to the green icon dayz server manager icon on your desktop, and click on it to run.
Step 5
Now we will need to get the server administration setup.
The Dayz json file already has the correct ports listed you will need to go into your router and allow the server IP to use the ports.
Ports 2302
and if you want to use Rcon
port 2306
Before assigning ports in your router make sure to setup a static ip address. Ports will be forwarded according to your ip and on a dynamic ip your address could change every time your pc restarts breaking your server.
Port Forwarding.com is the best resource I have found, Click this link and find your router to learn how to forward ports.
Step 6
Well, that is it your server should be download, installed and running, simply log into Dayz and under the community tab search for your server, then favorite it and you are ready to play.
Note: If you don’t want to leave your computer on all the time, another option is server hosting, I work together with G-Portal and Survival Servers. Mostly G-Portal but sometimes on popular games they can become full. G-Portal offers a discount If you use my link.