DayZ Server Setup on Linux: Mods & Anti-Cheat

You can set up a DayZ server on a VPS with Ubuntu 22.04 for 20 players using 4 vCPU, 8 GB RAM, and an 80 GB NVMe disk, which ensures stable performance and fast world loading at an estimated cost of $25/month.

What is a DayZ VPS Server and Why Host Your Own?

DayZ is a hardcore survival simulator set in a post-apocalyptic world that has captured the hearts of millions of players. However, playing on official servers often comes with certain limitations: high pings, unstable performance, inability to customize gameplay to your preferences, and, of course, a lack of control over the community. This is why many players and communities prefer to run their own DayZ server on a VPS (Virtual Private Server).

A VPS provides you with dedicated resources, guaranteeing stability and performance unavailable on typical game hosting with shared resources. You get full control over the operating system (most often Linux), the ability to install any mods, and detailed customization of the economy, loot, weather, and other game parameters. Furthermore, your own server allows you to create a unique community with its own rules, administration, and protection against undesirable players. This is the ideal solution for those who want maximum freedom and control over their gaming experience.

Benefits of Hosting Your Own DayZ Server

• Full Control: You decide which mods to use, how to configure loot, and what rules to set for players.
• Stability and Performance: Dedicated VPS resources ensure low ping, no lag, and high performance even during peak loads.
• Security: The ability to install additional security measures, such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems, as well as more effective combat against cheaters.
• Flexibility: Easy scalability of VPS resources allows you to increase or decrease them as needs grow or decline.
• Backups: The ability to regularly create backups of the world and settings to protect against data loss.

How to Choose a VPS for DayZ: Server Hardware Requirements

Choosing the right VPS for a DayZ server is a crucial step that directly impacts game stability and comfort. DayZ, like many other games on the Bohemia Interactive engine, is resource-intensive, especially regarding CPU frequency and disk subsystem speed. Selecting the correct configuration will help avoid lag, long loading times, and crashes.

For 50 concurrent players, 4 vCPU, 8 GB RAM, and an 80 GB NVMe disk are sufficient.

Players	vCPU	RAM	Disk	Port	Estimated Price/Month (Valebyte)
10-15	2	6 GB	60 GB NVMe	1 Gbps	$20
20-30	4	8 GB	80 GB NVMe	1 Gbps	$25
40-50	4-6	12-16 GB	120 GB NVMe	1 Gbps	$35-$50
60+ (max. 80)	6-8	16-24 GB	160 GB NVMe	1 Gbps	$50-$75

Minimum and Recommended Specifications

• Processor (CPU): The DayZ server actively uses a single core, so a high clock speed (3.0 GHz and above) is important. The number of cores also matters, especially with a large number of players and mods. For 10-20 players, 2-4 vCPU are sufficient, but for 40-60 players, it's better to consider 4-6 vCPU.
• Random Access Memory (RAM): The DayZ server consumes a significant amount of RAM. For a small server (up to 20 players), a minimum of 6 GB will be required. For 40-60 players, 12 to 16 GB of RAM is recommended. If you plan to actively use mods, especially those that add new objects or mechanics, allocate an additional 2-4 GB.
• Disk Space: The DayZ server itself takes up about 15-20 GB. Mods can add another 10-50 GB, depending on their quantity and size. Persistence files (world saves), logs, and backups also require space. A minimum of 60-80 GB is recommended for a small server, and for a large project with mods — 120-160 GB.
• Network Channel: A stable channel with a speed of 100 Mbps, and preferably 1 Gbps, is important to ensure low ping and no delays for players.
• Operating System: For a DayZ server on Linux, Debian/Ubuntu-based distributions such as Ubuntu 20.04 LTS or 22.04 LTS are preferred. They are well-supported by SteamCMD and have extensive documentation. You can read more about choosing a distribution and basic setup in our article Dedicated Linux Server: Choosing a Distribution, Setup, Security.

Why NVMe Disks are Crucial for DayZ Servers

Disk subsystem speed plays an extremely important role for a DayZ server. The game constantly reads and writes data: map loading, loot spawning, world state saving (persistence), client request processing, logging. A slow disk (e.g., HDD or even an older generation SATA SSD) will be a bottleneck, leading to the following problems:

• Long Loading Times: The world will load slowly, especially after server restarts or when new players connect.
• Lag and Freezes: During active server operation (e.g., with many players or zombie/loot spawns), the disk may not be able to cope with the data flow, causing micro-stutters and delays.
• Persistence Issues: Saving the world may take longer, increasing the risk of data loss in case of failures.

NVMe disks, thanks to their high read/write speeds and low latencies, significantly improve DayZ server performance, providing a smoother gameplay experience and faster processing of all operations. This is especially noticeable on servers with a large number of mods and high load. If you plan a server for 40+ players, an NVMe disk is not an option, but a necessity.

DayZ Server Setup on Linux: A Step-by-Step Guide

Setting up a DayZ server setup Linux on a VPS involves several steps: preparing the operating system, installing SteamCMD, and downloading server files. We will use Ubuntu 22.04 LTS as the most common and supported distribution.

Preparing Your VPS and Installing SteamCMD

Before you begin, ensure your VPS is updated. Connect to your VPS via SSH:

ssh user@your_vps_ip

Update the system:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Create a new user to run the DayZ server. This is good security practice to avoid running the game server as root:

sudo adduser dayzserver
sudo usermod -aG sudo dayzserver
su - dayzserver

Now we are operating as the dayzserver user. Install the necessary packages for SteamCMD:

sudo apt install lib32gcc-s1 lib32stdc++6 curl -y

Create a directory for SteamCMD and navigate into it:

mkdir ~/steamcmd
cd ~/steamcmd

Download and extract SteamCMD:

curl -sqL "https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz" | tar zxvf -

Now you can launch SteamCMD:

./steamcmd.sh

After launching SteamCMD, you will see the Steam> prompt. Log in anonymously:

login anonymous

Or, if you have a Steam account with DayZ purchased, you can use it (optional for a dedicated server):

login your_steam_username your_steam_password

Downloading DayZ Server Files

In SteamCMD, specify the installation directory for the DayZ server. We will create it in the dayzserver user's home folder:

force_install_dir /home/dayzserver/dayz_server

Then download the DayZ server files. The DayZ Dedicated Server app ID on Steam is 223350:

app_update 223350 validate

The download process may take some time depending on your internet connection speed. Once complete, you will see the message "Success! App '223350' fully installed." Exit SteamCMD:

quit

Now all DayZ server files are located in the /home/dayzserver/dayz_server directory. To start the server, you will need to copy the base configuration file. Navigate to the server directory:

cd /home/dayzserver/dayz_server

Create a directory for the server profile and copy the base config there:

mkdir -p server_profile
cp serverDZ.cfg server_profile/serverDZ.cfg

This serverDZ.cfg file will be the primary one for configuring your server. A similar installation process is used for other game servers on Linux, such as Source Dedicated Server (SRCDS).

DayZ Server Config: Essential Server Settings

Correctly configuring your DayZ server config is the foundation for your server's successful operation. The main configuration file is serverDZ.cfg. In addition, types.xml and related files are used to configure the economy and loot.

Configuring serverDZ.cfg

Open the server_profile/serverDZ.cfg file for editing. You can use nano or vim:

nano /home/dayzserver/dayz_server/server_profile/serverDZ.cfg

Here are the main parameters you need to configure:

// Main server settings
hostname = "Valebyte DayZ Server | Custom Config"; // Your server's name
password = ""; // Password to join the server (leave empty for a public server)
passwordAdmin = "your_admin_password"; // Admin password for RCON
maxPlayers = 60; // Maximum number of players

// Gameplay settings
forceSameBuild = 1; // Require the same game version
disable3rdPerson = 0; // Disable third-person view (0=enabled, 1=disabled)
disableCrosshair = 0; // Disable crosshair (0=enabled, 1=disabled)
serverTime = "10:00"; // Initial time on the server (HH:MM)
serverTimeAcceleration = 4; // Time acceleration (1=real-time, 24=1 hour = 1 day)
serverTimePersistent = 0; // Save time between restarts (0=no, 1=yes)
daylightOffset = 0; // Daylight time offset (hours)

// Persistence settings (world save)
storageAutoCreate = 1; // Automatically create storage folder
storageAutoFix = 1; // Automatically fix corrupted storage files

// BattlEye (anti-cheat)
battlEye = 1; // Enable BattlEye (1=enabled, 0=disabled)

// Logging
logFile = "server_profile/server.log";
adminLog = "server_profile/admin.log";
scriptLog = "server_profile/script.log";
connectLog = "server_profile/connect.log";

// Ports
steamQueryPort = 27016; // Port for Steam queries
port = 2302; // Main game port (plus 2303, 2304)

// List of mods (see "Mods" section)
// mods = "";
// motd = "Welcome to the Valebyte DayZ Server!"; // Message of the day

Don't forget to open the necessary ports (2302, 2303, 2304 UDP and 27016 UDP) in your VPS firewall. For example, for UFW:

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

Configuring the Loot Economy (types.xml and Related Files)

One of the most important and complex DayZ server config settings is the loot economy. It determines which items appear on the map, with what probability, and in what quantities. These settings are stored in XML files located in the mpmissions/dayzOffline.chernarusplus/db/ folder (or similar for other maps/missions). The main file is types.xml.

Example types.xml structure:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?>
<types>
    <type name="M4A1">
        <nominal>10</nominal> // Desired quantity on the map
        <lifetime>10800</lifetime> // Item's lifespan in seconds (3 hours)
        <restock>0</restock> // Time until respawn (0 = no respawn after removal)
        <min>5</min> // Minimum quantity on the map
        <quantmin>20</quantmin> // Minimum durability percentage
        <quantmax>80</quantmax> // Maximum durability percentage
        <cost>100</cost> // Cost for traders (if any)
        <flags count_in_cargo="0" count_in_hoarder="0" count_in_map="1" count_in_player="0" crafted="0" deloot="0"/>
        <category name="weapons"/>
        <usage name="Military"/>
        <value name="Tier3"/>
        <value name="Tier4"/>
    </type>
    <type name="CanOpener">
        <nominal>50</nominal>
        <lifetime>7200</lifetime>
        <restock>1800</restock>
        <min>30</min>
        <quantmin>50</quantmin>
        <quantmax>100</quantmax>
        <cost>10</cost>
        <flags count_in_cargo="0" count_in_hoarder="0" count_in_map="1" count_in_player="0" crafted="0" deloot="0"/>
        <category name="tools"/>
        <tag name="shelves"/>
        <usage name="Town"/>
        <usage name="Village"/>
    </type>
</types>

Important parameters:

• nominal: The ideal quantity of this item on the map.
• lifetime: The time in seconds after which an item will disappear if no one picks it up (important for map cleanup).
• restock: The time in seconds after which an item can reappear after being picked up by a player or disappearing.
• min: The minimum quantity of an item that should always be on the map.
• quantmin/quantmax: The durability/quantity range of an item when it spawns.
• category/usage/value: Used for grouping items and spawning them in specific locations.

Editing types.xml requires caution. Errors in XML syntax can prevent the server from starting or loot from spawning. It is recommended to use an XML editor and make backups before each change.

In addition to types.xml, there are files that define where items spawn (e.g., cfgspawnabletypes.xml) and which zombies appear (cfgspawnzombies.xml). Studying these files allows for complete control over the economy and gameplay on your server.

Scheduled Automatic Restarts

Regular DayZ server restarts are necessary to maintain stability, clear memory, refresh loot, and apply changes to configs/mods. Use cron to automate this task.

First, create a script to start and stop the server. For example, start_server.sh and stop_server.sh. The start script might look like this (in the /home/dayzserver/dayz_server directory):

#!/bin/bash
export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=$LD_LIBRARY_PATH:/home/dayzserver/dayz_server
cd /home/dayzserver/dayz_server
./DayZServer -config=server_profile/serverDZ.cfg -port=2302 -profiles=server_profile -dologs -adminlog -netlog -freezecheck -mod=@cba_a3 -servermod=@dayz_server_mods >> server_profile/console.log 2>&1 &

The stop script (stop_server.sh):

#!/bin/bash
screen -S dayz -X quit
pkill -f DayZServer // If screen failed, forcefully kill the process

To run the server in the background and for convenient management, use screen. Install it if it's not already installed:

sudo apt install screen -y

Starting the server using screen:

screen -dmS dayz bash -c '/home/dayzserver/dayz_server/start_server.sh'

To connect to the server console:

screen -r dayz

For automatic restarts, edit the cron schedule for the dayzserver user:

crontab -e

Add lines for daily restarts, for example, at 4:00 AM and 4:00 PM:

0 4 * * * /home/dayzserver/dayz_server/stop_server.sh && sleep 30 && /home/dayzserver/dayz_server/start_server.sh
0 16 * * * /home/dayzserver/dayz_server/stop_server.sh && sleep 30 && /home/dayzserver/dayz_server/start_server.sh

The sleep 30 command gives the server time to shut down gracefully before restarting. Make sure your start_server.sh and stop_server.sh scripts have execute permissions:

chmod +x /home/dayzserver/dayz_server/start_server.sh
chmod +x /home/dayzserver/dayz_server/stop_server.sh

DayZ Server Mods: Installation and Management

Modifications are what make a DayZ server mods truly unique and appealing. They can add new loot, weapons, vehicles, buildings, change game mechanics, and even completely transform the world. However, working with mods requires careful attention and an understanding of the process.

Adding Mods and Managing Load Order

Most DayZ mods are distributed via the Steam Workshop. To install them on your server, you will need SteamCMD.

1. Creating a Mods Directory: Create an @mods folder in the root directory of your DayZ server:

mkdir /home/dayzserver/dayz_server/@mods

2. Downloading Mods via SteamCMD: Each mod has its own ID in the Steam Workshop. Launch SteamCMD and for each mod, execute:

./steamcmd.sh
login anonymous
workshop_download_item 221100 MOD_ID_HERE
quit

Where 221100 is the DayZ game ID, and MOD_ID_HERE is the ID of the specific mod. For example, for Community Online Tools (COT), the mod ID is 1564026768.

3. Moving Mods: After downloading, mods will be located in steamcmd/steamapps/workshop/content/221100/MOD_ID_HERE. You need to copy the contents of these folders into your server's @mods directory. For each mod, create a separate folder with an @ prefix:

cp -r /home/dayzserver/steamcmd/steamapps/workshop/content/221100/1564026768 /home/dayzserver/dayz_server/@CommunityOnlineTools

Ensure that the mod folder name matches its title (e.g., @CommunityOnlineTools). Inside this folder, there should be an addons file and other mod files.

4. Server Configuration: In the server_profile/serverDZ.cfg file, find the parameter mods = ""; and add a semicolon-separated list of your mods. If a mod is server-side only (e.g., an anti-cheat), use serverMods = "";.

mods = "@CommunityOnlineTools;@CF;@DayZ-Expansion-Core"; // Example for client and server mods
serverMods = "@DayZ-Expansion-AI"; // Example for server-side mods

Mod load order is important! Some mods depend on others (e.g., CF or Community Framework). Dependencies must be loaded first. Always check mod pages on Steam Workshop for their dependencies and recommended load order.

Mod Synchronization with Clients and Stability

When a player attempts to connect to your modded server, their client automatically checks for the presence and versions of all specified mods. If the player does not have the required mod or its version differs, the client will prompt them to download/update the mod via the Steam Workshop. This is called mod synchronization.

What breaks after game updates:

• Engine Updates: Major DayZ updates (patches) often introduce changes to the game engine or API, which can break compatibility with outdated mods. The server may crash on startup or operate unstably.
• Mod Updates: Mod developers also release updates. If the mod version on the server differs from the player's client version, connection will be impossible.
• Dependencies: If a mod that another mod depends on is updated or removed, it can lead to the dependent mod becoming inoperable.

Recommendations for mod management:

• Testing: Always test new mods or their updates on a separate test server before applying them to the main one.
• Backups: Regularly back up your mod directory and configuration files.
• Stay Current: Keep an eye on mod and game updates. After a major DayZ patch, give mod developers time to adapt.
• Limit Quantity: A large number of mods increases server and client load, as well as the likelihood of conflicts. Choose only the most necessary and proven mods.
• Use a Mod Manager: There are third-party tools and scripts that help automate the process of downloading and updating mods on the server.

DayZ Anti-Cheat and Administration: Protecting Your Server and Monitoring Activity

Administering a DayZ server involves not only configuring gameplay but also ensuring security, combating cheaters, and maintaining order. Effective DayZ anti-cheat and continuous monitoring are critically important for a healthy community.

BattlEye, Logs, and Ban Lists

BattlEye: BattlEye is the primary anti-cheat used in DayZ. Its activation is mandatory for most servers. Enable it in serverDZ.cfg:

battlEye = 1;

BattlEye operates at the system kernel and client level, detecting unauthorized game modifications. It automatically bans cheaters. However, BattlEye is not a panacea, and some cheaters may bypass it. Therefore, you will need additional measures.

Logs: The DayZ server generates several types of logs, which are invaluable tools for administration and identifying rule-breakers:

• server.log: General server messages, loading, errors.
• admin.log: Administrator actions, RCON commands.
• script.log: Script errors, important for mod debugging.
• connect.log: Information about player connections and disconnections, their IP addresses, and SteamIDs.

Regularly review these logs, especially connect.log and script.log, to identify suspicious activity, mod errors, or attempts to use exploits. You can use the command tail -f /path/to/server_profile/connect.log to view logs in real-time.

Ban Lists: The DayZ server supports both local and global BattlEye ban lists. Local ban lists are stored in bans.txt and beserver.cfg files in your server's directory. You can manually add player SteamIDs or IP addresses to bans.txt. Example bans.txt:

// SteamID64:Reason
76561198000000001:Cheater
76561198000000002:Inappropriate behavior

Commands for managing bans via RCON:

• #ban PLAYER_NAME: Ban a player by name (temporary ban until restart).
• #ban PLAYER_ID: Ban a player by SteamID64.
• #unban PLAYER_ID: Unban a player by SteamID64.
• #bans: Show a list of banned players.

In addition to game ban lists, it's important to ensure overall VPS security, for example, using Fail2Ban and SSH keys to prevent unauthorized access to the server.

Using RCON for Remote Management

RCON (Remote Console) is a protocol that allows administrators to remotely manage the DayZ server, execute commands, send messages to players, ban, and kick. To use RCON, you will need an RCON client (e.g., DayZ RCON Tool) and a configured password in serverDZ.cfg:

passwordAdmin = "your_admin_password"; // Admin password for RCON

In the RCON client, you specify your VPS's IP address, RCON port (usually 2302), and the admin password. Key RCON commands:

• #shutdown: Gracefully shuts down the server.
• #restart: Restarts the server.
• #say <message>: Sends a message to all players on the server.
• #kick <player_name>: Kicks a player by name.
• #maxplayers <number>: Changes the maximum number of players (requires restart to take effect).
• #missions: Displays a list of available missions (maps).
• #players: Displays a list of all connected players with their SteamID, IP, and ping.

RCON is a powerful tool that significantly simplifies daily server administration. Always use a strong password for RCON and do not share it with unauthorized individuals.

DayZ World Persistence Backups

Backups are your insurance against losing progress on the server. The DayZ world is constantly changing: players build bases, collect loot, kill zombies. All these changes are saved in persistence files. Losing this data due to a server crash, configuration error, or failed update can be catastrophic for your community.

Creating Backups and Restoring Your World

DayZ persistence files are stored in the server_profile/storage_1 directory (or similar, if you use multiple profiles). This folder contains the world database, information about items, constructions, characters, and their locations.

What needs to be backed up:

• The server_profile/storage_1 directory (or storage).
• All configuration files in server_profile/ (serverDZ.cfg, types.xml, etc.).
• The @mods directory (if you made changes to them or are using non-standard versions).

Backup creation process:

1. Stop the server: It is crucial to create backups when the server is stopped to avoid file corruption due to incomplete write operations.

/home/dayzserver/dayz_server/stop_server.sh

2. Create an archive: Navigate to the server directory and create an archive of the necessary files. It is recommended to use the tar command.

cd /home/dayzserver/dayz_server
tar -czvf /home/dayzserver/backups/dayz_backup_$(date +%Y%m%d_%H%M%S).tar.gz server_profile/@mods

This command will create an archive with a name containing the current date and time, in the /home/dayzserver/backups/ folder. Make sure the backups folder exists.

3. Start the server:

/home/dayzserver/dayz_server/start_server.sh

Automating backups: Use cron to automate the process. Add the following line to the crontab -e for the dayzserver user for a daily backup (e.g., at 3:00 AM):

0 3 * * * /home/dayzserver/dayz_server/stop_server.sh && sleep 30 && tar -czvf /home/dayzserver/backups/dayz_backup_$(date +%Y%m%d_%H%M%S).tar.gz /home/dayzserver/dayz_server/server_profile /home/dayzserver/dayz_server/@mods && /home/dayzserver/dayz_server/start_server.sh

How to roll back the world after a crash:

1. Stop the server. 2. Delete current persistence files: rm -rf /home/dayzserver/dayz_server/server_profile/storage_1 3. Extract the last working backup: tar -xzvf /home/dayzserver/backups/latest_good_backup.tar.gz -C /home/dayzserver/dayz_server/ Ensure the archive is extracted into the correct root directory of the server so that all folders (server_profile, @mods) are restored. 4. Start the server.

Regularly check the integrity of your backups and ensure you have enough disk space to store them. For long-term storage, consider moving backups to remote storage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here we have compiled answers to the most common questions about setting up and managing a DayZ server.

How much RAM is needed for a DayZ VPS for 40-50 players?

For a DayZ server designed for 40-50 players, a minimum of 12-16 GB of RAM is recommended. This ensures stable server operation, especially when using various mods that can significantly increase resource consumption. If a large number of mods or high concurrent player count is planned, it's better to aim for 16 GB or even 24 GB of RAM.

Can I use an HDD instead of NVMe for a DayZ server?

Theoretically, yes, but it is highly discouraged. A DayZ server is very sensitive to disk subsystem speed due to constant map loading, loot spawning, and persistence saving. Using an HDD will lead to long world loading times, frequent micro-stutters, and overall instability. An NVMe disk, with its high read/write speeds (from 2000 MB/s), is the standard for a smooth DayZ server experience.

Which ports need to be opened for a DayZ server?

For proper DayZ server operation, the following UDP ports must be opened: 2302, 2303, 2304, and 27016. Port 2302 is the main game port, while the others are used for auxiliary services and Steam queries. Ensure these ports are allowed in your VPS firewall (e.g., UFW) and your provider's network security settings.

How often should a DayZ server be restarted?

Regular DayZ server restarts are highly recommended to maintain stability and optimal performance. Servers are typically restarted every 4-6 hours. This helps clear RAM, refresh loot on the map, and apply any configuration or mod changes. Using cron for automated restarts significantly simplifies this process.

Conclusion

Launching your own DayZ server on a VPS is a complex but incredibly engaging process that opens up endless possibilities for customization and creating a unique gaming experience. The right VPS choice, with sufficient vCPU, RAM, and, most importantly, a fast NVMe disk, is the foundation for stable and comfortable gameplay. Regular administration, proper mod configuration, as well as strict security control and backups, will ensure the long-term and uninterrupted operation of your server. Choose reliable VPS solutions from Valebyte to keep your DayZ world always accessible and running smoothly.