DayZ Mod Classic · Server Hosting

Host your
own server

Run an official-compatible server on your own box. Players using the standard launcher can connect if your server is reachable on the public internet.

01

Hardware minimums

CPU
2 vCPUMore helps above 20 players
RAM
4 GB
Disk
20 GB
Network
5+ Mbps upLow latency preferred
OS
Windows Server 2016+Or Windows 10/11 for LAN
02

Prerequisites

!

Windows Server 2016 or newer

Linux is not supported. Arma 2 OA dedicated server is Windows-only. Windows 10/11 also works for LAN or small private servers.

!

Open UDP ports (inbound)

  • 2302 — game
  • 2303 — VON voice
  • 2304 — BattlEye
  • 2305 — Steam query
!

Administrator access

Required to install services and modify the firewall.

!

Steam account owning Arma 2 + A2OA

The install script downloads A2OA via SteamCMD using your Steam credentials. You only need this for the initial install.

03

Install steps

01

Download the server bundle

Get DayZModClassic-Server-1.1.0.zip from the downloads page. The bundle includes portable MySQL 5.5, HiveEXT 0.9.6.14, mission files, server configs, and the install script.

02

Extract to a path with no spaces

For example: C:\dayzmodclassic-server\

03

Run the install script as Administrator

Open PowerShell as Administrator in the extracted folder and run:

.\INSTALL_SERVER.ps1

The script will:

  • Set TLS 1.2 (required on Server 2016 for downloads)
  • Install VC++ 2010 SP1 and DirectX June 2010 (Arma dependencies)
  • Download A2OA via SteamCMD (requires your Steam credentials)
  • Patch MySQL\my.ini to use absolute paths
  • Register MySQL as a Windows service
  • Import the DayZ database schema
  • Open UDP 2302-2305 in Windows Firewall
  • Register DayZModClassicServer as a scheduled task with auto-restart
04

Verify the server is running

Check Services in the Control Panel for MySQLDayZ, or connect from a client using the launcher's custom server entry pointed at <your-ip>:2302.

04

Configuration

FileWhat it controls
cfgdayz\server.cfgHostname, max players, password, message of the day, BattlEye toggle
cfgdayz\HiveExt.iniMySQL connection (host, port, db, user, password)
MPMissions\dayz_1.Chernarus\Mission files (rarely need editing)

After editing config, restart the scheduled task or use:

Restart-Service DayZModClassicServer
05

Troubleshooting

Server not visible to clients

Confirm UDP 2302-2305 are forwarded at your router and allowed in Windows Firewall. Test from outside your network.

MySQL connection refused

Confirm MySQL is running: Get-Service MySQLDayZ. Check cfgdayz\HiveExt.ini credentials match your MySQL setup.

HiveEXT.dll not loading (no HiveExt.log generated)

The server bundle ships HiveEXT 0.9.6.14 which requires VC++ 2010 SP1 (MSVCP100/MSVCR100). Run INSTALL_SERVER.ps1 — it installs this dependency automatically.

High CPU on idle

Normal for A2OA dedicated server. Watch for sustained 100% on a single core during peak — that's the engine cap, not a bug.

BattlEye kicks all players

The bundle includes the Dwarden BE files. If you overlaid a different BE version, restore from the bundle's BattlEye\ directory.

For deeper issues, post in #hosting on Discord with your server's arma2oaserver.RPT log.

06

Get listed in the launcher

Once your server is up, reach out on Discord and we'll add an entry to servers.json. Players using the standard launcher will then see your server in the browser.

Include:

  • Server name
  • Public IP and port
  • Region (NA / EU / SA / OCE / ASIA)
  • Short description
  • Contact (Discord handle) in case the server goes down