Knowledgebase

How to Install and Configure DayZ on AnonVM: A Step-by-Step Guide

DayZ is a popular multiplayer survival game where players must manage resources while avoiding zombies, bandits, and other threats. By hosting your own DayZ server on an AnonVM VPS or dedicated server, you gain full control over the server environment and settings. This tutorial will guide you through the installation and configuration of a DayZ server.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the following:

• AnonVM VPS or Dedicated Server: A server with root or sudo access.
• Operating System: This guide assumes you are using Ubuntu or CentOS.
• Steam Account: A Steam account is required to download DayZ server files and manage the server.

Step 1: Update Your System

Updating your system ensures that you have the latest security patches and software.

For Ubuntu/Debian-based systems:

For CentOS-based systems:

Step 2: Install Dependencies

DayZ requires SteamCMD for installing the game server. Install the necessary dependencies:

For Ubuntu/Debian-based systems:

For CentOS-based systems:

Step 3: Install SteamCMD

1. Create a directory for SteamCMD:

    

   mkdir -v /opt/steamcmd cd /opt/steamcmd

2. Download SteamCMD:

    

   wget https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz

3. Extract SteamCMD files:

    

   tar -xvzf steamcmd_linux.tar.gz

4. Navigate to the SteamCMD directory:

    

   cd /opt/steamcmd

Step 4: Install DayZ Server Files

Now that SteamCMD is set up, use it to install DayZ server files.

1. Run SteamCMD:

    

   ./steamcmd.sh

2. Log in to SteamCMD using your Steam account or anonymously:

   • To log in anonymously:

     login anonymous

   • To log in with your Steam credentials:

      

     login your_steam_username your_steam_password

3. Set the installation directory for DayZ:

    

   force_install_dir /opt/dayz

4. Install DayZ server files:

    

   app_update 223350 validate

   This will download and install the DayZ server files to the specified directory.

5. Exit SteamCMD:

    

   quit

Step 5: Configure the DayZ Server

Once the server files are installed, you need to configure your DayZ server to control the game environment and settings.

1. Navigate to the DayZ server directory:

    

   cd /opt/dayz

2. Inside the DayZ server directory, you’ll find the configuration files, including serverDZ.cfg and config.cpp. The primary configuration file is serverDZ.cfg.

3. Edit the serverDZ.cfg file:

    

   nano serverDZ.cfg

   Here are some key configuration settings you may want to modify:

   • hostname: Set the name of your server.
   • password: Set a password if you want to restrict server access.
   • maxPlayers: Set the maximum number of players allowed on your server.
   • port: Configure the port for your server (default is 2302).
   • adminPassword: Set an administrator password for controlling the server.

   Example configuration:

    

   hostname = "My DayZ Server"; password = "your_password_here"; maxPlayers = 60; port = 2302; adminPassword = "admin_password_here";

4. Save and exit (CTRL + X, then Y to confirm).

Step 6: Start the DayZ Server

To start the DayZ server, run the following command:

This will start your server with the settings specified in the serverDZ.cfg file. You should now see the server console output in your terminal.

Step 7: Set Up Automatic Startup (Optional)

To ensure that your DayZ server starts automatically after a reboot, you can set up a systemd service.

1. Create a systemd service file:

    

   sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/dayz.service

2. Add the following content:

    

   [Unit] Description=DayZ Server After=network.target [Service] Type=simple WorkingDirectory=/opt/dayz ExecStart=/opt/dayz/DayZServer_x64 -config=serverDZ.cfg User=your_user Restart=always [Install] WantedBy=multi-user.target

   Replace your_user with your actual server username.

3. Reload systemd to apply the changes:

    

   sudo systemctl daemon-reload

4. Enable the service to start on boot:

    

   sudo systemctl enable dayz

5. Start the DayZ server service:

    

   sudo systemctl start dayz

6. Verify the server status:

    

   sudo systemctl status dayz

Step 8: Secure Your Server (Optional)

To enhance security, you may want to configure your firewall and limit who can access your server.

• Open the required ports: Ensure that the necessary ports (e.g., 2302, 2303, 2305) are open in your firewall to allow players to join.

  For UFW (on Ubuntu/Debian-based systems):

   

  sudo ufw allow 2302/udp sudo ufw allow 2303/udp sudo ufw allow 2305/udp

• Configure a password: To restrict server access, set a password in the serverDZ.cfg file.

Step 9: Connect to Your DayZ Server

To join your DayZ server:

1. Open DayZ from Steam.
2. Go to Multiplayer > Join Server.
3. Enter your server IP and port (default 2302).

If your server is password-protected, you’ll need to enter the password you set in the serverDZ.cfg file.

Conclusion

You’ve now successfully installed and configured DayZ on your AnonVM server! You have complete control over your server settings, including the game environment, max players, and admin tools. By hosting your own server, you can create a customized experience for your friends or a larger public community.

Key Takeaways:

• SteamCMD is used to install and update the DayZ server.
• The serverDZ.cfg file is where you configure your server’s settings.
• You can automate server restarts and startups using systemd.
• Ensure that your server’s ports are open in the firewall for players to connect.

Enjoy playing DayZ on your AnonVM server, and explore the world of survival with your friends!