📚 Quick Navigation

Overview 🔌 Ports Installation Configuration ⚙️ Startup Parameters DayZ Mod Setup 🔧 Troubleshooting Performance Resources

Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead Server Guide

Quick Information

Game: Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead (Military Simulation)
Developer: Bohemia Interactive
Release: 2010 (Legacy game)
Server Type: Dedicated Server (Windows/Linux)
Default Port: 2302 UDP
Max Players: 50-100+ configurable
Special Note: Required base for DayZ Mod (with Combined Operations)

Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead is the standalone expansion for Arma 2. When combined with Arma 2 (Combined Operations), it serves as the foundation for the popular DayZ Mod. This guide covers dedicated server setup for both standard OA gameplay and DayZ Mod hosting.

🔌 Server Ports

Port	Protocol	Purpose	Status
`2302`	UDP	Game Port - Primary connection port	REQUIRED
`2303`	UDP	Steam Query Port - Server browser	REQUIRED
`2304`	UDP	Steam Port - Steam connectivity	REQUIRED
`2305`	UDP	VON (Voice Over Network)	Optional

Firewall Configuration

UFW (Ubuntu/Debian)

sudo ufw allow 2302:2305/udp comment 'Arma 2 OA Server'

FirewallD (CentOS/RHEL)

sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=2302-2305/udp
sudo firewall-cmd --reload

Windows Firewall

New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Arma 2 OA Server" -Direction Inbound -Protocol UDP -LocalPort 2302-2305 -Action Allow

⚙️ Startup Parameters

Windows Startup

arma2oaserver.exe -port=2302 -config=server.cfg -cfg=basic.cfg -profiles=SC -mod=@mod1;@mod2

Linux Startup

./arma2oaserver -port=2302 -config=server.cfg -cfg=basic.cfg -profiles=SC -mod=@mod1;@mod2

Key Parameters

Parameter	Description	Example
`-port=`	Game port	`-port=2302`
`-config=`	Path to server.cfg	`-config=server.cfg`
`-cfg=`	Path to basic.cfg	`-cfg=basic.cfg`
`-profiles=`	Profile folder	`-profiles=SC`
`-mod=`	Mods to load	`-mod=@DayZ;@DayZ_Epoch`
`-world=`	Default world	`-world=Takistan`

DayZ Mod Setup

DayZ Mod Requirements

Requires Arma 2: Combined Operations (Arma 2 + Operation Arrowhead)
DayZ Mod files must be installed in @DayZ folder
Optional variants: DayZ Epoch, DayZ Overpoch, DayZ Origins

DayZ Mod Startup Example

# Standard DayZ Mod
-mod=Expansion\beta;Expansion\beta\Expansion;ca;@DayZ -world=Chernarus

# DayZ Epoch
-mod=Expansion\beta;Expansion\beta\Expansion;ca;@DayZ_Epoch -world=Chernarus

# DayZ Overpoch (Overwatch + Epoch)
-mod=Expansion\beta;Expansion\beta\Expansion;ca;@DayZ_Overwatch;@DayZ_Epoch

Common DayZ Mod Variants

DayZ Mod: Original zombie survival mod
DayZ Epoch: Building/crafting focus
DayZ Overpoch: Overwatch + Epoch combined
DayZ Origins: Custom lore and mechanics

🔧 Troubleshooting

Server Won't Start

Missing Beta Folder: Ensure Expansion\beta exists for DayZ
Port Conflicts: Check if 2302 is already in use
Config Errors: Validate server.cfg syntax (semicolons required)

Players Can't Join

Verify firewall allows UDP 2302-2305
Check mod versions match between server and clients
Ensure BattlEye is enabled if required

DayZ Mod Issues

Database connection: MySQL required for DayZ Epoch/Overpoch
HiveExt errors: Check @DayZ_Epoch\HiveExt.ini configuration
Loot not spawning: Verify mission file and database tables

Performance Optimization

Server.cfg Performance Settings

MaxMsgSend = 256;
MaxSizeGuaranteed = 512;
MaxSizeNonguaranteed = 256;
MinBandwidth = 131072;
MaxBandwidth = 10000000000;
MinErrorToSend = 0.001;
MaxCustomFileSize = 160000;

Hardware Recommendations

CPU: 2-4 cores, 3.0+ GHz
RAM: 4-8 GB minimum
Storage: HDD acceptable, SSD preferred
Network: 50+ Mbps

Popular server modifications and admin tools compatible with ARMA 2 Operation Arrowhead:

DayZ Mod - Zombie survival mod with persistence and Hive architecture
Epoch Mod - Base building, traders, and dynamic economy for DayZ
BEC (BattlEye Extended Controls) - Server scheduler, auto-restart, and admin commands

📚 Resources

Important Notes

Legacy Game: Arma 2 OA is a 2010 game; community support is limited
DayZ Standalone Exists: Consider DayZ Standalone for modern experience
Combined Operations: Required for DayZ Mod functionality
Database Required: DayZ Epoch/Overpoch need MySQL database
Backup Regularly: Always backup database and mission files

Documentation Version: 1.0 | Last Updated: November 10, 2025
Sources: Bohemia Interactive Wiki, LinuxGSM, DayZ Epoch Community
For DayZ Standalone, see our DayZ Standalone Guide.