Host Anvil Documentation
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Startup Guide

This guide walks you through all relevant startup parameters for launching an Arma 3 dedicated server. These options are passed to arma3server_x64.exe or the Linux equivalent to define how your server initializes, loads content, and performs.

INFO

Most options here are for dedicated servers and not the regular game client. Always use arma3server_x64.exe when possible.

Common Server Parameters

Parameter Description
-config=server.cfg Defines the main server config (mission rotation, passwords, etc.).
-cfg=basic.cfg Loads networking and performance config.
-profiles=foldername Sets where logs, stats, and profiles are stored.
-mod=@mod1;@mod2 Loads client-side mods.
-serverMod=@mod1;@mod2 Loads server-side mods (not sent to clients).
-port=2302 Sets game port. Standard port is 2302.
-autoInit Auto-starts the selected mission without admin input.
-loadMissionToMemory Caches the mission in RAM after the first load.
-netlog Enables multiplayer traffic logging.
-ranking=ranking.log Logs player stats (kills, score, etc.).
-pid=arma3server.pid Writes the server process ID to a file.
-bePath=/custom/bepath/ Sets custom BattlEye directory.
-ip=1.2.3.4 Binds server to a specific IP (Multihoming).
-par=startup.txt Loads parameters from a file.
-client Runs as a console-based client (used for Headless Clients).
-disableServerThread Disables the server thread, sometimes needed for crash troubleshooting.
-server Launches as dedicated server (not required with arma3server_x64.exe).

Performance and System Tuning

Parameter Description
-limitFPS=60 Sets dedicated server FPS cap (default 50).
-maxMem=4096 Overrides memory limit (in MB).
-cpuCount=4 Sets how many cores Arma can use.
-exThreads=7 Controls file and texture loading threads.
-enableHT Enables Hyper-Threading support.
-malloc=system Specifies memory allocator (can improve performance).
-hugePages Uses large memory pages (may help with performance).

Miscellaneous Useful Flags

Parameter Description
-noLogs Disables RPT logging (not recommended).
-noSplash Skips splash screens.
-skipIntro Skips main menu world intro.
-world=empty Loads an empty world at launch (speeds up headless/server startup).

Linux Considerations

-profiles is ignored on Linux. Profile data is stored under:

~/.local/share/Arma 3 - Other Profiles/

Parameter File Example

Instead of using a long startup string, you can use a .txt file:

-config=server.cfg
-cfg=basic.cfg
-profiles=serverprofile
-mod=@cba_a3;@ace
-port=2302
-autoInit

Launch with:

./arma3server_x64 -par=startup.txt

Additional References