How to Set Up an Arma Reforger Dedicated Server on Linux.

Prerequisites

• Ubuntu 22.04 or a similar Debian-based Linux distribution (root or sudo access required).
• At least 8 GB RAM recommended.
• Minimum 20 GB free disk space.
• Steam account (optional, can login anonymously).
• Make sure UDP port 2302 is open on your firewall and router.

Step 1: Prepare Your Linux Server

Connect via SSH or open your terminal.

1. Update your system packages:

bash sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

2. Install required dependencies and libraries (including 32-bit libs):

bash sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y wget curl lib32gcc-s1 lib32stdc++6 lib32z1 unzip screen ufw

• screen will allow you to run the server in a detachable session.

Step 2: Install SteamCMD

1. Create a folder for SteamCMD:

bash mkdir ~/steamcmd
cd ~/steamcmd

2. Download SteamCMD:

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

3. Extract it:

bash tar -xvzf steamcmd_linux.tar.gz

4. Launch SteamCMD:

bash ./steamcmd.sh

You’ll enter the SteamCMD prompt to run commands in the next step.

Step 3: Download the Arma Reforger Dedicated Server

1. At the SteamCMD prompt, log in anonymously:

nginx login anonymous

2. Set the installation directory (create it if needed):

bash force_install_dir ~/arma_reforger_server

3. Download the Arma Reforger dedicated server (App ID: 1918700):

bash app_update 1918700 validate

4. Wait for the download to finish.
5. Exit SteamCMD:

nginx quit

Step 4: Configure Your Server

1. Change directory to the server folder:

bash cd ~/arma_reforger_server

2. Create or edit the configuration file server.cfg:

bash nano server.cfg

3. Example minimal configuration:

cfg hostname="My Linux Arma Reforger Server"
password=""
maxplayers=40
port=2302

4. Save and exit nano (Ctrl+O, Enter, Ctrl+X).

Step 5: Open Firewall Ports

1. Open UDP port 2302 on your Linux firewall (if UFW is active):

bash sudo ufw allow 2302/udp
sudo ufw reload

2. Ensure your router forwards this port to your server’s internal IP address.

Step 6: Start the Server in a Screen Session

Running the server inside a screen session lets it keep running after disconnecting.

1. Start a new screen session:

bash screen -S arma_reforger

2. Start the server executable:

bash ./ArmaReforgerServer -server

Note: The executable name may vary; check the server folder to confirm.

3. The server will start and output logs to your terminal.
4. Detach from the screen session without stopping the server by pressing Ctrl + A then D.
5. To reattach later:

bash screen -r arma_reforger

Step 7: Connect and Test

• On your gaming PC, launch the Arma Reforger client.
• Go to the Servers tab.
• Find your server by name or connect directly using your public IP and port: cppKopiërenBewerkenyour.public.ip.address:2302
• Join and play!

Bonus: Automate Server Updates

Create a script to easily update the server:

1. Create update_server.sh:

bash nano ~/update_server.sh

2. Paste this content:

bash #!/bin/bash
cd ~/steamcmd
./steamcmd.sh +login anonymous +force_install_dir ~/arma_reforger_server +app_update 1918700 validate +quit

3. Make it executable:

chmod +x ~/update_server.sh

4. Run it anytime to update:

bash./update_server.sh

---

Bonus: Auto-start Server on Boot Using systemd

1. Create a systemd service file:

bash sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/arma_reforger.service

2. Paste this (replace yourusername and paths accordingly):

[Unit]
Description=Arma Reforger Dedicated Server
After=network.target

[Service]
User=yourusername
WorkingDirectory=/home/yourusername/arma_reforger_server
ExecStart=/home/yourusername/arma_reforger_server/ArmaReforgerServer -server
Restart=always

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

3. Save and exit.
4. Enable and start the service:

sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable arma_reforger.service
sudo systemctl start arma_reforger.service

5. Check status:

sudo systemctl status arma_reforger.service

---

Summary Commands

bash # Update & install dependencies
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y wget curl lib32gcc-s1 lib32stdc++6 lib32z1 unzip screen ufw

# Download and extract SteamCMD
mkdir ~/steamcmd
cd ~/steamcmd
wget https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz
tar -xvzf steamcmd_linux.tar.gz

# Download Arma Reforger Server with SteamCMD
./steamcmd.sh
# In SteamCMD prompt:
login anonymous
force_install_dir ~/arma_reforger_server
app_update 1918700 validate
quit

# Open UDP port 2302
sudo ufw allow 2302/udp
sudo ufw reload

# Start server inside screen session
cd ~/arma_reforger_server
screen -S arma_reforger
./ArmaReforgerServer -server
# Detach with Ctrl+A then D
# Reattach with screen -r arma_reforger