How to configure a Arma 3 Dedicated Server (Windows)

[M1GC]

Instructions (Windows o/s)

The easiest way to install a Arma 3 Server on windows is by installing steam, and Selecting tools in Steam.
Then download the Arms 3 Dedicated Server which will download and setup all the above files listed below...

You will still need to configure the Arma 3 Server so once installed, Check the Instructions below.

Manual Configuring
The following instructions will guide you through setting up one Arma 3 server on 1 box, however they will also set the foundations for installing multiple servers on that same box

Install the latest version of DirectX
Create the following empty directories
D:\Apps\Steam
D:\Games\ArmA3\A3Master
D:\Games\ArmA3\A3Files

Download steamcmd.exe and save it to your targeted Steam install directory (E.g D:\Apps\Steam)

Run the steamcmd.exe. (This will download and install the required steam files to your custom steam directory)

Create an #Arma3server_steamcmd_example.cmd file and save it to D:\Games\ArmA3\A3Files

Run the #Arma3server_steamcmd_example.cmd file

Just after logging into Steam, the console window will hang and ask for a validation key
Steam will have automatically sent you an email with this validation code, which you then need to input at the command prompt

The Update console window should then continue to run and install ArmA3 ((DEV or STABLE) version to the target directory as defined in the .cmd file) eg (D:\Games\ArmA3\A3Master)

Create a shortcut for the ArmA3Server.exe on the server desktop
Add the following parameters to the Target Line in the shortcut tab of the newly created desktop shortcut.
-port=2302 (Required if running multiple server instances including any previous ArmA2 instances)
"-profiles=d:\Games\Arma3\A3Master"
-config=CONFIG_server.cfg
-world=empty

So it should look something similar to the following:
"D:\Games\Arma3\A3Master\arma3server.exe" "-profiles=d:\Games\Arma3\A3Master" -port=2302 -config=CONFIG_server.cfg -world=empty

Setup the #Port Forwarding in your firewall accordingly

Create a simple Notepad document called "CONFIG_server.cfg" and save it to the root folder of your ArmA3 install on the server D:\Games\ArmA3\A3Master

Starting the Arma 3 Dedicated Server

Start up your shortcut, check the server runs. (You will see a console pop up in your desktop after a few seconds)
Close the console window down, then you will need to edit the following files which will have been automatically created.
D:\Games\Arma3\A3Master\Users\Adminstrator\Administrator.Arma3Profile
D:\Games\Arma3\A3Master\Users\Administrator\Arma3.cfg

Restart the server
Start up your client Arma3.exe (Running the same branch as the server, (eg Stable or DEV) and you should then be able to see your server in the server browser (Filters are available to reduce the server list)

Login to your server using the password you defined in #CONFIG_server.cfg by typing "/" to open the chat window,
then type (#login ADMINPASSWORD) followed by Enter
Warning: Make sure you never forget the '#' in front of any server command!
Once logged in you will be presented with a mission list, select one of the missions to start the game
Prove the stability of your server by running BIS missions initially before you start adding user made content