How to Host a DayZ Server on Linux

How to Host a DayZ Server on Linux

DayZ is an unforgiving open-world survival game that has supported Linux dedicated servers since its 1.0 release. Running your own DayZ server on a Breeze instance gives you full control over loot tables, player counts, mods, and world persistence for your survival community.

System Requirements

DayZ servers are demanding. A Breeze instance with at least 4 CPU cores, 8 GB of RAM (12 GB recommended), and 30 GB of storage is required. The Chernarus map alone takes significant disk space, and mods add further requirements.

Installing the Server

Create a dedicated user and install via SteamCMD:

sudo useradd -m -r -s /bin/bash dayz
sudo apt install -y steamcmd lib32gcc-s1 libcap2
sudo su - dayz
mkdir -p ~/dayz_server
steamcmd +force_install_dir ~/dayz_server \
  +login anonymous \
  +app_update 223350 validate \
  +quit

Server Configuration

Create the primary configuration file at ~/dayz_server/serverDZ.cfg:

hostname = "My DayZ Server - Kazepute Breeze";
password = "";
passwordAdmin = "admin-password";
maxPlayers = 60;
verifySignatures = 2;
forceSameBuild = 1;
guaranteedUpdates = 1;
steamQueryPort = 27016;
gamePort = 2302;
BattlEye = 1;
logAverageFps = 1;
logMemory = 1;
logPlayers = 1;
enableDebugMonitor = 0;

timeStampFormat = "Short";
lightingConfig = 0;

class Missions {
    class DayZ {
        template = "dayzOffline.chernarusplus";
    };
};

Mission and Economy Configuration

DayZ uses XML files for loot and economy configuration. Key files in the mission directory include:

• types.xml — defines every item’s spawn parameters including quantity, lifetime, and restock timer
• globals.xml — controls global settings like cleanup timers, time acceleration, and respawn delay
• events.xml — configures dynamic events like helicopter crashes and supply drops
• cfgweather.xml — weather cycle configuration

Customize globals.xml for time acceleration and restarts:

<var name="TimeLogin" type="0" value="0"/>
<var name="TimeInterval" type="0" value="2"/>
<var name="TimeBetweenWaves" type="0" value="240"/>
<var name="IdleModeStartup" type="0" value="1"/>
<var name="IdleModeCountdown" type="0" value="60"/>

Starting the Server

Launch the DayZ server:

cd ~/dayz_server
./DayZServer -config=serverDZ.cfg \
  -port=2302 \
  -profiles=profiles \
  -dologs -adminlog -netlog \
  -freezecheck

Firewall Configuration

Open the required ports on your Breeze instance:

sudo ufw allow 2302/udp
sudo ufw allow 2303/udp
sudo ufw allow 2304/udp
sudo ufw allow 27016/udp
sudo ufw reload

Installing Mods

Download Workshop mods using SteamCMD and symlink them into the server directory. Add mod directories to the -mod launch parameter:

./DayZServer -config=serverDZ.cfg -port=2302 \
  -mod="@CF;@VPPAdminTools;@TraderPlus" \
  -profiles=profiles -dologs

Ensure all mod keys are copied to the keys/ directory for signature verification.

Scheduled Restarts

DayZ servers benefit from regular restarts every 4-6 hours. Set up a cron job or use a restart script that warns players before shutting down via BEC (Battleye Extended Controls) or RCON.

Performance Tips

• Loot economy — reduce item lifetime values in types.xml to lower entity counts
• Vehicle count — limit vehicles to reduce physics-related CPU load
• Regular restarts — schedule 4-6 hour restart cycles for stability on your Breeze
• Zombie count — adjust infected spawn limits in globals.xml if CPU is constrained