A DayZ server is set up correctly when serverDZ.cfg, port assignment, signature verification, and the restart schedule all fit together and a normal client can join. This guide walks you through the secure basic configuration. Back up the file before making changes, only change one related block at a time, and check the result after the restart in the server log and Launcher.
DayZ: Post-Apocalyptic Hardcore Survival with Your Own Server
DayZ (Bohemia Interactive) puts players into a post-apocalyptic open world with constant hunger, thirst, and infection management, rare equipment, and PvP encounters with real consequences — if you die, you lose all your gear. On your own server, you control the rules, loot distribution via mods, player count, and security settings yourself instead of playing on official or third-party community servers.
This guide covers the basic server setup; Workshop mods, keys, and wipes are covered in the second part of this series.
Order a Server
Select DayZ in the order wizard and set the RAM to match your planned player count. DayZ servers run within a range of 8 to 32 GB RAM, with 12 GB recommended for the standard slot count of 60 players — if you are planning a smaller private group, less RAM is enough; for heavily modded servers with many mods and a high player count, more is worth it.
After ordering, your server is provisioned automatically. You can see the current status in the dashboard.
Ports Overview
A DayZ server uses three ports:
| Port | Purpose |
|---|---|
| 2302 | Game connection (clients connect through this) |
| 2303 | Steam query (server browser visibility) |
| 2304 | Steam services |
All three ports are assigned automatically when you order and are shown in the panel under the connection details — for a server to be visible in the server browser, all three must be reachable, not just the game port.
serverDZ.cfg — the Central Configuration File
The basic settings for your DayZ server are stored in serverDZ.cfg, which you edit through the file manager in the panel. The most important parameters at a glance:
- hostname: The server name as it appears in the in-game browser.
- maxPlayers: Maximum player count — base this on the booked RAM and the desired server load.
- password: Optional server password for private groups.
- passwordAdmin: Admin password for advanced in-game permissions.
- verifySignatures: Enforces that only signed mod files are loaded — an important basic protection setting against manipulated client mods.
- forceSameBuild: Enforces that clients use exactly the same DayZ version as the server — prevents connection issues after updates.
- disable3rdPerson: Disables the third-person camera and enforces first-person perspective — often active on hardcore-oriented servers.
- serverTime and serverTimeAcceleration: Control the in-game time of day and how quickly it passes relative to real time.
- respawnTime: Waiting time before a dead player can spawn again.
Changes to serverDZ.cfg only take effect after the server is restarted.
Restart Schedule
DayZ servers benefit from regular scheduled restarts — they stabilize server performance and counteract the gradual memory load that is typical for long-running DayZ instances. Set up a suitable schedule (about every 4 to 6 hours) through the scheduled tasks in the web panel instead of restarting manually.
Connecting via the DayZ Launcher
Your players connect through the official DayZ Launcher: either via the integrated server browser (provided Steam query is reachable, see above) or directly via the IP address and the game port (2302) as a favorite. A custom subdomain makes it easier for your community to find the server again instead of having to remember a plain IP address.
Player Count and Server Load
maxPlayers in serverDZ.cfg is only the upper limit — how many players your server can actually handle stably also depends on the booked RAM, the map size, and any installed mods (more on that in the second part of this series). If you set maxPlayers far above the capacity your server package can handle, this usually shows up first as higher server load and noticeable delays with loot spawns and vehicle simulation, not as a hard crash. When in doubt, start with a conservative value and increase it once you see how your server behaves under real load.
Password Protection and Public Visibility
For a closed community group, set password to a shared join password — the server will still remain visible in the server browser (provided Steam query is reachable), but only players with the password can actually join. passwordAdmin is independent of this: this second password unlocks in-game admin commands and should only be shared with your moderation team, never with the whole community. Both passwords can be changed at any time through serverDZ.cfg; like all other parameters, the change only becomes active after a server restart.
Official Source and Safe Rollback
The official DayZ server configuration by Bohemia Interactive documents hostname, maxPlayers, verifySignatures, forceSameBuild, and the startup parameters -config, -port, -mod, and -serverMod, among other things. Back up serverDZ.cfg before making changes. If the server does not start afterward or entries disappear from the browser, restore the last working file and test again.
FAQ
When do changes to serverDZ.cfg become active?
After a server restart. Save the file, stop the server in a controlled way, and start it again. Then check the log, server browser, and a real test join instead of only looking at the process status.
What value is correct for verifySignatures?
Bohemia's current server documentation lists 2 as the supported value for signature verification. This checks PBO files against their signatures. If you have mod issues, you should fix missing or outdated keys and not permanently disable verification.
Why are players rejected even though the server is running?
Client and server builds often do not match, a port was copied incorrectly, or a mod signature is missing. First compare the panel address, the current build, and the server log at the exact time of joining.
How do I roll back from a faulty configuration?
Stop the server and restore the backed-up serverDZ.cfg. Start without making any further changes and confirm that joining works. Only after that should you test the problematic setting again in isolation.
Conclusion
With suitable RAM, all three ports open, and a cleanly configured serverDZ.cfg, nothing stands in the way of your DayZ server. The second part of this series shows how to manage Workshop mods, keys, and persistence wipes.