Host a DayZ Dedicated Server
How long can you survive a post-apocalyptic world? A land overrun with an infected "zombie" population, where you compete with other survivors for limited resources. Will you team up with strangers and stay strong together? Or play as a lone wolf to avoid betrayal? This is DayZ - this is your story.
Hardware Requirements
Here's what you need to run a DayZ dedicated server.
Economy
Small private server, 1-20 players, vanilla
Standard
Community server, 20-40 players with light mods
Pro
Large public server with heavy mods, 40-64 players
Start hosting from your own computer
Run a DayZ server on your desktop, laptop, VPS, or dedicated machine — GameCP automates Docker setup, resource allocation, and DayZ configuration instantly. Automatic port forwarding means your friends can connect without touching your router. Start local, scale to a VPS when you're ready.
Setup in 4 Steps
Skip the manual SteamCMD installation, port forwarding, and systemd configuration. Install on your own computer and start hosting instantly.
The Manual Way vs. GameCP
Manual Setup
- ✗Install SteamCMD manually
- ✗Configure 5+ firewall ports and router settings
- ✗Write systemd service files
- ✗SSH into server to edit configs
- ✗Requires a VPS or dedicated server
- ✗30-60 minutes if experienced
With GameCP
- One-click SteamCMD install
- Automatic port forwarding — no router config
- Host from your own PC, VPS, or dedicated server
- Docker container with auto-restart
- Visual config editor in browser
- Under 5 minutes total
Under the Hood
The full manual process to host a DayZ dedicated server on a VPS. Or install GameCP on your own computer and skip all of this.
Configure & Prepare
Set your server settings, then install Docker, SteamCMD, and pull the DayZ container image.
# Update system and install Docker sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y docker.io sudo systemctl enable --now docker # Create game server directory sudo mkdir -p /opt/gameserver # Install SteamCMD sudo mkdir -p /opt/steamcmd curl -sqL "https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz" | sudo tar zxvf - -C /opt/steamcmd # Pull the container image docker pull ghcr.io/ptero-eggs/games:dayz
Install Server Files via SteamCMD
Download the DayZ dedicated server using Steam App ID 223350.
# Download DayZ server files (App ID: 223350)
/opt/steamcmd/steamcmd.sh \
+force_install_dir /opt/gameserver \
+login ${STEAM_USER} \
+app_update 223350 validate \
+quitOpen Firewall Ports
DayZ requires 5 ports to be open for game traffic and queries.
sudo ufw allow 2302/udp sudo ufw allow 27016/udp sudo ufw allow 2305/udp sudo ufw allow 2303/udp sudo ufw allow 2304/udp
Launch the Server
Start the DayZ server using the configuration from Step 1.
docker run -d \ --name dayz-server \ -p 2302:2302/udp \ -p 27016:27016/udp \ -p 2305:2305/udp \ -p 2303:2303/udp \ -p 2304:2304/udp \ -v /opt/gameserver:/opt/gameserver \ -w /opt/gameserver \ ghcr.io/ptero-eggs/games:dayz \ ./DayZServer -port=2302 -profiles=profiles -bepath=battleye -config=serverDZ.cfg -mod= -serverMod= -dologs -adminlog -netlog -freezecheck
Or skip all of this
GameCP automates every step above: Docker, SteamCMD, port forwarding, startup, and config. Install on your own PC and deploy a DayZ server in under 5 minutes.
Deploy with GameCPMore Hosting Guides
Explore step-by-step setup guides for other popular games supported by GameCP.
Ready to Host Your DayZ Server?
Install GameCP on your own computer and start hosting in minutes. Automatic port forwarding, zero config — your friends connect instantly.
No credit card required · Free tier available · Install local, scale later