How to Improve Performance on Your Arma Reforger Server

The performance of your Arma Reforger server depends mainly on the server FPS, the view distances, the number of AI units and the installed mods. In this guide, we'll show you which settings you can adjust for this in the dashboard and in config.json.

Note

Some values in config.json are overwritten from the Settings of the dashboard on every server start. The entries under gameProperties and operating described here are not among them and are kept. You can find an overview of all entries under Configure Server.

Limit server FPS

The server FPS value determines how many times per second your server simulates the game world. Bohemia Interactive strongly recommends limiting the server FPS to a value between 60 and 120 – without a limit, the server can try to use all available resources.

1. Open dashboard
   Open the dashboard of your server.

2. Open settings
   Navigate to the Settings.

3. Enter max FPS
   Enter a value between 60 and 120 in the Max FPS field. The default is 120.

4. Restart the server
   Save the setting and restart your server.

Warning

Do not leave the Max FPS field empty. An empty field means no limit – the server can then try to use all available resources.

Measure performance

With the [Advanced] Log FPS Interval field, your server regularly writes a line with performance values to the console and to the server log. This lets you check whether your changes have an effect.

1. Open dashboard
   Open the dashboard of your server.

2. Open settings
   Navigate to the Settings.

3. Enter interval
   In the [Advanced] Log FPS Interval field, enter after how many seconds a new line should be written, e.g. 60 for once per minute. With 0, the output is disabled.

4. Restart the server
   Save the setting and restart your server.

Example

FPS: 60.0, frame time (avg: 16.7 ms, min: 9.3 ms, max: 23.7 ms), Mem: 3291106 kB, Player: 2, AI: 104, Veh: 0 (17), Proj (S: 12, M: 0, G: 0 | 12), RplItemsS: 410, RplItemsC0: 17068

Values of the performance statistics

Value	Meaning
FPS	Current server FPS
frame time	Average (avg), minimum (min) and maximum (max) time the server needs for one frame
Mem	Current memory usage in kilobytes as reported internally by the server
Player	Number of players on the server
AI	Number of AI units currently spawned on the server
Veh	The number in parentheses is the number of vehicles currently spawned on the server

Note

The Mem value is only an approximation by the server and may differ from the actual memory usage.

Tip

You can find out how to find older output in the server log under Read Server Log.

Adjust view distances in config.json

Under gameProperties in config.json, you define the view distances of your server. Lower values for serverMaxViewDistance and networkViewDistance can reduce the load on your server, as fewer objects are transferred to the players. Keep in mind that objects outside the networkViewDistance are not transferred to the players.

Entry	Range	EmeraldHost default	Description
serverMaxViewDistance	500 – 10000	2500	Maximum view distance on the server
networkViewDistance	500 – 5000	1000	Maximum range in which objects are transferred to the players over the network
serverMinGrassDistance	0 or 50 – 150	50	Minimum grass distance in meters that is forced on the players. With 0, no distance is forced.

1. Stop the server
   Stop your server via the dashboard.

2. Connect via SFTP
   Connect to your server via SFTP.

3. Open config.json
   Open the file config.json in the root directory and find the "gameProperties" section inside "game".

4. Adjust values
   Adjust the desired values:

   "gameProperties": {
     "serverMaxViewDistance": 2000,
     "serverMinGrassDistance": 50,
     "networkViewDistance": 1000,
     ...
   }

   ... stands for the remaining unchanged entries. Only change the numbers and leave the other entries in "gameProperties" unchanged.

   Tip

   Check the file with a JSON formatter like JSONLint after editing – a single missing or extra comma is enough to prevent the server from starting.

5. Start the server
   Save the file and start your server.

Limit the number of AI units

Many AI units significantly increase the load on your server. With the aiLimit entry in the "operating" section, you set an upper limit. Once it is reached, no further AI units can be spawned. By default, no limit is set.

Tip

You can find out how to add aiLimit or disable the AI completely under Disable or Limit AI.

Disable navmesh streaming (optional)

The AI uses a so-called navmesh to move across the map. By default, the server loads this navmesh piece by piece. If you disable streaming, the server loads the entire navmesh into memory. This provides slightly better server performance and faster reactions of moving AI units.

Warning

This setting is meant for advanced users. Depending on the map, your server needs up to several hundred MB more memory. Afterwards, check whether your server has enough memory, e.g. with the Mem value of the performance statistics.

1. Stop the server
   Stop your server via the dashboard.

2. Connect via SFTP
   Connect to your server via SFTP.

3. Open config.json
   Open the file config.json in the root directory.

4. Disable navmesh streaming
   Add the "operating" section at the top level after the "game" section. To do this, put a comma after the closing bracket of "game":

   "game": {
     ...
   },
   "operating": {
     "disableNavmeshStreaming": []
   }

   ... stands for the remaining unchanged entries. If the "operating" section already exists, only add the line "disableNavmeshStreaming": [] there.

   Value	Effect
   Entry not present	Navmesh streaming is active (default)
   []	Navmesh streaming is disabled for all navmeshes
   ["Soldiers", "BTRlike"]	Navmesh streaming is only disabled for the listed navmeshes

   Tip

   Check the file with a JSON formatter like JSONLint after editing – a single missing or extra comma is enough to prevent the server from starting.

5. Start the server
   Save the file and start your server.

Note

To enable navmesh streaming again, stop your server and remove the "disableNavmeshStreaming" line from config.json. If another entry comes before it in the "operating" section, also remove the comma at the end of that entry. Then check the file with JSONLint.

Reduce mods

Every mod increases the load on your server. Mods that add many objects, vehicles or AI units in particular affect performance. Therefore, only use the mods you really need and remove entries you no longer need from the "mods" section – stop your server beforehand. You can find out how to manage mods under Add Mods.