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hellstorm77

Arma 3 Headless Client

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Can someone explain what a headless client is?

It's a client side of the game that only calculates the AI. This enables you to use 2 cores for Game Calculations and 2 cores for the AI calculation. Increasing game performance.

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So you run this on the server box next to the server?

Yes, you can run it on the Dedicated Server (as what I do).

With A3 currently you still need your mission designer to create a slot for the HC (this part is over my head as I don't make missions)

Note:

1) The HC 'client' will require a 'paid' license of the game in order to function.

2) If you are connecting to the DS from the same machine, and also have the HC configured on the DS - You can't join as a 'playing' client. Especially if trying to use the same license.

[summary]

* Dedicated Server = No license required

* Headless Client (this can be setup on the Dedicated Server) = Requires a license

* Can't run another client (say it's YOU connecting) from the same system (requires a license but I don't think you can have 2 licenses running from the same system; or it just fails with BE kicks - Something along those lines anyhow) - Someone correct me if I'm wrong

Hope that makes sense :)

Edited by LondonLad

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Is there a test mission to confirm I have headless working ok on my server ?

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Todays dev update appears to break the Headless client. It will no longer connect. Please can someone who also runs one please verify.

Type: Public

Branch: Development

Version: 1.03.110304

*** PLEASE IGNORE *** It seems it was a steam ticket timeout issue on my HC preventing connection.

Edited by [KH]Jman

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Are you serious BI? I do not buy a second account because you are not able to programm a performant server and give us this workaround? Are you kidding us?

unbelivable... really...

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I went ahead, pulled together the different sources on DAC from this board (no credit to me on that end) and made a simple ArmA 3 Headless Client test.

The HC feature is parameterized, enable this before loading the map as admin to notice a great difference in performance. Note you will lag in the end, this mission runs up to 1000+ AI when both sides are spawned. Step close to the boat to get the baddies to spawn.

Demo map: http://www.mediafire.com/download/mhjsycsg21yr9fj/a3_hc_test.Stratis.pbo

1st half is without HC on the graph below. The 2nd half is with HC. Its 500 AI the max+ (the graph caps out around 450 AI spawned)

NtruTOC.png

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wVTDhzU.png

Run same mission, before without then with.

Before with #monitor

Around 28 fps, 420 MB used and 3500-3800 Kbps outgoing

After with #monitor and HC

Around 47-48 fps and when they start moving some fps drops around 35-40.

The strange thing is the outgoing traffic. With hc is around 1000-1300 ( max ) Kbps

1/3 than before :eek:

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dedicated server, hetzner ex40ssd, windows 2012 R2

But I've made many twaks :p

Later I will try on my local.

Have you noticed the difference outgoing traffic too?

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Can't say I measured it. I used Server 2012. What kind of CPU?

I'm considering to get a i7-4930k for a new dedicated and clock it to 4.5GHz, based on the assumption that ArmA server will use two cores, ArmA client will use two cores, then two cores for OS + network.

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Quick question, anyone else noticed issues with the HC not connecting in latest stable?

My environment has not changed other than the update last week.

Edited by Inch
typo

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The HC is getting kicked off for "BattlEye Corrupt Data #5" or something, does anyone know how to fix this?

Dirty Haz

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Our hc is still dying about a minute after another player jips. Is this normal?

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The HC is getting kicked off for "BattlEye Corrupt Data #5" or something, does anyone know how to fix this?

Dirty Haz

I've got this one too as soon as I try to launch more than one HC.

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Can someone give me some insight into the current HC situation? Do you still need multiple steam instances running with multiple arma 3 installations/keys?

Any other problems right now or have you experienced a solid improvement of server fps on missions with many AI?

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Hc= another cdkey; bis seems to "don't see" the problem ( €€€ ) ;)

About HC... I speak about my personal experience.. ATM HC is useless in allday coop ( 100-200 AI ) with 20-30 players... Didn't test with more player ( can't )... If I increase the AI number ( 500-600 AI ) with HC there's a big improvement but only in fps serverside... By now there's something that cap client's fps... If server is still at more than 40 fps, a rock solid client start to drown.. There's a hudge fps drop, even if AI are spawned 20 km away and also with viewdistance to 100 meters... Let's see that happens with the next update...

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