Jump to content
kibaBG

[SOLVED] 2 min stuttering at start of dedicated server

Recommended Posts

Hi, I have problems with dedicated server. When I start a mission there is around 2 min stuttering when moving. After that everything goes to normal. I am wondering what will cause this?
I have tried with mods or without, reinstalling the game, etc. the issue persist.  

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi kibaBG what does your server rpt say with and without mods?

Also have you checking the hard-drive to make sure its not failing, SSD im assuming?

How about the cpu?

 

Is it a rented server or another computer you own and are running as a dedicated?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

SSD and CPU are ok, this happens only in the fist 2 min on dedicated server hosted by myself.  

The RPT: 

=====================================================================
== D:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Arma 3\Arma3_x64.exe
== "D:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Arma 3\Arma3_x64.exe" -skipIntro -noSplash -cpuCount=12 -exThreads=7 -enableHT -noLogs -noPause -mod= -beservice

Original output filename: Arma3Retail_DX11_x64
Exe timestamp: 2024/03/21 14:45:00
Current time:  2024/10/05 11:10:22

Type: Public
Build: Stable
Version: 2.16.151618

Allocator: D:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Arma 3\Dll\tbb4malloc_bi_x64.dll [2017.0.0.0] [2017.0.0.0]
PhysMem: 16 GiB, VirtMem : 131072 GiB, AvailPhys : 11 GiB, AvailVirt : 131068 GiB, AvailPage : 13 GiB, PageSize : 4.0 KiB/2.0 MiB/HasLockMemory, CPUCount : 12
=====================================================================

11:10:22 Detected number of DLCs: 22
11:10:22 ---------------------------------------------------------- Game ----------------------------------------------------------
11:10:22                                                                name      appId   owned  installed  available   isDlc
11:10:22                                                              Arma 3     107410     yes        yes        yes      no
11:10:22                                                             Unknown         -1      no         no         no     yes
11:10:22 ---------------------------------------------------------- Dlcs ----------------------------------------------------------
11:10:22  index                                                         name      appId   owned  installed  available   isDlc
11:10:22      0                                                  Arma 3 Maps     249861      no         no         no     yes
11:10:22      1                                        Arma 3 Tactical Guide     249862      no         no         no     yes
11:10:22      2                                                  Arma 3 Zeus     275700     yes        yes        yes     yes
11:10:22      3                                                 Arma 3 Karts     288520     yes        yes        yes     yes
11:10:22      4                                           Arma 3 Helicopters     304380     yes        yes        yes     yes
11:10:22      5                                          Arma 3 DLC Bundle 1     304400      no         no         no     yes
11:10:22      6                                              Arma 3 Marksmen     332350     yes        yes        yes     yes
11:10:22      7                                                  Arma 3 Apex     395180     yes        yes        yes     yes
11:10:22      8                                           Arma 3 Laws of War     571710     yes        yes        yes     yes
11:10:22      9                                                  Arma 3 Jets     601670     yes        yes        yes     yes
11:10:22     10                                          Arma 3 DLC Bundle 2     612480      no         no         no     yes
11:10:22     11                                                Arma 3 Malden     639600     yes        yes        yes     yes
11:10:22     12                                  Arma 3 Tac-Ops Mission Pack     744950     yes        yes        yes     yes
11:10:22     13                                                 Arma 3 Tanks     798390     yes        yes        yes     yes
11:10:22     14                                               Arma 3 Contact    1021790     yes        yes        yes     yes
11:10:22     15   Arma 3 Creator DLC: Global Mobilization - Cold War Germany    1042220     yes         no        yes     yes
11:10:22     16                           Arma 3 Creator DLC: Spearhead 1944    1175380      no         no        yes     yes
11:10:22     17                      Arma 3 Creator DLC: S.O.G. Prairie Fire    1227700     yes         no        yes     yes
11:10:22     18                        Arma 3 Creator DLC: CSLA Iron Curtain    1294440     yes         no        yes     yes
11:10:22     19                                            Arma 3 Art of War    1325500     yes        yes        yes     yes
11:10:22     20                           Arma 3 Creator DLC: Western Sahara    1681170     yes        yes        yes     yes
11:10:22     21                          Arma 3 Creator DLC: Reaction Forces    2647760     yes         no        yes     yes
11:10:22 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The server's cfg: 

// GLOBAL SETTINGS
hostname = "KIBA SANDBOX";		// The name of the server that shall be displayed in the public server list
password = "1111";							// Password for joining, eg connecting to the server
passwordAdmin = "caballero";					// Password to become server admin. When in Arma MP and connected to the server, type '#login xyz'
serverCommandPassword = "marinero";		// Password required by alternate syntax of [[serverCommand]] server-side scripting.

logFile = "server_console.log";			// Where the logfile should go and what it should be called

// WELCOME MESSAGE ("message of the day")
// It can be several lines, separated by comma
// Empty messages "" will not be displayed at all but are only for increasing the interval

motd[] = {};
motdInterval = 5;					// Time interval (in seconds) between each message

headlessClients[] = { "127.0.0.1", ... };
localClient[] = { "127.0.0.1", ... };

// JOINING RULES
maxPlayers = 10;					// Maximum amount of players. Civilians and watchers, beholder, bystanders and so on also count as player.
kickDuplicate = 0;					// Each ArmA version has its own ID. If kickDuplicate is set to 1, a player will be kicked when he joins a server where another player with the same ID is playing.
verifySignatures = 0;				// Verifies .pbos against .bisign files. Valid values 0 (disabled), 1 (prefer v2 sigs but accept v1 too) and 2 (only v2 sigs are allowed).
equalModRequired = 0;				// Outdated. If set to 1, player has to use exactly the same -mod= startup parameter as the server.
allowedFilePatching = 1;			// Allow or prevent client using -filePatching to join the server. 0, is disallow, 1 is allow HC, 2 is allow all clients (since Arma 3 v1.50)
filePatchingExceptions[] = {"",""}; // Whitelisted Steam IDs allowed to join with -filePatching enabled
//requiredBuild = 12345;			// Require clients joining to have at least build 12345 of game, preventing obsolete clients to connect


// VOTING
allowedVoteCmds[] = {};
voteMissionPlayers = 1;				// Tells the server how many people must connect so that it displays the mission selection screen.
voteThreshold = 0.33;				// 33% or more players need to vote for something, for example an admin or a new map, to become effective


// INGAME SETTINGS
disableVoN = 1;					// If set to 1, Voice over Net will not be available
vonCodec = 1; 					// If set to 1 then it uses IETF standard OPUS codec, if to 0 then it uses SPEEX codec (since Arma 3 update 1.58+)
vonCodecQuality = 30;			// since 1.62.95417 supports range 1-20 //since 1.63.x will supports range 1-30 //8kHz is 0-10, 16kHz is 11-20, 32kHz(48kHz) is 21-30
persistent = 0;					// If 1, missions still run on even after the last player disconnected.
timeStampFormat = "short";		// Set the timestamp format used on each report line in server-side RPT file. Possible values are "none" (default),"short","full".
BattlEye = 0;					// Server to use BattlEye system
allowedLoadFileExtensions[] = {"hpp","sqs","sqf","fsm","cpp","paa","txt","xml","inc","ext","sqm","ods","fxy","lip","csv","kb","bik","bikb","html","htm","biedi"}; //only allow files with those extensions to be loaded via loadFile command (since Arma 3 build 1.19.124216)
allowedPreprocessFileExtensions[] = {"hpp","sqs","sqf","fsm","cpp","paa","txt","xml","inc","ext","sqm","ods","fxy","lip","csv","kb","bik","bikb","html","htm","biedi"}; //only allow files with those extensions to be loaded via preprocessFile/preprocessFileLineNumber commands (since Arma 3 build 1.19.124323)
allowedHTMLLoadExtensions[] = {"htm","html","xml","txt"}; //only allow files with those extensions to be loaded via HTMLLoad command (since Arma 3 build 1.27.126715)
//allowedHTMLLoadURIs[] = {}; // Leave commented to let missions/campaigns/addons decide what URIs are supported. Uncomment to define server-level restrictions for URIs
allowProfileGlasses = false;
forcedDifficulty = "Custom";  //uses the defined by -name: parameter for dificulty settings

// TIMEOUTS
disconnectTimeout = 5;			// Time to wait before disconnecting a user which temporarly lost connection. Range is 5 to 90 seconds.
maxDesync = 150;				// Max desync value until server kick the user
maxPing= 200;					// Max ping value until server kick the user
maxPacketLoss= 50;				// Max packetloss value until server kick the user
kickClientsOnSlowNetwork[] = { 0, 0, 0, 0 }; // Defines if {<MaxPing>, <MaxPacketLoss>, <MaxDesync>, <DisconnectTimeout>} will be logged (0) or kicked (1)
kickTimeout[] = { {0, -1}, {1, 180}, {2, 180}, {3, 180} };
votingTimeOut[] = {60, 90};		// Kicks users from server if they spend too much time in mission voting
roleTimeOut[] = {90, 120};		// Kicks users from server if they spend too much time in role selection
briefingTimeOut[] = {60, 90};	// Kicks users from server if they spend too much time in briefing (map) screen
debriefingTimeOut[] = {45, 60};	// Kicks users from server if they spend too much time in debriefing screen
lobbyIdleTimeout = 300;			// The amount of time the server will wait before force-starting a mission without a logged-in Admin.


// SCRIPTING ISSUES
onUserConnected = "";
onUserDisconnected = "";
doubleIdDetected = "";

// SIGNATURE VERIFICATION
onUnsignedData = "kick (_this select 0)";	// unsigned data detected
onHackedData = "kick (_this select 0)";		// tampering of the signature detected
onDifferentData = "";				// data with a valid signature, but different version than the one present on server detected


// MISSIONS CYCLE (see below)
randomMissionOrder = false;	// Randomly iterate through Missions list
autoSelectMission = false;	// Server auto selects next mission in cycle

class Missions {};			// An empty Missions class means there will be no mission rotation

missionWhitelist[] = {};	// An empty whitelist means there is no restriction on what missions' available

server parameters: 

-config=server\dedi.cfg
-profiles="D:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Arma 3\server"
-name=dedi
-noPause
-filePatching
-mod="!Workshop\@3DMA - Alpha Group Equipment;!Workshop\@ace;!Workshop\@Advance Aero Effects;!Workshop\@-AMZ- Improved WS Sounds V7.8;!Workshop\@-AMZ- IWS - RHS AIO COMPAT;!Workshop\@Arma Realistic Map Assets V2;!Workshop\@Better Convoy;!Workshop\@BWMod;!Workshop\@CBA_A3;!Workshop\@CUP Terrains - Core;!Workshop\@Drongos Artillery;!Workshop\@FPV Drone Crocus;!Workshop\@Ivanivkova;!Workshop\@RHSAFRF;!Workshop\@RHSGREF;!Workshop\@RHSSAF;!Workshop\@RHSUSAF;!Workshop\@Task Force Arrowhead Radio (BETA!!!)"


 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
3 hours ago, kibaBG said:

The RPT: 

Need to see a full rpt, what you have is just the beginning.

Make sure the logs seen here in the server.cfg:  timeStampFormat = "short";

change that to full and restart, after a few minutes, grab that log copy it all and paste it here:

https://justpaste.it/

then share the link, then we can get a better idea of whats going on.

 

So you said you tried with and without mods, my guess is the issue is either mission or parameters is the issue.

You have -enableHT parameter along with -cpuCount=12 parameter, on the wiki there is a note for running these two together:

Quote

Note that enabling this parameter may slightly improve or harm the performance depending on a scenario.

This parameter may be overridden by -cpuCount so if you want to use the maximum number of CPU cores use "-enableHT" without "-cpuCount".

My suggestion is to remove the -cpuCount as per the note, try that and see what happens, also what is the mission are you loading when

you start, is it something you made or something from the workshop and what mission?

  • Like 2

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@Gunter Severloh Good catch for the -enableHT, I have disabled it without any effect. Disabling cpu threads or any of launch params gives nothing too. 

Mission is just custom coop mission, its working fine when testing in eden, so probably is something with the dedicated server ...
Here is the mission https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WukOa8Hjctt6edC_MUaqwr3jkpH5JO7T?usp=sharing

 

I have the full rpt --> https://justpaste.it/hywok


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
6 hours ago, kibaBG said:

probably is something with the dedicated server

Thats what im thinking, have you tested with a vanilla mission no mods, i know you said you tested with and without mods but

a simple mission with no scripts or anything and the server still creates the stuttering?

 

There are a view things in the rpt but thats with your mission loaded so with or without mods you get the stuttering then

im thinking its coming down to general configuration, whats your basic.cfg look like for the performance is it default or did you tweak that?

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@Gunter Severloh I didn't define any name for basic.cfg, I didn't change anything in Arma3.cfg (is this file used as basic.cfg when name is undefined?).
Maybe the problem is the dedicated server profile doesn't have its own basic.cfg file?  

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Possibly but for my own experience at least i had always rented a server and the servers always had the

server.cfg, basic.cfg, and the server.armaprofile so if your missing the basic then its possible that the lack thereof could be part of the issue,

though i dont think stuttering is because of a missing config.

 

     But if you dont have one then best to add one then you can set for the performance, see this page here:

https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Arma_3:_Basic_Server_Config_File

 

Ya the cfg needs to be basic.cfg

Theres also the server profile which i presume you have setup: https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/server.armaprofile

There was in the rpt an error related to undefined cfg so that could be an issue if not part of it, idk offhand.

But set those up, and go from there and see if there is any difference.

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@Gunter Severloh About server.armaprofile ... is it the same as name.Arma3Profile ?
If yes, I have it defined as dedi.Arma3Profile (there are difficulty settings, etc.), path is C:\Users\kiba3x\Documents\Arma 3 - Other Profiles\dedi and its defined when starting the server with -name=dedi 
For the basic.cfg ... I simply don't have it and use Arma3.cfg but there are no specific settings for the server there ... I cannot figure how to add it :headscratch:   

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
7 hours ago, kibaBG said:

About server.armaprofile ... is it the same aname.Arma3Profile ?

Yes it should work the same, i think as long as it has .Arma3Profile at the end of it

see the wiki

https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Arma_3:_Server_Profile

https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/server.armaprofile

7 hours ago, kibaBG said:

For the basic.cfg ... I simply don't have it and use Arma3.cfg but there are no specific settings for the server there

If the Arma3.cfg you have has the following entries then its the same:

MinBandwidth = 131072; /

MaxBandwidth = 10000000000;

MaxMsgSend = 128;

MaxSizeGuaranteed = 512;

MaxSizeNonguaranteed = 256;

MinErrorToSend = 0.001;

MinErrorToSendNear = 0.01;

MaxCustomFileSize = 0;

 

But all you need to do with that cfg is add it to the commandline like the server.cfg see this page:

https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/ArmA:_Armed_Assault:_Server_configuration

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@Gunter Severloh Thanks for the useful link, made things bind together in my thick head :) 

I have made basic.cfg and dedi.Arma3Profile where server.cfg is located (arma 3 root\server) and the launch params are: 

 

-cfg=server\basic.cfg
-config=server\dedi.cfg
-profiles="D:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Arma 3\server"
-name=dedi
-noPause
-filePatching
-mod="!Workshop\@3DMA - Alpha Group Equipment;!Workshop\@ace;!Workshop\@Advance Aero Effects;!Workshop\@-AMZ- Improved WS Sounds V7.8;!Workshop\@-AMZ- IWS - RHS AIO COMPAT;!Workshop\@Arma Realistic Map Assets V2;!Workshop\@Better Convoy;!Workshop\@BWMod;!Workshop\@CBA_A3;!Workshop\@CUP Terrains - Core;!Workshop\@Drongos Artillery;!Workshop\@FPV Drone Crocus;!Workshop\@Ivanivkova;!Workshop\@RHSAFRF;!Workshop\@RHSGREF;!Workshop\@RHSSAF;!Workshop\@RHSUSAF;!Workshop\@Task Force Arrowhead Radio (BETA!!!);!Workshop\@Armor Modifier - ACE"

No errors, everything runs fine but the 2 min stuttering at the beginning is still there ... It will be funny if this is caused by Windows Defender checking the server as its is a virus or something :)  
 

Edit: 
Turning off Windows Defender gives nothing. I noticed that the shuttering is only at the beginning of the fist mission played on the server, all others have no stuttering at the beginning.  

Edit2: 
Restarting the mission with #restart admin command right after the mission beginning starts again without any stuttering.    placebo, stuttering is in the beginning no matter how the mission is started, restarted, etc. 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Welcome!

50 minutes ago, kibaBG said:

I have made basic.cfg and dedi.Arma3Profile where server.cfg is located (arma 3 root\server) and the launch params are:

Good deal, so nothing missing and you got the bases covered.

1 hour ago, kibaBG said:

I noticed that the shuttering is only at the beginning of the fist mission played on the server, all others have no stuttering at the beginning.  

Is this consistent?

Like you can replicate this every time, is it the mission or just the fact that the stuttering happens at the start and not related to missions

or mods or the order of the missions?

    So if you put another mission first will the server still stutter if so then its not the missions.

 

Take a look at this, this guy had his server stuttering and figured it out, might be possible its the same thing, or something related:

https://www.reddit.com/r/A3AntistasiOfficial/comments/psfvbg/stuttering_every_few_seconds_on_dedicated_server/

  • Thanks 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@Gunter Severloh Stuttering is consistent at start of the mission only on the server (no stuttering when trying the mission in pseudo MP in eden).
I can replicate this every time. 
I can confirm the mission itself is not important, I tried with other two missions, they behave the same when loaded on the dedicated server.
I am using ACE Headless, so I disabled it from ACE options but the stuttering continues, its not from the transfer of AI units to headless clients.
The guy from the link has random stuttering, I have stuttering on dedicated server only and only at the beginning, after 2 min the mission runs perfectly, no stuttering, very good fps, etc. 
From hardware standpoint everything is solid - low temps, EUFI BIOS updated with last update, last AMD chipset drivers and GeForce drivers installed. 

Edit: 
Thank you for pointing me to Resource Monitor! I have examined what is going on when the stuttering happens - all physical RAM is used (literally stays 100% for two min), then goes like 90% and the game starts to run normally! 
So the problem is the physical RAM is not enough! Another 16GB are needed probably ...  
Until then I should limit the RAM for both server and client?  not possible for x64 version 

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
9 hours ago, kibaBG said:

all physical RAM is used (literally stays 100% for two min), then goes like 90% and the game starts to run normally! 

So now we're on to something that could definitely be the issue, ya i was going to say earlier there if you were to open up

something like a taskmanager to see whats running and to look at the performance to see what resources are being used the most.

     At first we covered the parameters for the cpu usage so that wasn't the issue it seems, but now you have feedback

on the situation with your ram which makes sense considering.

 

So ideally if you can upgrade a little and add more ram that will probably solve your issue, as its not missions, or mods.

      I asked a friend whos been a member on these forums for a long time who's built many computers in his day, and ran dedicated servers

to give some insights into the situation, might be possible there are other things we have not looked at aside your low ram.

@rowdied

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Rowdy asks the following (from discord):

 

What are the cpu specs?

What program is he using to run the server, faster? tadts? from server exe?

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@Gunter Severloh I am not using TADS or any other program, I just use the arma3server_x64.exe and startup parameters, server.cfg, etc. 
Server is private only for me and three of my friends. Runs missions with 60 fps and above, missions and modlists are very optimized. Apart from the annoying stuttering at the beginning we have no problems. 

 

Hardware is basically potato compared to many other people's hardware: 

CPU AMD Ryzen 5 3600X 6 cores/12 logical cores (max boosted to 4.4 GHz) / Dedi server + HC are using 5-6 from the logical cores according Resource Monitor
2x8 GB DDR4 RAM Corsair 2133 Mhz Dual Channel (but running on 1064 Mhz, I don't know how to make it run with higher frequency)
GPU GeForce  GTX 1050 Ti (not important for the dedicated server I guess)

Maybe if I make system memory page file bigger than system managed (around 3GB) will make situation a little bit better? 

EDIT: 
I changed system page file form system managed (it was like 3GB max) to 12GB min. and 16GB max. Initial stuttering is gone! Checked couple of times just to be sure, its gone! :smileflower:  
Have to buy 16GB more dd4 ram, didn't know arma 3 is not only CPU hog but RAM hog too.  

EDIT2: 
If you change the page file size manually I highly recommend to follow this:
Page file (swap file) minimum size =  1.5 x Physical RAM
Page file (swap file) maximum size  =  4 x Physical RAM

 

Following this rule and enabling large page support from the launcher parameters gives the best stability and high fps for dedicated server. 
Don't forget to delete the previous page file by setting it first to none then restart and set it manually again to desired size. Good luck!  

   
  

  • Like 2

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Getting back to you, i was waiting for Rowdy's response but he had asked:

Quote

Why is his ram running so low? that will cause issues. and maybe page file is too small?

 

23 hours ago, kibaBG said:

EDIT: 
I changed system page file form system managed (it was like 3GB max) to 12GB min. and 16GB max. Initial stuttering is gone! Checked couple of times just to be sure, its gone! :smileflower:  
Have to buy 16GB more dd4 ram, didn't know arma 3 is not only CPU hog but RAM hog too.  

Sounds like you figured it out, and got it solved! :thumbsup:

Something to keep in mind and have as a reference for those with the same issue, happy for you, good job!

    Ya Arma 3 is a cpu hog for sure, the key thing i discovered for decent performance in general is hardware wise make sure you have plenty of

ram 16gb would be minimum imo a good cpu, the game on an SSD, and enough vram helps too, though you want those components to be in balance

with each other not creating any bottlenecks. But you got it man, im happy to have helped where i could, but you ultimately figured it out!

  • Like 3

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now

×