Running Arma 2 Server as a Service

[rexehuk 16]

Hey all, trying to get Arma2Server running as a service but having some issues namely the following error:

Could not start the mArmaServer service on Local Computer

Error: 1053: The service did not respond from the start or control request in a timely fashion.

The actual Arma2Server.exe starts and the dedicated server goes up, but the service produces that error and the server closes down.

Anyone got any ideas?

Service name: mArmaServer

Startup Type: Automatic

Path to Exec: C:\Arma 2 Game Folder\arma2server.exe -winxp -maxMem 2047 -profiles=mainprofile -name=server -port 2302 -config=server.cfg -mod=@ACE;@ACEX;@ACEX_PLA;@CBA;@ACEX_SM;@MAP;@FDF_Podagorsk;@FRAN_quesh_kibrul;@isla_duala;@zcommon

Logon Type: Local System + Allow interaction with desktop

Server: Windows 2003 > Updated with latest SPs and Frameworks.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance,

Rob

[bhaz 0]

What did you do to create the service? The armaserver executable was not created to be run directly as a service. Most that I know use a batch file to keep the program running, but there is a way, I'll see if I can dig up an old thread.

edit: even better, a Microsoft KB article.

The resource kit required for Server2003 to do this can be found here.

Edited May 25, 2010 by bhaz

[rexehuk 16]

Already using that. Created exactly in the same manor as indicated in the article. Which is the reason I'm stumped :D

[bhaz 0]

Just so we're on the same page, this is what you did to create the service:?

1. Use "sc " to create a new service that launches "srvany " (e.g. sc create MyService binPath= C:\Windows\System32\srvany.exe DisplayName= "My Custom Service" )
   
2. Using RegEdit : create a "Parameters " key for your service (e.g. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\MyService\Paramaters\ )
   
3. Using RegEdit : within the newly created "Parameters " key , create a string value called "Application " and enter the full path to the application you are wanting to run as a service. (No quotes required.)
   

Also, check out your arma2.RPT file, the server could just be crashing by itself.

@FDF_P odagorsk

There's also a space there if you hadn't noticed.

edit:

One thing I just thought of, the parameters key may not like the use of semicolons, try launching without the -mod= parameter.

---------- Post added at 12:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:45 AM ----------

Gave it a shot myself, using the instructions on the quote I posted above, seems to work alright.

I just threw srvany.exe in the root of C:\ and command lined this. (note the spaces after =, from what I remember they are required):

sc create TestService binPath= C:\srvany.exe DisplayName= "Test Service"

Registry settings in the spoiler.

All I can suggest at this point is to start from scratch and keep it really basic until it actually works, (ie: no mods, configs, maxmems etc).

Edited May 26, 2010 by bhaz

[rexehuk 16]

Cheers Bhaz. I managed to get it all working correctly along with a custom application I was writing for our dedi server.

In the end I opted for a wrapper class: http://kenai.com/projects/winsw/pages/Home

That tool works really well if you have the need to edit a servers modline/path without editing the direct services.

Thanks again,

Rob

[alef 0]

In the end I opted for a wrapper class: http://kenai.com/projects/winsw/pages/Home

Does it works with betas? I don't see how the working directory can be set.

[rexehuk 16]

Pretty sure it will work with betas... that is just a modline added.

Here is an example config I used

<service>

<id>tArmaServer</id>

<name>ArmA 2 Test</name>

<description>Arma Test Service</description>

<executable>C:\ArmA 2 Mission Testing Server\arma2server.exe</executable>

<logpath>C:\Arma 2 Game Folder\logs</logpath>

<logmode>roll</logmode>

<startargument>-winxp -maxMem 2047 -profiles=missiontestprofile -name=server -port 2330 -config=server.cfg -mod=@ACE;@ACEX;@ACEX_PLA;@CBA;@ACEX_SM;@MAP;@FDF_Podagorsk;@FRAN_quesh_kibrul;@isla_duala

</startargument>

<interactive />

</service>

To make this work you need tArmaServer.exe (renamed from binary you download) and tArmaServer.xml with the code about in it and <id> matching the filename (tArmaServer.xml/exe).

Once that is done you simply run tArmaServer -install, and then you can proceed to call the service as you choose whether that be via windowsAPI servicecontrollers or manually via bat files and/or services.msc.

[RN Escobar 0]

-maxmem needs an = in there else thats just a broken switch

all the way through these threads you have -maxmem 2047, try -maxmem=2047, azs far as i can see you aren't actually running the maxmem switch with this command line argument.

If your happy with it, delete the whole -maxmem 2047, if you want to run it sstick the = in.

[alef 0]

Pretty sure it will work with betas... that is just a modline added.

It's not only a modline. As I know, you need to start the process from the arma2 installation directory with name beta\arma2server.exe so that Addons and Dta are first searched there.

Then, the -mod=beta will allow files in beta\Addons and beta\Dta to be loaded.

I don't know it overwriting PBOs from the beta\ subfolders into the original will work.

The winsw syntax talks about a "BASE", but it's set by itself.

I'll give it a try anyway.

Will restart when arma2server.exe crashes and dumps?

[rexehuk 16]

It's not only a modline. As I know, you need to start the process from the arma2 installation directory with name beta\arma2server.exe so that Addons and Dta are first searched there.

Then, the -mod=beta will allow files in beta\Addons and beta\Dta to be loaded.

I don't know it overwriting PBOs from the beta\ subfolders into the original will work.

The winsw syntax talks about a "BASE", but it's set by itself.

I'll give it a try anyway.

Will restart when arma2server.exe crashes and dumps?

All you'd need to do this change this in the config

<executable>C:\ArmA 2 Mission Testing Server\arma2server.exe</executable>

to

<executable>C:\ArmA 2 Mission Testing Server\beta\arma2server.exe</executable>

And add the -mod=beta into parameter field. I am confident that would work for you.

Also thank you for people spotting some syntax errors in the modline, this application is a work in progress so they are my test configs. Depending on how things go it may be released to the community, for now it is a specialised dedicated server tool coded to work with our server.

Rgds,

Rob