Note: Both server and client should be updated to current A2OA stable 1.63.131129 or newer -- Beta build use is not recommended, wait until A2/OA updates are pushed to the stable channel.

## Basic Install Guide

1. Install or update [[Visual C++ Redistributable 2015 (x86 version)](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=48145)] on the server. All previous Visual C++ Redistributables (x86 versions) [[found on this page](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2977003)] must be installed.

2. [[Download](http://dayzepoch.com/a2dayzepoch.php)] both client and server files and extract to the root `Arma 2 Operation Arrowhead` folder. Example: `C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Arma 2 Operation Arrowhead`. On some Windows systems you may need to "UnBlock" the dll files. Right-click the file, Properties and click "Unblock".

3. Install MySQL server and create a new MySQL database called `dayz_epoch`. Import the epoch.sql file.

4. Open HiveExt.ini and adjust the MySQL settings. Open config.cfg in the same folder and change the admin password.

5. Launch the server with `-mod=@DayZ_Epoch;@DayZ_Epoch_Server;`. See the *.bat files in Config-Examples.

6. It may be necessary to forward [[these ports](https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Arma_3_Dedicated_Server#Port_Forwarding)] in the server software and hardware firewalls.

## Basic Upgrading Guide

1. Perform steps 1-2 in the basic install guide above. Be sure to update to the new MPMission, dayz_server, BattlEye filters and HiveExt.dll.

2. Connect to the MySQL server. Make a backup. Open the x_Updates.sql file and read the comments, especially at the bottom. Run the appropriate updates on the dayz_epoch database.

3. Inside the server "Keys" folder remove any DayZ_Epoch*.bikey files from previous versions.