FASTER - Arma 3 Server Manager (#Arma3_DIYDGS) Part 1

FASTER

There are lots of applications you can use for running an Arma Dedicated server, but I use this application that makes it really easy to operate a server 

FASTER is " an extended rewrite of FAST2 and FAST, a server tool made by Flax to manage Arma 3 Servers."

Installing FASTER

After downloading the software from the forum or here:
https://github.com/Foxlider/FASTER/releases/latest/download/Release_x64.zip

Extract the file and place it in a folder that you want it operating from, as you will have to run the application each time. (The configuration files of the software is stored in your user folder in the AppData hidden folder.)

With the initial setup of the software, you will need to add the following:

• Steam Username - This would be your steam details, required by some games.
• Steam Password - This and if you are using steam guard code will need to be added.
• Mod Staging Directory - This is a storage directory for your mods. Put this on a hard drive with lots of space.  (More details about this folder later)
• Arma Install Directory - The Arma 3 game application directory.
• Custom API Key - Custom API Keys can be added to help with Steam keys and other API's (Haven't really used it, so I don't)

Configuring:

Updater

The Updater section of the application helps with keeping the game running up-to-date with the packs and patches that are put out via the steam library. I should mention that this update process can take a while to do, as it pulls down the update and then verifies the files of the patch and your current full application. My longest period was about 5 minutes... so be patient... top right of the window shows a green dot, that is on when the updater is processing.

This will be displaying the folder details you chose when installing the program earlier. But more importantly is the username and password that you will need to add for allowing access to the Steam app library for downloading. 

Note: If you have Steam Guard, this makes it a bit harder to use. But recently they have added the feature of the app calling the API to allow for you to add either 2FA or Google Authenticator, to add in the code needed. I leave mine on code to email for Steam Guard.

The Profiling switch that is at the bottom of the window seems to allow for the DLC requirements, but I don't use this feature.

Console Output gives you the current progress on updates you might be calling for.

Mods

This is one of the major advantages to using faster. You can add in mods and keep them up-to-date from the steam library and the workshops. You can also add your own mods if you create your own.

At the top of the window are the mod option buttons:

• Add steam mod
• Add local mod
• Import from Arma 3 launcher file
• Check for updates
• Update all

Add Steam Mod

Click on the "+" button and add each of the mods you are using. Remember to just add the workshop id number that you can copy from the workshops page. 

Like in the image below, copy the page URL from the workshop for the mod.

... and then paste it into the program or just paste the address down and copy out the mod id number that is part of the url address. (See below)

Add Local Mod

The folder button allows you to add in local mods that you might have. Personal ones, or ones that are part of a package for a larger mod that isn't in the workshop.

Import from Arma 3 launcher file

The file button allows for a list of mods to be added all at once. This could be a xml of a package of mods need for a server to run. Great if you want to make a package for your server you making.

Check for updates & Update All

The next two buttons are for updating the mods. The first with a timer and tick, is for checking if all the workshop mods are up to date. Then the next button with the timer and circle arrow is updating all mods. 

Warning: This can take a while to do, as it will go though all the mods, validate and download updates if there are any.

In the main window for the mods, the buttons next to each of the mods give you the option to:

• update the mod individually
• delete the mod
• check the webpage of the mod
• check the folder of the mod

Deployment

This section of the application is relatively new, so I have a limited understanding of what it does. But from what I have figured, Mods can be added in and out of the Arma 3 application folder via symbolic links. With all the mods stored in separate mod staging area, in another directory or drive. 

This helps with keeping the application folder clean, and if it's stored to a SSD, that might have limited storage, then it links the mods in and out from the staging and application directories. Allowing you to keep a large library of mods ready and up-to-date, available when needed via the deploy option in this window.

At the top of the window, it displays:

• The installation directory for Arma
• Deploy all Mods button - Adds all mods to the Application directory (WARNING: Drive Space)
• Clean all Mods button - removes all mods in the application directory

In the window below are the options for each of the mods are:

• Deploy Mod - Links the mod back to the application directory.
• Information about the Mod - Details about the mod... Warning: check for dependencies.
• Folder of the Mod - Checking the folder of the mod.

Server Status

This window give you the current status of your server, with processor usage to memory usage. It also allows you to see when the server is running, what instances are running, to stop and start them and to shut them down. Monitoring temperature while its in use also.

Continue on to part 2 of FASTER>>