Project Zomboid Dedicated Server on Oracle Cloud (ARM64)

This guide details the installation and configuration of a Project Zomboid Dedicated Server on an Oracle Ampere ARM64 Linux Server (VM.Standard.A1.Flex). The setup includes FEX-Emu to allow running x86 applications on the ARM64 architecture.

Server Specifications

• Machine: Oracle Ampere VM.Standard.A1.Flex
• Shape: 4 cores, 24GB RAM, standard boot volume
• OS: Ubuntu 22.04

Step 1: Initial Setup and Firewall Configuration

1. Connect via SSH using the .ppk file generated with PuTTYgen.
2. Run the following commands to configure firewall rules and update the system:

sudo su
iptables -I INPUT -j ACCEPT
sudo iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 16261 -j ACCEPT
sudo iptables -A INPUT -p udp --dport 16261 -j ACCEPT
sudo iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 16262 -j ACCEPT
sudo iptables -A INPUT -p udp --dport 16262 -j ACCEPT
sudo iptables-save > /etc/iptables/rules.v4
sudo systemctl restart iptables
sudo ufw disable
apt update && apt upgrade
reboot

Step 2: Install Dependencies

sudo su
apt-get install git cmake ninja-build pkg-config ccache clang llvm lld binfmt-support libsdl2-dev libepoxy-dev libssl-dev python-setuptools g++-x86-64-linux-gnu nasm python3-clang libstdc++-10-dev-i386-cross libstdc++-10-dev-amd64-cross libstdc++-10-dev-arm64-cross squashfs-tools squashfuse libc-bin expect curl sudo fuse wget

Step 3: Install FEX-Emu

useradd -m -s /bin/bash fex
usermod -aG sudo fex
echo "fex ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: ALL" >> /etc/sudoers.d/fex
exit

sudo su - fex
git clone --recurse-submodules https://github.com/FEX-Emu/FEX.git
cd FEX && mkdir Build && cd Build

sudo apt install qtbase5-dev qtdeclarative5-dev qttools5-dev-tools libqt5svg5-dev
cd ~/FEX/Build
CC=clang CXX=clang++ cmake -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=/usr -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release -DUSE_LINKER=lld -DENABLE_LTO=True -DBUILD_TESTS=False -DENABLE_ASSERTIONS=False -G Ninja ..
ninja
exit

sudo su
cd /home/fex/FEX/Build
ninja install
ninja binfmt_misc

Step 4: Configure Steam User and Install SteamCMD

useradd -m -s /bin/bash steam
echo 'root:steamcmd' | chpasswd
exit

sudo usermod -aG steam ubuntu
sudo apt install acl
sudo setfacl -b /home/steam

sudo su - steam
mkdir -p ~/.fex-emu/RootFS && cd ~/.fex-emu/RootFS
wget -O Ubuntu_22_04.tar.gz https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/16mhn3jrwvzapdw50gt20/Ubuntu_22_04.tar.gz?rlkey=4m256iahwtcijkpzcv8abn7nf
tar xzf Ubuntu_22_04.tar.gz && rm Ubuntu_22_04.tar.gz
cd ~/.fex-emu
echo '{"Config":{"RootFS":"Ubuntu_22_04"}}' > ./Config.json

mkdir ~/Steam && cd ~/Steam
curl -sqL "https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz" | tar zxvf -

FEXBash ./steamcmd.sh
force_install_dir /home/steam/pz
login anonymous
app_update 380870 validate
quit

Step 5: Start the Project Zomboid Server

cd ~/pz
FEXBash "./start-server.sh -servername NameOfYourServer.ini"

Step 6: Importing an Existing Server to Oracle Cloud

If you have an existing server and want to migrate it to Oracle Cloud, follow these steps:

1. Inside the VPS console, start a new server with the desired name:

   ./start-server.sh -servername NameOfYourServer.ini

   • This creates the necessary files and directories.
   • Join the server once to verify functionality.

2. Close the server and edit the .ini file to add mod IDs (manually verified beforehand).

3. Restart the server, join with a player to ensure it works, then shut it down again.

4. On your local server, compress the following directories:

   C:\Users\UserName\Zomboid\db
   C:\Users\UserName\Zomboid\Saves\Multiplayer\ServerName
   C:\Users\UserName\Zomboid\Server
   

5. Upload and extract these files to the VPS in their corresponding locations, replacing existing files.

6. Edit the .ini file on the VPS to match the settings of your local server.

7. Start the server again and verify that everything is working properly.

Final Notes

With these steps, your Project Zomboid Dedicated Server should be running smoothly on Oracle Cloud with FEX-Emu. If you have any issues or questions, feel free to reach out. Happy gaming! 🚀