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Installing Altis Life on an Arma 3 server requires more than subscribing to a Workshop item. You must deploy the Altis Life mission PBO, install the server-side life_server.pbo, add the matching extDB database bridge, import the supplied MySQL/MariaDB schema, and configure the server to load the correct mission. For Altis Life RPG v5.0.0, use extDB3; releases at or below 4.4R4 use extDB2. The steps below cover Windows and Linux self-hosting, database setup, map selection, startup parameters, troubleshooting, and managed-hosting panels.
What do I need before installing Altis Life?
Prepare the dedicated server, framework release, database, and operating-system dependencies before copying any files. Altis Life is a server framework and mission deployment, so every component must come from a compatible release.
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- An Arma 3 Dedicated Server: Bohemia Interactive provides the dedicated-server package for Windows and modern Linux. The server needs a real IPv4 connection for normal public hosting.
- A packaged Altis Life release: Obtain a release containing both the playable mission PBO and the server-side
life_server.pbo. Do not mix files from unrelated framework versions. - A matching database bridge: Altis Life RPG v5.0.0 requires extDB3, while versions at or below 4.4R4 use extDB2. The bridge, configuration filename, and native library must match the framework release.
- MySQL or MariaDB: The framework stores accounts, vehicles, housing, licenses, and other persistent data in a database. MariaDB is recommended in the Windows prerequisites described by the framework documentation.
- Windows runtime components, when applicable: Install the Visual C++ 2015 redistributables required by the server and extDB package. A 64-bit redistributable is needed when running the 64-bit server executable.
- SteamCMD: Use it to download or validate Arma 3 Dedicated Server files. Keep the server stopped while installing files or changing configuration.
Use a separate operating-system account for the server where practical. Give that account ownership of the server directory and only the database permissions it needs. On Linux, use the library files supplied for Linux and set executable and read permissions rather than copying Windows DLLs.
Which extDB version does Altis Life use?
Choose extDB from the Altis Life framework version, not from whichever package is newest. The AsYetUntitled framework documentation states that extDB3 is required for Altis Life RPG v5.0.0 (noted as of commit 8de51bd); releases at or below 4.4R4 use extDB2. Host Havoc’s setup guide describes the same v4.4/extDB2 and v5.0/extDB3 split.
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| Altis Life release | Database bridge | Server mod example | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| v5.0.0 and later in the v5 line | extDB3 | @extDB3 |
Use the extDB3 configuration format and native library supplied with that release. |
| v4.4R4 and earlier | extDB2 | @extDB2 |
Use the older extDB2 configuration filename and syntax; do not reuse an extDB3 file. |
Mixing a v5 mission with extDB2, or a v4.4 mission with extDB3 settings, commonly produces database initialization errors even when the database credentials are correct. If a release README specifies a different revision, follow that README over a generic example.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteHow do I install the Arma 3 Dedicated Server with SteamCMD?
SteamCMD downloads the dedicated-server files under the account and directory you select. The application ID used for Arma 3 Dedicated Server is 233780.
- Download and extract SteamCMD into the directory where you manage server software, or into a tools directory outside the live server folder.
- Open a command prompt or shell in the SteamCMD directory.
- Log in with a Steam account that can download the dedicated server. A separate server account is preferable where available:
login <steam account> <password> <optional steam guard code>
app_update 233780 validate
quit- Wait for
app_updateto finish and confirm that the Arma 3 server executable and supporting files exist in the chosen installation directory. - Stop any running instance before adding Altis Life files. Updating the base server while it is running can leave partially replaced binaries or locked files.
The validate argument checks the downloaded files and restores missing or damaged files. It does not install Altis Life, extDB, or the database schema; those remain separate steps.
Where do I put life_server.pbo and Altis_Life.Altis.pbo?
The server-side PBO and the playable mission PBO have different destinations. A correct Windows-style layout looks like this:
Arma 3 Server/
├─ @life_server/
│ └─ Addons/
│ └─ life_server.pbo
├─ @extDB3/
│ ├─ extdb3-conf.ini
│ └─ extDB3.dll
├─ MPMissions/
│ └─ Altis_Life.Altis.pbo
└─ tbbmalloc.dll| Component | Required location | What it does |
|---|---|---|
life_server.pbo |
@life_server/Addons/ |
Runs the server-side Altis Life functions and database calls. |
| Playable mission PBO | MPMissions/ |
Provides the mission players join, such as Altis_Life.Altis.pbo. |
| extDB3 files | @extDB3/ |
Supplies the database bridge and its connection configuration. |
| extDB2 files | An @extDB2/ folder using the release’s package layout |
Legacy bridge for 4.4R4-and-earlier frameworks. |
Keep capitalization and punctuation in the mission filename. The value in server.cfg must match the PBO’s mission name without the .pbo extension. Linux installations use the same logical folders but require the Linux extDB package and its permissions; never substitute a Windows .dll for a Linux shared library.
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Import the framework’s supplied AltisLife.sql (sometimes named altislife.sql) before starting the mission. The schema creates the tables and initial data that the framework expects.
Install MySQL or MariaDB
Install a supported MySQL-compatible server on the same machine as Arma 3 for the simplest configuration, or provision a private remote database if your host separates game and database services. Record the database host, port, database name, username, and password. The standard MySQL/MariaDB port is 3306 unless your administrator changed it.
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Create a database and account
The framework guide’s example creates an arma3 database user and an AltisLife database. Replace every placeholder credential before executing the SQL. Use a strong password and grant the account access only to the Altis Life database.
-- Use the exact statements supplied by your framework release.
-- Replace placeholder names and passwords before running them.
CREATE DATABASE AltisLife;
CREATE USER 'arma3'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY '<strong-password>';
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON AltisLife.* TO 'arma3'@'localhost';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;The exact SQL syntax and initial rows can differ between releases, so run the complete AltisLife.sql file from the selected framework after creating the database. Framework repositories may also supply migration scripts for upgrades; apply those migrations in the order documented for your current version rather than importing an old full schema over an existing production database.
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Import the schema
From a MySQL client, administration tool, or command-line shell, select the new database and execute the supplied SQL file. Confirm that the expected tables exist and that the account can read and write them before moving to extDB configuration.
How do I connect Altis Life to MySQL with extDB?
Edit the connection section in the bridge configuration and use exactly the same values that were used to create the database account. For extDB3, the file is normally @extDB3/extdb3-conf.ini:
[altislife]
IP = <database host>
Port = 3306
Username = <database user>
Password = <database password>
Database = altislifeWhen MySQL or MariaDB runs on the Arma 3 machine, set IP = 127.0.0.1. Binding the database to localhost or a private interface avoids exposing port 3306 to the public internet. For a remote database, use the private address or hostname supplied by the provider, allow the game server’s IP in the database firewall, and verify that the account is permitted to connect from that host rather than only from localhost.
For extDB2 releases, edit the extDB2 configuration file and syntax shipped with that release. Do not rename an extDB2 file to an extDB3 filename or copy an extDB3 section into it. A successful database login still requires the correct schema name and tables; a valid network connection alone is not enough.
How do I select the correct Altis Life map mission?
Altis Life RPG v5.0.0 and later releases provide map-specific SQM files. Choose the SQM that matches the terrain you intend to run, copy it into the corresponding mission folder, and rename it mission.sqm before packing or deploying the mission.
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- Open the framework’s
SQMsdirectory. - Select the SQM for Altis or the other supported map you want to host.
- Copy that file into the mission source directory, such as
Altis_Life.Altis. - Rename the copied file exactly to
mission.sqm. - Pack the mission into the PBO name expected by your server, for example
Altis_Life.Altis.pbo, and place it inMPMissions.
Do not put a map’s SQM into a mission for a different terrain. The resulting mission may fail to load, show missing objects, or present the wrong playable area. Keep the mission PBO name, the map suffix, and the template in server.cfg aligned.
What should server.cfg contain for Altis Life?
Use the template and mission name supplied by the framework release. A typical example is:
template = "Altis_Life.Altis";
difficulty = "regular";The template value refers to the mission PBO without .pbo. If the file is named Altis_Life.Tanoa.pbo, the template must use Altis_Life.Tanoa instead. Keep any additional server settings from the framework’s example, including administrator passwords, player limits, and network options, but replace sample secrets before exposing the server.
A missing mission message usually means the PBO is not in MPMissions, its name does not match template, or the server is looking in a different installation directory than the one you edited.
How do I start Altis Life with the correct server mods?
Start the server with the framework and database bridge as server-only mods. The v5 example uses the 64-bit executable and:
arma3server_x64.exe -serverMod=@life_server;@extDB3The bydolg framework README gives the same server-mod pattern. For a 4.4-era installation, substitute @extDB2:
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Start with the server stopped during every copy or configuration change. After launch, wait for the mission to initialize, then inspect the server console and extDB log files before inviting players.
How can I verify that the installation works?
Validate each layer in order rather than troubleshooting the whole stack at once:
- Dedicated server: Confirm that the Arma 3 executable starts without missing-runtime or permission errors.
- Mission discovery: Check that the server lists the selected mission and that the
templatestring matches the PBO filename. - Server-side framework: Look for
life_serverloading from@life_server/Addons. A misplaced PBO will prevent framework functions from initializing. - Database bridge: Inspect extDB logs for a successful connection and the absence of library-load errors.
- Persistence: Join with a test account, create or change a character value, disconnect, restart the server, and verify that the value is read back from the database. This checks persistence rather than merely mission loading.
These checks are operational diagnostics based on the documented file paths, startup parameters, and connection fields. They do not replace the release’s own changelog or migration instructions.
What are the most common Altis Life installation errors?
“Mission not found” or an empty mission list
- Confirm that the mission PBO is directly under
MPMissions, not nested in another folder. - Remove an accidental double extension such as
Altis_Life.Altis.pbo.pbo. - Make
template = "Altis_Life.Altis";match the filename exactly, including map suffix and capitalization. - Check that the server launch script points to the same Arma 3 directory where you copied the PBO.
extDB cannot load or reports an unknown function
- Verify the framework generation: v5.0.0 needs extDB3; 4.4R4 and earlier need extDB2.
- Use the native Linux library on Linux and the correct Windows DLL and Visual C++ runtime on Windows.
- Ensure
@extDB3or@extDB2is present in-serverModand that the folder name matches the parameter. - Do not combine configuration syntax from the other bridge.
Database authentication or “connection refused” errors
- Compare the username, password, database name, host, and port in the extDB file with the account created in MySQL/MariaDB.
- Use
127.0.0.1for a co-located database when the account and server are configured for local connections. - For a remote database, allow the game server’s IP in the database firewall and grant the account access from that host.
- Check that the schema was imported into the database named in the configuration, not into a similarly named empty database.
Players can join, but data does not save
Mission loading and persistence are separate. Inspect extDB logs, verify that the required tables exist, and check that the database account has write privileges. If the framework was upgraded, apply its documented migrations before testing saves; an old schema can allow a connection while missing columns used by the newer mission.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Should I install Altis Life myself or use a managed hosting panel?
Self-hosting gives complete filesystem, launch-script, and database control. A managed panel reduces manual file handling and usually provides a database wizard, but you still have to select the right framework generation, initialize the schema, and supply matching credentials.
| Consideration | Self-hosted server | Managed panel |
|---|---|---|
| File access | Full access to PBOs, libraries, scripts, and launch parameters. | Usually limited to FTP, file manager, and approved mod or command-line controls. |
| Database | You install and secure MySQL/MariaDB and import the SQL yourself. | The provider may provision the database, but you still edit credentials and initialize Altis Life. |
| Version choice | You control extDB2/extDB3 and every framework file. | The panel’s package may target a particular framework generation; verify it before installation. |
| Maintenance | You handle OS updates, backups, permissions, and recovery. | The provider handles host infrastructure while you remain responsible for mission configuration and data backups. |
Typical managed-panel workflow
Host Havoc’s guide, published June 9, 2026, instructs customers to stop the server, open the Non-Workshop Mods panel, install “Altis Life Files,” run “Setup Altis Life DB Wipes,” create or edit a custom command line, choose @extDB2;@life_server for v4.4 or @extDB3;@life_server for v5.0, enable Auto Initialize, save, and select that command line. The exact labels vary by provider, but the sequence illustrates the dependencies: stop first, install the files, initialize the database, then launch with the bridge that matches the framework.
Nitrous Networks documents a similar process: provision a MySQL database, install Altis Life RPG, edit extDB credentials, allow the server IP for remote SQL access when required, and select the mission PBO. Other panels may expose the same actions through FTP and a command-line editor rather than a dedicated installer. Older panel instructions can target earlier framework generations, so confirm whether they install v4.4/extDB2 or v5.0/extDB3 before importing data.
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How should I secure and maintain an Altis Life server?
- Protect credentials: Keep database passwords out of public repositories, screenshots, and shared launch scripts. Restrict configuration-file permissions to the server account and administrators.
- Limit database exposure: Prefer
127.0.0.1for a local database or a private network for a remote one. Do not open port 3306 publicly unless the hosting design specifically requires it. - Back up before upgrades: Export the Altis Life database and copy the mission and configuration files before changing framework versions or applying migrations.
- Keep versions together: Update the mission PBO,
life_server.pbo, extDB package, and schema according to one release’s instructions. Mixing generations is a common source of startup and persistence failures. - Use native permissions: On Linux, ensure the service account can read the PBOs and execute the server and extDB library. On Windows, confirm the service account can read the runtime DLLs.
- Review logs after updates: A server that starts is not necessarily saving data. Check the Arma console, extDB logs, and database error log after every framework or schema change.
Can I run Altis Life with a remote database?
Yes, provided the database service accepts connections from the game server and the extDB values point to the remote host. Remote databases add firewall, routing, TLS, and permission requirements that do not exist when both services run on one machine.
- Create the database and import the framework SQL on the remote MySQL/MariaDB service.
- Grant the Altis Life account access from the game server’s public or private IP, according to the provider’s security model.
- Allow only the required source address through the database firewall; do not open the service to every internet address.
- Enter the remote hostname or private IP and port in extDB, then test the connection from the server host.
- Check latency and timeout errors in extDB logs before allowing players onto the server.
A local database remains the simplest arrangement for a single self-hosted machine. A managed host may separate game and database services, in which case its instructions for remote SQL access take precedence over the local 127.0.0.1 example.
What is the complete installation checklist?
- Choose one Altis Life release and read its release-specific README.
- Match v5.0.0 with extDB3, or v4.4R4-and-earlier with extDB2.
- Install or validate Arma 3 Dedicated Server with SteamCMD app ID
233780. - Install MySQL/MariaDB and any required Windows Visual C++ runtime.
- Place
life_server.pboin@life_server/Addons. - Place the playable mission PBO in
MPMissions. - Place the correct extDB package and configuration in
@extDB3or@extDB2. - Create the database account and import
AltisLife.sqloraltislife.sql. - Set the extDB host, port, username, password, and database name.
- Use
127.0.0.1for a co-located database unless your setup requires another address. - For v5.0.0+, copy the map-specific SQM and rename it
mission.sqm. - Set the matching mission template in
server.cfg. - Launch with
-serverMod=@life_server;@extDB3for v5 or the extDB2 equivalent for v4.4. - Confirm mission loading, database connection, and persistence in the logs before opening the server to players.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do players need to install Altis Life from the Steam Workshop?
No. The core deployment is server-side: the mission PBO, life_server PBO, and extDB bridge run on the dedicated server. Players only need whatever client-side content the specific framework release documents, if any.
Can I upgrade an existing Altis Life 4.4 server directly to v5.0?
Treat it as a migration, not a file swap. Back up the database, read the v5 release migration notes, install extDB3, and apply the supplied schema migrations before allowing players back in.
Why does the server start even though player data is not saving?
Arma can load the mission while the database bridge is misconfigured. Check extDB logs, confirm that the configured database contains the imported Altis Life tables, and verify that the database account has write privileges.
What should I back up before changing the framework?
Export the Altis Life database, copy the mission and server configuration files, and preserve the exact extDB package and launch parameters that currently work. Keep the backup outside the live server directory so an update cannot overwrite it.
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