Configure BattlEye Extended Controls (BEC) on DayZ Server

This guide explains how to install and configure BattlEye Extended Controls (BEC) on a DayZ server. BEC is a third-party tool that runs alongside your server to provide automated admin tools, scheduled messages, and player management features that are not available in the base game. You will learn what files to edit, how to set up the scheduler, and how to troubleshoot common issues.

What You’ll Need

• A Windows or Linux DayZ server (dedicated or hosted) with admin access to the server files.
• The latest BEC release downloaded from the official BattlEye forums or a trusted community source.
• Basic familiarity with editing text files (Notepad, Notepad++, or a similar editor).
• Your server’s RCON port and password (usually found in your server configuration file).
• Optional: A separate machine or screen session if you run BEC as a standalone process.

Step-by-Step

1. Download BEC: Get the latest BEC version from the official BattlEye forums or a reputable community mirror. Make sure you download the version that matches your server’s operating system (Windows or Linux).
2. Extract BEC: Unzip the downloaded archive to a folder on your server machine. For example, C:\BEC on Windows or /opt/BEC on Linux. Note the full path because you will need it later.
3. Locate your DayZ server files: Find the directory where your DayZ server is installed. This is usually the folder containing the DayZServer_x64.exe (Windows) or DayZServer (Linux) executable.
4. Copy the BEC folder: Copy the entire extracted BEC folder into the DayZ server directory. This places BEC in the same location as your server configuration files, making paths easier.
5. Edit the main BEC config file: Open Config.cfg (or BEC.cfg depending on the version) in the BEC folder. This file controls how BEC connects to your server. Locate the following lines and set them to match your server:
   BEServer = 127.0.0.1 (your server IP, usually localhost if BEC runs on the same machine)
   BEPort = 2302 (your server’s game port, not the Steam query port)
   BEAdmin = YourRCONPassword (use the RCON password from your server config)
   BECommandPrefix = ! (the prefix for admin commands, e.g., !kick)
6. Set the server’s BattlEye RCON password: In your DayZ server configuration file (usually serverDZ.cfg), ensure you have a line like BattlEye = 1; and steamQueryPort = 2304; (or your chosen query port). Also set BattlEyePassword = "YourRCONPassword"; – this must match the BEAdmin value in BEC’s config.
7. Start your DayZ server: Launch your DayZ server as you normally would. Wait until it is fully loaded and you see the message that BattlEye is initialized.
8. Start BEC: Run BEC.exe (Windows) or BEC (Linux, via terminal) from the BEC folder. You should see output indicating it is connecting to the server. If successful, you will see a message like “Connected to server” or “BattlEye connection established”.
9. Test the connection: In your DayZ client (or server console), type #login YourRCONPassword (if you are in the server console) or use the in-game admin menu. Then type !help in the chat (if you are in-game as admin) to see if BEC responds with a list of commands.
10. Configure the scheduler: BEC includes a scheduler that can run commands at specific times. Edit Scheduler.xml in the BEC folder. Each entry looks like:
    <schedule name="Restart" time="06:00" day="*" loop="0">!restart</schedule>
    Replace !restart with the command you want to run (e.g., !say Server restarting in 5 minutes). Save the file and reload BEC (or restart BEC) to apply changes.
11. Set up admin list: Open Admins.xml in the BEC folder. Add the Steam64 IDs of players who should have admin access. For example:
    <admin id="76561198000000000">YourName</admin>
    Save the file. BEC will read this file on startup or when you reload it.
12. Optional – Auto-restart script: To have BEC restart your DayZ server automatically, you can create a batch file (Windows) or shell script (Linux) that runs BEC and your server in a loop. A simple Windows batch file might look like:
    :start
Start /wait DayZServer_x64.exe -config=serverDZ.cfg
Start /wait BEC.exe
Goto start
    This is advanced; test without it first.

Common Mistakes

• Wrong RCON password: The most common issue is a mismatch between the password in BEC’s config and the one in your server config. Double-check both files.
• Wrong port: BEC connects to the BattlEye port, which is usually the game port (2302) not the Steam query port (2304). Using the wrong port will cause a connection failure.
• BEC running before server is ready: If BEC starts before the server has fully loaded, it may fail to connect. Wait for the server to be fully up before starting BEC.
• Editing files while BEC is running: BEC reads some files only at startup. If you edit Scheduler.xml or Admins.xml while BEC is running, changes may not take effect until you restart BEC.
• Using the wrong file format: Ensure you save config files as plain text with UTF-8 encoding (no BOM). Some editors add BOM which can cause parsing errors.
• Firewall blocking: If BEC cannot connect, check that your firewall allows outbound connections to the server’s IP and port (2302).

Tips

• Use a dedicated machine or screen: On Linux, run BEC in a screen or tmux session so it stays alive after you disconnect from SSH.
• Test commands in a controlled way: Before scheduling automatic restarts, test the commands manually to ensure they work as expected.
• Keep BEC updated: BattlEye updates frequently; check for BEC updates regularly to maintain compatibility.
• Use the scheduler for messages: You can schedule welcome messages, rule reminders, or server restart warnings. This improves player experience.
• Backup your config: Before making major changes, copy your BEC config files so you can revert if something breaks.
• Read the log: BEC writes a log file (usually BEC_Log.txt). If something fails, check this log for error messages.

Troubleshooting

• BEC won’t connect to server: Verify that the server is running and BattlEye is enabled. Check the IP and port in BEC config – if the server is on the same machine, use 127.0.0.1. Ensure the RCON password matches exactly (case-sensitive).
• Commands not working: If you type !help and get no response, check that you are logged in as admin (use #login in server console). Also confirm the command prefix in BEC config matches what you type.
• Scheduler not firing: Check the time format in Scheduler.xml – it uses 24-hour format (e.g., 06:00 for 6 AM). Also ensure you have restarted BEC after editing the file.
• BEC crashes on startup: Make sure you have the correct version for your OS. On Linux, you may need to run chmod +x BEC to make it executable. Also check that you have the required libraries (e.g., lib32gcc on 64-bit systems).
• BEC connects but no admin commands work: Ensure your Steam64 ID is in the Admins.xml file and that you are logged into the server with that account. Also verify that you are using the correct command prefix.
• Server restarts but BEC doesn’t reconnect: If you use an auto-restart script, ensure BEC is started after the server. Some scripts start BEC first, causing it to fail. Adjust the order in your script.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is BEC and why do I need it?

BEC (BattlEye Extended Controls) is a third-party tool that adds advanced admin features to DayZ servers, such as scheduled messages, automatic restarts, and remote console commands. It’s not required, but it simplifies server management.

Can I run BEC on a hosted server?

Yes, if you have full file access and can run executables. Many hosting providers allow you to upload and run BEC. Check your host’s documentation for specific instructions.

Does BEC work with the latest DayZ version?

BEC is regularly updated to work with current DayZ versions. Always download the latest release to ensure compatibility. If you encounter issues, check the BEC forum thread for updates.

How do I add new admin commands?

BEC comes with a set of predefined commands. To add custom commands, you can edit the Config.cfg file and define aliases or use the built-in scripting features. For advanced scripting, refer to the BEC documentation.

Can BEC automatically restart my server?

Yes, you can schedule a restart command using the scheduler. For example, !restart will restart the server. You can also create a script that restarts both the server and BEC.

Is BEC safe to use?

BEC is widely used and considered safe, but it is a third-party tool. Always download from trusted sources and review the code if you are concerned. It does not modify game files, only interacts via BattlEye RCON.

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