Upgrading or Downgrading Your DayZ Server

Complete Guide to Upgrading & Downgrading DayZ Servers

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about changing your DayZ server resources. Whether you need more power for additional players or want to optimize costs, OCNetworks makes it simple to adjust your server configuration.

Quick Overview

• Instant Processing: Configuration changes applied within 5-10 minutes
• Flexible Options: Change RAM, CPU threads, storage, or location independently
• Prorated Billing: Only pay the difference for your remaining billing period
• Zero Data Loss: All server files, mods, and configurations preserved
• Automatic Backups: System creates backup before any changes

Prerequisites

Before upgrading or downgrading your DayZ server:

• Active Service: Your DayZ server must be in active status (not suspended)
• Client Area Access: Login credentials for billing.ocnetworks.co.uk
• Payment Method: Valid payment method on file (for upgrades)
• Server Notification: Inform your players about potential brief downtime

Step 1: Access Your Service

Navigate to Service Management

1. Login to billing.ocnetworks.co.uk
2. Click Services in the top navigation menu
3. Select My Services from the dropdown
4. Locate your Game Servers - DayZ service
5. Click on the service name to open the details page

Step 2: Navigate to Upgrade/Downgrade

Accessing Configuration Options

1. From your service details page, locate the left sidebar
2. Click the Actions dropdown menu
3. Select Upgrade/Downgrade Options
4. You'll be redirected to the configuration selection page

Step 3: Select Your New Configuration

Available Upgrade Options

SERVER RAM

• 6GB Bronze: £11.99/month base - 30-50 players, light to moderate mods
• 8GB Silver: £13.99/month base - 50-70 players, moderate to heavy mods (Most Popular)
• 12GB Gold: £18.99/month base - 70-100 players, extensive mod support, custom maps

CPU THREADS

• 2 CPU Threads: £0.00 (included) - Basic performance for small servers
• 4 CPU Threads: +£2.00/month - Recommended for 6GB Bronze tier
• 6 CPU Threads: +£4.00/month - Recommended for 8GB Silver tier
• 8 CPU Threads: +£7.00/month - Recommended for 12GB Gold tier
• 10 CPU Threads: +£10.00/month - Maximum performance for large communities

M.2 NVMe STORAGE

• 50GB - Vanilla servers with minimal mods
• 75GB - Standard modded servers
• 100GB - Heavy mod collections + custom maps
• 150GB - Extensive mods + multiple map backups
• 200GB - Large communities with full backup history

LOCATION

• Maidenhead, England - Low latency for UK/EU players (Primary)
• London, England - Alternative UK location (Subject to availability)

Configuration Selection Interface

The upgrade interface allows you to easily select your desired configuration. Choose your preferred RAM tier, CPU threads, and storage options from the dropdown menus.

Upgrade configuration interface showing resource selection options and pricing

Understanding Pricing Adjustments

Upgrade Pricing (Positive Values):

• Displayed as £3.00 GBP, £5.00 GBP, etc.
• Additional monthly cost for increased resources
• Prorated charge applied immediately
• Future invoices reflect new pricing

Downgrade Pricing (Negative Values):

• Displayed as £-6.00 GBP, £-3.00 GBP, etc.
• Monthly cost reduction for decreased resources
• Credit applied to your account
• Used automatically on next invoice

Step 4: Review & Complete the Change

Final Configuration Review

1. Review all selected changes carefully
2. Verify the pricing adjustments are correct
3. Check your new total monthly cost
4. Click the green Continue button

Payment Processing

For Upgrades:

1. Review the prorated charge for your current billing period
2. Complete payment using your stored payment method or add new payment details
3. Wait for payment confirmation (usually instant for card payments)

For Downgrades:

1. Review the credit amount being applied to your account
2. Confirm the downgrade request
3. No payment required - credit applied automatically

What Happens During the Change

Server Reconfiguration Process

Automated Process Timeline:

1. Backup Creation (1-2 minutes) - Full server snapshot created
2. Graceful Shutdown (30 seconds) - Server saves world and stops cleanly
3. Resource Reallocation (2-3 minutes) - New RAM, CPU, storage provisioned
4. File Migration (1-3 minutes) - Server data moved if needed (storage/location changes)
5. Configuration Update (30 seconds) - Server parameters adjusted for new resources
6. Server Restart (1-2 minutes) - DayZ server starts with new configuration
7. Verification (30 seconds) - System confirms successful startup

Total Downtime: Typically 5-10 minutes depending on changes made

After the Configuration Change

Verification Steps

1. Check Service Details:

1. Return to Services → My Services
2. Open your DayZ server service
3. Verify the new resource allocation is displayed correctly
4. Confirm server status shows as Active

2. Access Game Panel:

1. Navigate to panel.ocnetworks.co.uk
2. Open your server from the server list
3. Check the Console tab for any startup errors
4. Verify server resources in the stats panel

3. Test Server Connection:

1. Launch DayZ or DayZ Launcher
2. Search for your server in the server browser
3. Connect using your server IP: YOUR_SERVER_IP:2302
4. Verify you can join successfully

Post-Upgrade Optimization

If You Upgraded RAM:

• Consider increasing max players if desired
• Monitor RAM usage to ensure headroom for player growth
• Install additional mods if desired

If You Upgraded CPU:

• Consider adding more complex server-side mods
• Monitor CPU usage during peak hours
• Potentially increase AI count or dynamics

If You Upgraded Storage:

• Install additional custom maps
• Enable more frequent automatic backups
• Consider storing multiple world saves

If You Changed Location:

• Update any third-party monitoring tools with new IP (if IP changed)
• Notify players if connection details changed
• Test latency from different regions

Performance Impact Reference

RAM Upgrade Benefits

• 6GB → 8GB Bronze → Silver: +20 player capacity, enhanced mod support, better performance
• 8GB → 12GB Silver → Gold: +30-50 player capacity, extensive mod support, large custom maps

CPU Upgrade Benefits

• 2 → 4 Threads: +100% performance improvement, better AI and zombie handling
• 4 → 6 Threads: +50% performance boost, supports complex economy and trader mods
• 6 → 8 Threads: +33% performance gain, ideal for 70-100 player servers with heavy mods
• 8 → 10 Threads: Maximum performance, optimal for large-scale modded communities

Storage Upgrade Benefits

• 50GB → 100GB: Double mod capacity, 2-3x map backups
• 100GB → 200GB: Extensive mod collections, full 30-day backup rotation

Billing & Payment Details

Prorated Billing Explained

Upgrade Example:

Downgrade Example:

Current Plan: 12GB Gold - £18.99 + 8 CPU (£7.00) + 100GB (£4.00) = £29.99/month
New Plan: 8GB Silver - £13.99 + 6 CPU (£4.00) + 75GB (£2.00) = £19.99/month
Days Remaining in Cycle: 20 days (67% of month)

Account Credit: (£29.99 - £19.99) × 0.67 = £6.70
Next Invoice: £19.99 (minus £6.70 credit = £13.29
Next Invoice: £25.00 (minus £3.35 credit = £21.65)