Skip to content

XxNeroMortexX/MorteArkManager

BranchesTags

Repository files navigation

🦖 MorteArkManager - ARK: Survival Evolved Web Manager

A comprehensive PHP-based web management panel for ARK: Survival Evolved dedicated servers running on Windows. Streamline your server administration with an intuitive web interface featuring real-time monitoring, configuration management, and powerful automation tools.

✨ Features

🎮 Server Management

  • ✅ Dashboard - Real-time server status overview with quick actions
  • ✅ Server Control - Start, stop, restart, and force kill servers
  • ✅ Multi-Server Support - Manage multiple ARK servers from one interface
  • ✅ Scheduled Restarts - Configure automatic weekly server restart schedules
  • ✅ Process Monitoring - Track ARK server processes with PID, memory usage, and uptime

⚙️ Configuration Tools

  • ✅ INI File Editor - Edit GameUserSettings.ini, Game.ini, and Engine.ini with syntax highlighting
  • ✅ INI Comparison Tool - Analyze your configuration files:
    • View current settings vs. available settings
    • Identify missing settings you can add
    • Detect unknown/custom settings
    • Get detailed descriptions and valid ranges for all settings
  • ✅ Manager Settings - Configure ARK Manager paths and backup settings
  • ✅ Automatic Backups - All configuration changes create automatic backups

🎛️ Server Control

  • ✅ RCON Console - Execute remote console commands with quick action buttons
  • ✅ Character Transfer - Transfer players between maps/servers safely
  • ✅ File Browser - Navigate and edit server files like FTP
  • ✅ Script Executor - Run batch files and custom commands with real-time output

📊 Monitoring & Logs

  • ✅ System Monitor - Comprehensive real-time system monitoring:
    • CPU usage and temperature
    • Memory usage (Used/Total GB)
    • GPU usage, temperature, and memory
    • Network traffic (Received/Sent KB/s)
    • Disk usage for all drives
    • System temperatures (CPU, GPU, Motherboard)
    • Fan speeds (RPM)
    • System uptime
    • ARK server process details
  • ✅ Real-time Logs - View server and manager logs with auto-refresh
  • ✅ Action Logging - Audit trail of all manager actions

🔒 Security

  • ✅ Secure Authentication - .htaccess password protection
  • ✅ Role-Based Access - Admin and Moderator permission levels
  • ✅ Input Validation - Path sanitization and validation
  • ✅ Automatic Backups - Safety net before all file modifications

📋 Requirements

  • Windows 11 Pro (or Windows Server 2019+)
  • Apache 2.4+ with mod_rewrite enabled
  • PHP 8.3+ with the following:
    • exec() function enabled
    • shell_exec() enabled
    • proc_open() enabled
  • ARK: Survival Evolved Dedicated Server
  • RCON enabled on your ARK servers
  • Hardware Monitoring (for System Monitor features)

🚀 Quick Installation

Automated Installation (Recommended)

  1. Run the installer as Administrator:

    Right-click install.bat → Run as administrator

  2. Follow the prompts to:

    • Create directory structure
    • Set permissions
    • Create .htpasswd authentication
    • Verify PHP and Apache installation

  3. Complete setup:

    • Copy all PHP files to H:\ark-manager\
    • Edit config.php with your server settings
    • Restart Apache
    • Access http://localhost/ark-manager

Manual Installation

See the Detailed Installation Guide section below.

📁 Directory Structure

H:\ark-manager\
├── assets/
│   ├── css/
│   │   └── style.css                # Main stylesheet
│   └── js/
│       └── main.js                  # JavaScript functions
├── includes/
│   ├── header.php                   # Header template
│   ├── footer.php                   # Footer template
│   ├── functions.php                # Core functions
│   └── rcon.php                     # RCON library
├── ini-editor/
│   └── index.php                    # INI file editor
├── ini_comparison/
│   └── index.php                    # INI comparison tool
├── server-control/
│   └── index.php                    # Server control panel
├── rcon/
│   └── index.php                    # RCON console
├── character-transfer/
│   └── index.php                    # Character transfer tool
├── file-browser/
│   └── index.php                    # File browser
├── scripts/
│   └── index.php                    # Script executor
├── logs/
│   └── index.php                    # Log viewer
├── monitor/
│   └── index.php                    # System monitor
├── settings/
│   └── index.php                    # Manager settings
├── secure/
│   └── (authentication files)       # Security components
├── config.php                       # Main configuration
├── index.php                        # Dashboard
└── .htaccess                        # Apache authentication

⚙️ Detailed Installation Guide

Step 1: Configure Apache

Edit your Apache httpd.conf (typically located at H:\apache24\conf\httpd.conf):

# Enable mod_rewrite if not already enabled
LoadModule rewrite_module modules/mod_rewrite.so

# Add ARK Manager directory configuration
<Directory "H:/ark-manager">
    Options -Indexes +FollowSymLinks
    AllowOverride All
    Require all granted
</Directory>

# Create alias for ARK Manager
Alias /ark-manager "H:/ark-manager"

Restart Apache after changes:

net stop Apache2.4
net start Apache2.4

Step 2: Create .htpasswd Authentication

Open Command Prompt as Administrator:

cd H:\apache24\bin
htpasswd -c H:\ark-manager\.htpasswd admin

Enter a strong password when prompted. To add more users:

htpasswd H:\ark-manager\.htpasswd username

Step 3: Configure config.php

Edit config.php with your specific paths and server details:

<?php
// ============================================
// ARK Manager Configuration
// ============================================

// ARK Server Root Directory
define('ARK_ROOT', 'C:\\ARKServers\\ARKASE');

// Batch Files Directory
define('BATCH_DIR', 'C:\\ARKServers');

// Configuration Directory
define('CONFIG_DIR', ARK_ROOT . '\\ShooterGame\\Saved\\Config\\WindowsServer');

// Saved Files Directory
define('SAVED_DIR', ARK_ROOT . '\\ShooterGame\\Saved');

// Cluster Directory (for character transfers)
define('CLUSTER_DIR', 'C:\\ARKServers');

// Backup Settings
define('BACKUP_DIR', ARK_ROOT . '\\Backups');
define('BACKUP_DATE_FORMAT', 'Y-m-d_H-i-s');
define('BACKUP_PREFIX', 'backup_');

// ============================================
// Server Configurations
// ============================================

$SERVERS = [];

$SERVERS['extinction'] = [
    'name' => 'Ark_Morte_Extinction',
    'map' => 'Extinction',
    'rcon_ip' => '127.0.0.1',
    'rcon_port' => 27030,
    'port' => 7789,
    'query_port' => 27035,
    'save_dir' => 'ExtinctionSave',
    'batch_file' => 'extinction'
];

$SERVERS['fjordur'] = [
    'name' => 'Ark_Morte_Fjordur',
    'map' => 'Fjordur',
    'rcon_ip' => '127.0.0.1',
    'rcon_port' => 27020,
    'port' => 7779,
    'query_port' => 27025,
    'save_dir' => 'FjordurSave',
    'batch_file' => 'fjordur'
];

// ============================================
// Batch File Paths
// ============================================

$BATCH_FILES = [];
$BATCH_FILES['extinction'] = BATCH_DIR . '\\start_extinction.bat';
$BATCH_FILES['fjordur'] = BATCH_DIR . '\\start_fjordur.bat';

// ============================================
// Player Steam IDs and Names
// ============================================

$PLAYERS = [
    '76561198012345678' => 'PlayerName1',
    '76561198087654321' => 'PlayerName2',
    // Add more players as needed
];

// ============================================
// User Roles
// ============================================

$USER_ROLES = [
    'admin' => 'Admin',
    'moderator' => 'Moderator',
];

?>

Important Path Notes:

  • Always use double backslashes (\\) in Windows paths
  • Verify all paths exist before starting
  • Use absolute paths, not relative paths

Step 4: Set Directory Permissions

The installer handles this automatically, but if needed manually:

icacls "H:\ark-manager\logs" /grant "NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM:(OI)(CI)F" /T
icacls "H:\ARKServers" /grant "NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM:(OI)(CI)F" /T

Step 5: Verify PHP Configuration

Edit php.ini and ensure these functions are NOT in disable_functions:

; These must be enabled:
; exec, shell_exec, proc_open, popen

; Recommended settings:
max_execution_time = 300
memory_limit = 256M
upload_max_filesize = 50M
post_max_size = 50M

Restart Apache after modifying php.ini.

Step 6: Create Batch Files Directory

Organize your server batch files:

H:\ARKServers\
├── start_extinction.bat
├── start_fjordur.bat
└── (other server batch files)

Example batch file:

@echo off
cd /d "C:\ARKServers\ARKASE\ShooterGame\Binaries\Win64"
start ShooterGameServer.exe "Extinction?listen?SessionName=Ark_Morte_Extinction?Port=7789?QueryPort=27035?RCONEnabled=True?RCONPort=27030?ServerPassword=YourPassword?ServerAdminPassword=YourAdminPassword" -culture=en

Step 7: Test Installation

  1. Navigate to http://localhost/ark-manager
  2. Enter your .htpasswd credentials
  3. Verify the dashboard loads correctly
  4. Check that all menu items are accessible

🔧 Configuration Details

Adding a New Server

  1. Edit config.php
  2. Add to the $SERVERS array:
$SERVERS['newmap'] = [
    'name' => 'Ark_Morte_NewMap',
    'map' => 'NewMap',
    'rcon_ip' => '127.0.0.1',
    'rcon_port' => 27040,
    'port' => 7799,
    'query_port' => 27045,
    'save_dir' => 'NewMapSave',
    'batch_file' => 'newmap'
];

$BATCH_FILES['newmap'] = BATCH_DIR . '\\start_newmap.bat';
  1. Create the corresponding batch file
  2. Restart Apache

Adding Players for Character Transfer

  1. Locate .arkprofile files in your save directories:

    H:\ARKServers\ARKASE\ShooterGame\Saved\ExtinctionSave\

  2. The filename is the Steam ID: 76561198012345678.arkprofile

  3. Add to config.php:

    $PLAYERS = [
    '76561198012345678' => 'PlayerName',
];

Configuring Scheduled Restarts

Access the System Monitor page and configure:

  • Restart days (Sunday through Saturday)
  • Shutdown time (e.g., 6:30 AM)
  • Startup time (e.g., 8:30 AM)
  • Recurrence pattern (Weekly)

📖 Usage Guide

Dashboard

View real-time status of all servers with quick action buttons for common tasks.

INI File Editor

  1. Select the INI file (GameUserSettings.ini, Game.ini, or Engine.ini)
  2. Edit settings directly in the web interface
  3. Click Save (automatic backup created)
  4. Restart the server for changes to take effect

INI Comparison Tool

  1. Navigate to INI Check in the menu
  2. Select an INI file to analyze
  3. View:
    • Current Settings - What's in your file
    • Available Settings - All possible settings
    • Missing Settings - Settings you can add
    • Unknown Settings - Custom or client-only settings
  4. Each setting includes descriptions and valid value ranges

Server Control

  • Start Server - Launches the server using the configured batch file
  • Stop Server - Graceful shutdown (saves world first with SaveWorld + DoExit)
  • Restart Server - Stop → Wait → Start sequence
  • Force Kill - Terminates the process (use only if server is frozen)

RCON Console

  1. Select your server from the dropdown
  2. Type commands or use quick action buttons:
    • SaveWorld - Save current game state
    • ListPlayers - Show connected players
    • DestroyWildDinos - Respawn all wild dinosaurs
    • Broadcast <message> - Server-wide announcement
    • SetTimeOfDay HH:MM:SS - Change in-game time
  3. Kick players using the dynamic player list dropdown (auto-populated from online players)
  4. View command output in real-time

Character Transfer

  1. Stop both source and target servers
  2. Navigate to Characters
  3. Select source server
  4. Select target server
  5. Check characters to transfer
  6. Click Transfer Selected Characters
  7. Automatic backups are created
  8. Start the destination server

File Browser

  1. Navigate directories using the web interface
  2. Click Edit on supported files (.ini, .txt, .log, .cfg, .bat)
  3. Make changes in the editor
  4. Click Save (automatic backup created)
  5. Delete files (moved to .deleted folder as backup)

Script Executor

  1. View available batch files
  2. Click Run Script to execute
  3. Or enter a custom command
  4. View real-time output in the console

Log Viewer

  1. Select log type:
    • Server Logs - ARK server logs
    • Manager Logs - ARK Manager action logs
  2. Set number of lines to display
  3. Use search to filter log entries
  4. Auto-refreshes every 5 seconds

System Monitor

Real-time monitoring dashboard displays:

  • CPU - Usage percentage and temperature
  • Memory - Used/Total GB and usage percentage
  • GPU - Usage, temperature, and memory
  • Network - Received/Sent KB/s
  • Disk Usage - All drives with space and usage percentage
  • Temperatures - CPU, GPU, Motherboard sensors
  • Fan Speeds - All fan RPMs
  • System Uptime - Days, hours, minutes
  • ARK Processes - PID, memory usage, uptime per server
  • Scheduled Restarts - Configure and view restart schedule

Manager Settings

Configure core manager settings:

  • Directory Paths - ARK root directory
  • Backup Settings - Backup directory, date format, filename prefix
  • Current Configuration - View all configured paths
  • Direct link to edit config.php in File Browser

🛠️ Troubleshooting

"RCON Connection Failed"

Causes:

  • Server is not running
  • RCON port is incorrect
  • ServerAdminPassword not set in GameUserSettings.ini
  • Firewall blocking the RCON port

Solutions:

  1. Verify server is running
  2. Check RCON port in config.php matches server launch parameters
  3. Add RCONEnabled=True and RCONPort=27020 to server launch parameters
  4. Set ServerAdminPassword in GameUserSettings.ini
  5. Add firewall exception for RCON port

"Failed to Execute Command"

Causes:

  • PHP exec() function is disabled
  • Apache doesn't have proper permissions
  • Path issues

Solutions:

  1. Check php.ini - ensure exec, shell_exec, proc_open are NOT in disable_functions
  2. Verify Apache service runs as LocalSystem (default)
  3. Check file permissions using the installer or icacls command
  4. Restart Apache after any PHP configuration changes

"File Not Found" Errors

Causes:

  • Incorrect paths in config.php
  • Drive letter mismatch
  • Missing directories

Solutions:

  1. Verify all paths in config.php use double backslashes (\\)
  2. Check drive letters are correct (C:\ vs H:\)
  3. Ensure all directories exist
  4. Use absolute paths, not relative paths

Server Won't Start

Causes:

  • Batch file doesn't exist
  • Incorrect ARK executable path
  • Server already running
  • Port conflict

Solutions:

  1. Verify batch file exists at the path specified in config.php
  2. Check ARK server executable path in batch file
  3. Use Force Kill to stop any hung processes
  4. Review batch file for syntax errors
  5. Check Windows Event Viewer for detailed errors

Character Transfer Failed

Causes:

  • Servers not stopped
  • Save directories don't exist
  • Player files missing
  • Permission issues

Solutions:

  1. Always stop both servers before transferring
  2. Verify save directories exist in ARK root
  3. Check .arkprofile and .arktribe files exist in source directory
  4. Ensure write permissions on target directory
  5. Review manager logs for specific error messages

System Monitor Not Displaying Data

Causes:

  • Hardware monitoring software not installed
  • WMI service issues
  • Permission problems

Solutions:

  1. Ensure hardware monitoring tools are installed
  2. Restart WMI service: net stop winmgmt && net start winmgmt
  3. Run Apache as administrator (testing only)
  4. Check Windows Event Viewer for WMI errors

INI Comparison Shows No Data

Causes:

  • Incorrect config directory path
  • INI files don't exist
  • Permission issues

Solutions:

  1. Verify CONFIG_DIR path in config.php
  2. Ensure INI files exist in the config directory
  3. Check read permissions on config directory
  4. Use Manager Settings to verify paths

📊 Logs and Auditing

Manager Action Log

Location: H:\ark-manager\logs\manager.log

Logged Information:

  • User IP address
  • Timestamp
  • Action performed (Start Server, Edit INI, Transfer Character, etc.)
  • Details and parameters
  • Success/failure status

Example Entry:

[2025-01-15 14:30:22] 192.168.1.100 - START SERVER: extinction (Success)
[2025-01-15 14:35:10] 192.168.1.100 - EDIT INI: GameUserSettings.ini (Backup created)
[2025-01-15 15:00:45] 192.168.1.100 - RCON COMMAND: SaveWorld (Success)

Server Logs

Location: H:\ARKServers\ARKASE\ShooterGame\Saved\Logs\

View in real-time through the Log Viewer with auto-refresh and search capabilities.

🔐 Security Best Practices

Authentication

  • ✅ Use strong passwords in .htpasswd (minimum 12 characters)
  • ✅ Only give access to trusted administrators
  • ✅ Use different passwords for different users
  • ✅ Consider enabling two-factor authentication at the Apache level

Network Security

  • ✅ Use HTTPS in production (configure SSL certificate in Apache)
  • ✅ Restrict access by IP address if possible
  • ✅ Use a VPN for remote administration
  • ✅ Change default Apache and PHP ports

File Security

  • ✅ Review manager logs regularly (logs/manager.log)
  • ✅ Backup INI files before major changes
  • ✅ Keep automatic backups enabled
  • ✅ Limit file browser access to necessary directories only
  • ✅ Regularly review and clean old backup files

Server Security

  • ✅ Use strong RCON passwords
  • ✅ Don't expose RCON ports to the internet
  • ✅ Keep ARK server updated
  • ✅ Monitor for suspicious activity in logs
  • ✅ Test configuration changes on a backup server first

Role-Based Access Control

  • Flexible Permission System - Create unlimited custom roles with granular permissions
  • Pre-configured Roles:
    • Admin - Full access to all features including Manager Settings
    • Moderator - Server control, monitoring, RCON access, player management
    • Player - Dashboard view, character transfers, and log access
  • Customizable - Define your own roles (e.g., "Builder", "Community Manager", "Trial Mod") with any combination of 25+ available permissions including:
    • Page access (Dashboard, RCON, INI Editor, File Browser, etc.)
    • Server control (Start, Stop, Restart, Kill processes)
    • RCON capabilities (Execute commands, dangerous commands, kick players)
    • File management (Edit, delete, read-only access)
    • Configuration editing (Full or limited INI editing)

⚡ Performance Tips

Optimize Server Performance

  • Close server log viewer when not actively monitoring (reduces load)
  • Use Force Kill only when absolutely necessary
  • Schedule regular world saves via RCON (SaveWorld every 15-30 minutes)
  • Monitor RAM usage - ARK can be memory intensive
  • Keep system drivers updated for best hardware monitoring

Optimize Manager Performance

  • Pause System Monitor refresh when not actively viewing
  • Limit log viewer to 100-200 lines for better performance
  • Clear old backup files periodically
  • Keep Apache and PHP updated to the latest stable versions

Optimize Character Transfers

  • Always stop both servers completely before transferring
  • Transfer during low-activity periods
  • Verify transfer success before restarting servers
  • Keep cluster directory on fast storage (SSD recommended)

📦 Backup Strategy

Automatic Backups

The manager automatically creates backups before:

  • Editing any INI file
  • Transferring characters
  • Deleting files via File Browser

Backup Locations:

  • INI files: CONFIG_DIR\.backups\
  • Character files: CLUSTER_DIR\.backups\
  • Deleted files: (original location)\.deleted\

Manual Backup Recommendations

Daily:

  • ARK save files (ShooterGame\Saved\[MapName]Save\)

Weekly:

  • Full ARK server directory
  • ARK Manager configuration (config.php)

Before Updates:

  • Complete ARK server directory
  • All INI configuration files
  • ARK Manager directory

Backup Tools

Consider using:

  • Windows Server Backup
  • Robocopy scripts
  • Third-party backup software (Veeam, Acronis)
  • Cloud storage sync (OneDrive, Google Drive)

🔄 Updating the Manager

Update Process

  1. Backup current installation:

    xcopy H:\ark-manager H:\ark-manager-backup\ /E /I /H

  2. Backup your configuration:

    copy H:\ark-manager\config.php H:\config.php.backup
copy H:\ark-manager\.htpasswd H:\.htpasswd.backup

  3. Download latest version from repository

  4. Replace files (except config.php and .htpasswd)

  5. Restore configuration:

    copy H:\config.php.backup H:\ark-manager\config.php
copy H:\.htpasswd.backup H:\ark-manager\.htpasswd

  6. Clear browser cache (Ctrl+F5)

  7. Test functionality on all pages

  8. Review changelog for any required config.php updates

Version History

  • Version 2.0 - Added System Monitor, INI Comparison, Scheduled Restarts, Manager Settings
  • Version 1.0 - Initial release with core features

🆘 Support and Documentation

Getting Help

  1. Check this README thoroughly
  2. Review quick_start.txt for common tasks
  3. Check manager logs: H:\ark-manager\logs\manager.log
  4. Check server logs via the Log Viewer
  5. Review ARK server documentation

Common Issues Reference

  • Batch files - No spaces in critical paths
  • RCON - Must enable in server launch parameters with RCONEnabled=True
  • Permissions - Apache user needs full access to ARK directories
  • Paths - Always use absolute paths with double backslashes
  • PHP Functions - Ensure exec() and related functions are enabled

Reporting Issues

When reporting issues, include:

  • ARK Manager version
  • PHP version (php -v)
  • Apache version
  • Operating system version
  • Relevant error messages from logs
  • Steps to reproduce the issue

📜 License

This is a custom tool for personal server management. Use at your own risk.

Disclaimer: This software is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. The authors are not responsible for any damage or data loss that may occur from using this software.

🙏 Credits

Created by: XxNeroMortexX
Purpose: For ARK server administrators who want an easy-to-use, powerful web interface for comprehensive server management.

Special Thanks:

  • ARK: Survival Evolved community
  • PHP and Apache communities
  • All contributors and testers

📞 Quick Reference

File Locations

  • Web Files: H:\ark-manager\
  • ARK Server: H:\ARKServers\ARKASE\
  • Config Files: H:\ARKServers\ARKASE\ShooterGame\Saved\Config\WindowsServer\
  • Save Files: H:\ARKServers\ARKASE\ShooterGame\Saved\[MapName]Save\
  • Batch Files: H:\ARKServers\
  • Manager Logs: H:\ark-manager\logs\
  • Server Logs: H:\ARKServers\ARKASE\ShooterGame\Saved\Logs\

Default Access

  • URL: http://localhost/ark-manager
  • Authentication: .htpasswd file
  • Default User: Set during installation

System Requirements Summary

  • Windows 11 Pro / Windows Server 2019+
  • Apache 2.4+
  • PHP 8.3+
  • ARK: Survival Evolved Dedicated Server
  • 8GB+ RAM recommended
  • SSD storage recommended for best performance

Version: 2.0
Last Updated: January 2025
Compatible With: ARK: Survival Evolved Dedicated Server (Windows)
Repository: https://github.com/XxNeroMortexX/MorteArkManager

Enjoy managing your ARK servers! 🦖

About

MorteArkManager is a web-based tool for managing ARK: Survival Evolved servers. Features include editing INI files, remote console commands (RCON), transferring characters, file browsing, script execution, real-time log viewing, and system monitoring (CPU, RAM, Network). Streamline server management from one interface!

Resources

Readme

License

MIT license
Activity

Stars

0 stars

Watchers

0 watching

Forks

0 forks
Report repository

Releases

No releases published

Packages

 
 
 

Contributors

Languages