Do not enable every protocol. Do not turn on debugging in production. A solid config does three things:
This controls the daemon itself. Pay attention to the [cache] section; this is where OSCam beats competitors.
[global] logfile = /var/log/oscam/oscam.log nice = -1 maxlogsize = 100 preferlocalcards = 1 dropdups = 1 block_same_ip = 1 block_same_name = 1 lb_mode = 1 lb_save = 100 lb_nbest_readers = 2[cs378x] port = 15001
[webif] httpport = 8888 httpuser = admin httppwd = UseAStrongHashHere httprefresh = 10 httpallowed = 192.168.1.0-192.168.255.255,10.0.0.0-10.255.255.255 httpreadonly = 0 httppoll = 10
[cache] cachesize = 4096 cwcycle_check_caid = 1802,1833 cwcycle_maxhop = 2 cwcycle_usecwcfrom = 3 cacheex_cw_check = 1
[monitor] port = 988 monlevel = 1 nocrypt = 127.0.0.1
Pro tip: The block_same_ip and block_same_name flags prevent simple replay attacks or accidental loops in your network.
Don't run OSCam in a screen session. Use systemd.
Create /etc/systemd/system/oscam.service:
[Unit] Description=OSCam Card Server After=network.target[Service] Type=forking User=oscam Group=oscam ExecStart=/usr/local/bin/oscam -b -c /etc/oscam -t /tmp/.oscam ExecReload=/bin/kill -HUP $MAINPID Restart=on-failure RestartSec=5
[Install] WantedBy=multi-user.target
Enable it:
sudo systemctl enable oscam && sudo systemctl start oscam
The phrase usually refers to setting up OSCam as a server to:
A proper configuration involves three core files:
| File | Purpose |
|------|---------|
| oscam.conf | Main server settings (ports, logging, web interface) |
| oscam.user | Client access rules (usernames/passwords/rights) |
| oscam.server | Card reader and softcam/key settings |
This section is hardware dependent. Below is a config for a standard serial reader (ttyUSB0). Adjust device and mhz based on your card type.
[reader]
label = local_card
enable = 1
protocol = mouse
device = /dev/ttyUSB0
caid = 1802
force_irdeto = 0
boxkey = AABBCCDDEEFF0011 # (REDACTED for security)
rsakey = AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA...
detect = cd
mhz = 600
cardmhz = 600
group = 1
emmcache = 1,3,2,0
blockemm-unknown = 1
blockemm-s = 1
blockemm-g = 1
saveemm-u = 1
saveemm-s = 1
au = 1
ratelimitecm = 5
ratelimitseconds = 10
Why ratelimitecm? This prevents a faulty client from flooding your card with requests. A physical card has a max request rate (usually 4-6 ECMs per second). Limit it at the reader level. oscam+server+config
When building a large server (e.g., 20+ local cards and 50+ remote peers), you must optimize resources.
Whether you are setting up a home card-sharing network for personal use or managing a complex server, OSCam (Open Source Conditional Access Module) remains the gold standard for softcam emulation. It is powerful, lightweight, and incredibly versatile.
However, for beginners, the configuration files can look like gibberish. Unlike graphical user interfaces (GUIs) found in many modern softcams, OSCam relies on text-based configuration files.
In this guide, we will break down the OSCam Server Config process, focusing on the three main files you need to get your server up and running: oscam.conf, oscam.server, and oscam.user.
In the world of conditional access systems (CAS) for digital television, OSCam has stood as the gold standard open-source software for decades. Whether you are a hobbyist learning about DVB protocols or a system integrator managing a large card server, understanding the oscam+server+config is critical. This file dictates how your server talks to the outside world, handles client connections, and manages sharing permissions.
This article will break down every line of the oscam.server configuration file, explain the difference between a reader and a server, and provide advanced examples for stability and performance. Do not enable every protocol