How To Make A Great Minecraft Server
You've conquered the Nether and slain an Ender Dragon. Now you can build your own pixelated King's Landing. What now? Now what? Thanks to the plethora of options available with custom Minecraft servers, building your own Minecraft server could be just the remedy you're looking for.
Maybe you've played around with some mods on your own. Maybe you've tried your hand on one of the thousands available online player-run servers. You could be a complete Minecraft beginner or a seasoned player. You're probably reading this article because you want to know how to create a Minecraft server. Let's start with the basics.
History of Minecraft
Minecraft, a sandbox survival video game, was released for the first time in 2011. Minecraft's distinctive visual style, which is dominated by blocky characters and objects has made it a household name.
Minecraft is unique in that it allows players to choose how they want to play. Minecraft has many gameplay options that combine environmental destruction, architectural construction and exploration with combat, resource gathering, crafting, and combat. Minecraft servers list In fact, as of May 2019, Minecraft has sold over 176 million copies across multiple available platforms. This makes Minecraft the most popular video game ever.
Featuring gameplay elements that mix environmental destruction, architectural construction, exploration, combat, resource gathering, and crafting, Minecraft offers something for everyone.
The high level of customization available is a key factor in this game's success. This is not only true of the single-player game, but within the multiplayer experience as well. Isn't it more fun to have friends and make up imaginary diamonds?
Here's where the role of privately-owned Minecraft servers comes into play.
There are many options for those who want to improve their Minecraft experience, but aren't comfortable with the additional responsibilities of running a server. MinecraftServers.org lists thousands upon thousands of privately-hosted servers. It features detailed information on each server and each option. By offering different experiences such as PvP, Roleplaying, Factions, and Challenges, these servers can vary widely from one to another. The result is an almost infinite number of new experiences within the familiar setting of Minecraft's existing framework.
Sometimes, however, it's not enough to play on a server that was built according to another's specifications. We all crave a certain degree of control in our lives. Why would our digital lives be any different? By hosting your own Minecraft server, you are gaining exactly that: the power to build your world the way you desire and share that world with other players.
Hosting your own server gives access to the ability to change variables in Minecraft. You can adjust things like NPCs and spawn rates, overall difficulty and physical parameters to change the game's internal parameters. This is not all. You can also add server-wide modifications from the extensive list of mods available outside of the game.
Hosting your server allows you to control how the game is played and who plays it. Maybe you're a parent desiring greater control over your child's online interactions, or an avid role-player seeking like-minded players. You can create the community you want by setting your own server.
Like most things in Minecraft, the only real limit is the user's own imagination.
Getting Started
Here are some things to know before you start:
First, a Minecraft server doesn't have to be on a top-of-the-line machine. However, it is recommended that you use a desktop instead of a laptop. Typically the performance and hardware will be better when compared to that of a notebook or equivalent. This is especially true if the user is also playing on the same machine hosting the server. Both tasks require more processing power in order to keep everything running smoothly.
A wired ethernet connection should be preferred to wireless internet. A faster connection will increase game performance and reduce lag.
Third, home-hosting, while possible, is not recommended. Home connections are generally slower and personal computers are usually weaker. Without adequate RAM, the game's quality will be low. For this reason, you are better off utilizing professional hosting services.
*NOTE: If you're curious about what specs to look for in a Minecraft server, check out Jason's guide on Minecraft Server Buying. Still have questions? Our sales team will be happy to help you build a Minecraft server. They'll gladly walk you through it.
Fourth, it is recommended when starting out to use a server hosting service running Debian 9 or Ubuntu 18.04. Both options provide safe and stable environments ideal for learning the basics.
Fifth, Minecraft runs using Java. You will need the latest Java version installed before you can set up your server. It can be downloaded from Java's official site. If you are unsure if Java is installed on your computer or what version it is, you may open the command prompt and use the command "java -version". If Java is installed, the query will return a version. This number can be compared against the Java's latest version to confirm that your version matches.
Finally, keep your server secure from the start. It is easier to prevent unauthorized access than to remove access once they are in. As soon as updates are available, install them. You will have a better chance of closing loopholes and preventing them from being exploited by keeping your system current. Setting Up Your Minecraft Server
The above image is not intended to mislead. If you aren't building your server from scratch, you won't need any power tools for setting it up.
A Minecraft server doesn't have to be on a top-of-the-line machine.
However, before you can set up your Minecraft server, you will need the following:
Java Minecraft can be purchased via Minecraft's official website.
The latest version Minecraft Multiplayer Server
OpenJDK (an open source implementation of Java): OpenJDK installation instructions can be found on their website. Now it is time to set up your server. These are the steps to get your server running.
Open your terminal and type the command "mkdir Minecraft_Server" This creates a directory specific to your Minecraft server.
Next, you'll need to copy the server.jar from your previous download into your newly created folder.
Enter the command: ls to list all directories
To move your current directory into the server's designated folder, use cd Minecraft_Server
To launch the server, use java -Xms1G-Xmx1G-jar server.jar. Xms and Xmx represent the starting and maximum RAM respectively, and server.jar is the name of your Minecraft server's version number. If you're using Minecraft server.1.15.2.jar (current as of this articles publication), then your command should look something like this:
java -Xms1024M -Xmx1024M -jar minecraft_server.1.15.2.jar
You can add additional information to this line if needed. You can use nogui to start the server without its user interface. Or, you can use the -o true option to tell it to run online, allowing only authenticated users access.
After entering the command above, you should see the following output:
[main/ERROR] Failed to load properties from the file: server.properties
[main/WARN] Failed to load the eula.txt
[main/INFO] You must agree to the EULA to run the server. Go to eula.txt for more info.
If you are a first-time user of the server, a EULA (End User License Agreement), file must be created. Before you can play, you must agree with the EULA. This can be done with your favorite text editor or via your command window by typing the following command: nano.eula.txt
Once you've opened your text file, change its eula field to true. This indicates that you've read and agreed to the license agreement.
Now you can save your file and launch the server again. Your server will continue to shut down after it is started up if you do not change this field in the eula.txt file. Creating a Startup Script
You can run your server using the full command line described above. A script can be created to run the command on your behalf.
Start by creating a new document. You can name this document whatever you like, but for the sake of this article, lets name it server.sh.
Within the new document, enter the following lines:
#!/bin/sh
java -Xms1024M -Xmx1024M -jar minecraft_server.1.14.4.jar
Once you have created your document in the terminal, enter chmod +x server.sh
You can now use the command if you want to start your server.
/server. sh to start it up and stop to stop it.
Lastly, to make sure your server runs correctly without an SSH connection, it is advised to run your server from within a GNU Screen session. Before running your startup script, you can use the screen command. Assuming that you have already accepted the EULA, your console should automatically start generating the necessary configuration files. These are the four steps you need to follow in order to play on your new server.
Start by opening Minecraft and logging in.
Select "Multiplayer" from the list on the home screen and click on "Add Server."
Enter a name to your server, then enter the IP Address into appropriate fields. Click "Done" when you are done.
Then, in order to play, just click "Join Server." Your server is now operational. The Minecraft Wiki has all the information you need to help you with any problems, questions, or to change your operating system. It has a wealth of information that you might find helpful for your specific needs.
Customizing Your Minecraft Server
When your server.sh script is first run, a world is generated using the default set of variables. Let's say, however that you wish to create your custom variables for the server's world. Because customization is what probably got you interested in hosting your server.
So how do you do that? Easy.
Start by opening the server.properties file. Once the file is open, you'll see a long list properties with numbers and true/false assertions. You can adjust the variables in this table to control how your server generates the world.
Scroll down the list until the line spawn_monsters=true appears. Change the true value to false. Monsters will not spawn in your environment unless this value has been changed to its default setting.
Pretty cool right?
Check out this page of Minecraft wiki for a complete list and explanations of all variables. Remember that any changes will not take effect unless your server is restarted.
What if these options aren't enough though? Maybe you're interested in customizing your server beyond those variables intrinsic to the game. Doing this is quite possible, but requires the use of external modifications.
There are many websites and videos on the internet that list the best Minecraft mods. There are many options available, so it's important that you understand how each mod works as well as any possible conflicts it might have with other mods. You can add mods to your server by doing a quick Google search.
Looking for a good start point? MINECRAFTMODS.com has a large collection of mods that you can download and start experimenting.
Next Steps
So, your server is up and running, you've altered the default variables, and you've even added a few external mods. What now?
Now that you have learned how to create a Minecraft server, it is time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Unless you intend to play in an empty world though, you'll need other players to join your server. These players could be close friends or strangers. You have to offer something unique to get people to play on your server.
Ultimately, what truly separates the best Minecraft servers from the rest is the community that supports them. Establishing guidelines for your community, hiring staff to enforce expectations and coming up with interesting events that keep your players interested. These are the things that will make your server stand out. You can advertise your server online through Youtube and Twitch to encourage new players.
A strong Minecraft server can even be profitable for its owner. Your digital world can be made a source of income by selling unique cosmetic products or joining memberships. Many players are hosted on some of the most popular servers. This can be leveraged in a way that makes them six figures every month.
Chances are you've still got a ways to go before you reach the level of these top-performing servers. Communities don't come easily. Regardless, the fact remains that these Minecraft servers all started the same way. Someone took a chance on their server and decided to host it.
Ultimately, what truly separates the best Minecraft servers from the rest is the community that supports them.
Now that your world has started to run, you can choose where and what you do.
Now it's your turn
Have a question about Minecraft servers or a specific story you'd like to share? Leave a comment down below.
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Sean Kelly wrote this article
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