How to Make a Great Minecraft Server

January 17, 2023

You've conquered the Nether and slain an Ender Dragon. Now you can build your own pixelated King's Landing. What now? Now what?

Perhaps you've tried mods on your computer. Maybe you've tried your hand on one of the thousands available online player-run servers. It's possible that you are a complete beginner to Minecraft or even an experienced player. You're probably reading this article because you want to know how to create a Minecraft server. Let's get started.

History of Minecraft

Minecraft was first released in 2011 by Markus Pearson, a Swedish developer. Minecraft's distinctive visual style, which is dominated by blocky characters and objects has made it a household name.

Minecraft is unique because it allows players to play as they wish. Minecraft has many gameplay elements that include exploration, combat, resource gathering and environmental destruction. Minecraft has sold more than 176 million copies on multiple platforms as of May 2019. This makes Minecraft the most popular video game ever.

Minecraft has many gameplay elements that combine environmental destruction, exploration, combat, resource gathering and crafting.

The high level of customization available is a key factor in this game's success. This is true not only for the single-player game but also for the multiplayer experience. Isn't it more fun to have friends and make up imaginary diamonds?

This is where private-owned Minecraft servers come into play.

Minecraft Servers

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 lists thousands upon thousands of private servers. It also features detailed information about each server, including the unique characteristics of each one. These servers offer a variety of experiences, including PvP, Roleplaying and Factions, as well as Challenges. This allows for almost endless possibilities within the familiar framework of Minecraft.

Sometimes, however, it's not enough to play on a server that was built according to another's specifications. We all want to have some control over our lives. Why should our digital lives be any other? Hosting your own Minecraft server gives you the ability to create your world in the way you want and share it with other players.

Hosting your own server gives the ability to modify Minecraft's internal variables. You can modify the game's internal parameters by changing things like NPC spawn rates, overall difficulty, and other physical parameters. But that's not all. You can also add mods to the game server-wide using the many mods that have been created outside of the game.

Hosting your server allows you to control how the game is played and who plays it. Perhaps you are a parent who wants to have more control over your child's online interactions or if you are a role-player looking for like-minded players. You can decide the type of community that you want by setting up your own server.

As with most things in Minecraft the only limit is the user's imagination.

Getting Started

Before you start, here are some things you should know:

First, a Minecraft server does not have to be running on a high-end machine. It is recommended to use a desktop computer over a laptop. A desktop will typically perform better than a notebook or its equivalent. This is especially true when a user is using the same machine as the server. To keep everything running smoothly, it takes more processing power to do both.
- Second, wired ethernet connections are preferred to wireless internet. A faster connection will increase game performance and reduce lag.
- Third, home hosting, while possible, should not be done. Home connections are generally slower and personal computers are usually weaker. The game's quality will suffer if there is not enough RAM. Professional hosting services are better than DIY.
*NOTE* Jason's guide to Minecraft Server Buying will help you determine the specs that are important. 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 highly recommended to use a Debian 9 or Ubuntu 1804 server hosting service when you are just starting out. Both options offer safe and stable environments that are ideal for learning the basics.
- Fifth, Minecraft runs using Java. Before you set up your server, make sure Java is updated. It can be downloaded from Java's official site. If you're not sure if Java is installed or which version it is, you can open the command window and use the command java-version. This query will return a version number if Java is installed. This number can be compared to the latest Java version to verify that your version is up-to-date.
- Last, make sure your server is secure from the beginning. It is easier to prevent unauthorized access than to remove access once they are in. You should install updates as soon as they become available. You 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 does not have to be running on a top-of the-line computer.

But, before you can set-up your Minecraft server, the following are required:

Java Minecraft is available for purchase through Minecraft's official website.
- The latest version Minecraft Multiplayer Server
- OpenJDK (an Open-Source Java Implementation): Instructions for installing OpenJDK are available on their official website

Now it's time for you to set up your server. These steps will help you get your server up-and-running.

- Open your terminal, and type the command mkdir Minecraft_Server. This creates a directory that is specific to your Minecraft server.
Next, you will need to place the server.jar file that you just downloaded into your newly created directory.
- Use the command ls for a list of directories.
- Use cd Minecraft_Server for a change in your current directory to the designated folder on your server.
- Use the command java to launch the server: java -Xms1G-Xmx1G-jar server.jar. Xms and Xmx are the maximum and starting RAM, respectively, and server.jar refers to the version number of your Minecraft server. Your command should look like this if you are using Minecraft server.1.15.2.jar (current at the time of this article publication).
java -Xms1024M -Xmx1024M -jar minecraft_server.1.15.2.jar
Additional information can be added at the end of the line if necessary. If you don't want the server's graphical user interface, use nogui. Alternatively, you can use -o true to make the server run in online mode and only allow authenticated users to access it.
- Enter the command above to 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]: To run the server, you must agree to the EULA. For more information, visit eula.txt
- If you are running the server for the first time, an EULA (End User License Agreement), file should be created. You must agree to the EULA before you can play. You can do this using your favorite text editor, or by using the following command in your command window: nano eula.txt
Once you have opened the text file, change eula from false to true. eula=true This signifies that you have read and accepted the license agreement.
Save the file and you can launch your server again. Your server will shut down immediately after it starts up if you do not change this field in the eula.txt file.

Creating a Startup Script

You can also run your server every time you wish using the command line shown above. You can also create a script to run the command for yourself.

Create a new document. This document can be named however you like, but let's name it server.sh for the sake this article.
- In the new document, add the following lines:
#!/bin/sh
java -Xms1024M -Xmx1024M -jar minecraft_server.1.14.4.jar
- Once you have created your document, open the terminal and type chmod +x Server.sh.
- Now you can use the command "./server.sh" to start or stop your server.
- Finally, to ensure your server runs without an SSH connection, it is recommended to run your server within a GNU Screen session. This is done by using the screen command prior to running your startup script. The console will automatically generate the necessary configuration files if you have already accepted the EULA.

These are the 4 steps to get you started on your new server.

Start by opening Minecraft and logging in.
- Click on "Add Server" and select "Multiplayer" from a list on the home screen.
- Create a new name for your server, then enter the IP Address into appropriate fields. Click "Done" to save your changes.
- Next, click "Join Server" to play.

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. You may find it useful for your particular needs.

Customizing Your Minecraft Server

The default set of variables is used to create a world when your server.sh script runs for the first time. Let's suppose, however, that you would like to create your own variables for your server's world. Probably customization is what got you interested hosting your own server.

How do you do it? Easy.

Open the server.properties folder. Once the file is opened, you will see a long list with properties and true/false statements. You can modify the variables in this list to control how the world is generated on your server.

Scroll down the list until the line spawn_monsters=true appears. Change the true to false. Monsters won't be able to spawn in your world unless this value is restored to its default setting.

Very cool, right?

This page on the Minecraft Wiki has a complete list of variables and explanations for each parameter. Remember that any changes will not take effect unless your server is restarted.

But what if these options don't suffice? Perhaps you are interested in customizing the server beyond what is required by the game. This is possible, but requires external modifications.

There are many websites and videos on the internet that list the best Minecraft mods. There are so many options available, it is important to understand how each mod works and any possible conflicts with other mods. A quick Google search will get you started if you are interested in adding mods on to your server.

Are you looking for a good place to start? MINECRAFTMODS has a large list of mods that you can download and start experimenting with.

Next steps

Now your server is up and running. You've modified the default variables and added some 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. You will need other players to join your server unless you plan to play in an empty world. These could be friends, or even strangers. You have to offer something unique to get people to play on your server.

The community that supports them is what really makes Minecraft servers stand out from the rest. 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 promote your server online by posting videos via Youtube or Twitch. This will encourage new players to join.

A strong Minecraft server can even make it profitable for its owner. You can make your digital world a source for income by selling unique cosmetic items or integrating membership fees. Many players are hosted on some of the most popular servers. They can make six figures per month if they leverage this in the right way.

There's a good chance that you still have a long way to go before you can reach the level of these top-performing server. Communities aren't built overnight. It doesn't matter what, all of these Minecraft servers started in the same way. Someone took a chance and decided to host their own server.

The community that supports them is what really makes Minecraft servers stand out from the rest.

Your world is now up and running. You can decide where you go and what activities you engage in.

Now it is your turn!

Do you have a question about Minecraft servers? Or a story to share? Leave a comment below.

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