How to Host Minecraft Server on VPS

Hello Dev, are you struggling with hosting a Minecraft server on your own computer? One solution is to use a VPS (Virtual Private Server) to host your server. In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about hosting a Minecraft server on a VPS. Let’s get started!

1. Choosing a VPS Provider

The first step in hosting a Minecraft server on a VPS is to choose a provider. There are many options out there, but some popular ones include DigitalOcean, Linode, and Vultr. It’s important to choose a provider that offers a VPS with enough resources to run a Minecraft server. Look for plans with at least 2GB of RAM, as Minecraft can be resource-intensive.

1.1. DigitalOcean

DigitalOcean is a popular VPS provider known for its ease of use and affordable pricing. Their plans start at $5 per month and include 1GB of RAM, 1 vCPU, and 25GB of SSD storage. However, for hosting a Minecraft server, we recommend choosing their $10 per month plan with 2GB of RAM and 1 vCPU.

1.2. Linode

Linode is another popular VPS provider that offers competitive pricing and a variety of plans to choose from. Their plans start at $5 per month and include 1GB of RAM, 1 vCPU, and 25GB of storage. For hosting a Minecraft server, we recommend choosing their $10 per month plan with 2GB of RAM and 1 vCPU.

1.3. Vultr

Vultr is a newer VPS provider that offers high-performance servers and competitive pricing. Their plans start at $3.50 per month and include 512MB of RAM, 1 vCPU, and 10GB of SSD storage. For hosting a Minecraft server, we recommend choosing their $10 per month plan with 2GB of RAM and 1 vCPU.

2. Setting up the VPS

Now that you’ve chosen a VPS provider, it’s time to set up the server. This involves creating a new droplet (DigitalOcean), instance (Linode), or server (Vultr) and configuring it to run Minecraft. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

2.1. Creating a New Droplet/Instance/Server

The first step is to create a new droplet, instance, or server. The process will vary depending on your VPS provider, but in general, it will involve choosing a plan, selecting a location, and configuring additional options such as SSH access and backups.

2.2. Installing Java

Next, you’ll need to install Java on the server. Minecraft requires Java to run, so this step is critical. The exact process will depend on your server’s operating system, but you can typically install Java using the following command:

Operating System	Command
Ubuntu	sudo apt-get install openjdk-11-jre-headless
CentOS	sudo yum install java-11-openjdk-headless
Debian	sudo apt-get install openjdk-11-jre-headless

2.3. Downloading and Running Minecraft Server

Finally, you can download and run the Minecraft server on your VPS. You can download the server JAR file from the Minecraft website. Once downloaded, you can start the server using the following command:

java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar minecraft_server.jar nogui

This command starts the Minecraft server with 1GB of RAM allocated. You can adjust the amount of RAM by changing the -Xmx and -Xms values.

3. Configuring the Minecraft Server

Now that you have a Minecraft server running on your VPS, it’s time to configure it to your liking. Here are a few important configuration options to consider:

3.1. Setting Server Properties

Server properties are settings that control how the Minecraft server behaves. You can edit these settings in the server.properties file. Some important properties to consider include:

Property	Description
max-players	The maximum number of players allowed on the server.
server-ip	The IP address the server binds to. Set this to your VPS’s IP address.
difficulty	The difficulty level of the game.

3.2. Installing Plugins

Plugins are add-ons that enhance the functionality of the Minecraft server. You can install plugins by downloading them from the Bukkit website and placing them in the plugins folder of your server directory. Some popular plugins include Essentials, WorldEdit, and PermissionsEx.

3.3. Backing Up the Server

It’s important to regularly back up your Minecraft server to prevent data loss in case of a server crash or other issue. You can do this by creating a backup script that copies the server files to a remote location such as Dropbox or Google Drive.

4. Connecting to the Minecraft Server

Now that your Minecraft server is up and running, it’s time to connect to it and start playing! Here’s how:

4.1. Connecting from Minecraft Client

To connect to your Minecraft server from the game client, open Minecraft and click on the “Multiplayer” option. Then click “Add Server” and enter your server’s IP address and port number (default is 25565).

4.2. Connecting from Mobile Device

You can also connect to your Minecraft server from a mobile device using the Minecraft Pocket Edition app. Simply enter your server’s IP address and port number in the app’s “External Servers” option.

FAQs

Q1. How much RAM do I need to host a Minecraft server on a VPS?

A: We recommend at least 2GB of RAM for hosting a Minecraft server on a VPS. This will ensure that the server runs smoothly and can handle multiple players.

Q2. Can I install mods on my Minecraft server hosted on a VPS?

A: Yes, you can install mods on your Minecraft server hosted on a VPS. However, keep in mind that some mods can be resource-intensive and may require additional RAM or CPU power.

Q3. What happens if I run out of RAM on my Minecraft server hosted on a VPS?

A: If your Minecraft server runs out of RAM, it may crash or become unresponsive. To prevent this, make sure to allocate enough RAM to the server and monitor its memory usage regularly.

Q4. How do I update my Minecraft server hosted on a VPS?

A: To update your Minecraft server, simply download the latest server JAR file from the Minecraft website and replace the old JAR file on your VPS. Then restart the server.

Q5. Can I run multiple Minecraft servers on a single VPS?

A: Yes, you can run multiple Minecraft servers on a single VPS. However, keep in mind that each server will require its own set of resources (RAM, CPU, storage). Make sure to choose a VPS plan with enough resources to handle multiple servers.