Mastering Minecraft Server on Linux: A Comprehensive Guide for Devs

Hello, Dev! Are you a Linux user and a Minecraft enthusiast looking to set up your own Minecraft server? Look no further! This comprehensive guide will take you through all the necessary steps to set up and maintain your own Minecraft server on Linux. From installation to configuration and troubleshooting, we’ve got you covered. So, let’s dive in!

Part 1: Installation

Step 1: Updating your system

Before getting started with the installation process, it’s always a good idea to update your system. This ensures that you have the latest packages and dependencies needed for the Minecraft server to run smoothly.

To update your system, open your terminal and enter the following command:

Command	Description
sudo apt update	Updates the package database
sudo apt upgrade	Upgrades all your installed packages to the latest version

This process may take a few minutes depending on the number and size of packages that need to be updated, so be patient.

Step 2: Installing Java

Minecraft server requires Java to run. If you don’t already have Java installed on your system, you can install it using the following command:

Command	Description
sudo apt install default-jre	Installs the default Java Runtime Environment (JRE)
sudo apt install default-jdk	Installs the default Java Development Kit (JDK)

If you’re not sure which version of Java to install, go with the default version.

Step 3: Downloading Minecraft Server

Once you have Java installed, it’s time to download the Minecraft server. You can download the latest version from the official Minecraft website. Choose the server file that corresponds to your operating system and download it.

Once the download is complete, move the .jar file to a directory of your choice. For example, you can create a new directory called “minecraft_server” and move the .jar file there. To do this, use the following command:

Command	Description
mkdir minecraft_server	Creates a new directory called “minecraft_server”
mv minecraft_server.jar minecraft_server/	Moves the .jar file to the “minecraft_server” directory

Part 2: Configuration

Step 4: Starting the Server

Before you can start configuring your Minecraft server, you need to start it. To start the server, use the following command:

Command	Description
java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar minecraft_server.jar nogui	Starts the Minecraft server with 1GB of RAM allocated

This command will start the server with the default settings. If you want to customize the server settings, you’ll need to create a configuration file.

Step 5: Creating a Configuration File

To create a configuration file, open a text editor and create a new file called “server.properties”. This file should be saved in the same directory as the Minecraft server file.

In this file, you can customize various settings such as the server name, game mode, difficulty level, and more. Here’s an example of what your server.properties file might look like:

#Minecraft server properties#Sun Apr 18 21:05:54 GMT 2021spawn-protection=16max-tick-time=60000generator-settings=force-gamemode=falseallow-nether=truegamemode=0enable-query=falseplayer-idle-timeout=0difficulty=1spawn-monsters=trueop-permission-level=4pvp=truesnooper-enabled=truelevel-type=defaulthardcore=falseenable-command-block=falsemax-players=20network-compression-threshold=256resource-pack-sha1=max-world-size=29999984server-port=25565server-ip=spawn-npcs=trueallow-flight=falselevel-name=worldview-distance=10resource-pack=spawn-animals=truewhite-list=falsegenerate-structures=trueonline-mode=truemax-build-height=256level-seed=prevent-proxy-connections=falseuse-native-transport=trueenable-rcon=falsemotd=A Minecraft Server

Step 6: Creating a Whitelist

If you want to restrict access to your Minecraft server, you can create a whitelist. A whitelist is a list of players who are allowed to join the server.

To create a whitelist, open the server.properties file and set “white-list=true”. Then, create a new file called “whitelist.txt” in the same directory as the Minecraft server file. In this file, list the usernames of the players you want to allow on the server, one username per line.

To add a player to the whitelist, use the following command:

Command	Description
whitelist add <username>	Adds the specified player to the whitelist

Part 3: Troubleshooting

FAQ

1. I can’t connect to the server. What should I do?

First, make sure that your firewall is not blocking the connection. You may need to configure your firewall to allow incoming connections on port 25565, which is the default Minecraft server port.

If that doesn’t work, check the server log for any error messages. There may be an issue with the server configuration or installation.

2. I’m experiencing lag on the server. How can I fix this?

If you’re experiencing lag on the server, there are several things you can try:

• Reduce the number of players on the server
• Reduce the view distance in the server.properties file
• Allocate more RAM to the server
• Optimize your server settings
• Upgrade your server hardware or internet connection

3. The server keeps crashing. What can I do?

If the server keeps crashing, there may be an issue with the server configuration or installation. Check the server log for any error messages and try troubleshooting from there.

If you’re still having trouble, try reinstalling the server or seeking help from the Minecraft community.

With this comprehensive guide, you should now be well-equipped to set up and maintain your own Minecraft server on Linux. Happy gaming!