How to Set Up a Minecraft Linux Server

Dear Dev, if you’re an avid Minecraft player looking for a more customizable and private gaming experience, setting up a Minecraft server on your Linux machine is the perfect solution. Not only does this give you complete control over the server settings, but it also allows you to invite friends to play together. In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to set up your own Minecraft Linux server.

Step 1: Install Java

The first step in setting up a Minecraft server on Linux is to install Java, as it is required to run the software. Make sure you have the latest version of Java installed by running the following command in your terminal:

sudo apt-get install default-jre

Once you have installed Java, you will need to check the version by running the command:

java -version

If you see the version number displayed, it means Java is installed correctly.

Step 2: Download the Minecraft Server

After installing Java, you need to download the Minecraft server software. You can download the latest version of the software from the official Minecraft website. Once the download is complete, extract the files from the downloaded archive using the following command:

tar -zxvf minecraft_server.*.jar

Replace the asterisk with the version number of the downloaded file.

Step 3: Configuring Your Server

Before you start running the server, it is important to configure it to your liking. You can modify the server settings by editing the server.properties file. This file is located in the same directory as the server software.

Server Settings

You can change the server name, game mode, difficulty level, and other settings by modifying the server.properties file. Here are some of the most important settings:

Setting	Description
server-name	The name of the server that will be displayed in the server list.
gamemode	The game mode of the server, such as survival or creative.
difficulty	The difficulty level of the server, from 0 (peaceful) to 3 (hard).

Whitelisting Players

You can also whitelist players to allow only certain people to join your server. To do this, open the whitelist.json file located in the same directory as the server software, and add the usernames of the players you want to whitelist.

Step 4: Starting Your Server

After configuring your server, you can start it by running the following command:

java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar minecraft_server.*.jar nogui

This command will start the server in the background and allocate 1GB of RAM to it. Replace the asterisk with the version number of the downloaded file. The nogui option starts the server without a graphical user interface, which is recommended for a headless server.

Step 5: Connecting to Your Server

Once your server is running, you can connect to it from Minecraft by selecting “Multiplayer” from the main menu and clicking “Add Server”. Enter the server address and port number, which is displayed in the console after you start the server.

FAQ

How much RAM do I need to run a Minecraft server?

The amount of RAM required depends on the number of players and the level of activity on your server. As a general rule, you should allocate at least 1GB of RAM for up to 5 players, and 2GB or more for larger servers.

Can I run a Minecraft server on a Raspberry Pi?

Yes, you can run a Minecraft server on a Raspberry Pi, but it may not be very stable or fast. Make sure you have a decent power supply and a fast microSD card.

Do I need to open any ports in my firewall to run a Minecraft server?

Yes, you need to open port 25565 in your firewall to allow incoming connections to your Minecraft server. This can be done by configuring your router, firewall, or server settings.

How do I backup my Minecraft server?

You can backup your Minecraft server by copying the entire server directory to a backup location. You can also use a backup tool such as rsync or tar to create incremental backups.

Can I run multiple Minecraft servers on the same machine?

Yes, you can run multiple Minecraft servers on the same machine by using different ports and directories for each server. Make sure you have enough resources to run all the servers at the same time.

How can I manage my Minecraft server remotely?

You can manage your Minecraft server remotely by using a tool such as SSH or VNC to connect to your server console. You can also use a web-based control panel such as McMyAdmin or AMP.