How to Host a Survival Minecraft Server

Greetings, Dev! If you’re looking to host a survival Minecraft server, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of setting up your own server from scratch, so you can create your own world, invite your friends, and explore a vast and exciting virtual universe.

Step 1: Choose Your Server Type

Before you get started, you’ll need to decide what type of server you want to host. There are two main types of Minecraft servers: Vanilla and Bukkit. Vanilla servers run the original, unmodified version of Minecraft, while Bukkit servers allow you to install plugins and mods that enhance gameplay and add new features.

If you’re a beginner, we recommend starting with a Vanilla server. It’s easier to set up, and you don’t need any programming knowledge or experience with mods. However, if you’re an experienced Minecraft player and want to add custom features to your server, a Bukkit server might be the better choice.

Vanilla Server

If you’ve decided to host a Vanilla server, you’ll need to download the server software from the official Minecraft website. You can find the latest version of the server software on the Minecraft download page.

Once you’ve downloaded the server software, you’ll need to create a new folder on your computer where you’ll store all the server files. You can name the folder anything you like, but we recommend using a name that’s easy to remember, like “Minecraft Server.”

Next, extract the server files from the downloaded ZIP archive and move them into your new folder. You’ll also need to create a new text file in the same folder and name it “eula.txt.”

Open the eula.txt file with a text editor and change the line that says “false” to “true.” This will indicate that you agree to the Minecraft End User License Agreement and allow you to start the server.

Finally, launch the server by double-clicking the “minecraft_server.jar” file. This will create a new world and start the server. Congratulations, you’ve just created your own Minecraft server!

Bukkit Server

If you’ve decided to host a Bukkit server, you’ll need to download the Bukkit server software from the official Bukkit website. You can find the latest version of the server software on the Bukkit download page.

Once you’ve downloaded the server software, you’ll need to create a new folder on your computer where you’ll store all the server files. You can name the folder anything you like, but we recommend using a name that’s easy to remember, like “Bukkit Server.”

Next, extract the server files from the downloaded ZIP archive and move them into your new folder. You’ll also need to download and install the latest version of Java on your computer, if you haven’t already done so.

Launch the server by double-clicking the “craftbukkit.jar” file. This will create a new world and start the server. Congratulations, you’ve just created your own Bukkit server!

Step 2: Configure Your Server

Once you’ve started your server, you’ll need to configure it to your liking. Here are some of the most important settings you’ll need to adjust:

Server Properties

The server properties file contains a list of configurable settings that affect how your server operates. You can access this file by opening the server folder and locating the “server.properties” file.

Some of the most important settings to adjust include the server MOTD, which is the message that players see when they connect to your server, and the server difficulty, which affects how challenging the gameplay is.

Whitelist

If you want to restrict access to your server and only allow certain players to join, you can enable the whitelist feature. This will require players to be added to a whitelist before they can connect to your server.

You can edit the whitelist by opening the server folder and locating the “whitelist.json” file. You’ll need to add the Minecraft usernames of players you want to allow on your server.

Plugins and Mods

If you’re running a Bukkit server, you can install plugins and mods that enhance gameplay and add new features. Some popular plugins include WorldEdit, which allows you to edit the terrain and build structures more quickly, and Essentials, which adds a variety of useful commands and features.

You can download plugins and mods from a variety of third-party websites, or from the official Bukkit dev.bukkit.org website.

Step 3: Invite Your Friends

Now that your server is set up and configured, it’s time to invite your friends to join! You’ll need to give them your server IP address, which is a unique identifier that allows them to connect to your server.

You can find your server IP address by opening the server.properties file and looking for the “server-ip” setting. If this is set to “localhost,” you’ll need to change it to your actual IP address or a domain name that points to your server.

Once your friends have your server IP address, they can connect to your server using the multiplayer feature in Minecraft. Congratulations, you’re now the proud owner of a Minecraft server!

FAQ

That concludes our guide on how to host a survival Minecraft server. We hope you found this article helpful and informative, and that you enjoy creating your own virtual world filled with adventure and excitement. Happy crafting!