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Setting up a Minecraft server on a VPS is a fantastic way to play with friends or build a community around your favorite game. Using a VPS for your Minecraft server provides better performance, uptime, and flexibility than a standard home setup, allowing players from anywhere in the world to connect seamlessly. In this guide, we’ll walk through the recommended VPS specifications, server installation, basic security measures, and how to add mods.
Why Use a VPS for a Minecraft Server?
A VPS (Virtual Private Server) provides dedicated resources for your Minecraft server, making it stable, secure, and capable of handling multiple players without lag. With a VPS, you can customize server settings, install mods, and run your Minecraft world around the clock, even if you’re not actively playing.
Step 1: Choose the Right VPS Specifications
To ensure smooth gameplay, it’s essential to choose the right VPS specs based on the number of players and mods you plan to use. Here are the recommended specifications:
- CPU: 2+ cores for small servers, 4+ cores for larger servers with mods.
- RAM: 2 GB minimum for 5-10 players, 4+ GB for 10+ players and modded servers.
- Storage: SSD storage (20 GB minimum) for faster world loading times.
- Bandwidth: At least 1 TB of bandwidth to handle player connections and data transfer.
Popular VPS providers like DigitalOcean, Vultr, and Linode offer affordable plans with these specifications. Choose a server location close to your player base to reduce latency.
Step 2: Set Up Your VPS and Install Java
Minecraft runs on Java, so you’ll need to install it on your VPS before setting up the server.
Log in to Your VPS: Access your VPS via SSH with a command like:
ssh root@your_vps_ip
2. Update Your Server:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
3. Install Java:
- For Minecraft, Java 17 is recommended. Install it with the following command:
sudo apt install openjdk-17-jre -y
Verify the installation:
java -version
Step 3: Download and Set Up the Minecraft Server
Create a Minecraft Directory:
mkdir ~/minecraft && cd ~/minecraft
2. Download the Minecraft Server Software:
- Visit the official Minecraft server page to get the latest version link.
- Download the server JAR file:
wget https://launcher.mojang.com/v1/objects/YOUR_SERVER_JAR_URL/minecraft_server.X.X.X.jar -O server.jar
3. Accept the End-User License Agreement (EULA):
- Run the server for the first time to generate necessary files:
java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar server.jar nogui
- Open the eula.txt file and change
eula=falsetoeula=true:
nano eula.txt
4. Start the Server:
- Start the server using the command:
java -Xmx2048M -Xms1024M -jar server.jar nogui
- The server will now start generating the world and load default settings.
Step 4: Configure Basic Security for Your Minecraft Server
Securing your Minecraft server on a VPS is essential to protect it from unauthorized access and attacks.
Set Up a Firewall:
- Use UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall) to allow only necessary ports:
sudo ufw allow OpenSSH
sudo ufw allow 25565/tcp
sudo ufw enable
2. Create a Dedicated Minecraft User:
- Avoid running the server as root. Create a new user for added security:
sudo adduser minecraft
sudo usermod -aG sudo minecraft
3. Disable Remote Root Login:
- Edit the SSH config file to disable root login:
sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config
Find PermitRootLogin and set it to no, then restart SSH:
sudo systemctl restart ssh
Step 5: Setting Up Mods on Your Minecraft Server (Optional)
Install Minecraft Forge (for mod support):
- Download the Minecraft Forge server software from the official Forge website.
- Place the Forge installer in your Minecraft server directory and run it with:
java -jar forge-X.X.X-installer.jar --installServer
2. Add Mods to the Server:
- Download the mods you want to install from reliable sources like CurseForge.
Place the mod files in the mods folder within your Minecraft server directory.
3. Start the Server with Mods:
- Launch the server using the Forge JAR file instead of the standard Minecraft JAR:
java -Xmx2048M -Xms1024M -jar forge-X.X.X.jar nogui
Step 6: Maintaining Your Minecraft Server
To keep your server running smoothly, make sure to regularly back up your world data and keep your server software up to date.
- Back Up Your World Files: Compress and save your world directory periodically to ensure you don’t lose any progress.
tar -czvf backup-$(date +%F).tar.gz world/
- Check for Minecraft Updates: Minecraft releases updates that may improve performance or introduce new features. Always back up before updating.
- Restart the Server Periodically: Restarting your server once a day can help clear memory and improve performance, especially if you have many players or mods.
Setting up a Minecraft server on a VPS provides you with a stable, high-performance environment for building and exploring with friends. By following these steps, you’ll have a secure and customizable server that can handle multiple players and mods. Whether you’re hosting a private server for friends or building a larger community, this VPS setup will give you the flexibility and reliability needed to make the most of your Minecraft experience.