Guide to Building a Minecraft Server on Linux – Simple and Professional

2022-11-20

Minecraft, one of the most popular sandbox games, allows players to unleash creativity, explore, and survive in an infinite world. Setting up your own Minecraft server to play with friends is an incredibly rewarding experience. This guide walks you through the process of creating a Minecraft server on Linux, from installation to configuration and connecting with friends.

Why Choose Linux for Your Minecraft Server?

Linux is renowned for its stability, security, and resource optimization. It is the perfect environment for running a smooth Minecraft server, even on modest hardware. With Linux, you gain complete control over your server while leveraging a vast and supportive community.

System Requirements

Before you start, make sure you have:

Linux OS: Ubuntu, CentOS, Debian, or any distribution you are comfortable with.
Root or sudo access.
Stable internet connection.
At least 1GB of dedicated RAM (2GB or more is recommended for optimal performance).

Step 1: Create a Directory for the Minecraft Server

First, create a new directory to store your Minecraft server files:

mkdir ~/minecraft-server
cd ~/minecraft-server

Step 2: Download the Minecraft Server File

Download the latest Minecraft server file from Mojang using the wget command for quick and convenient updates:

wget https://piston-data.mojang.com/v1/objects/45810d238246d90e811d896f87b14695b7fb6839/server.jar

Note: The download link may change. Always verify the latest link on the official Minecraft Server Download.

Step 3: Install or Update Java to the Latest Version

Minecraft servers require Java. Ensure you have Java 17 or newer installed. On Ubuntu, use the following commands:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:openjdk-r/ppa
sudo apt update
sudo apt install openjdk-21-jdk

Check the Java version after installation:

java -version

Step 4: Launch the Minecraft Server for the First Time

With Java installed and the server file downloaded, launch the server for the first time:

java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar server.jar nogui

This will generate an eula.txt file. Accept Mojang’s End User License Agreement by editing the file:

nano eula.txt

Change the line:

eula=false

to:

eula=true`

Save and exit (Ctrl + O, Enter, Ctrl + X).

Step 5: Configure Server Properties

Next, open the server.properties file to customize your server settings. Adjust parameters like world name, player limit, and gameplay settings. For instance, to allow non-Mojang accounts, set online-mode to false:

nano server.properties

Key configurations:

online-mode=true: Set to false to allow non-Mojang accounts.
max-players=20: Set the maximum number of players.
level-name=world: Name your Minecraft world.
difficulty=1: 0 (Peaceful), 1 (Easy), 2 (Normal), 3 (Hard).

Save and exit (Ctrl + O, Enter, Ctrl + X).

Step 6: Start the Minecraft Server

Restart the server using the following command:

java -Xmx2G -Xms1G -jar server.jar nogui

Explanation:

Xmx2G: Sets a maximum of 2GB RAM.
Xms1G: Allocates a minimum of 1GB RAM.

By default, the server will run on port 25565 and is ready for players to join.

If You Have a Public IP

Share your server’s public IP with friends. Example: 103.123.120.32:25565.

Example after a player joins:

If You Don’t Have a Public IP

Use ngrok to expose your server to the internet. Ngrok provides a temporary public address.

Install ngrok:

wget https://bin.equinox.io/c/bNyj1mQVY4c/ngrok-stable-linux-amd64.zip
unzip ngrok-stable-linux-amd64.zip
sudo mv ngrok /usr/local/bin

Run ngrok on port 25565:
```
ngrok tcp 25565
```

Ngrok will generate a URL like 0.tcp.jp.ngrok.io:13880. Share this with friends. They can join your server by connecting to 0.tcp.jp.ngrok.io:13880 in Minecraft.

Optimizing Your Minecraft Server

Plugins or Mods: Use tools like Bukkit or Spigot to add plugins for better management and gameplay enhancements.
Resource Management: Ensure your server doesn’t use excessive resources, especially on personal computers.
Security: Use a firewall or tools like UFW to restrict access from unwanted IPs.

Conclusion

Setting up and running a Minecraft server on Linux not only offers a unique gaming experience but also enhances your system administration skills. With your private server, you have complete control—from customizing gameplay to inviting friends into a boundless creative world.

Start today and enjoy building your very own Minecraft universe! 🌟

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