Host Minecraft Server on Ubuntu: Complete Guide for Devs

Dear Dev, if you are looking to host your own Minecraft server on Ubuntu, you have come to the right place! In this comprehensive guide, we will take you through everything you need to know to set up and run your Minecraft server on Ubuntu with ease. Whether you are a seasoned developer or just starting out, this guide is packed with useful information and tips to get you up and running quickly.

Why Host Minecraft Server on Ubuntu?

Minecraft is a popular game that allows players to create and explore their own virtual worlds. While playing Minecraft on a public server is fun, sometimes you may want to host your own customized Minecraft server. Ubuntu is a popular operating system that is well-suited for hosting Minecraft servers. Here are some reasons why Ubuntu is a great choice for hosting Minecraft servers:

Reasons to Host Minecraft Server on Ubuntu
Ubuntu is a secure and stable operating system that is well-supported by the community.
Ubuntu is open-source and free to use, with no licensing fees or restrictions.
Ubuntu can run on a variety of hardware, from desktop computers to cloud servers.
Ubuntu has a large and active community of developers and users, providing access to a wealth of resources and support.

With these advantages, Ubuntu is a great choice for hosting Minecraft servers. Let’s dive in and learn how to set up your own Minecraft server on Ubuntu!

Getting Started with Minecraft Server on Ubuntu

Before we get started with hosting a Minecraft server on Ubuntu, there are a few things that you need to do:

1. Install Java

Minecraft requires Java to run, so you need to make sure that you have Java installed on your Ubuntu server. To install Java, simply run the following command in your Ubuntu terminal:

sudo apt-get install default-jre

This will install the default Java Runtime Environment (JRE) on your server.

2. Check Your Server Requirements

Before you proceed with installing and setting up your Minecraft server, you need to make sure that your server meets the minimum system requirements. Here are the minimum system requirements for running a Minecraft server:

System Requirements for Minecraft Server
2 GHz CPU or equivalent
2 GB of RAM
At least 10 GB of free disk space

If your server doesn’t meet these requirements, you may experience performance issues or stability problems while running your Minecraft server.

3. Download Minecraft Server Files

To host a Minecraft server on Ubuntu, you need to download the Minecraft server files. You can download the latest version of the Minecraft server from the official Minecraft website:

https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/download/server

Make sure to download the version that is compatible with your Minecraft client. For example, if you are running Minecraft version 1.16.5, you need to download the Minecraft server version 1.16.5.

4. Create a New User for Minecraft Server

It is recommended to create a new user specifically for your Minecraft server. This will help you to separate your Minecraft server files from other files on your server and provide better security. You can create a new user by running the following command:

sudo adduser minecraft

Replace “minecraft” with the username of your choice.

5. Set Up Firewall Rules

To ensure that your Minecraft server is accessible from outside your network, you need to set up firewall rules to allow incoming traffic on the Minecraft port (default port is 25565). Run the following command to allow incoming traffic on the Minecraft port:

sudo ufw allow 25565/tcp

This will allow incoming TCP traffic on port 25565.

With these steps completed, you are now ready to install and set up your Minecraft server on Ubuntu!

Installing Minecraft Server on Ubuntu

1. Install Screen

Screen is a terminal multiplexer that allows you to run multiple terminal sessions in a single window. This is useful for running your Minecraft server in the background, even if you disconnect from your server or shut down your SSH session. Run the following command to install Screen:

sudo apt-get install screen

2. Navigate to Minecraft Server Directory

After downloading the Minecraft server files, navigate to the directory where you have downloaded the files. For example:

cd /home/minecraft

3. Start Minecraft Server

To start the Minecraft server, simply run the following command:

java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar minecraft_server.jar nogui

The “-Xmx” and “-Xms” flags specify the maximum and minimum amount of RAM that the server can use (in this case, 1024 MB). The “nogui” flag disables the GUI interface, which is not needed when running the server on Ubuntu.

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If your server has more RAM available, you can adjust the “-Xmx” and “-Xms” flags accordingly to optimize performance.

Configuring Minecraft Server on Ubuntu

After starting your Minecraft server, you can configure it to suit your needs. Here are some of the most common configuration options:

1. Server.properties

The server.properties file contains various settings that you can adjust to customize your Minecraft server. You can edit this file using any text editor, such as nano or vi. Here are some of the most commonly used settings:

Server.properties Settings and Description
server-ip: The IP address that your server will bind to. If you want your server to be accessible from outside your network, set this to your public IP address.
server-port: The port number that your server will listen on. By default, this is set to 25565.
max-players: The maximum number of players that can join your server.
motd: The message of the day that players will see when they join your server.

2. Whitelist

You can create a whitelist to restrict access to your Minecraft server only to players who are on the whitelist. To enable the whitelist, add the following line to your server.properties file:

white-list=true

Then, create a whitelist.txt file in the same directory as your server.properties file, and add the usernames of the players that you want to whitelist, one username per line.

3. Op List

You can create a list of operators (or “ops”) who have special privileges on your server, such as the ability to kick or ban players, or to run commands that are not available to regular players. To add a player to the op list, run the following command in the Minecraft server console:

op <username>

Replace “<username>” with the username of the player that you want to add to the op list.

FAQ: Hosting Minecraft Server on Ubuntu

1. Can I Run Minecraft Server on Ubuntu Server?

Yes, you can run Minecraft server on Ubuntu server. Ubuntu server is a variant of Ubuntu that is optimized for server use, and provides better performance and security than the desktop version of Ubuntu.

2. How Much RAM Do I Need for Minecraft Server?

The amount of RAM that you need for Minecraft server depends on various factors, such as the number of players, the size of the world, and the complexity of the plugins or mods that you are using. As a general rule, you should have at least 2 GB of RAM for a small Minecraft server, and more RAM for larger servers.

3. Can I Host Minecraft Server on Cloud Server?

Yes, you can host Minecraft server on cloud server, such as Amazon EC2 or Google Cloud. Cloud servers provide scalability, flexibility, and high availability, making them a great choice for hosting Minecraft servers.

4. How Do I Update Minecraft Server on Ubuntu?

To update Minecraft server on Ubuntu, simply download the latest version of the Minecraft server from the official Minecraft website, and replace the old server files with the new ones. Make sure to back up your server files before updating, to avoid any data loss.

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5. How Can I Back Up My Minecraft Server on Ubuntu?

You can back up your Minecraft server on Ubuntu by copying the server files to a safe location, such as an external hard drive or a cloud storage service. You can also use backup plugins or scripts to automate the backup process and ensure that your server data is always safe and secure.

We hope that this guide has been helpful in getting you up and running with your own Minecraft server on Ubuntu. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. Happy Minecrafting!