How to Host a Minecraft Server 1.12.2

Hello Dev! Are you looking for a way to host your own Minecraft server? Maybe you want to play with your friends or create a community of players. Whatever your reason may be, hosting a Minecraft server can seem like a daunting task, especially if you’ve never done it before. But don’t worry, we’re here to help! In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps of hosting your very own Minecraft server version 1.12.2.

Step 1: Choosing a Hosting Provider

The first thing to consider when hosting a Minecraft server is where you’ll be hosting it. You have two options: hosting it on your own computer, or using a hosting provider. Hosting it on your own computer can be cost-effective, but it also requires a lot of technical knowledge and can be unreliable. On the other hand, hosting it with a provider can be more expensive, but it offers better performance and reliability. Here are some popular hosting providers:

Hosting Provider
Features
Price
Shockbyte
DDoS Protection, 24/7 Support, Automated Backups
Starting at $2.50/month
Hostinger
DDoS Protection, One-Click Installer, 24/7 Support
Starting at $8.95/month
Apex Hosting
DDoS Protection, 24/7 Support, Multicraft Control Panel
Starting at $4.49/month

Pros & Cons of Hosting on Your Own Computer

If you decide to host your Minecraft server on your own computer, there are several things to consider. Here are some pros and cons:

Pros:

  • Cost-effective – hosting on your own computer is essentially free
  • You have complete control over the server
  • You can easily customize the server to your liking

Cons:

  • Requires technical knowledge
  • Your computer needs to be running 24/7
  • Poor performance and reliability

Step 2: Installing the Minecraft Server

Once you’ve chosen a hosting provider or decided to host the server on your own computer, the next step is to install the Minecraft server software. Here’s how to do it:

For Windows

  1. Download the Minecraft server software for version 1.12.2 from the official website: https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/download/server
  2. Create a new folder on your computer where you want to store the server software
  3. Extract the server software to the new folder
  4. Open the server.properties file with a text editor and customize the server settings to your liking
  5. Run the server by double-clicking the start.bat file
  6. If you’re using a hosting provider, follow their instructions on how to upload the server software to their servers

For Mac

  1. Open Terminal
  2. Create a new folder on your computer where you want to store the server software
  3. Navigate to the new folder in Terminal
  4. Download the Minecraft server software for version 1.12.2 by typing the following command in Terminal: curl -O https://s3.amazonaws.com/Minecraft.Download/versions/1.12.2/minecraft_server.1.12.2.jar
  5. Open the server.properties file with a text editor and customize the server settings to your liking
  6. Run the server by typing the following command in Terminal: java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar minecraft_server.1.12.2.jar nogui
  7. If you’re using a hosting provider, follow their instructions on how to upload the server software to their servers

Step 3: Configuring the Server Settings

After installing the Minecraft server software, it’s important to configure the server settings to your liking. Here are some important settings to consider:

Server Properties

The server.properties file contains all the settings for your Minecraft server. Here are some important settings to consider:

  • max-players – the maximum number of players allowed on the server
  • gamemode – the default game mode of the server
  • spawn-protection – the radius of the spawn protection
  • difficulty – the difficulty of the server
  • level-seed – the seed used to generate the world
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Plugins & Mods

Plugins and mods are a great way to customize your Minecraft server. Here are some popular plugins and mods:

Plugin/Mod
Description
Price
EssentialsX
Essential commands for your server
Free
WorldEdit
Allows you to quickly and easily edit the world
Free
WorldGuard
Protects your server from griefers
Free
OptiFine
Improves performance and adds new graphical features
Free

Step 4: Inviting Players to Your Server

Now that your Minecraft server is up and running, it’s time to invite players to join. Here’s how to do it:

Whitelisting

If you only want certain players to be able to join your server, you can enable the whitelist feature. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Edit the server.properties file and set white-list=true
  2. Create a whitelist.txt file in the same folder as the server.properties file
  3. Add the usernames of the players you want to whitelist to the whitelist.txt file, each on a new line

Public Servers

If you want to make your server public, there are several ways to do it. Here are some popular options:

  • List your server on a server listing website, such as https://minecraftservers.org
  • Create a Discord server and invite players to join
  • Share your server IP address and port with players

FAQ

1. How much does it cost to host a Minecraft server?

The cost of hosting a Minecraft server varies depending on the hosting provider and the plan you choose. On average, hosting a server can cost anywhere from $2.50 to $20 per month.

2. Can I host a Minecraft server on my own computer?

Yes, you can host a Minecraft server on your own computer, but it requires technical knowledge and may not be as reliable as using a hosting provider.

3. What version of Minecraft should I use for my server?

The version of Minecraft you use for your server depends on your personal preference and the preferences of your players. Version 1.12.2 is a popular choice because it offers a stable and reliable gameplay experience.

4. How many players can join my Minecraft server?

The number of players that can join your Minecraft server depends on the hosting provider and plan you choose, as well as the performance of your computer if you choose to host the server on your own computer.

5. Can I customize the settings and features of my Minecraft server?

Yes, you can customize the settings and features of your Minecraft server by editing the server.properties file and installing plugins and mods.

6. How do I set up permissions for players on my Minecraft server?

You can set up permissions for players on your Minecraft server by installing a permissions plugin, such as PermissionsEx or LuckPerms, and configuring it according to your preferences.

Congratulations, Dev! You’ve successfully learned how to host your very own Minecraft server version 1.12.2. We hope that this guide has been helpful in your journey to create a community of Minecraft players. Happy gaming!