How to Host a Minecraft Server on a Virtual Machine

Hello Dev, long time no talk! Today, we’re going to go over the process of hosting a Minecraft server on a virtual machine. This can save you money, increase your server’s performance, and give you more flexibility when it comes to server management. Let’s dive in!

1. What is a Virtual Machine?

Before we get started, let’s go over what a virtual machine actually is. A virtual machine is essentially a computer within a computer. It allows you to run multiple operating systems on the same physical machine. This can be incredibly helpful when it comes to server hosting, as you can run the server on its own isolated virtual machine.

There are many different virtual machine applications available, but we’ll be using VirtualBox for this tutorial. It’s free, open-source, and available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

2. Downloading and Installing VirtualBox

The first step is to download and install VirtualBox. You can download it from the official website at https://www.virtualbox.org/. Once you’ve downloaded the installer, run it and follow the on-screen instructions to install VirtualBox on your computer.

3. Creating a New Virtual Machine

Once you have VirtualBox installed, open it up and click on the “New” button to create a new virtual machine. Give it a name and select the operating system you’ll be running on it. For this tutorial, we’ll be using Ubuntu 20.04.

Next, you’ll need to assign some resources to the virtual machine. This includes the amount of RAM and CPU cores it will be able to use. Make sure to assign enough resources so that your Minecraft server will run smoothly.

4. Installing the Operating System

After creating the virtual machine, you’ll need to install the operating system onto it. This process will be different depending on which operating system you’re using. For Ubuntu, you can download the ISO file from the official website and use it to install the operating system.

Follow the on-screen instructions to install Ubuntu onto the virtual machine. Once it’s installed, you’ll be prompted to log in.

5. Installing Minecraft Server

With Ubuntu installed on the virtual machine, it’s time to install the Minecraft server software. This can be done using the command line. Open up a terminal window and type in the following commands:

Once you run the last command, the Minecraft server will start up. You’ll be able to connect to it using your Minecraft client.

6. Configuring Your Server

Now that your Minecraft server is up and running, you’ll need to configure it to your liking. This includes setting things like the server’s name, player limit, and game mode.

To do this, you’ll need to edit the server.properties file. This can be found in the Minecraft server’s directory. Open it up in a text editor and make the necessary changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much RAM should I assign to my virtual machine?

This depends on the number of players you’ll be hosting on your server. As a general rule, you’ll want to assign at least 1GB of RAM for every 10 players. So, if you’re hosting a server with 20 players, you’ll want to assign at least 2GB of RAM to your virtual machine.

Can I run multiple Minecraft servers on the same virtual machine?

Yes, you can run multiple Minecraft servers on the same virtual machine. However, you’ll need to make sure that you assign enough resources to each server so that they run smoothly.

Can I install mods on my Minecraft server?

Yes, you can install mods on your Minecraft server. However, this process will be different depending on which mods you want to install. Make sure to follow the instructions provided by the mod’s creator.

Can I run a Minecraft server on a cloud hosting service?

Yes, you can run a Minecraft server on a cloud hosting service like Amazon Web Services or Google Cloud Platform. However, this will require more advanced configuration and management skills.

Do I need a powerful computer to run a virtual machine?

Not necessarily. While assigning more resources to your virtual machine will improve its performance, you can still run a Minecraft server on a lower-end computer.

Conclusion

And there you have it, Dev! You now know how to host a Minecraft server on a virtual machine. This can be a great option for those who want more control over their server’s performance and management. Just make sure to assign enough resources to your virtual machine so that your Minecraft server runs smoothly.