Minecraft: How to Host a Server for Friends

Hello Dev, welcome to our guide on how to host a Minecraft server for your friends! Playing Minecraft in multiplayer mode is a great way to connect with your friends and have fun together. Hosting your own server allows you to customize the gameplay and invite only the people you want to play with. In this article, we will take you through the steps of hosting a Minecraft server for your friends. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Choose Your Server Type

The first step in hosting a Minecraft server is to choose the type of server you want to run. There are two main types of Minecraft servers: Vanilla and Modded.

Vanilla Servers

A Vanilla server is the basic Minecraft server that runs the original game with no modifications. This type of server is perfect for those who want to stick to the original gameplay and experience Minecraft as it was meant to be played. You can download the Vanilla server from the official Minecraft website.

Setting up a Vanilla server is relatively easy and straightforward. All you need to do is download the server software, create a new world, and configure the server settings to your liking. We will cover each of these steps in detail in the following sections.

Modded Servers

A Modded server is a Minecraft server that runs the game with modifications (mods) that add new features, items, and gameplay mechanics. Modded servers can be downloaded from various websites and typically require more setup and configuration than Vanilla servers.

If you want to host a Modded server, you will need to research and choose the mods you want to include in your server. You will also need to install a mod loader such as Minecraft Forge to run the mods. We will not cover hosting a Modded server in this article, as it is a more advanced topic.

Step 2: Prepare Your Server

Once you have chosen your server type, the next step is to prepare your server. This involves downloading the server software, creating a new world, and configuring the server settings.

Downloading the Server Software

To download the Vanilla server software, go to the official Minecraft website and click on “Download server” under the “Minecraft: Java Edition” section. Choose the version of Minecraft you want to run and download the server software to a folder on your computer.

Once the download is complete, unzip the file and open the server.jar file. This will start the server and create a few necessary files and folders in the server directory.

Creating a New World

After the server software is running, the next step is to create a new world. To do this, type “stop” in the server console to stop the server and then edit the “server.properties” file in a text editor such as Notepad.

In the server.properties file, you can customize various settings for your server, such as the world name, game mode, difficulty, and more. Once you have configured the settings to your liking, save the file and start the server again by running the server.jar file.

Configuring Server Settings

There are many server settings you can configure to customize your Minecraft server. Here are some of the most important settings:

To change a server setting, stop the server and edit the “server.properties” file. Save the file and start the server again to apply the changes.

Step 3: Invite Your Friends to Play

Once your Minecraft server is up and running, the final step is to invite your friends to play with you. You can do this by sharing your server’s IP address with them.

To find your server’s IP address, go to the server console and type “ipconfig” (Windows) or “ifconfig” (Mac/Linux). Look for the line that says “IPv4 Address” or “inet” and note down the number. This is your server’s IP address.

Share your server’s IP address with your friends and ask them to connect to your server using the “Direct Connect” option in Minecraft. They will need to enter the IP address and port number of your server (the default port number is 25565).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I run a Minecraft server on my own computer?

Yes, you can run a Minecraft server on your own computer. However, it is recommended to use a dedicated server or a hosting service if you want to host a server for a large number of players.

How much RAM do I need to run a Minecraft server?

The amount of RAM you need depends on the number of players and the server settings. Generally, you should allocate at least 1-2GB of RAM for a small server and up to 4-6GB for a larger server.

Can I change the server settings while the server is running?

Yes, you can change the server settings while the server is running. However, you will need to stop the server, edit the “server.properties” file, and start the server again for the changes to take effect.

Can I install mods on a Vanilla server?

No, you cannot install mods on a Vanilla server. If you want to use mods, you will need to host a Modded server.

How do I backup my Minecraft server?

To backup your Minecraft server, simply copy the server directory to a different location on your computer or an external hard drive. You should also backup the “server.properties” file and any other configuration files.

Conclusion

Congratulations, you have successfully learned how to host a Minecraft server for your friends! Hosting your own server allows you to customize the gameplay and invite only the people you want to play with. We hope this guide has been helpful and that you have a great time playing Minecraft with your friends!