Minecraft Server Installation on Linux: Finding the Right Home

Mon Sep 19. 2022

Minecraft, the immensely popular sandbox game, offers players the opportunity to create and explore virtual worlds. To fully enjoy the multiplayer experience, many players opt to set up their own Minecraft servers. Running a Minecraft server on Linux not only provides stability and security but also allows for customization and control over the gaming environment. In this article, we will explore the process of finding the right home for your Minecraft server installation on Linux.

Choosing the Linux Distribution:

Before diving into the installation process, it's essential to select the right Linux distribution for your server. Popular choices among Minecraft server administrators include Ubuntu, Debian, and CentOS. These distributions offer long-term support, regular updates, and extensive online communities for support and troubleshooting. It's crucial to opt for a distribution that you are comfortable with and that suits your server's requirements.

VPS or Dedicated Server:

Once you have chosen a Linux distribution, you need to decide whether to use a Virtual Private Server (VPS) or a dedicated server for hosting your Minecraft server. A VPS is a virtual machine hosted on a physical server, offering flexibility and cost-effectiveness. On the other hand, a dedicated server provides exclusive access to all hardware resources and is ideal for high-traffic servers or when you require maximum performance. Consider your budget, expected number of players, and server requirements to make an informed decision.

Server Requirements:

To ensure smooth gameplay and optimal server performance, it's crucial to meet the recommended hardware requirements. While Minecraft servers are not resource-intensive, they can still benefit from sufficient processing power and memory. A server with at least 4GB of RAM and a multi-core processor should be able to handle a small to medium-sized server. However, if you anticipate a large number of concurrent players or plan to install resource-heavy mods, you may need to opt for more powerful hardware.

Installing Java:

Minecraft runs on Java, so before installing the server, make sure your Linux distribution has Java Development Kit (JDK) installed. Most Linux distributions provide OpenJDK, which is the open-source version of Java. To install OpenJDK, you can use the package manager specific to your distribution. For example, on Ubuntu, you can run the following command:

Downloading and Setting up the Minecraft Server:

Once Java is installed, it's time to download the Minecraft server software. The official Minecraft website provides a Java Edition server file that you can download. It's recommended to create a dedicated directory for your server and place the downloaded file in that directory.

Before starting the server, you can customize the server properties file to adjust various settings, such as game mode, difficulty level, and maximum number of players. This file is typically named "server.properties" and can be found in the server directory.

To start the Minecraft server, open a terminal, navigate to the server directory, and run the following command:

This command allocates 1GB of RAM to the server (-Xmx1024M and -Xms1024M), runs the server in the background without a graphical user interface (nogui), and starts the server using the Minecraft server JAR file (minecraft_server.jar).

Connecting to the Server:

Once the server is up and running, players can connect to it using the Minecraft Java Edition client. In the client, click on "Multiplayer" and then "Add Server." Enter the server IP address or domain name and save the settings. Now you should see the server listed in your multiplayer server list, and you can connect to it by selecting it and clicking "Join Server."

Setting up a Minecraft server on Linux provides a stable and customizable gaming environment for multiplayer fun. By carefully choosing the Linux distribution, server hosting option, and hardware resources, you can ensure an optimal gaming experience for yourself and your fellow players. With the right home for your Minecraft server installation on Linux, you can create an exciting virtual world for everyone to enjoy.