How to Create Your Own Minecraft Gaming Server

Plugins are essential for enhancing your Minecraft server by introducing new features, commands, and customization options. Bukkit and Spigot are popular platforms that support plugins, allowing server administrators to transform their vanilla Minecraft server into a feature-rich environment. This guide will walk you through the steps for installing and managing plugins, along with explaining how to set up custom server scripts for starting and restarting your server on Linux. Choosing the Right Plugins for Your Server Before installing plugins, it’s crucial to select the right ones that match your server's needs. Here are some steps to guide you: Define the focus of your server: Whether it's survival, creative, minigames, or roleplay, your plugins should match the gameplay style. Find reliable plugins: Visit well-known repositories like SpigotMC and Bukkit’s plugin directories to find safe and well-maintained plugins. Consider performance: Be cautious with performance-heavy plugins, especially if you have limited server resources. Prerequisites for Installing Plugins Before installing plugins on your Minecraft 1.21 server, make sure the following prerequisites are met: Bukkit or Spigot server: Ensure your server is running a compatible Bukkit or Spigot version for Minecraft 1.21, as plugins are not supported on a vanilla server. Server access: You will need SSH access to remotely connect to your Linux server, and SFTP for uploading plugin files. Java 21 installed: Minecraft 1.21 requires Java 21 to run. Ensure that your server has Java 21 installed and properly configured. You can check your Java version with: java -version If you need to install or update Java, use the following command on Ubuntu: sudo apt install openjdk-21-jre Installing Plugins on a Bukkit/Spigot Server After selecting the right plugins, follow these steps to install them on your server: Connect to your server using SSH: ssh username@your_server_ip Navigate to the plugins directory: Move to the plugins directory in your Minecraft server’s root folder. cd /path/to/your/minecraft/server/plugins Download or upload the plugin .jar: You can upload the plugin .jar file via SFTP or use wget to download it directly to the server. For example, to install EssentialsX: wget https://path-to-plugin/EssentialsX.jar Create a start.sh script (if you don't have one already): The start.sh script will handle starting your server. Here’s a basic version: #!/bin/bashcd /path/to/your/minecraft/serverjava -Xms2G -Xmx4G -jar spigot.jar nogui -Xms2G allocates 2 GB of minimum RAM. -Xmx4G allocates 4 GB of maximum RAM. nogui runs the server without the graphical interface. After saving the script, make it executable: chmod +x start.sh Start your server using the script: ./start.sh Restart нour Server with a restart.sh script. To make it easier to restart your server after plugin installation or updates, you can create a restart.sh script. Here’s a version that stops and restarts the server: #!/bin/bash cd /path/to/your/minecraft/server # Stop the server if it's running in a screen session screen -S minecraft -X stuff "stop$(echo -ne '\r')" # Wait a few seconds for the server to shut down sleep 10 # Start the server again java -Xms2G -Xmx4G -jar spigot.jar nogui This script sends the stop command to the server, waits for 10 seconds, and then starts the server again. Ensure the script has the necessary execute permissions: chmod +x restart.sh You can now restart your server with: ./restart.sh Verifying Plugin Compatibility and Version Before installing any plugin, always verify that it is compatible with your version of Bukkit or Spigot: Check plugin version: Ensure the plugin supports your Minecraft version. Verify the plugin’s .jar or plugin.yml file for supported versions. Unzip the plugin and inspect: unzip plugin.jarcat plugin.yml Review the plugin's documentation: Some plugins may have dependencies or specific configurations needed to function correctly. You can check your server version with the following command: /version Managing and Configuring Installed Plugins Once your plugins are installed, many will require configuration to suit your server's needs: Edit configuration files: Most plugins create a folder in the plugins directory with a config.yml or plugin.yml file. You can modify this file using a text editor like nano: nano /path/to/your/minecraft/server/plugins/pluginname/plugin.yml Reload the server or the plugin: After editing the configuration, restart your server using restart.sh or reload the plugin in-game using: /reload Check plugin status: To see which plugins are installed and running, use: /plugins This will display a list of active plugins in-game or via the server console. Common Plugin-Related Issues and Solutions Here are a few common problems and solutions related to plugins: Plugin not loading: Ensure the plugin is placed in the correct plugins folder and is compatible with your Minecraft version. Server crashes: Review the server.log for errors, as a plugin mismatch or missing dependency could be the cause. Incompatible plugins: Some plugins may conflict with others, especially those with overlapping functionalities (e.g., multiple permissions managers). Best Practices for Managing Plugins To keep your server running smoothly, follow these best practices: Limit the number of plugins: Only install plugins that are necessary. Too many plugins can slow down your server and cause lag. Regular backups: Always back up your server before adding or updating plugins to prevent data loss. cp -r /path/to/your/minecraft/server /path/to/backup/location Update plugins regularly: Keep your plugins up to date to maintain compatibility with newer Minecraft versions. Test new plugins locally: Before adding a plugin to your live server, test it on a local server to avoid disruptions. Popular Plugins to Enhance Your Server Here are some highly recommended plugins that can enhance your server: EssentialsX: A comprehensive plugin providing essential server commands. LuckPerms: A flexible and powerful permissions management plugin. WorldEdit: A tool for quickly building and editing large areas of blocks. Vault: A permissions and economy manager, often required by other plugins. Dynmap: Generates a live web map of your Minecraft world. Conclusion With this guide, you now have all the knowledge needed to install, manage, and configure plugins for your Minecraft server. By choosing the right plugins, verifying compatibility, and using custom scripts like start.sh and restart.sh, you can efficiently manage your server and provide an engaging experience for your players.

Running your own Minecraft servers can be challenging as the methods for creation and optimization frequently change. The game continually evolves, increasing the demands on the server infrastructure. Given Minecraft's enormous fan base, it's worth exploring this guide to ensure both tech enthusiasts are satisfied and there's no reason for critics to pounce on the server organizer.. What started as a simple concept—a world made of basic blocks—has gradually evolved into an environment for communication and creating complex structures that mimic the real world. This complexity imposes certain limitations. The more detailed a player's creations are, the greater the strain on the server's CPU and RAM which can result in Minecraft lagging. This situation is further complicated by multiple users connecting to a single host. Let's examine typical problems using the Java Edition as an example. Types of Servers Let's look at some popular Minecraft server types: Game Client The simplest version of a Minecraft server is the one integrated within the game client. All you need to do is create a new world, click confirm, and the virtual universe becomes accessible over a local network. However, you can only play with users on the same network, limiting this option to a few accounts, making it rarely used. Vanilla One of the popular types of Minecraft servers is Vanilla, the original server module developed by Mojang Studios. It offers basic functionality for creating a server with a personal virtual world, accessible from anywhere with an internet connection. It's relatively easy to set up, and beginners can find detailed instructions on the Minecraft Wiki. This option is suitable only for beginners. As you delve deeper, you'll discover you cannot add plugins to extend the official Minecraft server's functionality. This limitation leads to higher RAM usage due to the lack of server-side optimization features. Bukkit Another Minecraft server option is Bukkit, which was created by enthusiasts who built upon the Vanilla version. They expanded it by adding support for mods and plugins. Bukkit attracts users with its less demanding memory requirements and the ability to add new types of blocks to the game. This allows for more cost-effective hosting compared to a Vanilla server. However, the main drawback is that the Bukkit repository has been abandoned since 2014 because Mojang Studios recruited its developers, and now they work on official services. SpigotMC A common drawback of the previous Minecraft server options is the lack of automation. The game has evolved from a simple block world into a complex and engaging experience, so the introduction of API support in SpigotMC was timely. SpigotMC was developed by refining the abandoned Bukkit project, enhancing performance and reliability. The only drawback of SpigotMC is its official blocking in Git repositories. To download the source code, you must use a special utility called BuildTools, which compiles the code yourself, rendering DMCA restrictions meaningless. PaperMC Another active Minecraft server project is PaperMC. Like SpigotMC, its key feature is API support, providing extensive options for creating or modifying existing plugins. Technically, it is a fork of SpigotMC, but PaperMC is more like a "new take" on optimizing Minecraft. It is supported by a well-developed community, which helps quickly address any issues. Plugins developed for SpigotMC work on PaperMC without modification in 99% of cases. This backward compatibility makes it easy to experiment with both platforms without worrying about plugin availability. However, official support is limited to developments within the project. Problems and Solutions When creating a new Minecraft server, it's crucial to understand the application's architecture. For example, a significant portion of the resources will use only one CPU core, regardless of the number of processors allocated. The other cores will remain idle. You should consider this when renting cloud resources; clock speed may be more important than the number of cores, which doesn't necessarily impact performance. Another important factor is the amount of RAM. Consider: The number of worlds opened simultaneously. The size of each generated virtual space. The total number of players who will have access. Additionally, remember that Java applications always require a certain amount of reserved memory to run smoothly. For example, if you estimate that 8 GB of RAM is needed, allocating up to 12 GB is better. These figures are approximate but effectively illustrate the point. Cloud hosting rates typically allow for resource reservation with a decent margin. To avoid problems when launching a Minecraft server, follow these rules: Monitor memory usage with tools like LagMeter for real-time insights into Minecraft lagging. Regularly check for and install plugin updates. Developers are continually working on performance improvements and bug fixes. Limit generated maps, for instance, using the WorldBorder plugin, to reduce server load. Experiment with new plugins, replacing heavy modules with lighter ones with lower CPU and memory requirements. Utilize drop cleanup plugins like NoLagg and McClean. These plugins help manage system resources by clearing up unused or "saved for later" drops, which accumulate and strain resources making Minecraft laggy. Check performance metrics before and after using these plugins to find the optimal server configuration. Block Map Generation Now, let's discuss gameplay. When players connect to the server for the first time, their character automatically appears at a common spawn point. This is the only location whose coordinates are pre-generated by the server based on configuration file settings. The key parameter here is the rendering distance, measured in chunks. A chunk is a 16x16 area with a height of 256 blocks. The number of chunks allocated depends on the server settings and the owner's preferences. Generating the spawn point requires significant resources since it happens dynamically, storing data in RAM and continuously increasing the map file size. The more users log into the server, the more crucial it becomes to understand how to optimize Minecraft and make it run faster. Beginners often base their server's capacity on the load from a single player, perhaps a couple of dozen at most. However, with a thousand players logging in, the server will likely crash under the strain. At best, they'll experience significant Minecraft lag during mass respawns, which frustrates players. Minecraft default tick speed, or tick rate, is 20 TPS (Ticks Per Second). The server will timeout and eject players if it drops below 20. Ideally, one TPS equals 50 ms, with 1 second in the real world equaling 20 game ticks. Much depends on the server owner. For instance, the well-known 2b2t server comfortably handles a world border of 30 million blocks, with the map now at 8 TB and still growing. However, not everyone can access such vast resources to support nearly infinite worlds. The solution is to limit your world to specific coordinates and pre-generate the map. This approach avoids server overload from dynamic block generation, allowing the CPU to focus on rendering the existing landscape. It also helps forecast memory usage. The optimal approach is to use the WorldBorder plugin. Beginners should create a circular world centered on the spawn point using the command: /wb set <radius in blocks> spawn Players attempting to cross the boundary will be pushed back a few blocks. If a persistent player tries to cross the map's edge, they'll be automatically teleported back to the spawn point. To pre-generate the world according to the selected shape, use the command: /wb fill And confirm with: /wb confirm An Intel Xeon Gold 6240 processor can generate a world with a 5,000-block radius in about two hours, creating approximately 40 billion blocks. As the radius increases, so does the time required for generation. TPS will drop significantly during map creation, so it's essential to account for this if active players are online. Also, allocate enough disk space in advance. A 5,000-block radius map requires nearly 2 GB of disk space. These factors directly impact the choice of hosting plan when renting cloud resources. The plugin version is not critical; it was developed for Minecraft 1.14, and no compatibility issues have been reported, allowing for unrestricted experimentation. The full list of WorldBorder commands is available on the plugin's official forum. Problematic Blocks Dynamic block generation within the active map is another consideration when optimizing a Minecraft server. While dropped items add little load, massive explosions from TNT blocks can be resource-intensive. The issue lies in the physics engine, where gravity affects neighboring blocks blown up by TNT. The explosion triggers the generation of items from destroyed blocks, a highly resource-intensive process. If your server's current configuration struggles with this load, disabling TNT blocks or end crystals may be wise to reduce lag in Minecraft. These can overload a weak server. You can easily avoid this by using the WorldGuard plugin, which works with WorldEdit and should be installed afterward. Conclusion This brief overview of Minecraft server optimization covers some of the "pain points" of resource management. Optimization isn't particularly complex, but planning for the maximum number of players per host is essential. Pre-generating maps can fit well into a promotion strategy. However, disabling popular blocks like TNT should be avoided, as their absence could impact the server's appeal, especially for new MC servers and newer communities.

For administrators who specialize in Minecraft server hosting, security is not merely a feature—it's a priority. While Ubuntu 22.04 defaults to AppArmor for elementary security safeguards, a more sophisticated solution is often required to meet the heightened demands of Minecraft server hosts. This is where SELinux, an advanced security architecture developed by the NSA, comes into play. SELinux offers granular access controls, enabling precise management of user permissions—a crucial advantage for servers that cater to a diverse and active Minecraft community. This professional guide provides a structured approach for installing and configuring SELinux on Ubuntu 22.04, upgrading from the standard protections of AppArmor. Included is an in-depth exploration of SELinux's functionalities and benefits in the context of Minecraft server security. We extend our tutorial to cover protective strategies against an array of cybersecurity threats, ensuring that your server remains an impregnable fortress. Whether you are establishing a new Minecraft server, looking to optimize an existing one with the best Minecraft server hosting practices, or investigating free Minecraft server options, the integration of SELinux stands as a critical step toward a secure and controlled gaming environment. As we proceed, this guide will be your companion in achieving an elevated level of security for your Minecraft server, demonstrating how to host a Minecraft server that excels in both safety and performance. Prerequisites Before we start installing SELinux on Ubuntu 22.04, there are a few things you'll need: A server running Ubuntu 22.04: Ensure your server is updated to the latest version of Ubuntu 22.04 LTS. Administrative access: You will need to have root access or a user account with sudo privileges to make system changes. Basic command line knowledge: Familiarity with using the Linux command line will be helpful as we'll be running several commands. Existing AppArmor setup: Since Ubuntu comes with AppArmor installed by default, you should be aware of its presence. We'll cover how to disable it to prevent conflicts with SELinux. Preparing Your Server Before installing SELinux on your Ubuntu 22.04 server, a foundational setup is necessary, especially critical for those hosting Minecraft servers where security and stability are paramount. Let’s streamline your server preparation: Step 1: Update Your System Begin by updating your server's package index and upgrading the installed packages to their latest versions. This step ensures compatibility and security. Run: sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y Step 2: Disable AppArmor Ubuntu includes AppArmor by default. Disable it to prevent conflicts with SELinux: sudo systemctl stop apparmorsudo systemctl disable apparmor Step 3: Install Dependencies Install the packages required for SELinux: sudo apt install policycoreutils selinux-utils selinux-basics selinux-policy-default auditd -y  Now, with the prerequisites addressed, you have the necessary components installed, fortifying your server as you learn how to make a Minecraft server that's secure and reliable. Installing SELinux With the foundational setup complete, including the required SELinux packages, it’s time to activate and enforce SELinux policies to secure your Ubuntu system. Step 1: Activate SELinux Rather than a separate installation, SELinux is activated with the already installed packages using the following command: sudo selinux-activate This command sets up the necessary configurations to enable SELinux on your next system boot. Step 2: Configure SELinux to Enforcing Mode To fully enable SELinux and set it to enforcing mode, which is recommended for maximum security, you need to edit the SELinux configuration file. Use your preferred text editor to open the configuration file: sudo nano /etc/selinux/config In this file, ensure the SELINUX line is set as follows: SELINUX=enforcing This setting enforces the SELinux security policies, which means it will deny access based on the policy rules and log the denials. Step 3: Adjust SSH SELinux Policies Before rebooting, ensure SSH has the correct SELinux context to prevent connectivity issues. sudo restorecon -Rv /etc/ssh This command will reset the SELinux context for the SSH configuration files to their default values, which can help prevent connection issues after the reboot. Step 4: Reboot Your Server Apply the SELinux policies with a system reboot. sudo reboot After your server restarts, verify that SELinux is enforcing the policies and SSH is accessible: sudo sestatus ssh [your_username]@[your_server_ip] If after rebooting you cannot access the server via SSH, then as a troubleshooting step, you will need to: Inspect SELinux denials related to SSH: sudo ausearch -m avc -ts recent | grep ssh Generate and install a custom SELinux policy module if necessary: sudo audit2allow -M myssh -l -i /var/log/audit/audit.log sudo semodule -X 300 -i myssh.pp Revert SELinux to enforcing mode if it was set to permissive during troubleshooting: sudo setenforce 1  These troubleshooting steps should only be performed if there is an issue with SSH connectivity after enforcing SELinux. The standard installation and configuration process ends with the reboot and subsequent verification that SELinux is enforcing its policies correctly. Managing Server Plugins and Mods with SELinux After installing SELinux, it’s important to understand how to manage it to ensure your Minecraft server operates smoothly without compromising on security. Step 1: Understanding SELinux Policies SELinux operates using policies that define how software applications and users can access system resources. For a Minecraft server, you may need to adjust these policies to allow certain plugins and mods to function correctly. Step 2: Creating Custom Policy Modules If your server requires specific access controls for unique plugins or mods, you can create custom SELinux policy modules. Here's a simple example of how to allow a specific plugin that requires access to a new directory: Identify the Need: Suppose a Minecraft plugin needs to write to a directory not currently covered by SELinux policies. Generate a Policy Module: First, set SELinux to permissive mode temporarily to collect logs about denied actions: sudo setenforce 0 Run your Minecraft server and allow it to generate the necessary logs. After reproducing the issue, generate a custom policy module using the audit logs: sudo audit2allow -a -M myminecraftmod This command creates a policy module file named myminecraftmod.pp. Install the Policy Module: sudo semodule -i myminecraftmod.pp Re-enable enforcing mode: sudo setenforce 1 Step 3: Managing SELinux Booleans SELinux booleans offer a simpler way to adjust policies without creating new modules. For example, to allow your server to use network connections (if a mod requires external APIs), you might toggle a boolean: sudo setsebool -P httpd_can_network_connect 1 This command permanently sets the httpd_can_network_connect boolean to true, allowing network connections. Monitoring and Troubleshooting Proper maintenance of SELinux is vital for monitoring and troubleshooting, ensuring it does not inadvertently block legitimate operations on your server. Monitoring SELinux Logs SELinux logs play an essential role in understanding denied actions and addressing system issues. To inspect recent SELinux denials, use the command: sudo ausearch -m avc -ts recent This command pulls up the latest SELinux denials, which is instrumental in pinpointing and rectifying configuration problems. Troubleshooting Common Issues If a Minecraft plugin stops working after enabling SELinux, check the audit logs to understand why. Create and install custom modules as needed, or adjust booleans to resolve conflicts without compromising on security. Conclusion The implementation and management of SELinux on Ubuntu 22.04 can substantially strengthen the security framework of your Minecraft server. By implementing mandatory access controls, SELinux delivers a powerful layer of security that enhances the traditional permission-based models. This tutorial has directed you through each phase of SELinux setup, from installation to policy enforcement, and provided strategies for tailoring the system settings to suit the demands of your Minecraft server.