How to Set Up a Minecraft Bedrock Server with Hostman

In this tutorial, we will describe how to set up a Minecraft Bedrock server on a Hostman cloud server.

Choosing a Hostman Server for Hosting

When it comes to deploying a Minecraft Bedrock server, Hostman emerges as an outstanding choice for a plethora of reasons.

• User-Friendly Interface: Hostman offers an intuitive and user-friendly dashboard, simplifying the setup process without requiring extensive technical knowledge.
• Streamlined Deployment: With pre-configured server templates and automated setup procedures, Hostman enables users to launch their Minecraft Bedrock server swiftly and effortlessly.
• High Performance: Hostman's infrastructure boasts optimized hardware and network resources, ensuring low-latency and lag-free gameplay experiences even during peak usage periods.
• Scalability: Whether it's a small private server or a large public one, Hostman's flexible hosting plans can easily scale to meet varying requirements.
• Security Measures: Hostman prioritizes data security with encrypted connections, regular updates, and proactive monitoring to safeguard servers against cyber threats.
• 24/7 Support: Users have access to dedicated technical support round-the-clock via live chat for prompt assistance whenever needed.
• Cost-Effective Solutions: With transparent pricing plans and no hidden fees, Hostman offers excellent value for money, accommodating different budgets and preferences.
  

Creating an Account on Hostman

To kick off the process, visit the official Hostman website. Sign up for a new account by providing essential details and create a strong password. Following this, check your email for a verification link, click on it, and swiftly log in to your Hostman account.

Setting Up a Server

First, you need to create your own cloud server where Minecraft will be hosted.

Upon opening the Hostman control panel, click on Cloud servers and then click on Create. 

Choose Ubuntu as the operating system, ensuring to select the latest LTS (Long Term Support) version for enhanced stability.

Choose the package according to the server needs. Criteria for setting up server is share in table below.

Criteria for setting up the server

Once selections are finaled, click on Order for [amount in $/mo]. (Note: the amount will be different for different selected plans).

Accessing Your server

Step 1: Accessing Your Ubuntu Server

1. Navigate to the new server created and select the Ubuntu server where the Minecraft server will be hosted.

2. After clicking the server, start the server by the play button and scroll down and note the SSH command and root password for the Ubuntu server.

3. Access the server through the web-based terminal provided by Hostman named as ‘console’ on dashboard or use preferred SSH client. For this tutorial accessing through SSH client is used

Step 2: Update System Packages

Use the following command to update system packages of Ubuntu:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade

Type y and hit Enter.

After upgrade, a pop up screen will appear:

Leave the settings as default and press Enter.

Installing and Configuring the Server

Now, install and configure the Minecraft Bedrock server on your HostMan Server instance.

1. Download the latest version of the Minecraft Bedrock server software. 

• • Go to the Downloads page.
  • Scroll down and move cursor to the download for Linux section.
  • Click on the check box to agree to terms and conditions.
  • Right click the download button and copy path. This path will be used in wget command.
  • Go to your Terminal, enter the wget command  and paste the link. Press Enter.

wget https://minecraft.azureedge.net/bin-linux/bedrock-server-1.20.73.01.zip

2. Unzip the downloaded file using:

unzip bedrock-server-1.20.73.01.zip

In your case, the name of the file to unzip can be different. Insert your filename carefully.

3. Customize server settings such as world name, server port, and player capacity in the server.properties file.

To access the servers.properties files use the following command:

nano server.properties

4. Install Plugins: 

• • Visit a reputable Minecraft plugin repository or website to find the plugin you wish to install.

  • To download the plugin directly in your server use the following command. 

wget -O /root/minecraft_server/mods/plugin-name.jar "https://example.com/path/to/your/plugin/plugin-name.jar"

The plugin must be downloaded in the /mods folder withing the /minecraft_server folder.

Explanation:

• wget -O /root/minecraft_server/mods/plugin-name.jar: This is the location where file has to be downloaded and wget command is used to download.

• https://example.com/path/to/your/plugin-name.jar: This is a placeholder for the link. Replace it with the link where the plugin is available for download.

Starting the Server and Connecting Players

Once the server is set up and configured, start it and invite players to join your Minecraft Bedrock world.

1. Execute the following command to launch the Minecraft Bedrock server:

./bedrock_server

2. Share the server's IP address and port number with friends or community members who wish to join.
3. Instruct players to open Minecraft Bedrock Edition, navigate to the "Play" menu, and select "Servers."
4. Click on "Add Server" and input the server details, including IP address and port.
5. Players can now join the server by selecting it from the server list in Minecraft Bedrock Edition.

Server Management and Maintenance

Regular maintenance ensures smooth gameplay experiences and prevents issues on your Minecraft Bedrock server.

Update Server Software

Regularly updating your Minecraft Bedrock server software is crucial to staying current with the latest features, performance enhancements, and bug fixes. Keeping your server software up-to-date ensures compatibility with the latest client versions and provides a better gaming experience for players. To update the server software:

• Download the latest version of the Minecraft Bedrock server software from the official website or through your hosting provider.

• Download updated version of bedrock server, following the Steps 1 and 2 from the Installing and Configuring section.

• Restart the server to apply the changes and ensure that players can connect with the latest client versions. You can restart from your Hostman dashboard or use the command:

sudo systemctl reboot

Monitor Performance

Monitoring server performance metrics is essential for identifying potential issues and optimizing resource allocation. Regularly monitoring CPU usage, memory consumption, network traffic, and disk space utilization helps ensure that your server can handle the demands of player activity. Use server monitoring tools or built-in server metrics to track performance metrics and:

• Identify any bottlenecks or resource constraints that may impact server performance.

• Adjust server settings or upgrade hardware resources as needed to optimize performance.

• Keep an eye on player activity and server load to anticipate peak usage periods and scale resources accordingly.

Commands like top, htop, or free can be used to monitor server performance metrics. For example, this command displays real-time information about CPU and memory usage:

top

This command shows memory usage in megabytes:

free -hm

Backup Data

Regularly backing up world files and server configurations is essential for protecting against data loss and ensuring continuity in case of unexpected events such as hardware failures or software issues. Implement a backup strategy that includes:

• Scheduled backups of world files, player data, and server configurations to a secure location.

• Testing backups regularly to ensure data integrity and the ability to restore data when needed.

• Storing backups offsite or in a cloud-based storage solution for added redundancy and disaster recovery capability.

To perform backups of world files and server configurations, you can use commands like cp or rsync. For example, this command copies the world directory to a backup location:

cp -r /path/to/world /path/to/backup

This command synchronizes the world directory with a backup location, deleting any files in the backup that are not present in the original directory.

rsync -avz --delete /path/to/world /path/to/backup

Automating the Backup Using Cron

To automate the backup process, create a cron job to execute the backup commands at specified intervals. Here's how you can do it step by step:

1. Open the cron table using the following command:

crontab -e

This will open the default text editor with the current user's cron table.

2. Add cron jobs for scheduled backups. In the cron table editor, add lines for each backup command you want to automate. For example:

# Backup world files using cp command
0 0 * * * cp -r /path/to/world /path/to/backup

# Backup world files using rsync command
0 1 * * * rsync -avz --delete /path/to/world /path/to/backup

These lines schedule the cp and rsync commands to run daily at midnight and 1 AM, respectively. Adjust the timing to fit your backup schedule.

3. Save the changes to the cron table and exit the editor. The cron daemon will automatically reload the cron table to apply the changes.
4. Verify that the cron jobs have been added correctly by listing the cron jobs using the following command:

crontab -l

5. Once the cron jobs are set up, cron will automatically execute the backup commands at the scheduled times. You can monitor the execution of the cron jobs and check the backup logs (if any) to ensure that the backups are performed successfully.

By setting up cron jobs to run the backup commands at regular intervals, you can automate the backup process and ensure that your world files and server configurations are regularly backed up to a secure location. This helps protect against data loss and ensures continuity in case of unexpected events.

Conclusion

By following these step-by-step instructions, users can effortlessly set up and manage their own Minecraft Bedrock server using a Hostman server. Enjoy endless multiplayer adventures with friends and community members in the vast world of Minecraft Bedrock Edition.