How to Set Up a Minecraft Server on Hostman

Embark on an exciting journey into the world of Minecraft server hosting with this beginner-friendly guide tailored for Hostman. Whether you're entirely new to server management or looking to explore a user-friendly platform, this step-by-step tutorial will help you navigate the process with ease. As a novice, you'll be guided through each step, ensuring a smooth experience as you create and customize your own Minecraft world. The tutorial is crafted with clarity in mind, providing detailed instructions without overwhelming technicalities. Get ready to bring your Minecraft adventures to life!

Prerequisites

To set up your Minecraft server, you will need:

1. A Minecraft server deployed on Hostman. Below we'll describe how to set up your server on Hostman.
2. The root user or a user with sudo privileges.
3. Experience with server management and Linux console.
4. Understanding of basic Minecraft concepts.

Step 1. 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.

Step 2. Setting Up a Server

Upon opening the Hostman dashboard:

• 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 the server are provided in the table below.

Criteria for setting up server

For smooth operation of your Minecraft server, follow these guidelines for server configuration.

• Once selections are finaled, click on Order for [amount in $/mo]. 

Step 3. Accessing Your Ubuntu Server

1. Navigate to the Clous servers in the Hostman control panel select the Ubuntu server where the Minecraft server will be hosted.

2. Start the server by the play button if it's off and scroll down a little. You will find the SSH command and root password for the Ubuntu server.

3. Access the server through the web-based terminal provided by Hostman in the Console tab or use a preferred SSH client. For this tutorial accessing through SSH client is used.

Step 4: Update System Packages

Use the following command to update system packages of Ubuntu:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade

When prompted, type y and hit Enter.

After the upgrade, a pop up screen may appear:

Leave the settings as default and press Enter.

Step 5. Installing Java

Java is a crucial component for Minecraft server’s functionality. To install java, run the following commands: 

sudo apt update
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:openjdk-r/ppa
sudo apt install openjdk-17-jre-headless

Step 6. Download and Install Minecraft Server

In the following steps, you need to create a directory for installing Minecraft server. To do this, use the following command:

mkdir minecraft_server 

Now download the server:

wget https://launcher.mojang.com/v1/objects/c8f83c5655308435b3dcf03c06d9fe8740a77469/server.jar

Run the server using the following command:

java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar server.jar

Step 7. Accept EULA and Customize Settings

A critical step in server configuration involves accepting the End-User License Agreement (EULA) and customizing server settings.

The eula setting in Minecraft's server configuration file controls the agreement to the Minecraft End User License Agreement (EULA). Changing eula=false to eula=true signifies the server administrator's acceptance of the EULA, ensuring compliance with Mojang's terms of service. This step is necessary to legally run the Minecraft server.

To change EULA file, type the following command:

nano eula.txt

Find the line:

eula=false

Update it to:

eula=true

Save changes and exit the editor.

To update the server.properties file, also open it in the nano editor:

nano server.properties

The server properties contain many settings which you can customize according to your preferences and requirements. Here are some of them:

1. Server Name (server-name). Allows users to set a custom name for their server, which will be displayed in the server list.
2. Server MOTD (motd). Stands for "Message of the Day." This setting allows users to display a custom message to players when they connect to the server.
3. Server Port (server-port). Specifies the port on which the Minecraft server listens for incoming connections. By default, Minecraft servers use port 25565.
4. Maximum Number of Players (max-players). Defines the maximum number of players allowed to join the server simultaneously.
5. Online Mode (online-mode). Determines whether the server will authenticate players with the Minecraft account database. Setting this to true requires players to have a valid Minecraft account to join the server.
6. Spawn Protection (spawn-protection). Specifies the radius (in blocks) around the spawn point where non-operators (non-administrative users) cannot build or destroy blocks.
7. View Distance (view-distance). Sets the maximum distance (in chunks) that the server will send to players. Higher values result in more terrain being visible but may impact server performance.
8. Difficulty (difficulty). Specifies the difficulty level of the game. Options include Peaceful, Easy, Normal, and Hard.
9. Gamemode (gamemode). Defines the default game mode for players when they join the server. Options include Survival, Creative, Adventure, and Spectator.
10. Allow Flight (allow-flight). Determines whether players are allowed to use flight-related abilities, such as flying with Elytra or using creative mode flying.
11. Resource Pack (resource-pack). Specifies a URL to a custom resource pack that players will be prompted to download when they join the server.

These are just a few examples of server settings that can be customized in the server.properties file. Users can adjust these settings according to their preferences and the specific requirements of their Minecraft server environment.

Step 8. Manage Server Plugins and Mods

Installing Plugins (optional)

• 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 plugins 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 using the wget command.

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

Restart your Minecraft server:

sudo systemctl restart

Add Mods (optional)

Similarly, if you wish to add mods to your Minecraft server, download the desired mod files from a reputable source the same ways as in the case of plugins.

Restart your Minecraft server to apply the changes using the same command as above:

sudo systemctl restart

Step 9. Testing and Troubleshooting

Testing Server Connection

1. Open up Minecraft and go to the Play menu.

2. Then, head to Multiplayer.

3. Click on Add Server.

4. Now, type in the server IP address from your Hostman dashboard.

5. Hit Done and see if your server connects successfully.

Troubleshooting Issues

If there are any problems with the performance of your Hostman server, you can contact our support team through online chat. For troubleshooting Minecraft-related issues, we recommend checking online forums for useful information from the Minecraft community.

Conclusion

Following this comprehensive tutorial, you have successfully set up your Minecraft server on Hostman. This guide has been intentionally crafted to be user-friendly, allowing individuals to delve into the world of Minecraft server hosting with confidence. 

Now, run the server and begin creating and exploring your customized Minecraft world!