Setting Up A Minecraft Server

Minecraft is a game whose popularity is mind-blowing. As a matter of fact, it is the all-time best-selling PC game with over a hundred million copies sold worldwide. It is a game that gives the player the chance to build with a wide range of varying blocks in a procedurally generated 3D world. It has even become such a useful tool beyond fun and entertainment as it is now being adopted in classrooms as a piece of machinery to facilitate learning among students. Thus, it is not that surprising that Minecraft server rental is on the high these days.

If you would like to play this game with your friends, you will require a Minecraft server. The server is what enables you as a user to connect to a central computer that hosts the software of the game for every other player.

Why set up a Minecraft server?

If you intend to have a complete Minecraft experience, you might want to consider setting up your own private Minecraft server. With your own private server, you have the freedom of creating a Minecraft world tailored towards your personal taste. This also allows you to invite other people to join your server and enjoy the game along with you.

What you need to know about setting up a server by yourself

Setting up your own server is not quite easy. It requires a particular amount of effort from you; however, the experience is usually worthwhile in the end. To have a hassle-free time in the process, you should have a particular level of technical knowledge because configuring a server is almost an impossible task for a novice. Therefore, endeavor to understand the basics of computer and networking procedures because they are vital to the proper management of all types of servers.

To be more concise, you should have a solid idea of the following:

·         Networking (DHCP, IP, ports)

·         Making use of the command line

·         Your system configuration

·         Your network configuration

·         Your router configuration (for home setups)

The basic steps for setting up a Minecraft server

Notably, you can set up a Minecraft server on Windows, Linus or Mac. To set up a Minecraft server, you have to follow a few basic steps:

Install the latest version of Java

The first thing that you have to ascertain is if you have Java installed on your server. In addition, it must be an up-to-date version. If not, you must get the latest version before you can continue.

Install the most recent version of the Minecraft server software

After installing the latest version of Java, the next thing in line is to download the Minecraft server files. Afterward, you should install them. However, before you download, you will first have to create a new directory for the files where you would love to run the server.

Configure your server and network

Upon the successful installation of the Minecraft server software, you need to configure the server and network.

Start the server

After configuring your server and network, your Minecraft server should be all set up which means you can start running it. In the meantime, do not forget to check if your server is accessible.

An important point to note: Should I run my Minecraft server from home or not?

To run a Minecraft server, you don't need to do it with any special system. However, a desktop computer will be perfect. But you should know that even though you can run a Minecraft server and also play on the same one machine, a more powerful system will be needed to do it. In addition, you will be better off with a wired ethernet connection rather than a wireless one for your system because a wired connection is generally more reliable.

However, the risk associated with hosting any type of server from home involves exposing the network of your home to the world. If you want to avoid the risk, you should consider the alternative of using a hosting provider. Although it will cost you something annually or monthly, you won't need to worry about the problem associated with managing the server hardware. Nevertheless, if you don’t care about the security risk, you can run it from home.