Table of Contents
Who this is for: Minecraft players wanting to host their own vanilla server for friends or small communities.
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System Requirements and Preparation
Before diving into server creation, ensure your computer meets the basic requirements. You’ll need at least 4GB of RAM (8GB recommended), a stable internet connection, and Java installed on your system. Download the latest version of Java from Oracle’s website if you haven’t already.
Downloading the Server Software
Head to Minecraft’s official website and navigate to the server download section. Download the minecraft_server.jar file – this is the official vanilla server software directly from Mojang. Create a dedicated folder on your computer where you’ll store all server files, as the server will generate multiple files and folders during setup.
Initial Server Setup
Place the downloaded minecraft_server.jar file in your newly created server folder. Double-click the jar file to run it for the first time. The server will immediately stop and generate several files, including eula.txt. Open eula.txt in a text editor and change “eula=false” to “eula=true” to accept Minecraft’s End User License Agreement.
Configuring Server Properties
After accepting the EULA, run the server again. This time it will generate a server.properties file containing all configuration options. Key settings to consider:
- server-port: Default is 25565, change if needed
- max-players: Set your player limit
- difficulty: Choose from peaceful, easy, normal, or hard
- gamemode: Set to survival, creative, adventure, or spectator
- level-name: Name your world
- motd: Set your server’s message of the day
Port Forwarding for External Access
If you want friends to join from outside your network, you’ll need to configure port forwarding on your router. Access your router’s admin panel (usually by typing 192.168.1.1 in your browser), find the port forwarding section, and forward port 25565 (or your custom port) to your computer’s local IP address. Each router interface differs, so consult your router’s manual if needed.
Starting Your Server
With everything configured, run the minecraft_server.jar file again. The server will generate your world and start accepting connections. You’ll see console output indicating when the server is ready. Players can now connect using your external IP address (find it by googling “what is my IP”) followed by the port number if it’s not 25565.
Basic Server Management
The server console allows you to execute commands and monitor activity. Essential commands include:
- /op [username]: Give operator privileges
- /whitelist add [username]: Add players to whitelist
- /ban [username]: Ban problematic players
- /stop: Safely shut down the server
Consider enabling whitelist mode in server.properties for better control over who can join your server. For those looking to explore different gaming experiences beyond server management, there are plenty of engaging options available to discover.
TL;DR
Download minecraft_server.jar from Mojang, accept the EULA, configure server.properties, set up port forwarding if needed, then run the server to start hosting your vanilla Minecraft world.
