How To Install Minecraft Server Linux

How to Install a Minecraft Server on Linux

Setting up a Minecraft server on Linux is a straightforward process that gives you full control over your gaming environment. This guide will walk you through the steps to install and configure your own Minecraft server on a Linux system.

Requirements:

• A Linux server (Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, etc.)
• Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 8 or higher
• At least 2GB RAM (4GB+ recommended for multiple players)
• Minimum 5GB free disk space
• SSH access (for remote servers)

Step-by-Step Installation:

Step 1: Update Your System

First, ensure your system packages are up to date:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Note: For CentOS/RHEL, use sudo yum update -y

Step 2: Install Java

Minecraft requires Java to run. Install OpenJDK:

sudo apt install openjdk-17-jdk -y

Verify installation:

java -version

Step 3: Create a Minecraft User

For security, create a dedicated user:

sudo adduser minecraft
sudo usermod -aG sudo minecraft
su - minecraft

Step 4: Download Minecraft Server

Download the official server jar:

mkdir ~/minecraft-server
cd ~/minecraft-server
wget https://launcher.mojang.com/v1/objects/your-server-version/server.jar

Note: Replace "your-server-version" with the actual version number from Minecraft's official site.

Step 5: Start the Server

Run the server for the first time:

java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar server.jar nogui

This will generate configuration files but fail initially (which is normal).

Step 6: Accept EULA

Edit the EULA file:

nano eula.txt

Change eula=false to eula=true and save.

Step 7: Configure Server

Edit server.properties:

nano server.properties

Adjust settings like gamemode, difficulty, max-players, etc.

Step 8: Start Server Permanently

Create a startup script:

nano start.sh

Add:

#!/bin/bash
java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar server.jar nogui

Make it executable:

chmod +x start.sh

Step 9: Keep Server Running

Use screen or tmux to keep it running after logout:

sudo apt install screen -y
screen -S minecraft
./start.sh

Press Ctrl+A then D to detach.

Firewall Configuration

Allow Minecraft port (default 25565):

sudo ufw allow 25565/tcp
sudo ufw enable

Conclusion

Your Minecraft server is now running! Connect using your server's IP address. For better performance, consider adjusting the -Xmx and -Xms parameters based on your available RAM.

For advanced options like plugins, consider using PaperMC or Spigot for better performance and mod support.