Server

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Minecraft servers provide allow players to play online or via a local area network with other people.

Types of servers

Multiple archetypes of Minecraft servers exist, distinguished by the unique gameplay features, rules, and societal structures which they implement. No two servers are the same, and frequently the line between archetypes is blurred or indistinguishable. Many special types of servers rely on the use of map editors or the creative game mode to build custom maps and the CraftBukkit server software to provide additional features. Some of these servers are more PVP orientated, some involve aspects of Survival, Creative and Adventure mode, some have a built in economy, and some of them contain built in mini games.

Hosting a server

There are many tools provided for players to be able to manage and host a server. Note that servers have requirements in order to run efficiently and smoothly.

The default multiplayer software is free of charge and is available by Mojang for Windows, Mac OS X and Unix-like systems (Linux, BSD...). See the Minecraft multiplayer server tutorial and Mojang's Minecraft multiplayer server download page for help.
Opening a world to LAN provides a server that is only accessible to other people in your local network unless you setup port forwarding on your router. See the setting up a LAN world tutorial for more information.
External server clients such as Bukkit, Spigot, and Sponge provide players a way to add plugins to a server. These are generally used for larger servers that run plugins to ensure griefer protection.
Rented servers are servers which are hosted externally by another company. These hosted servers are not provided free of charge - the player must rent them on a regular basis.
Realms are Mojang's official hosting service which allows a limited amount of players onto a server.

See Tutorials#Servers for more tutorials on servers.

Managing a server

Servers are generally managed by administrators and operators. The administrator generally takes responsibility of the server. It may be that the server is running from their machine, or that they simply have jurisdiction over a server. Operators generally assist the administrators to moderate a server, and to prevent unruly players and griefers. Both operators and administrators have access to various commands in order to ensure the smooth running of the server. On a default server, players are assigned as operator or administrator by using the /op <playername> command, or by editing the ops json file (ops.json) in the server directory, then restarting the server.

Maintenance

Reset player

If you want to reset a player's inventory, position, and any other related data about them, you can remove the player's .dat file. Navigate to the Minecraft server directory, open the world folder, open the player's folder, and delete the .dat file which has the UUID that corresponds to the player's current username. This folder is at "minecraft\world\players", where "minecraft" is the folder where Minecraft was installed on the server. This will cause the player to start over at the spawn point with no inventory. The player's changes to the world will be untouched, along with any inventory stored in chests. This will not ban the player that has been deleted.

Ban player

If you want to ban a player from playing on your server, edit the minecraft\banned-ips.json", where "minecraft" is the folder where minecraft was installed on the server and add the user you want to ban to this banned-ips.json file. Bans an IP address from the server, the full IP address must be specified; wildcards are not valid. Players who are banned through this method will see "Your IP address is banned from this server!" when attempting to connect. Alternatively an operator can use the "ban-ip" command via "ban-ip ipaddress" where "ipaddress" is the IP address of the user you wish to ban. This can be undone via the operator issuing the "pardon-ip ipaddress" command or editing the server's banned-ips.json file

Edit player

If you don't want to delete a player completely, but want to remove something from them or move them to a different spot, or even give them an enchanted item, you can edit the PLAYERUUID.dat file with an NBT editor similar to how you would a level save. (The player in question must be offline during this operation, but you do not need to restart the server afterwards)

Creating backups

Use the save-all command ingame (as a server op) or from the server's console to save the world.
Create a copy of the world directory to create the backup. Do not move the directory as this might crash the server.
No restart is required.

Resetting the Nether or the End

Ensure there are no players in that dimension, stop the server. Delete the "DIM-1" folder to reset The Nether, delete the "DIM1" folder to reset The End. Any builds inside those dimensions will be lost, the Ender Dragon will also reappear for The End.
Restart the server.

Setting the server's resource pack

You can set a default resource pack for your server and the client has the option to download it and use it for your server. (Please note that the client can turn off the resource pack)

Choose or create a resource pack.
Upload the resource pack to Dropbox, or similar. The important thing is that you can have a DIRECT link to the .zip file.
Set the file to public. (at least on Dropbox or any other file host provider)
Open your server.properties file.
Find resource-pack= and edit it like this: resource-pack=<link to your .zip>.
Restart the server & log on to check the resource pack.

Setting the server's icon

Servers can have an icon that will show up in the Multiplayer list.

Create a PNG image with a size of 64 by 64 pixels, transparency is supported.
Save (or rename) it to server-icon.png.
Move it to the server's directory.
Restart the server.
Server icons will display next to the server name.

Kick messages

Kick messages are messages that are displayed when an operator kicks the player, or the player has issues connecting to the server.

End Of Stream (Client message) – The server has stopped sending data to the client
Internal Server Error:java.net.Minecraft – The server is sending unknown information to the client, usually from a server mod
Internal exception: java.io.IOException: Received string length longer than maximum allowed (105>100) – A message the client sent that isn't in the frames of normal messages
Internal Server Error – The server generated an exception when handling the client's request.
Disconnected - The player disconnected by using the Disconnect button in the Main Menu
Illegal characters in chat – The client was denied sending certain characters, such as the § symbol
disconnect.spam - The client is sending chat messages too quickly
Read timed out – The server can't find the player's connection
Bad login – The client is running in offline mode and can't connect to an authenticated server
Outdated client (Please use {version}) – The server is running a more recent version of Minecraft then the client is
Outdated server (I'm still on {version}) – The client is running a more recent version of Minecraft than the server is
You are banned from this server (May be followed by Reason: {reason} and/or Your ban will be removed on {date}) – Self-explanatory, the client is banned and will remain banned until pardoned by an admin
You have been IP banned. - The client's IP has been banned.
Kicked by an operator. - The client has been disconnected using the kick command.
Flying is not enabled on this server - The client tried to fly for longer than 5 seconds in Survival or Adventure mode
Attempting to attack an invalid entity - ??, Happens when a client tries to hit themselves (using mods)
Illegal stance - ??, Happens when a client is extremely high or low
Illegal position - The client is beyond X/Z: ±30,000,000 (±32,000,000 in 1.6.4 and lower.)
You have died. Game over, man, it's game over! - The client is dead but tried to join in Hardcore mode.
You have been idle for too long! - The client was idle for a longer time than allowed.
Out of memory! - This only happens when your memory is 100%, or if one traveled past X/Z: ±34,359,738,368 in Beta 1.7.3 or lower (see Far Lands). (It shows it up on the F3 Debug screen)

Please note that the kick command on modded Servers can disconnect clients with custom message.

External links