Minecraft servers allow players to play online or via a local area network with other people. Internally, the game runs a server for single-player games, this was done in order to make the single-player game experience consistent with the multiplayer experience and make it so that changes made to the game such as bug fixes apply to both single-player games and multiplayer games. Official server software is only available on Java Edition in the release state. The Bedrock Edition server software is currently in Alpha.
Types of servers
Multiple archetypes of Minecraft servers exist, distinguished by the unique gameplay features, rules, and societal structures that 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 minigames.
The main server types are:
- Minigame: These are servers like Hypixel and Mineplex that host multiple minigames, like bedwars and capture the flag.
- Anarchy: These servers have no rules at all. Players engage in hacking, exploiting, and using vulgar language in the chat.
- Survival: These servers are servers that use only survival mode. They are kind of like Anarchy Servers, except there are usually more rules, like "No Griefing" and "No using Hacks".
- Creative: These are servers that only use Creative mode. Usually, servers give the players Creative, but limit the items they can access. This is usually done to prevent griefing to other players' builds.
- Faction: These are servers that are in survival, but allow a player to claim land that no one else can grief. It's sort of like letting players make their own country.
- Personal/Private: These are servers that players can make on their own. Usually, the link is private, shared only with friends and family.
- Hardcore: The same as survival mode, except players only have one life. This typically ends with a "last man standing" scenario.
- Roleplay: These servers have their players acting as a character or creature. They sometimes are scripted but that is not required. They are often made for YouTube or other social media platforms.
- Pay-to-Win: Uncommon, as it now violates Minecraft's EULA, but Pay-to-Win servers (also known as Pump-and-Dump servers) are servers that lets players buy in-game items like tools and armor for real world money.
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 Studios for Windows, macOS, and Unix-like systems (Linux, BSD...). See the Minecraft multiplayer server tutorial and Mojang Studios' Minecraft multiplayer server download page for help.
- Opening a world to LAN provides a server that is accessible only to other people on the local network unless port forwarding is set up on the 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, non-vanilla commands (e.g.
/sethome), custom minigames, etc. - Rented servers are servers hosted externally by another company. These hosted servers are (usually) not provided free of charge - the player must rent them on a regular basis.
- Realms are Mojang Studios' official hosting service that allows a limited number of players onto a server. Note that the Java Realms are still separate from Realms for other versions of Minecraft.
- Dedicated Servers are servers that provide a wider range of power sources. These servers are much more flexible and allow for almost complete control.
See Tutorials#Servers for tutorials on how to use these programs.
Managing and maintaining a server
Servers are generally managed by administrators and operators. The administrator generally takes responsibility for 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 in the server directory, then restarting the server.
Local servers do not strictly require access to minecraft.net, and so can be played on an isolated local network with no internet connection. They use minecraft.net as a repository of player skins and also a database containing a list of accounts, preventing hackers and griefers from using false names while on such a server. This and other settings are modified by editing the server.properties text file.
The server saves the level in the "world" folder every 30 seconds if chunks have been modified, by default.
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 the maximum allowed ([Number]>256) – A chat message that the client sent to the server exceeded the maximum character limit.
- 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
- Kicked for spamming - 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 than 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 (Maybe followed by Reason: {reason} and/or Your ban will be removed on {date}) – Self-explanatory, the client is banned and remains 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
/kickcommand.[note 1] - 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 happens when 100% of memory is consumed or if one traveled past X/Z: ±34,359,738,368 in Beta 1.7.3 or lower (see Far Lands). (It shows up on the F3 Debug screen)
History
| Date | Version | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| January 12, 2012 | 1.1 | Forge server creation |
| April 4, 2012 | 1.2.5 | Vanilla server creation |
| December 9, 2015 | 1.8.9 | Vanilla realms creation |
| November 26, 2016 | 1.10 or 1.11 | Spigot server creation |
See also
External links
- Minecraft server on Wikipedia
- Server List on Minecraft Server Wiki
| Help | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Menu screens |
| ||||||||||||||||||
| Game customization | |||||||||||||||||||
| Editions |
| ||||||||||||||||||
| Miscellaneous | |||||||||||||||||||