The Tool Desk
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This guide covers Java Edition. Bedrock Dedicated Server is a separate package with different operating-system, memory, storage, and networking requirements.
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What you need before provisioning the VPS
Choose a Linux VPS with SSH access, a public IPv4 address, SSD or NVMe storage, enough CPU and memory for your player load, and controls for a provider-level firewall or security group. You also need permission to install packages, create users, and manage services.
- Linux distribution: Use a currently supported distribution. The commands below use Ubuntu or Debian conventions; package names and firewall commands differ on other distributions.
- SSH access: Have an administrator account or a provider console for the initial setup. SSH keys are preferable to passwords.
- Public address: Players need a reachable public IPv4 address unless you deliberately place the server behind another network design.
- Storage: Leave room for the world, generated regions, logs, backups, and future updates. World size grows as players explore.
- Firewall controls: You must be able to allow SSH and the Minecraft port separately at the VPS provider and inside Linux.
There is no official universal Java VPS sizing formula. Player count, render distance, simulation distance, mods, plugins, world size, CPU single-thread performance, memory headroom, network quality, geography, DDoS controls, snapshots, and backup features all affect the right plan. Do not use a client computer’s Minecraft requirements as a server-sizing calculation.
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Java Edition and Bedrock are not interchangeable
| Characteristic | Java Edition server | Bedrock Dedicated Server |
|---|---|---|
| Server package | A Java archive (JAR) launched by a compatible Java runtime | A separate official Bedrock package |
| Linux requirement | Use a supported Linux distribution and the Java runtime required by the selected release | Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or later is listed as required |
| Official memory figure | No universal VPS minimum is specified | 4 GB RAM minimum is listed on the current Minecraft page |
| Listed storage | Depends on the world, logs, backups, and installed content | 180 MB to 1 GB is listed for the server package |
| Common network port | TCP 25565 | UDP 19132 |
A Java client cannot join a Bedrock server simply because both are called Minecraft. Install the package for the edition your players use, and open the corresponding protocol and port.
1. Patch Linux and create a dedicated account
Log in over SSH using your administrator account, apply security updates, then create a system account that owns only the Minecraft files. Running the game as root turns a server compromise or unsafe plugin into a full operating-system compromise.
sudo apt update
sudo apt full-upgrade -y
sudo adduser --system --home /opt/minecraft --group minecraft
sudo install -d -o minecraft -g minecraft /opt/minecraft/serverOn a distribution that does not use apt, use its normal update and account-management tools. Keep the minecraft home and server directory writable by that account, not by root.
Lock down SSH before exposing the game
- Install your public SSH key and test a second session before changing authentication.
- Disable password authentication when you have confirmed key access and your provider offers a recovery console.
- Allow SSH only from trusted source addresses when your player-support workflow permits it.
- Keep an out-of-band provider console or recovery method available in case a firewall rule locks you out.
2. Install the Java runtime that matches the server release
Minecraft’s official documentation requires a compatible, up-to-date Java installation. The correct major version depends on the exact server JAR you download, so do not assume that one Java version works for every 2026 release. Read the release’s official instructions, install that runtime, and verify the binary before launching the server.
java -versionIf the command is missing, install the headless OpenJDK package supplied by your distribution for the required major version. For example, an administrator might install a package named openjdk-<major>-jre-headless; replace the variable with the major version documented for your JAR. Avoid installing several competing Java runtimes until you know which executable your service will use. Record the output of java -version for later troubleshooting.
3. Download the official server JAR
Download the official minecraft_server.<version>.jar from Minecraft’s Java server download page. Copy the exact download URL shown for the release you intend to run; release names and URLs change, so do not reuse an old link from a forum post. Save the file in /opt/minecraft/server and make the dedicated account its owner.
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sudo chown minecraft:minecraft /opt/minecraft/server/minecraft_server.<version>.jar
sudo -u minecraft -H bash
cd /opt/minecraft/server
ls -lhThe JAR is free to download. A paid VPS, control panel, or managed host is optional infrastructure, not a requirement for obtaining the official server software.
4. Run it once, review the EULA, and initialize the files
Run the JAR once from the server directory. The initial launch creates files including eula.txt and server.properties, then stops because the EULA has not been accepted.
cd /opt/minecraft/server
java -jar minecraft_server.<version>.jar noguiRead eula.txt. Change eula=false to eula=true only if you accept the Minecraft End User License Agreement. The following command performs only that exact change; use it after you have made your decision.
sed -i 's/^eula=false$/eula=true/' eula.txtIf the server reports an incompatible Java class version, stop and install the Java major version required by the JAR. If it cannot write files, correct ownership rather than running the server as root.
5. Configure server.properties deliberately
Open /opt/minecraft/server/server.properties with a text editor while logged in as the minecraft user. Property names are case-sensitive. Change only what you understand, and keep a copy of the working file before major edits.
| Setting | What to decide |
|---|---|
gamemode |
The default game mode for players who join without another saved mode. |
difficulty |
The world’s difficulty level. |
pvp |
Whether player-versus-player damage is enabled. |
spawn-protection |
How much protection the central spawn area receives from non-authorized players. |
max-players |
The connection ceiling you want to support; raising it does not create additional CPU or memory capacity. |
motd |
The message displayed in the multiplayer server list. |
server-port |
The listening TCP port. The usual Java value is 25565; change it only if your network design requires another port. |
Leave server-ip empty unless you have a specific reason to bind to one local interface. Binding it to the wrong address can make the server listen only on localhost or fail after an address change. Save the file and restart the server after property changes.
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6. Open the network path on both firewalls
A server that runs locally can still be unreachable from the internet. Permit TCP 25565 in the VPS provider’s firewall or security group, then permit the same port in Linux. Keep the SSH rule for your actual SSH port; the example below assumes port 22.
sudo ufw allow 22/tcp
sudo ufw allow 25565/tcp
sudo ufw enable
sudo ufw status verboseIf your distribution uses firewalld or nftables instead of UFW, create equivalent rules. Do not open broad ranges when two specific ports are sufficient. After the service starts, test from a different network rather than relying only on a local connection.
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7. Keep the server running after SSH disconnects and reboots
Closing an SSH window should not terminate the world. A systemd service is a practical supervisor on most modern Linux VPSs. Create /etc/systemd/system/minecraft.service as root and point it at the exact JAR filename you downloaded.
[Unit]
Description=Minecraft Java Edition server
After=network-online.target
Wants=network-online.target
[Service]
User=minecraft
Group=minecraft
WorkingDirectory=/opt/minecraft/server
ExecStart=/usr/bin/java -jar /opt/minecraft/server/minecraft_server.<version>.jar nogui
Restart=on-failure
RestartSec=10
KillSignal=SIGINT
[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.targetThe angle-bracketed token above represents your actual JAR filename; replace it in the unit file. If java is installed elsewhere, use the path returned by command -v java while logged in as the service user. Keep the service’s User, Group, and working directory tied to the unprivileged account.
Load and start the service:
sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable --now minecraft
sudo systemctl status minecraft
sudo journalctl -u minecraft -fUse the server console or a controlled stop command before maintenance so the world is saved cleanly. If you prefer an interactive console, tmux can keep a foreground process alive after SSH disconnects, but it does not provide the same boot-time enablement and restart policy as systemd.
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8. Set memory and CPU expectations without guessing
No official source supplies one Java VPS RAM number that fits every world. The correct allocation depends on the variables in your server: concurrent players, view and simulation distances, redstone and entity activity, mods, plugins, world age, and how quickly new terrain is generated. CPU single-thread performance often matters during ticks, while storage latency affects chunk generation and saves.
Use a plan with headroom for Linux, Java, the world, and backups. Watch memory use, swap activity, CPU saturation, tick-time warnings, disk growth, and network throughput during the busiest expected session. Increase the VPS size or reduce simulation-heavy settings when the server cannot maintain its tick rate. Do not assign all physical memory to Java; the operating system and file cache need room.
SSD or NVMe storage, a nearby data center, dependable network quality, provider-level DDoS controls, snapshots, and off-server backups can matter more than a nominal core count. Re-evaluate sizing after adding a large modpack, plugins, or a major increase in player count.
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9. Back up worlds and configuration, then test recovery
At minimum, back up the world directories, server.properties, eula.txt, whitelist and operator files, and any mod or plugin configuration. Keep copies off the VPS so a disk failure, account compromise, or accidental deletion does not remove both the live world and its backup.
Stop the service before a simple file-level archive to avoid capturing an inconsistent world:
sudo systemctl stop minecraft
sudo tar -czf /var/backups/minecraft-$(date +%F).tar.gz -C /opt/minecraft server
sudo systemctl start minecraftMove the archive to separate storage, restrict its permissions, and retain more than one restore point. Periodically restore a copy into a separate directory or test VPS. A backup that has never been restored is an assumption, not a recovery plan.
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10. Security and routine operations
- Apply Linux security updates on a schedule and reboot when the kernel requires it.
- Run Java and all server files as
minecraft, never as root. - Allow only SSH and the Minecraft port through the public firewall unless another service is intentional.
- Use SSH keys, restrict administrative access, and remove unused accounts.
- Keep server software, mods, and plugins from trusted sources and review permissions before installation.
- Monitor systemd logs, disk space, memory, CPU, and failed restarts.
- Back up off the VPS and test restoration.
- Keep the public IP out of unnecessary screenshots, posts, and configuration examples.
Connecting and diagnosing common failures
The client reports connection refused or times out
Confirm that systemd is active, that the process is listening, and that TCP 25565 is allowed at both firewall layers. Check that the client is using the VPS public IP rather than a private address and that server-port matches the port you opened. A timeout usually indicates routing or filtering; a refusal usually indicates that nothing is listening on that address and port.
The service exits immediately
Read the service log with sudo journalctl -u minecraft -b. Common causes are an incorrect JAR filename in ExecStart, an incompatible Java runtime, an unaccepted EULA, missing file permissions, or a port already occupied by another process.
Players experience lag or delayed block updates
Check CPU saturation, memory pressure, swap use, disk latency, and tick warnings. Reduce view or simulation distance and remove unnecessary entities or plugins before simply increasing the player cap. A larger VPS helps only when the constrained resource is the one you add.
The world or configuration disappears after an update
Stop the service, verify the working directory and ownership, and restore the last known-good archive. Keep each release’s JAR and configuration changes identifiable so you can roll back without overwriting the only copy of the world.
SSH stopped working after firewall changes
Use the provider’s recovery console to restore the correct SSH rule, then test a second SSH session before closing the first. Never enable a firewall remotely without confirming that your current management path is allowed.
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Choose the official Bedrock package only when your players need Bedrock Edition compatibility. It is not the Java JAR with a different setting: it is separate server software, uses a different network protocol, and has its own operating-system requirements. The current Minecraft Bedrock page lists Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or later, 4 GB of RAM, and 180 MB to 1 GB of storage for the dedicated server package. A Linux guide centered on Java should therefore not be used as a Bedrock installation recipe. Bedrock’s commonly documented server port is UDP 19132, so opening only TCP 25565 will not make a Bedrock server reachable.
Quick Recap
Operational checklist
- Provision a Linux VPS with SSH, public IPv4, SSD or NVMe storage, firewall controls, and enough resource headroom.
- Patch the operating system and create the unprivileged
minecraftaccount. - Install and verify the Java major version required by the exact server JAR.
- Download the official JAR into
/opt/minecraft/serverand set ownership. - Run it once, review the EULA, and set
eula=trueonly after accepting. - Configure game mode, difficulty, PvP, spawn protection, player limit, MOTD, and port.
- Allow TCP 25565 at the provider firewall and Linux firewall.
- Run the process with systemd or another supervisor as
minecraft. - Connect from an external network and inspect logs for errors.
- Back up worlds and configuration off the VPS, then perform a test restore.
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