Minecraft Server Management Guide

1. How to Connect to Your Server

Many users attempt to connect to their Minecraft server by typing their IP address into a web browser (e.g., Chrome, Firefox). This will not work. A Minecraft server uses a game-specific protocol, not the HTTP/HTTPS protocol used by websites. When a browser tries to connect, it receives no data because the server is not a website.

The Correct Way to Connect:

1. Launch the Game: Open your Minecraft (Java Edition) client.

2. Navigate to Multiplayer: Click the "Multiplayer" button on the main menu.

3. Add Server: Click the "Add Server" button at the bottom of the screen.

4. Enter Address: In the "Server Address" box, enter your server's IP address (provided in your welcome email).

5. Join: Click "Done," and then double-click your server to join the world.

2. Server Management Commands

You can manage your server remotely via an SSH terminal. Log in as root to execute the following commands.

Check Server Status

Use this to confirm the server is running correctly.

View Live Server Logs

Use this to monitor player activity, errors, or system messages in real-time.

journalctl -u minecraft -f --no-pager

(Press Ctrl + C on your keyboard to stop viewing the logs.)

Restart or Stop the Server

• To Restart: Useful for applying configuration changes.

   

  systemctl restart minecraft
  

• To Stop: Used for maintenance or shutting down the service.

   

  systemctl stop minecraft
  

3. Protecting Your Server IP

In a production environment, revealing your direct VPS IP address can leave your server vulnerable to DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks. It is best practice to keep your backend IP hidden.

Recommended Security Strategy:

• Use a Proxy Service: Services like TCPShield or Cloudflare Spectrum act as a middleman.

• How it works: Players connect to the Proxy address (e.g., play.yourdomain.com). The Proxy scrubs malicious traffic and forwards only safe, legitimate game traffic to your hidden backend IP.

• Why use it: Your actual server IP remains shielded behind the proxy’s global network, making it significantly harder for attackers to target your VPS directly.

4. Managing Credentials

During setup, a unique credential file is generated for your server environment.

How to View Your Credentials:

If you need to retrieve your credentials, run the following command in your terminal:

cat /root/credential.txt

Security Best Practices:

1. Copy and Secure: Save these credentials in a secure password manager immediately.

2. Delete the File: For your safety, do not leave this file on the server. Delete it after saving:

   Bash

    

   rm /root/credential.txt
   

3. Use Strong Passwords: If you ever need to change the system password, use the passwd command.

5. Troubleshooting Common Issues

• "Connection Refused": The server is likely offline. Check the status (systemctl status minecraft) and restart it.

• "Connection Timed Out": Verify that your server IP is correct and that the firewall allows port 25565.

• "Out of Memory": If the server crashes frequently, you may need to upgrade your VPS plan or optimize your startup flags in the systemd configuration.

Need further assistance? Please open a support ticket with your server ID and a description of the issue.