Minecraft is not a hardware-intensive video game. However, there are key points you should consider if you plan to run your server. RAM is the first thing you'll encounter. You'll need approximately 1GB RAM for each four to five people who will be using your server. Your Internet connection will be the primary obstacle.
Your first stop: CanIHostaMinecraftServer.com. This website will give you an estimate of how many players you can support simultaneously by entering your connection speed and RAM. If that number is a bit low, consider renting space on a dedicated Minecraft server-or having fewer friends.
There are many server hosts that you can choose from. A quick Google search will get you started. But before you choose one, you should have a clear idea of how many players you're likely to have on your server, and how much money you're willing to spend.
If you'll be hosting only a few friends, you can run a Minecraft server on your own hardware; the process is fairly simple. If you plan to install your server on a Windows machine, head over to the Minecraft downloads page and grab the executable. The server.jar file can be downloaded from the same page if you intend to run it on a Mac or Linux. (Note - If you are planning to run this server in Ubuntu, please use the Windows Server Download link.
You can dump the file that you downloaded to a folder on Windows or Mac/Linux. It creates several configuration files when it runs. Double-click on the executable in Windows.Just say yes It will immediately start creating a world and populating the world with critters.
It takes a little more work to use the Mac/Linux option. You must ensure that Java is up-to-date on both platforms. The Mac will do this via software updates. Java's download page can be used to find the right version for you.
Once you've installed the latest version of Java, you'll need to tell the Minecraft server how much memory to allocate to the server. You can skip this section if it's not appropriate for your system. Windows users will be able to jump straight to "Getting Your Friends IN".
Linux Users
Open the terminal in Linux. Instructions will vary depending on the distribution. However, you'll likely find them in the Applications menu under Accessories. Navigate to your Minecraft server folder (cd NAME OF YOUR FOLDER), and type the following command:
java -Xms1024M -Xmx1024M -jar minecraft_server.jar nogui
This will assign 1GB of RAM to your server. If you're using the 32-bit version of Java, 1GB is your limit. If you're using 64-bit Java, the limit is 1GB. You can, for example, specify 2048M in order to allocate 2GB or 4096M in order to allocate 4GB.
Mac Users
Open TextEdit on a Mac. Type (or copy and past) the following lines.
exec java -Xmx1G -Xms1G -jar minecraft_server.jar
You can allocate as much memory as your heart desires by changing "1G" to the number gigabytes you wish to reserve (2G for 2GB, 4G to 4GB, etc.).
In the Format Menu, select Make Plain Text, save the file as start.command, and move it into your server folder. Next, go to the Terminal. Type chmod +x and drag the start.command file into the Terminal. It will grant the file appropriate permissions. Finally, double-click start.command, and your server will start up.
Invite your friends
All players who wish to participate must select Multiplayer on Minecraft's main Menu. You can then choose to direct connect (for a temporary visit), or add server (to tell Minecraft how to remember your details). If everyone is on the exact same network, they will be able to connect by typing localhost into their server address bar. To connect to friends remotely, you'll need your external IP number. Enter "What is mine IP address" into Google to see the information you need in a box just above the results.
Sharing your single-player world with friends
In your Minecraft server folder, look for the file named 'server.properties' and open it with your favorite text editor. The Minecraft Wiki provides an extensive guide to configuring your Minecraft server. This article will focus on how to transfer a world that you have been playing on to the Minecraft server you just created.
The first step in creating a world is to find it. In Windows, click the Start button, and type " %appdata% " (without quotation marks but with spaces fore and aft) and press Enter. The '.minecraft folder should be at top. Your world will be in the Saves folder; copy that folder into the folder that contains your Minecraft server. Look for the line that says 'levelname=world.' Change the name of your world to 'world.properties' in the server.properties. Your creation will be available for anyone who has access to your server the next time you fire it up.
