{"id":12477,"date":"2021-02-23T09:30:09","date_gmt":"2021-02-23T17:30:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dreamhost.com\/blog\/?p=12477"},"modified":"2026-07-04T16:54:27","modified_gmt":"2026-07-04T23:54:27","slug":"host-minecraft-server-on-dreamcompute","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dreamhost.com\/blog\/host-minecraft-server-on-dreamcompute\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Make a Minecraft Server with DreamCompute (In 3 Steps)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Minecraft is a rare game with the longevity to still be wildly popular over nine years after its initial release, boasting <\/span>126 million monthly players<\/span><\/a>. However, if you\u2019ve ever wanted your own block kingdom, the technical aspects of making a Minecraft server may make it seem like you\u2019re dealing with a real-life Enderman.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, there are ways to make the process fast and easy. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

DreamCompute<\/span><\/a> is our cloud computing service that can help you set up your own Minecraft server. With just a few simple steps, you\u2019ll be ready to launch your Minecraft world.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we\u2019ll discuss some of the reasons you might want to make your own Minecraft server and cover the technical aspects of the process. Then we\u2019ll provide you with three easy steps to get it up and running with DreamHost. Let\u2019s go! <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Benefits of Making Your Own Minecraft Server<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Minecraft servers let you play the game either online or in a local network. It\u2019s like a subset within the larger game that is yours to customize as you see fit. You\u2019re free to build inside of it on your terms. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are lots of benefits to making your own server. For one, you have full control. You can use any mods you want to customize your gameplay. Creating a unique environment with these tools can be advantageous if you\u2019re looking to <\/span>start your own YouTube channel<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It doesn\u2019t have to be just you, either. Having your own server enables you to build a community. You can invite people you want to join you in-game for a multiplayer adventure. If you\u2019d rather keep to yourself, you can still share your custom designs with the world. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To top it all off, creating your own Minecraft server can be a pretty painless experience. You might be surprised by how accessible the process can be. With a little bit of guidance, you\u2019ll have your own space up and running in no time. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why You Should Use DreamCompute for Your Minecraft Server<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n
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You probably have a few options when it comes to server hosts. They might seem similar at first glance, especially if you\u2019re just starting out. However, there are some important differences to be aware of before you make your choice.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first thing to look for in a host is whether it offers a cloud-based server. These are generally a better choice than more traditional local servers, as they don\u2019t directly tax your computer\u2019s resources. Typically, this translates to smoother, improved gameplay. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tech support might also have an easier time navigating a cloud server than a local server if you run into any trouble. Plus, having a cloud server means you won\u2019t have to worry about keeping your computer running at all times for other server members who want access to it. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our DreamCompute service offers cloud servers for Minecraft with competitive features. It\u2019s suitable for both simple and complex configurations, offering impressive speeds for all users. It also has a straightforward and predictable billing system to prevent any nasty surprises at the end of the month.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further, it\u2019s flexible enough to grow with if you need to change any aspect of your account. Rest assured that any alterations you need to make will get the support they need. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you already know you\u2019re looking for premium performance and control, you might want to check out DreamHost\u2019s <\/span>dedicated server<\/span><\/a> option. It offers impressive benefits, such as fully-managed, cross-platform cooperative play. However, if you\u2019re just looking for a basic server setup, we\u2019ve got you covered there too. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Ad<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n
\n \n Get Minecraft Hosting That Scales\n <\/h2>\n \n DreamCompute is the ideal solution for Minecraft servers that require fast speeds and consistent uptime.\n <\/p>\n\n \n See Plans <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

What to Know Before You Get Started<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are a couple of tools you’ll need to get started. First, make sure you have a downloaded copy of <\/span>Minecraft<\/span><\/a> ready. You\u2019ll also need to set up a <\/span>DreamCompute account<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You also might find some knowledge of servers to be informative since it will help you understand exactly what\u2019s going on in each step. However, if you\u2019re a beginner, don\u2019t fret! The process is very accessible, and our guide is here to help. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How to Make Your Own Minecraft Server with DreamCompute (In 3 Steps)<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once you have all the resources you need, just follow these three simple steps to create your own Minecraft server.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 1: Create a Security Group<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first thing you\u2019ll want to do is create a <\/span>security group<\/span><\/a>. This is a set of rules that define network access and will allow or prevent traffic into your Minecraft server according to your preferences. All you need to do is adjust some settings.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To get this started, navigate to your DreamCompute dashboard and click to expand the <\/span>Network <\/span><\/i>option on the left-hand side.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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Next, you can click the <\/span>Security Groups <\/span><\/i>button and then select <\/span>Create Security Group<\/span><\/i>. This will bring up a window where you can add a name and description. We\u2019ll be using \u201cMinecraft\u201d for both in this walkthrough, but feel free to get creative with yours.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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Once you\u2019ve finished filling in those fields, click on <\/span>Create Security Group <\/span><\/i>to move on to the next step. You\u2019ll then be presented with the options to create rules for this new group.  <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2: Manage Your Rules<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the new group, click on the <\/span>Manage Rules<\/span><\/i> button on the far right. Next, select <\/span>Add Rule <\/span><\/i>to bring up the following screen.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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There are a lot of options on this page, but you don\u2019t have to worry about them too much. If you\u2019re looking to quick-start your server, you can just fill it in the same way we did above.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specifically, we suggest selecting <\/span>Custom TCP Rule<\/span><\/i> in the first field<\/span>, Ingress <\/span><\/i>in the second, and <\/span>Port <\/span><\/i>in the third. Under <\/span>Port<\/span><\/i>, enter the number \u201c25565\u201d; this is the default port for Minecraft.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next, make sure the<\/span> bottom two fields are set to <\/span>CIDR<\/span><\/i> and \u201c0.0.0.0\/0\u201d respectively. Once you\u2019re ready, click on the <\/span>Add <\/span><\/i>button.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 3: Create a Virtual Machine (VM)<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For the last step, you\u2019ll <\/span>need a Virtual Machine (VM)<\/span><\/a>. Anything with Java will suffice. We\u2019ll be <\/span>using Ubuntu-14.04<\/span><\/a> for this walkthrough, and we recommend using it if you\u2019re unsure which solution to choose.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can then navigate back to your DreamCompute dashboard, and under the <\/span>Compute<\/span><\/i> menu, click on <\/span>Instances<\/span><\/i>. Next, select the <\/span>Launch Instance<\/span><\/i> button on the far right. This will bring up a screen that looks something like the following:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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Try not to get overwhelmed by all the options! There are only a few that you\u2019ll need to deal with. Start by naming your server in the top field under <\/span>Instance Name<\/span><\/i>. We used \u201cMy New Minecraft Server,\u201d but you can name it anything you like.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Click <\/span>Next <\/span><\/i>to move on.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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From the provided list, select <\/span>Ubuntu-14.04.<\/span><\/i> The search function can be helpful here if you\u2019re having trouble finding it. Then you can click on the up arrow to move your selection into the <\/span>Allocated<\/span><\/i> section. To make sure that your instance does not immediately run out of disk \/ storage space, adjust the Volume Size (GB) to be 10 GB and then click on <\/span>Next <\/span><\/i>to browse to the <\/span>Flavor <\/span><\/i>section.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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You can also use the search function here to find a specific \u2018Flavor\u2019 you\u2019re looking for. If you\u2019re not sure which is best for you, we recommend the <\/span>Lightspeed <\/span><\/i>option. It has 4GB of RAM, making it a solid choice for most users. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next, select the up arrow next to your chosen Flavor to move it into the <\/span>Allocated <\/span><\/i>category. Click on <\/span>Next <\/span><\/i>until you get to the <\/span>Security Groups <\/span><\/i>section.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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This section is an easy one. Simply click on the arrow next to the <\/span>Minecraft <\/span><\/i>security group we created earlier, so it\u2019s listed under the <\/span>Allocated <\/span><\/i>category as shown above. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Click on Next to get to the <\/span>Key Pair<\/span><\/i> section. If you\u2019ve already imported a Key Pair into your DreamCompute project, use the arrow next to that key to assign it to your instance. Otherwise, use the \u201cCreate Key Pair\u201d button to create a new Key Pair and then assign that Key Pair to your instance (this is used for emergency connections and for making additional adjustments to the Minecraft server). <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That should be all you need to do before switching to the <\/span>Configuration <\/span><\/i>section.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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At this point, you\u2019ll be brought to a page with a blank field titled <\/span>Customization Script<\/span><\/i>. On it, you can copy and paste the below code:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#!\/bin\/bash<\/span>\n\napt-get update && apt-get -y install wget screen openjdk-7-jre-headless<\/span>\n\nsu - ubuntu -c 'wget https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/Minecraft.Download\/versions\/1.8.9\/minecraft_server.1.8.9.jar -O ~\/mcserver.jar'<\/span>\n\nsu - ubuntu -c 'echo 'eula=true' > ~\/eula.txt'<\/span>\n\nsu - ubuntu -c 'screen -S mcserver -d -m java -XX:+UseConcMarkSweepGC -XX:+UseParNewGC -d64 -Xms512M -Xmx2G -jar mcserver.jar'<\/span><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
You can also load the script from a file. However, you might find that the copy and paste method is quicker and easier.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep in mind that the <\/span>-Xms512M -Xmx2G<\/span> part of this code is what tells Java the minimum and maximum allowed memory for the Lightspeed flavor we chose earlier. As such, it may not be suitable for other Flavors.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
After you\u2019ve entered that code, click on <\/span>Launch Instance. <\/span><\/i>Sit back, relax, and give your server a few minutes for the setup process to complete. Once that\u2019s done, your server will be online and ready to go!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
To add your new server to your client, you can open Minecraft and click on <\/span>Multiplayer ><\/span><\/i> Add Server. <\/span><\/i>Name it whatever you\u2019d like, and provide the IPv4 address of the VM you set up earlier. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you want to modify the default server settings, you can log into your server <\/span>via Secure Shell (SSH)<\/span><\/a> as \u201cubuntu.\u201d This will give you access to a <\/span>server.properties<\/span><\/i> file where you can change the message of the day, spawn different creatures, adjust the maximum number of players, and more.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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