{{about|the multiplayer software in Java Edition and Bedrock Edition|the multiplayer experience|Multiplayer|the official Mojang Studios paid-for servers|Realms|the official featured servers in Bedrock Edition|Featured servers}}
{{redirect|op|the command|Commands/op}}
'''Server''' provides a game environment for [[player]]s to play [[multiplayer]] with others over the {{w|Internet}} or a {{w|local area network}} (LAN). Players are connected to a server using the ''Minecraft'' [[client software]], and the server hosted using the [[server software]], exists in {{el|je}} as [[server.jar]] and in {{el|be}} as [[Bedrock Dedicated Server]].

Internally, the game runs a server for [[singleplayer]], allowing the singleplayer game experience to be consistent with the multiplayer experience.
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== Types of servers ==
{{see also|Tutorials/Playing on 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 [[mcservers:CraftBukkit|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.

Some server types are:
* '''Survival''': These servers are servers that use only survival mode. They are similar to Anarchy Servers, except there are usually rules, and usually prohibit Griefing and Exploiting.
* '''Creative''': These are servers that only use Creative mode. Usually, servers give the players Creative, but limit the items they can access and/or limit the plot size. This is usually done to prevent griefing to other players' plots and to prevent excessive lagspikes.
* '''Minigame''': These are servers that host multiple minigames (such as spleef, capture the flag, missile-, bed- and sky wars and more).
* '''Anarchy''': These servers have no rules at all. Many players engage in cheating, exploiting, and use of vulgar language.
* '''Faction''': Similar in concept to Survival servers, but claims are used to mark land as "yours". Untrusted players cannot build on "your" land.
* '''Personal/Private''': These are servers that players can make on their own. Usually, the link is private, shared only with the user's close friends.
* '''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 their own persona, sometimes being dictated by the roleplay that is happening.
* '''Modded servers:''' Servers can be modded to provide a playing experience very different to to the vanilla game.
<!-- I'm specifically looking at this line from the EULA: 
ONE MAJOR RULE
The one major rule is that you must not distribute anything we've made unless we specifically agree to it. By "distribute anything we've made" what we mean is:

-give copies of our Game to anyone else;
-make commercial use of anything we've made;
-try to make money from anything we've made; or
-let other people get access to anything we've made in a 
 way that is unfair or unreasonable;

unless we specifically agree to it. And so that we are crystal clear, "the Game" or "what we have made" includes, but is not limited to, the client or the server software for our Game and includes Minecraft and Minecraft: Java Edition on all platforms. It also includes updates, patches, downloadable content, add-ons, or modified versions of a Game, part of those things, or anything else we've made. -->

== Hosting a server ==
 
There are many tools provided for players to be able to manage and host a server. Servers have [[Server/Requirements|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 [[Tutorials/Setting up a server|Minecraft multiplayer server tutorial]] and Mojang Studios' [https://minecraft.net/download/server 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 [[Tutorials/Setting up a LAN world|setting up a LAN world tutorial]] for more information.
* '''Custom server software''' such as CraftBukkit, 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 [[Tutorials/Griefing|griefer]] protection, non-vanilla commands (e.g.{{cmd|sethome|link=none}}), 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.
* '''[[Minecraft Realms|Realms]]''' are Mojang Studios' official hosting service that allows a limited number of players onto a server. 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#Server setup]] for tutorials on how to use these programs.

== Managing and maintaining a server ==
{{see also|Tutorial:Server maintenance}}

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 {{command|op <playername>}} command, or by editing the <code>ops.json</code> 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 [[Mods#Server-based|server mod]], this happens with a client with an outdated mod tries to join the server with the updated mod.
*'''Timed Out''' - The client has lost connection to the server, most likely due to disconnecting from the Internet or having Minecraft features blocked by a firewall.
* '''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''' (disconnect.spam)- 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
*'''You logged in from another location''' - Another client has logged in to the server the player is playing on with the player's username.
* '''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 {{cmd|kick}} command. This message appears when no custom message is entered. <ref group="note">The {{cmd|kick}} command can disconnect clients with custom message.</ref> Another message is "Kicked/Banned By " Reason: (what has been typed in after /kick or /ban)
* '''Flying is not enabled on this server''' - The client tried to fly for longer than 5 seconds in Survival or Adventure mode, usually enabled by plugins.
* '''Attempting to attack an invalid entity''' - ??, Happens when a client tries to hit either themselves, or an entity that can't normally be attacked (e.g. Arrow, Egg, Ender Pearl, Trident). This is only possible through mods/plugins.
* '''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]])
*'''Server closed.''' - The server has been shut down either by closing out of the "Minecraft server" window/pressing ALT+F4, stopping the server through the dashboard/console (for rented servers), or using the [[Commands/stop|/stop]] command.

{{notelist}}

== History ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!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
|1.11 (fork)
|Spigot server creation
|}

== See also ==

* [[Commands]]
* [[server.jar]]
* [[Bedrock Dedicated Server]]
* [[Realms]]

== External links ==
* [[Wikipedia: Minecraft server|Minecraft server]] on Wikipedia
* [https://findmcserver.com/ The Official Minecraft Server List]

== Navigation ==
{{Navbox Java Edition}}
{{Navbox Bedrock Edition}}

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