Setting Up a Minecraft Survival Server

Prerequisites:

• A computer with at least 4GB of RAM (more is preferable for better performance) and a recent version of Java installed.
• A stable internet connection.
• Basic understanding of your computer’s network settings (for configuring network and firewall rules).

Steps:

1. Download the Minecraft Server Software:

• Visit the official Minecraft website (minecraft.net) and download the Minecraft server software. Choose the version that matches the Minecraft version you wish to play.

1. Prepare the Server Folder:

• Create a new folder on your computer where you will store all the server files. You can name it something like “Minecraft_Server”.

1. Move the Downloaded File:

• Move the downloaded server .jar file into the newly created folder.

1. Run the Server for the First Time:

• Open a command prompt (CMD) or terminal window in the folder containing the server .jar file.
• Run the server .jar file using the following command:
• java -Xmx2048M -Xms2048M -jar server_file_name.jar nogui
• Replace server_file_name.jar with the actual name of the server file you downloaded.
• Adjust the -Xmx2048M -Xms2048M part to increase the amount of RAM allocated to the server if your computer has more RAM available.

1. Agree to the EULA:

• After running for the first time, a file named eula.txt will be created. Open it and change eula=false to eula=true to agree to Mojang’s End User License Agreement.

1. Run the Server Again:

• Execute the same command in your command prompt or terminal to start the server again.

1. Configure Your Network:

• To allow external connections, you’ll need to configure port forwarding on your router. Forward TCP port 25565 to the computer running the server.
• Ensure your firewall allows incoming connections on port 25565.

1. Connecting to Your Server:

• The server setup is complete! Connect to your server using the host computer’s IP address (if playing locally) or your external IP address (for players outside your local network).
• You can find your external IP address by searching “What is my IP address” in a web browser.

Safety and Privacy Measures:

• Whitelist: Activate the whitelist in the server.properties file to allow only specified players to join your server. Enable it by setting whitelist=true and then use the command /whitelist add playername in the server console to add players.
• Server Settings: You can adjust various settings in the server.properties file, such as game mode, difficulty, and whether PvP (player vs. player combat) is allowed.

This setup provides a basic, private Minecraft server for you and your child to play on together. Remember, running a server on your home network may expose your network to risks, so ensure you understand the implications and configure network settings securely.