How to Build and Host Your Own Minecraft Server on CentOS Stream 9

Playing Minecraft with friends is fun, but using a public server often means dealing with crowded worlds, changing rules, or limited control. If you want complete freedom over your game, learning Minecraft server setup CentOS is a practical solution. With a CentOS Stream 9 virtual server, you can create a private Minecraft world, customize gameplay, and invite only the players you choose.

The process may look technical at first, but it's much easier when broken into simple steps. This guide explains everything from installing Java to configuring firewall ports and starting your Minecraft server.

Why Choose CentOS Stream 9 for a Minecraft Server?

CentOS Stream 9 is a stable Linux distribution that works well for hosting game servers. It receives continuous updates while maintaining compatibility with enterprise-grade software.

Some advantages include:

• Stable and reliable performance

• Efficient resource usage

• Strong security features

• Easy package management with DNF

• Excellent compatibility with Java applications

Whether you're creating a survival world for family or a creative server for classmates, CentOS Stream 9 provides a dependable foundation.

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What You'll Need Before You Begin

Before starting your Minecraft server setup CentOS, make sure you have:

• A CentOS Stream 9 VPS or dedicated server

• SSH access to your server

• A non-root user with sudo privileges

• At least 2 GB RAM (4 GB or more is recommended for multiple players)

• Internet connectivity

• Basic familiarity with terminal commands

If you're looking for reliable game VPS hosting, choosing a VPS with dedicated resources can help maintain smoother gameplay and consistent server performance.

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Step 1: Update Your CentOS Stream 9 System

Always begin by updating installed packages.

sudo dnf update -y

Keeping your system updated helps improve stability and reduces compatibility issues before installing new software.

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Step 2: Install Java

Minecraft Java Edition requires Java to run.

Install OpenJDK:

sudo dnf install java-21-openjdk -y

Verify the installation:

java -version

If Java is installed correctly, you'll see version information displayed in the terminal.

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Step 3: Create a Dedicated Minecraft User

Running the server under its own user account improves security.

Create a new user:

sudo useradd -r -m minecraft

Switch to the account:

sudo su - minecraft

Create a server directory:

• mkdir minecraft-server

cd minecraft-server

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Step 4: Download the Minecraft Server JAR

Visit the official Minecraft download page and copy the latest server JAR link.

Download it using:

wget https://example-url/server.jar

Rename it for convenience:

mv server.jar minecraft_server.jar

Replace the example URL with the latest download link from Minecraft's official website.

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Step 5: Accept the Minecraft EULA

Before the server starts for the first time, you must accept Mojang's End User License Agreement.

Generate the required files:
java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar minecraft_server.jar nogui

Open the generated file:
nano eula.txt

Change:
eula=false

to:
eula=true

Save and exit.

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Step 6: Create a Startup Script

Instead of typing the entire Java command every time, create a startup script.

Create the file:
nano start.sh

Add:
#!/bin/bash
java -Xms2G -Xmx2G -jar minecraft_server.jar nogui

Save the file.

Make it executable:
chmod +x start.sh

Now you can simply run:
./start.sh

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Step 7: Configure the Firewall

Minecraft uses TCP port 25565 by default.

Allow the port:
sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=25565/tcp

Reload the firewall:
sudo firewall-cmd --reload

Verify:
sudo firewall-cmd --list-ports

Players can now connect through your server's public IP address.

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Step 8: Customize Server Settings Minecraft generates a file called: server.properties Some useful settings include:

Setting	Purpose
max-players	Maximum number of players
difficulty	Easy, Normal, Hard
motd	Server description shown in multiplayer
gamemode	Survival, Creative, Adventure
online-mode	Player authentication

Edit using:
nano server.properties

Save the file after making changes.

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Step 9: Start Your Server

Launch the server:
./start.sh

The first startup may take several minutes while Minecraft generates the world.

Once complete, you'll see: Done!

Players can then connect using your server's IP address.

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Real-World Example 1

A small group of college friends wanted a private survival world where they could build together every weekend. Instead of joining crowded public servers, they hosted their own Minecraft server on a CentOS VPS, allowing them to control player permissions, backups, and world settings.

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Real-World Example 2

A teacher created a Minecraft Education-style building challenge for students. Hosting the server on CentOS allowed everyone to join the same world remotely without depending on third-party public servers.

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Managing Your Minecraft Server

Once your server is running, a few routine tasks help keep it healthy:

• Restart after updates

• Create regular world backups

• Monitor available RAM

• Remove unused plugins

• Keep Java updated

Simple maintenance prevents many common issues.

For readers interested in older CentOS versions, this guide on Minecraft server setup on CentOS explains a similar installation process with CentOS 9

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many beginners encounter the same issues during installation.

Running as Root

Avoid hosting the Minecraft server as the root user. A separate account provides better security.

Forgetting the EULA

The server will not start until eula=true is set.

 Firewall Not Configured

Opening port 25565 is essential. Otherwise, players cannot connect even if the server is running.

Allocating Too Much RAM

Giving Minecraft all available memory can slow down the operating system. Leave enough RAM for CentOS.

Skipping Updates

Outdated Java or system packages may cause compatibility issues with newer Minecraft versions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is CentOS Stream 9 good for hosting Minecraft?
Yes. It offers stability, regular updates, and good performance for Java-based applications like Minecraft.

2. How much RAM should I allocate?
For a small group of friends, 2 GB is usually sufficient. Larger servers with many players or mods often benefit from 4 GB or more.

3. Can I install mods later?
Yes. Many administrators switch to server software such as Paper or Forge depending on the type of modifications they want to use.

4. Do I need a dedicated server?
Not necessarily. A VPS is suitable for many personal Minecraft servers. Larger communities may eventually require dedicated hardware.

5. Why can't my friends join my server?
Check that the firewall allows port 25565, confirm the server is running, and verify that you're sharing the correct public IP address.

6. How do I keep my world safe?
Create regular backups of the world folder before updates or configuration changes. This makes recovery much easier if something goes wrong.

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Conclusion

Learning Minecraft server setup CentOS gives you complete control over your Minecraft experience. By installing Java, downloading the server files, creating a startup script, and configuring firewall access, you can build a reliable private server that friends or family can join whenever they want.

If you'd like to explore server options and learn more about choosing the right environment for hosting multiplayer games, take a look at game VPS hosting for additional resources and guidance.

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Understanding RAID: The Difference Between RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 10

Choosing the right storage setup for a server can feel confusing, especially when terms like RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 10 start appearing in hosting guides. Understanding RAID server storage basics makes it much easier to decide which option fits your needs, whether you're running a website, storing business files, or managing a database.

RAID isn't a type of hard drive. Instead, it's a method of organizing multiple drives so they work together to improve speed, protect data, or achieve a balance of both. Knowing the strengths and limitations of each RAID level can help you avoid costly mistakes and improve your server's reliability.

What Is RAID?

RAID stands for Redundant Array of Independent Disks. It combines two or more physical drives into one logical storage system.

Depending on the RAID level you choose, the system can:

• Increase read and write performance

• Protect your data if a drive fails

• Improve server reliability

• Balance speed with redundancy

Think of RAID like organizing books in a library. You can arrange them to make finding books faster, keep duplicate copies for safety, or combine both approaches depending on your priorities.

RAID Server Storage Basics: Understanding the Three Most Common RAID Levels

Among the many RAID configurations available, RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 10 are the most widely used for servers. Each one uses a different method for storing data.

 

 

RAID 0: Designed for Speed

RAID 0 uses a technique called striping.

Instead of writing an entire file onto one drive, the system divides the file into smaller pieces and stores them across multiple drives at the same time. Since several disks work together, data can be read and written much faster.

Advantages

• Excellent read and write performance

• Uses 100% of available storage capacity

• Ideal for tasks that require fast data access

Disadvantages

• No protection against drive failure

• Losing one disk means losing all stored data

• Not suitable for important business information

Real-World Example

A video production company edits large 4K video files every day. Since all project files are backed up elsewhere, they use RAID 0 to reduce editing delays and speed up file transfers.

RAID 1: Focused on Data Protection

RAID 1 uses mirroring.

Every piece of data written to one drive is copied to another drive. If one drive stops working, the second drive still contains the complete data.

Advantages

• High level of data protection

• Simple recovery after drive failure

• Better read performance than a single disk

Disadvantages

• Only half of the total storage capacity is usable

• Requires at least two drives

• Higher storage cost compared to RAID 0

Real-World Example

A small accounting firm stores financial records that cannot be lost. Even if one drive fails unexpectedly, RAID 1 keeps the business running because an identical copy remains available.

RAID 10: Combining Performance and Redundancy

RAID 10 combines both striping and mirroring.

It first creates mirrored drive pairs and then stripes data across those pairs. This allows servers to benefit from both fast performance and strong fault tolerance.

RAID 10 requires a minimum of four drives.

Advantages

• Very fast read and write speeds

• Excellent protection against disk failure

• Faster rebuilding after replacing failed drives

• Suitable for demanding applications

Disadvantages

• Higher hardware costs

• Only about half of the total storage is available for data

• Requires more disks than RAID 0 or RAID 1

Many businesses running databases, virtualization platforms, or high-traffic websites choose RAID 10 because it offers a reliable balance between speed and safety.

If you're researching storage options for bare metal dedicated servers, RAID 10 is often considered one of the most dependable choices for workloads that require both performance and redundancy.

RAID 0 vs RAID 1 vs RAID 10

Feature	RAID 0	RAID 1	RAID 10
Storage Method	Striping	Mirroring	Striping + Mirroring
Minimum Drives	2	2	4
Performance	Excellent	Good	Excellent
Data Protection	None	High	High
Fault Tolerance	No	Yes	Yes
Usable Storage	100%	50%	50%
Best For	Speed-focused workloads	Critical data	Business applications

How to Choose the Right RAID Level

 

The best RAID level depends on what your server is expected to do.

Choose RAID 0 if:

• Performance matters more than data protection.

• Files already exist in another backup location.

• Temporary or non-critical data is stored.

Choose RAID 1 if:

• Protecting valuable information is the top priority.

• Downtime should be minimized.

• Storage requirements are relatively small.

Choose RAID 10 if:

• You need both speed and redundancy.

• Your server hosts customer-facing applications.

• Database performance is important.

• Business continuity is essential.

Why RAID Is Not a Backup

One of the biggest misconceptions about RAID is that it replaces backups.

RAID protects against hardware failure, but it cannot recover files deleted by mistake, ransomware attacks, software corruption, or natural disasters.

A complete backup strategy should include:

• Regular automated backups

• Off-site or cloud copies

• Backup testing

• Recovery planning

RAID and backups work together rather than replacing one another.

Understanding Striping and Mirroring with a Simple Analogy

Imagine you're writing a long story.



With RAID 0, you split each page between two friends who write simultaneously. The story is finished faster, but if one friend loses their pages, the entire story becomes incomplete.

With RAID 1, two friends write identical copies of every page. If one notebook is lost, the second still contains the full story.

With RAID 10, two pairs of friends each create duplicate pages while sharing the writing workload. You gain both speed and protection.

If you'd like a more detailed explanation of these concepts, this guide on understanding RAID levels provides additional examples and technical background.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When selecting a RAID configuration, avoid these common errors:

• Assuming RAID replaces backups. RAID protects against drive failure, not accidental deletion or cyberattacks.
• Choosing RAID 0 for critical business data. Fast performance is useful, but it comes with significant risk.
• Ignoring future storage needs. Plan for growth before deploying your server. 
• Buying mismatched drives. Using disks with different speeds or capacities may reduce overall performance.
• Focusing only on storage capacity. Reliability and uptime are often more valuable than maximizing usable space.
  
  

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which RAID level is the fastest?

RAID 0 generally delivers the highest read and write performance because data is spread across multiple drives without creating duplicate copies.

2. Is RAID 1 better than RAID 0?

Neither is universally better. RAID 1 prioritizes data protection, while RAID 0 focuses on performance. The right choice depends on your workload and priorities.

3. Why does RAID 10 require four drives?

RAID 10 combines mirroring and striping. It needs two mirrored pairs before striping data across them, making four drives the minimum requirement.

4. Can RAID protect against accidental file deletion?

No. If a file is deleted, RAID mirrors or stripes that deletion as well. Regular backups are still necessary.

5. Is RAID useful for small businesses?

Yes. Even small businesses benefit from improved reliability and reduced downtime, especially when storing important customer or financial information.

6. Should SSDs also use RAID?

Many organizations use RAID with SSDs to improve both performance and redundancy. The ideal setup depends on budget, workload, and storage requirements.

Conclusion

Learning RAID server storage basics helps you make smarter decisions about server performance and data protection. RAID 0 delivers outstanding speed, RAID 1 provides dependable redundancy, and RAID 10 combines both strengths for demanding workloads. Understanding how each option works makes it easier to match your storage setup with your business or project requirements.

If you'd like to learn more about server hardware and storage options, you can explore additional information about bare metal dedicated servers to better understand how different storage configurations support various hosting environments.

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