Minecraft Server in Docker

Table of Contents

• Overview
• Why Use Docker for Minecraft Server?
• Prerequisites
• Tested On
• Installation
• Usage
• Uninstallation
• Troubleshooting
• Additional Information

Overview

This project provides a Docker setup for running a Minecraft server. It simplifies the process of setting up and managing Minecraft servers by using Docker, making it easier to deploy and maintain different Minecraft server versions and modpacks.

Why Use Docker for Minecraft Server?

Running a Minecraft server in a Docker container offers several advantages:

• Isolation: Each server runs in its own environment, reducing conflicts with other software.
• Portability: Easily move your server setup between different machines.
• Consistency: Ensure that the server runs in the same environment every time, reducing issues related to system differences.

Prerequisites

• Git and Docker Engine installed on your machine.
• Basic familiarity with Docker commands.

Tested On

Ubuntu Server 22.04 with:

• All the Mods 9-0.3.2
• All the Mods 10-0.52
• Better MC [FORGE] BMC4 v32.5
• Paper 1.21.1
• RLCraft 1.12.2 - Release v2.9.3
• Vanilla 1.21.1

Installation

1. Clone the Repository

   git clone https://github.com/FilipRokita/minecraft-server-docker

2. Rename the Repository Folder

   mv minecraft-server-docker mcsrv

3. Edit Dockerfile (if needed)

   • Open the Dockerfile and locate the line that installs Java:

     RUN apt-get update && \
         apt-get install -y curl openjdk-21-jdk wget

   • If you are running an older version of Minecraft, change the Java version to openjdk-8-jdk. Additionally, if your server requires extra packages (such as unzip) add them to this line. For example:

     RUN apt-get update && \
         apt-get install -y curl openjdk-8-jdk wget unzip

     Some servers might work with only openjdk-X-jre-headless installed, but you’ll need to experiment to find what works best.

4. Build Container and Create Symlink

   • From inside the mcsrv directory, create a symlink to the Docker volume for easy access to your data:

     docker compose up -d --build && docker compose down
     ln -s /var/lib/docker/volumes/mcsrv_data/_data data

   • Note: The path to the volume may vary. You can check the exact path using docker volume inspect mcsrv_data

5. Download Server Files

   • Download the Minecraft server files or modpack server files.
   • Place the .jar file or unzipped files into the data folder.

6. Run Docker Container

   docker compose up -d

   Note: You must run this command inside mcsrv folder

7. Attach to the Container

   docker attach mcsrv-mc-1

   You are now in the Docker container.

8. Initial Server Configuration

   • Follow the server or modpack guide for the initial setup. If no guide is available, common steps include:
     • Run java -jar server.jar.
     • Accept the EULA by editing eula.txt.

       echo eula=true > eula.txt

     • Create a run.sh script with:

       java -Xmx8G -jar server.jar nogui

       Note: Adjust -Xmx8G to match the amount of RAM your server will use (in this case, 8GB).
   • Run the server manually for the first time, wait until the world generates, and stop it with stop.

9. Detach and Stop the Container

   • Use Ctrl + P, then Ctrl + Q to detach from the container.
   • Run this command inside mcsrv folder to stop the container:

     docker compose down

10. Finalize Docker Configuration

    • Edit the Dockerfile to uncomment the CMD line and ensure it points to your run.sh script.
    • If necessary, modify the line to match the script provided by the modpack. (e.g, startserver.sh, start.sh, etc.)

Usage

• Start Server

  docker compose up -d

  Note: If you are running this command for the first time after installation, use docker compose up -d --build. Also, ensure you are executing the command inside the mcsrv folder.

• Stop Server

  docker attach mcsrv-mc-1
  stop
  docker compose down

• Stop Server (Emergency)

  docker compose down

  Note: Use this command inside mcsrv folder if the server is unresponsive or crashes.

• Access Server Console

  docker attach mcsrv-mc-1

• Exit Console

  • Use Ctrl + P, then Ctrl + Q.

Uninstallation

1. Remove Folder

   rm -rf mcsrv

2. Remove Docker Container, Image, and Volume

   docker container rm -f mcsrv-mc-1
   docker image rm mcsrv-mc
   docker volume rm mcsrv_data

Troubleshooting

For issues or questions, refer to:

• Docker Docs

Additional Information

Version: 1.0.21
Date: 2024-09-18
License: MIT License
Author: Filip Rokita