- Overview
- Prerequisites for installation
- Installation
- Getting started guide
- Scheduling backups and other tasks
- Mapping the world
- Command reference
- Issues
- License
- Disclaimer
Minecraft Server Control Script (MSCS) is a server-management script for UNIX and Linux powered Minecraft servers.
Features include:
- Run multiple Minecraft worlds.
- Start, stop, and restart single or multiple worlds.
- Create, delete, disable, and enable worlds.
- Includes support for additional server types: [Forge] (http://www.minecraftforge.net/), BungeeCord, SpigotMC, etc.
- Users automatically notified of important server events.
- LSB and systemd compatible init script, allows for seamless integration with your server's startup and shutdown sequences.
- Map worlds using the Minecraft Overviewer mapping software.
- Automatically backup worlds, remove backups older than X days, and restart worlds.
- Update the server and client software automatically.
- Send commands to a world server from the command line.
Ensure that you have done the following before installing MSCS:
We've made an attempt to utilize only features that are normally installed in most Linux and UNIX environments in this script. However, there may be a few requirements that this script has that may not already be in place:
- Java JRE - The Minecraft server software requires this.
- Perl - Most, if not all, Unix and Linux like systems have this preinstalled.
- libjson-perl - Allows the script to read JSON formatted data.
- Python - Required by the Minecraft Overviewer mapping software.
- GNU Make - Allows you to use the Makefile to simplify installation.
- GNU Wget - Allows the script to download software updates via the internet.
- rdiff-backup - Allows the script to efficiently run backups.
- Socat - Allows the script to communicate with the Minecraft server.
- Iptables - Although not explicitly required, a good firewall should be installed.
If you are running Debian or Ubuntu, you can make sure that these are installed by running:
sudo apt-get install default-jre perl libjson-perl python make wget rdiff-backup socat iptables
If you have a firewall installed on your computer, or a router using NAT installed in your network, you will need to route some ports to your server. Instructions on how to accomplish this are beyond the scope of this document, but here are some things you will need to know:
- The default port for the Minecraft server is:
25565. - If you wish to run multiple world servers using this script, you may
want to open a range of ports (for example
25565 - 25575). - If you are using BungeeCord,
you will most likely need to only open the default port:
25565.
See the iptables.rules file for a very basic set of rules that you can use with the Iptables firewall.
The script uses the Minecraft Overviewer mapping software to generate maps of your worlds. Minecraft Overviewer is a command-line tool for rendering high-resolution maps of Minecraft worlds. It generates a set of static html and image files and uses the Google Maps API to display a nice interactive map.
If you wish to use the mapping software, you can [download] (http://overviewer.org/downloads) premade binaries for supported systems, or build your own binary from source if needed.
Repositories for automatic installation are also available:
The easiest way to download the script is to make a clone of the git repository. You must have git installed first. To install git:
sudo apt-get install git
Then:
git clone https://github.com/MinecraftServerControl/mscs.git
Note that it will be downloaded into the current directory which you are working in.
-
Get the latest stable [release] (https://github.com/MinecraftServerControl/mscs/releases).
-
Get the development version as a [zip file] (https://github.com/MinecraftServerControl/mscs/archive/master.zip):
wget https://github.com/MinecraftServerControl/mscs/archive/master.zip
Navigate to the mscs directory that you just downloaded. Configuration can
be done with the included Makefile in Debian and Ubuntu like environments by
running:
sudo make install
This will give the user you created in the config (by default, the user is
called minecraft) access to write in the /opt/mscs folder.
If you get a permission error, please see the [troubleshooting] (#troubleshooting) section.
That's it! If you wish to configure the script manually, please visit the [wiki page] (https://github.com/MinecraftServerControl/mscs/wiki/Manual-Configuration).
Periodically Minecraft Server Control Script is updated to address bug fixes
and add new features. The easiest way to fetch the latest update, assuming you
used the easiest way to install the script, first
cd into the folder where you downloaded MSCS. Then, type:
git pull
You can alternatively use one of the other methods
to download the latest version. Just cd into the folder containing the MSCS
download to continue.
Once you have the latest version of MSCS downloaded, type:
sudo make update
So you successfully installed the script--great!
At first, you probably want to create a new world or import an existing world into the script.
Then, you might want to adjust the world properties, adjust the global server settings (optional), and enable any other server software (optional) as needed.
The command to create a new world is:
mscs create [world] [port] <ip>
Where world is the name of the world you specify,
and port is the server port (by default, use 25565).
ip is optional and will be used if you wish to bind a world server to a
specific network interface (e.g. 127.0.0.1 to enforce local access only).
Afterwards, start the server via mscs start [world] where world is the
name of the world. The world will then shut down because you have to accept
the EULA.
The EULA can be found in /opt/mscs/worlds/myWorld where myWorld
is the name given to the world you created.
After accepting the EULA simply start the server using the same command above, and you're all set!
You just need to create a new directory in the worlds folder for the world you
wish to import. Suppose the world you wish to import is called alpha, you
would create a new folder in /opt/mscs/worlds with the same name as the
world, then copy the data files over to that new directory.
IMPORTANT: make sure the world that you are importing is not currently running.
If the directory containing the world alpha you wish to import looks like
this:
$ ls
alpha
banned-ips.txt
banned-players.txt
crash-reports
logs
ops.txt
server.properties
white-list.txt
You can just copy your world into the worlds directory:
mkdir /opt/mscs/worlds/alpha
cp -R * /opt/mscs/worlds/alpha
After you've copied the world files, you will want to create a world entry into MSCS using the name of the world and the port that you wish the world to use:
mscs create alpha 25565
If you would like to rename the alpha folder
(the one that is the parent folder of the actual world) to a different name,
follow the steps below.
IMPORTANT: make sure the world that you are importing is not currently running.
In this example we want to rename the alpha folder to vanillaMC:
mkdir /opt/mscs/worlds/vanillaMC
cp -R * /opt/mscs/worlds/vanillaMC
mv /opt/mscs/worlds/vanillaMC/alpha /opt/mscs/worlds/vanillaMC/vanillaMC
After you've set up the file structure, you can now create a world entry into MSCS using the name of the world and the port that you wish the world to use:
mscs create vanillaMC 25565
The mscs.properties file can be found in every world folder
(for instance, if you had a world called myWorld, the path would be
/opt/mscs/worlds/myWorld/mscs.properties).
This file allows you to adjust many different properties for each world
you have. By default, the file only has one line in it: mscs-enabled=true.
The following properties are available:
- mscs-enabled - Enable the world server (true or false).
- mscs-version-type - Assign the version type (release or snapshot).
- mscs-client-version - Assign the version of the client software.
- mscs-client-jar - Assign the .jar file for the client software.
- mscs-client-url - Assign the download URL for the client software.
- mscs-client-location - Assign the location of the client .jar file.
- mscs-server-version - Assign the version of the server software.
- mscs-server-jar - Assign the .jar file for the server software.
- mscs-server-url - Assign the download URL for the server software.
- mscs-server-args - Assign the arguments to the server.
- mscs-initial-memory - Assign the initial amount of memory for the server.
- mscs-maximum-memory - Assign the maximum amount of memory for the server.
- mscs-server-location - Assign the location of the server .jar file.
- mscs-server-command - Assign the command to run for the server.
The following variables may be used in some of the values of the above keys:
- $JAVA - The Java virtual machine.
- $CURRENT_VERSION - The current Mojang Minecraft release version.
- $CLIENT_VERSION - The version of the client software.
- $SERVER_VERSION - The version of the server software.
- $SERVER_JAR - The .jar file to run for the server.
- $SERVER_ARGS - The arguments to the server.
- $INITIAL_MEMORY - The initial amount of memory for the server.
- $MAXIMUM_MEMORY - The maximum amount of memory for the server.
- $SERVER_LOCATION - The location of the server .jar file.
Below are the default properties for the world. You can add one, none, or all
of the properties below to the mscs.properties file and adjust it to your
liking.
mscs-enabled=true
mscs-version-type=release
mscs-client-version=$CURRENT_VERSION
mscs-client-jar=$CLIENT_VERSION.jar
mscs-client-url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/Minecraft.Download/versions/$CLIENT_VERSION/$CLIENT_VERSION.jar
mscs-client-location=/opt/mscs/.minecraft/versions/$CLIENT_VERSION
mscs-server-version=$CURRENT_VERSION
mscs-server-jar=minecraft_server.$SERVER_VERSION.jar
mscs-server-url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/Minecraft.Download/versions/$SERVER_VERSION/minecraft_server.$SERVER_VERSION.jar
mscs-server-args=nogui
mscs-initial-memory=128M
mscs-maximum-memory=2048M
mscs-server-location=/opt/mscs/server
mscs-server-command=$JAVA -Xms$INITIAL_MEMORY -Xmx$MAXIMUM_MEMORY -jar $SERVER_LOCATION/$SERVER_JAR $SERVER_ARGS
Please visit the wiki for additional information.
In tandem with the mscs.properties file--which handles options for
individual worlds--is the mscs file, which handles global server settings.
This file, like the mscs.properties file, has default settings already
built-in to MSCS. However, you can also customize it to your liking:
To customize the properties, you must create this file. To create this file:
touch /etc/default/mscs
Once you've created the file, you need to populate it with a list of properties. The list of properties can be found here.
MSCS has the capability to store server data for individual users, ideal for those who have multiple users on a computer and want each user's data to be separated. Please see the wiki page for instructions.
All MSCS tasks can be automated using [cron]
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cron), a scheduler software that can run
programs on a set interval of time. Whether it be backups, restarts, mapping,
or any other mscs command, it can be scheduled using cron.
Below is an example of one way how you could setup backups via cron to
backup a world every 2 hours:
Type the following (in any directory):
export EDITOR=vim
crontab -e
Page down until you get to an empty line. Then paste the following:
0 */2 * * * /usr/local/bin/mscs backup myWorld
-
0 */2 * * *is the time interval to backup. This particular expression means backup every 2 hours. You can change this to 3, 4, 5 or whatever amount of hours to backup X amount of hours. You can also backup according to days, minutes, seconds, the time of the day, and more. See [the wiki page] (https://github.com/MinecraftServerControl/mscs/wiki/Backup-and-Restore) for more information.myWorldis the name of the world you wish to backup. Omitting this will backup all worlds.
Finally, press escape, then type
:wqto save and quit.
The backups will be saved in /opt/mscs/backups.
You can specify how long to keep backups by changing the BACKUP_DURATION
in the mscs.conf or mscs file (see
adjusting global server settings
).
You can schedule restarts for the server following the same method as outlined in scheduling backups. Simply change the scheduled command to:
mscs restart <world>
Where <world> is the name of the world you wish to restart (omit for all
worlds).
You can also schedule mapping using the same method outlined in scheduling backups. Simply replace the command with:
mscs map <world>
Where <world> is the name of the world you wish to map (omit for all
worlds).
Minecraft Server Control Script uses [Overviewer]
(http://docs.overviewer.org/en/latest/) to generate maps. After [installing]
(#mapping-software-optional), modify the settings (if necessary) found in the
mscs.conf or mscs file (see [adjusting global server settings]
(#adjusting-global-server-settings-optional)):
OVERVIEWER_BIN=$(which overviewer.py)
OVERVIEWER_URL="http://overviewer.org"
MAPS_URL="my.minecraftserver.com"
MAPS_LOCATION="$LOCATION/maps"
After you've tinkered the settings to your liking, run:
mscs map <world>
Where <world> is the name of the world you would like to get mapped.
Omit the world name to map all worlds.
By default maps are saved into /opt/mscs/maps.
You can individually adjust the properties that Overviewer will use for each
world by editing the world's overviewer-settings.py file. Properties here
include the output path of the map (i.e. you can change this to your web
server directory), and render settings. Please visit
their website for information
on config.
In order for the map to update new changes in the world, you need to run Overviewer periodically. Please see scheduling mapping.
All commands below assume that you are running them as either the minecraft
user or as root (through sudo).
Note: If the script is run as the root user, all important server processes
will be started using the minecraft user instead for security purposes.
sudo mscs [option]
* start [world]
Start the Minecraft world server. Start all worlds by default.
* stop [world]
Stop the Minecraft world server. Stop all worlds by default.
* force-stop [world]
Forcibly stop the Minecraft world server. Forcibly stop all worlds by
default.
* restart [world]
Restart the Minecraft world server. Restart all worlds by default.
* force-restart [world]
Forcibly restart the Minecraft world server. Forcibly restart all
worlds by default.
* create [world] [port] [ip]
Create a Minecraft world server. The world name and port must be
provided, the IP address is usually blank.
* delete [world]
Delete a Minecraft world server.
* disable [world]
Temporarily disable a world server.
* enable [world]
Enable a disabled world server.
* list [option]
Display a list of worlds.
Options:
* enabled
Display a list of enabled worlds, default.
* disabled
Display a list of disabled worlds.
* running
Display a list of running worlds.
* stopped
Display a list of stopped worlds.
* status [world]
Display the status of the Minecraft world server. Display the
status of all worlds by default.
* broadcast [command]
Broadcast a command to all running Minecraft world servers.
* send [world] [command]
Send a command to a Minecraft world server.
* logrotate [world]
Rotate the server.log file. Rotate the server.log file for all
worlds by default.
* backup [world]
Backup the Minecraft world. Backup all worlds by default.
* list-backups [world]
List the datetime of the backups for the world.
* restore-backup [world] [datetime]
Restore a backup for a world that was taken at the datetime.
* console [world]
Connect to the Minecraft world server's console. Hit [Ctrl-D] to detach.
* watch [world]
Watch the log file for the Minecraft world server.
* map [world]
Run the Minecraft Overviewer mapping software on the Minecraft world.
Map all worlds by default.
* update
Update the client and server software packages.
* query [world]
Run a detailed Query on the Minecraft world server.
To start all of the world servers, issue the command:
sudo mscs start
To create a world named alpha on the default port 25565, issue the
command:
sudo mscs create alpha 25565
To start just the world named alpha, issue the command:
sudo mscs start alpha
To send a command to a world server, issue the command:
sudo mscs send [world] [command]
ie.
sudo mscs send alpha say Hello world!
We have only tested this code in a Debian/Ubuntu environment, but there is no reason that it shouldn't work in any appropriately configured UNIX-like environment, including Apple Mac OSX and the other BSD variants, with only minor modifications. If you experience errors running this script, please post a copy of the error message and a note detailing the operating environment where the error occurs to the support thread, and we will try to work out a solution with you.
Support thread: http://www.minecraftforum.net/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=129833
Github Issues: https://github.com/MinecraftServerControl/mscs/issues
Type
chmod -R u+w /opt/mscs
chown -R minecraft:minecraft /opt/mscs
To give the minecraft user the correct permissions needed to create/modify
folders.
See LICENSE
Minecraft is a trademark of Mojang Synergies AB, a subsidiary of Microsoft Studios. MSCS and MSC-GUI are designed to ease the use of the Mojang produced Minecraft server software on Linux and UNIX servers. MSCS and MSC-GUI are independently developed by open software enthusiasts with no support or implied warranty provided by either Mojang or Microsoft.