How to Create a Minecraft Server on Proxmox in an LXC with MCSManager

This guide walks you through setting up a Minecraft server in a Proxmox LXC container, using OpenJDK 21 (manually installed) for compatibility and MCSManager for easy server management. Proxmox LXC containers are lightweight and efficient, ideal for hosting Minecraft servers. MCSManager provides a web-based interface to simplify server administration. Visual aids are suggested to enhance key steps.

Estimated setup time: 10-15 minutes

Prerequisites

• Proxmox VE Server: Version 8.0 or later recommended.
• System Resources: Minimum 4GB RAM and 2 CPU cores for the LXC container (8GB+ for 10+ players).
• Linux Knowledge: Basic familiarity with Linux command-line.
• Network Access: Internet connectivity and a static IP or DHCP reservation for the container.
• Storage: At least 15GB disk space for the OS, Minecraft, and MCSManager.

Step 1: Create an LXC Container for Your Minecraft Server on Proxmox

1. Access Proxmox Web Interface

• Open https://<proxmox-ip>:8006 in your browser and log in.
  
  

1. Download a Container Template

• Navigate to Datacenter > <Your Node> > Storage > CT Templates.
• Click Templates, select Debian 12, and click Download.
  
  
  

1. Create the LXC Container

• Go to Datacenter > <Your Node> and click Create CT.
• Configure:
  • Hostname: minecraft-server.
  • Template: Ubuntu 22.04.
  • Disk: 15GB minimum.
  • CPU: 2-4 cores.
  • Memory: 4096MB (4GB) or higher.
  • Network: Static IP or DHCP reservation.
  • Root Password: Set a strong password.
• Click Confirm to create.
  
  

1. Start and Access the Container

• Select the container in the Proxmox UI and click Start.
• Access via the Proxmox console or SSH: ssh root@<container-ip>.
  
  

Step 2: Install OpenJDK 21 for Minecraft Server Proxmox Setup

Minecraft requires Java, and OpenJDK 21 is a long-term support version compatible with Minecraft 1.21+. We’ll install it manually to ensure the correct version.

1. Update the System

• As the root user, update the package list and upgrade:

apt update
apt upgrade

1. Download OpenJDK 21

• Download the OpenJDK 21 tarball:

wget https://download.java.net/java/GA/jdk21/fd2272bbf8e04c3dbaee13770090416c/35/GPL/openjdk-21_linux-x64_bin.tar.gz

1. Extract and Install

• Create a directory for Java and extract the tarball:
  

mkdir -p /opt/jdk
tar -xzf openjdk-21.0.2_linux-x64_bin.tar.gz -C /opt/jdk

1. Update PATH

• Add Java to the system PATH for all users:

echo 'export PATH=/opt/jdk/jdk-21.0.2/bin:$PATH' >> /etc/profile
     source /etc/profile

1. Verify Java Installation

• Check the Java version:
  

  java -version

• Expected output:
  openjdk version “21” 2023-09-19
OpenJDK Runtime Environment (build 21+35-2513)
OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM (build 21+35-2513, mixed mode, sharing)
  
  

Step 3: Install MCSManager with Non-Root User

1. Create a Non-Root User

• Create a dedicated user (minecraft) for running MCSManager and the Minecraft server:

 adduser --disabled-password --gecos "" minecraft
usermod -d /home/minecraft minecraft
mkdir -p /home/minecraft
chown minecraft:minecraft /home/minecraft

1. Install Dependencies as Root

• Install curl and Node.js:

apt install -y curl
curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_18.x | bash -
apt install -y nodejs

1. Switch to the Non-Root User

• Switch to the minecraft user:

su - minecraft

1. Install MCSManager Using the Install Script

• Run the official MCSManager install script:
  

  <code>curl -L https://raw.githubusercontent.com/MCSManager/MCSManager/master/install.sh | bash</code>

• This installs MCSManager in /home/minecraft/mcsmanager.
  
  

1. Start MCSManager

• Start MCSManager:
  

  cd /home/minecraft/mcsmanager node app.js

• Access the web panel at http://<container-ip>:23333.
• Set admin user and password to access the MCSManagers WebUI
  
  

Step 4: Configure Your Minecraft Server on Proxmox with MCSManager

1. Log in to MCSManager

• Open http://<container-ip>:23333 and log in.
  
  

1. Create a Minecraft Server Instance

• Navigate to Instances > Create Instance.
• Choose
  • Type: Minecraft Server (Java)
  • Location: localhost
  • Deployment: Quick
  • Version: Minecraft 1.21.8 (or latest)
• Name your server and click Install
  
  

Start the Server

• Navigate to the Terminal tab
• Click Start
• You’ll see an error: Failed to load eula.txt
  
  

1. Accept the EULA

• Go to Configuration Files
• Edit eula.txt and set it to yes
  
  
  
• Save the file and return to the terminal
• Start the server again

1. Configure server.properties

• In MCSManager’s File Management tab, edit server.properties:
  • motd=A Minecraft Server
  • difficulty=easy
  • pvp=true
  • server-port=25565
• Save and restart the instance.
  
  

Step 5: Optimize the LXC Container

1. Enable Nested Virtualization (Optional)

• If performance issues occur:

 echo "options kvm-intel nested=Y" >> /etc/modprobe.d/kvm-intel.conf
modprobe -r kvm_intel
modprobe kvm_intel

1. Increase Container Resources (Optional)

• Adjust CPU/memory in Proxmox UI if lag occurs.
  
  

Step 6: Network Configuration

1. Open Firewall Ports

• Open ports 25565 (Minecraft) and 23333 (MCSManager):
  

  ufw allow 25565 ufw allow 23333

• On the Proxmox host:
  

  iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 25565 -j ACCEPT iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 23333 -j ACCEPT

1. Test Connectivity

• Connect to <container-ip>:25565 in Minecraft.
• Access MCSManager at http://<container-ip>:23333.
  

Step 7: Backup and Maintenance

1. Backup the Server

• Back up the minecraft user’s directories:
  

  tar -czf /opt/backup-$(date +%F).tar.gz /home/minecraft

1. Monitor Performance

• Install and use htop:
  

  apt install -y htop

• Run htop to monitor resources.
  

1. Update MCSManager and Minecraft

• Check for MCSManager updates on GitHub.
• Update server.jar via MCSManager’s file management.

Troubleshooting

• Java Errors: Verify Java path (/opt/jdk/jdk-21/bin/java) and version (java -version).
• Port Conflicts: Check with netstat -tuln.
• Performance Issues: Increase resources in Proxmox or reduce player slots.
• MCSManager Access: Verify service status (systemctl status mcsmanager) and port 23333.

Conclusion

You’ve set up a secure Minecraft server in a Proxmox LXC container with OpenJDK 21 and MCSManager, running as a non-root user.

Happy gaming!