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How To Install And Run Minecraft On A Linux VPS

Debian based distributions are recommended for easiest installations.

Start by installing the latest version of java.

Debian, Ubuntu

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install openjdk-7-jre screen

CentOS, Redhat, Fedora

yum update
yum install java-1.7.0-openjdk screen

You should also install screen so you can access the console as needed without having to worry about keeping the console open

Run the following commands:

cd /home
wget -O BuildTools.jar https://hub.spigotmc.org/jenkins/job/BuildTools/lastSuccessfulBuild/artifact/target/BuildTools.jar
java -jar BuildTools.jar
export MAVEN_OPTS="-Xmx2G"
java -Xmx2G -Dmac.supported=true -jar BuildTools.jar
rm -f BuildTools.jar

To start the Spigot Service in a screen session:

screen -S spigot
java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar spigot.jar

Once it has been started, press ctrl+a+d to detach from the screen.

You can reattach to the console by running:

screen -r spigot

Run the following commands:

cd /home
wget -O minecraft_server.jar https://s3.amazonaws.com/Minecraft.Download/versions/1.8.1/minecraft_server.1.8.1.jar

To start the Minecraft service in a screen session:

screen -S minecraft
java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar minecraft_server.jar

Once it has been started, press ctrl+a+d to detach from the screen.

You can reattach to the console by running:

screen -r minecraft