Powerful command-line control for UNIX and Linux powered Minecraft servers
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Index

Overview

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.

Prerequisites for installation

Ensure that you have done the following before installing MSCS:

Required Programs

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.
  • Python - Required by the Minecraft Overviewer mapping software.
  • 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 python wget rdiff-backup socat iptables

Configuring the firewall / NAT

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 post, 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.

Mapping software (optional)

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:

Installation

Downloading the script

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/sandain/MinecraftServerControlScript.git

Note that it will be downloaded into the current directory which you are working in.

Other ways to download

Configuration

Navigate to the MinecraftServerControlScript 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 section.

That's it! If you wish to configure the script manually, please visit the [wiki page] (https://github.com/sandain/MinecraftServerControlScript/wiki/Manual-Configuration).

Updating MSCS

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

Getting started guide

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 adjust the world properties, adjust the global server settings (optional), and enable any other server software (optional) as needed.

Creating a new world

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 create multiple worlds across different servers.

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!

Importing an existing world

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

Renaming world folder (optional)

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

Adjusting world properties

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. You can add a variety of flags to this file and set them as to a true/false boolean or a variable to your liking.

The following flags are available:

  • mscs-enabled - Enable or disable the world server.
  • 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.

Default world properties

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/client/$CLIENT_VERSION
mscs-server-version=$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

Enabling Forge, BungeeCord, and other server software (optional)

Please visit the [wiki] (https://github.com/sandain/MinecraftServerControlScript/wiki/Server-Customization-Examples) for additional information.

Adjusting global server settings (optional)

In tandem with the mscs.properties file--which handles options for individual worlds-- is the mscs.conf or simply mscs file, which handles global server settings. This file, like the mscs.properties file, has default settings built-in to MSCS. However, you can also customize it to your liking.

To customize the properties, you must create this file.. By default, MSCS looks for this file in three places (in this order):

  1. $HOME/mscs.conf

  2. $HOME/.config/mscs/mscs.conf

  3. /etc/default/mscs-- if you save it in this location it is only called mscs, NOT mscs.conf

It doesn't matter where you create the file, as long as you put it in one of the above places.

Please note: $HOME represents the home directory of the user that is responsible for the script--if you followed the configuration above, then that would be the minecraft user and the home directory would be /opt/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.

Scheduling backups and other tasks

All MSCS tasks can be automated using 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.

Scheduling backups

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/sandain/MinecraftServerControlScript/wiki/Backup-and-Restore) for more information.

    • myWorld is the name of the world you wish to backup. Omitting this will backup all worlds.

    Finally, press escape, then type :wq to save and quit.

The backups will be saved in /opt/mscs/backups.

Removing backups after X days

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).

Scheduling restarts

You can schedule restarts for the server following the same method as outlined in scheduling backups.
Simply change the scheduled command from backup <myWorld> to restart <myWorld>. myWorld is the name of world you wish to restart; omit if you wish to restart all worlds.

Scheduling mapping

You can do through cron, the same way that you schedule 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).

Mapping the world

Minecraft Server Control Script uses overviewer to generate minecraft maps. First, follow the instructions on their site to install overviewer.

Then, once you have it installed, modify the settings (if necessary) found in the mscs.conf or mscs file (see adjusting global server settings):

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.

Adjusting map/mapping settings

You can adjust the properties of the overviewer by editing the file overviewer.py. Properties here include the output path of the map (i.e. you should 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 the overviewer periodically. Please see scheduling mapping.

Command Reference

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.

Examples

To start all of the world servers, issue the command:

sudo mscs start

To create a world named alpha, 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!

Troubleshooting

Permission denied when attempting to run mscs create ...

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.

License

See LICENSE

Issues

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/sandain/MinecraftServerControlScript/issues