How does a Minecraft network work?
At the centre is a proxy - BungeeCord or the more modern Velocity. The proxy accepts all player connections and forwards them to the backend servers behind it: typically a lobby as the entry point, plus survival, minigame or creative servers. Players connect to a single address and switch between the worlds via portal or command, without reconnecting the client.
Technically, you need several game servers for this (one proxy plus at least one backend) and a plugin such as a server selector. Backend servers usually run on Paper, because it offers the best plugin compatibility. For Velocity, the Paper setting velocity-support or the modern forwarding mode is set on the backends.
Network server hosting from €2.99 / month
Prepaid without a contract, DDoS protection up to 250 Gbit/s.
View plans & pricesTo be honest: networks are manual work
Unlike a single Paper or Forge server, a proxy network is not set up with 1 click - the guided setup in the panel covers individual servers, not the proxy network. You upload BungeeCord or Velocity via SFTP, connect the backend servers in the proxy config (config.yml or velocity.toml) and set online-mode and the forwarding settings correctly on each backend. That is well documented and quickly done, but it requires a few deliberate steps.
We help you with it: you edit all necessary files in the online config editor or via SFTP, every server gets a fixed address made of IP and port, and our support assists you if you have questions. Several plans are recommended for a network - the proxy itself gets by with little RAM, while the backends need correspondingly more depending on the number of players.
Do you really need a network?
A proxy network costs setup time and at least two servers. It pays off if your game modes do not fit together technically: a lobby without elaborate world generation, a survival server with its own plugin list, plus minigames that are reset regularly. Anyone who wants to run a modpack server and a plugin server in parallel also cannot avoid separate servers - Forge and Bukkit plugins cannot be mixed on the same instance.
If, on the other hand, you only want several worlds under one roof - survival, creative, farm world - a single Paper server with a multiworld plugin is the much simpler solution. It shares memory and player list, you need neither a proxy nor forwarding configuration, and you manage only one plugin list. What that looks like is described in Set up multiple worlds.
As a rule of thumb: separate servers only when separate plugin lists, separate restart times or different server software become necessary. When sizing, it helps that the proxy may stay small - it only manages connections and loads no world itself, so the memory belongs in the backends. How to plan the plan sizes is shown in Plan your server size, and for the single server in the RAM guide.
The typical stumbling blocks in proxy setup
- Set forwarding cleanly. With Velocity, the value from
forwarding.secretalso belongs in the Paper configuration of every backend, otherwise the server rejects the forwarded connections. - Secure the backends. Backends run with
online-mode=falsebecause the proxy handles authentication. Without verified forwarding, someone could log in directly on a backend under someone else's name - Velocity's modern forwarding prevents exactly that; with BungeeCord, a token plugin takes on this task. - Only advertise the proxy. Your players only get the proxy's address. For a clean entry in the server list, set up an SRV record of your domain pointing to it.
- Copy ports exactly. Every server has its fixed address made of IP and port. In the proxy config, enter the backends with exactly the port the panel shows for them.
- Keep versions the same. Proxy and backends should run the same Minecraft version - otherwise switching between the servers fails during play.
There are plugins on both levels: the proxy has its own plugins for server selection, network-wide chat and maintenance mode, while the backends keep their usual Bukkit plugins. It is important to run permission and chat systems only once - duplicate responsibilities are the most common source of errors in operation. If a backend no longer starts after the rebuild, Server does not start helps; if players get stuck when switching, take a look at Fix connection errors.
And because a network consists of several servers, the backup effort doubles too: you back up proxy configs and every backend world yourself via SFTP or WebFTP - Create backups yourself shows the process. A uniform server icon on proxy and backends rounds off the appearance in the server list.
Your benefits with Network at MainHoster.de
Proxy network
BungeeCord or Velocity bundle lobby, survival, minigames & more under one address.
Seamless switching
Players jump between the servers without reconnecting - via portal, NPC or command.
Fixed addresses (IP:port)
Every server (proxy + backends) gets a fixed address made of IP and port.
Full config control
Edit config.yml / velocity.toml and backend settings in the editor or via SFTP.
Support with setup
Proxy setup is manual work - our support helps you with forwarding and the like.
DDoS protection
Networks in particular are a popular target - DDoS protection up to 250 Gbit/s included.
Network server hosting - from €2.99 / month
All Minecraft plans (S to XL) share the same hardware and features: unlimited slots, a fixed server address (IP:port), console, config editor, WebFTP, restart scheduler and DDoS protection up to 250 Gbit/s. Network runs on every plan - the amount of RAM depends on the number of players and the scope of your project. You will find the plans and RAM recommendations on the overview page.
More Minecraft software
- Minecraft server - overview
- Paper server (ideal backends)
- Host Minecraft modpacks
- Rent a Spigot server
- Rent a Fabric server
- Your own domain via SRV record
- Set a server icon
Discover more
Frequently asked questions - Network