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Minecraft Server Configuration Guide

Properly configuring your Minecraft server is crucial for performance, security, and gameplay experience. This guide explains the key configuration files and settings for your Minecraft server running on our Wasabi Hosting Gamepanel.

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server.properties

The main configuration file for any Minecraft server. Here’s a breakdown of essential settings: 
# Server identification
server-name=My Minecraft Server
motd=Welcome to My Awesome Server
server-port=25565
server-ip=

# World settings
level-name=world
level-seed=
level-type=default
generator-settings=
hardcore=false

# Game rules
gamemode=survival
difficulty=normal
pvp=true
force-gamemode=false
allow-nether=true
allow-flight=false
allow-cheats=false

# Spawning
spawn-monsters=true
spawn-animals=true
spawn-npcs=true
spawn-protection=16

# Resource usage
view-distance=10
simulation-distance=10
max-players=20
max-world-size=29999984
entity-broadcast-range-percentage=100
max-tick-time=60000
rate-limit=0
network-compression-threshold=256

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Important Properties Explained

Changes to server.properties require a server restart to take effect.
PropertyDescriptionRecommended
view-distanceHow many chunks players can see8-10 for balance
simulation-distanceHow far entities are processedSame as view distance
max-playersMaximum players allowedBased on your plan
difficultyGame difficulty levelnormal or hard
spawn-protectionProtected radius around spawn16 (or 0 to disable)
pvpAllow player vs player combattrue/false based on server type
white-listOnly allow listed playerstrue for private servers
online-modeVerify player accountstrue for security
enforce-secure-profileEnforce secure profilestrue for security
entity-broadcast-range-percentageEntity render distance %65-100%

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Optimization Through server.properties

For optimal performance, consider these settings: 
# Balanced performance
view-distance=8
simulation-distance=6
network-compression-threshold=256
entity-broadcast-range-percentage=75

# World protection
spawn-protection=16
max-world-size=20000
max-tick-time=60000

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spigot.yml

If you’re running Spigot or Paper (recommended), you’ll have access to additional configuration options in spigot.yml. 
world-settings:
  default:
    # Chunk management
    chunks-per-tick: 650
    mob-spawn-range: 6
    
    # Entity settings
    entity-activation-range:
      animals: 16
      monsters: 24
      raiders: 48
      misc: 8
    entity-tracking-range:
      players: 48
      animals: 48
      monsters: 48
      misc: 32
      other: 64
      
    # Growth & merging
    growth:
      cactus-modifier: 100
      cane-modifier: 100
      melon-modifier: 100
      mushroom-modifier: 100
      pumpkin-modifier: 100
      sapling-modifier: 100
      beetroot-modifier: 100
      carrot-modifier: 100
      potato-modifier: 100
      wheat-modifier: 100
      netherwart-modifier: 100
      vine-modifier: 100
      cocoa-modifier: 100
    merge-radius:
      item: 2.5
      exp: 3.0
      
    # Ticking areas
    tick-inactive-villagers: true
    ticks-per: 
      hopper-transfer: 8
      hopper-check: 1

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Notable Spigot Settings

SettingDescriptionRecommendation
chunks-per-tickChunks loaded per tick650 for balance
mob-spawn-rangeSpawn distance from players6 blocks
merge-radiusItem/XP merging distance2.5/3.0 for less entities
hopper-transferTicks between transfers8 for better performance
entity-activation-rangeDistance to activate entitiesLower for better performance

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paper.yml

Paper servers have additional optimization options in paper.yml. 
# Chunk management
max-auto-save-chunks-per-tick: 24
prevent-moving-into-unloaded-chunks: true
use-faster-eigencraft-redstone: true
fix-climbing-bypassing-cramming-rule: true

# Game mechanics
optimize-explosions: true
disable-chest-cat-detection: true

# Entity settings
per-player-mob-spawns: true
armor-stands-tick: false
alt-item-despawn-rate:
  enabled: true
  items:
    COBBLESTONE: 300
    DIRT: 300

# Hopper optimizations
hopper:
  disable-move-event: false
  ignore-occluding-blocks: true

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Key Paper Optimizations

SettingDescriptionRecommendation
max-auto-save-chunks-per-tickChunks saved per tick24 for moderate servers
optimize-explosionsMore efficient explosion calculationstrue
per-player-mob-spawnsMobs spawn based on playerstrue for fairer gameplay
alt-item-despawn-rateCustom despawn timesEnabled for common items

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bukkit.yml

The bukkit.yml file controls more general server behavior. 
settings:
  allow-end: true
  warn-on-overload: true
  permissions-file: permissions.yml
  update-folder: update
  plugin-profiling: false
  connection-throttle: 4000
  query-plugins: true
  deprecated-verbose: default
  shutdown-message: Server closed
  minimum-api: none
  use-map-color-cache: true
spawn-limits:
  monsters: 70
  animals: 10
  water-animals: 5
  water-ambient: 20
  water-underground-creature: 5
  ambient: 15
ticks-per:
  animal-spawns: 400
  monster-spawns: 1
  water-spawns: 1
  water-ambient-spawns: 1
  water-underground-creature-spawns: 1
  ambient-spawns: 1

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Important Bukkit Settings

SettingDescriptionRecommendation
spawn-limitsMaximum mobs per categoryLower for better performance
ticks-perTicks between spawn attemptsHigher for fewer spawns
connection-throttleMilliseconds between connections4000 to prevent spam

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Plugin Configuration

Most plugins have their own configuration files in the plugins/ directory. General tips:
  1. Always back up before editing plugin configs
  2. Follow documentation for each plugin
  3. Restart the server after configuration changes
  4. Use YAML validators for complex files
  5. Check console for configuration errors on startup

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Advanced Configuration

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Startup Flags in Gamepanel

In the Wasabi Hosting Gamepanel, you can select “Aikar’s Flags” from the ADDITIONAL FLAGS dropdown for optimal performance:
Aikar’s Flags are professionally tuned Java arguments that optimize garbage collection and memory management. At Wasabi Hosting, RAM allocation is fixed based on your selected plan and cannot be manually changed.
If you’re experiencing memory-related issues, contact support about upgrading to a higher-tier plan with more allocated RAM.

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Datapacks

Datapacks can modify gameplay without plugins. To install:
  1. Upload to the world/datapacks/ directory
  2. Run /reload or restart the server
  3. Verify with /datapack list
Always download datapacks from reputable sources to avoid corruption or security issues.

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Configuration for Server Types

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Survival Server

# server.properties
gamemode=survival
difficulty=hard
pvp=true
spawn-protection=0
allow-flight=false

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Creative Server

# server.properties
gamemode=creative
difficulty=peaceful
pvp=false
spawn-protection=64
allow-flight=true

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Minigames Server

# server.properties
gamemode=adventure
difficulty=normal
pvp=true
spawn-protection=0
force-gamemode=true

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Security Configuration

To protect your server:
  1. Enable whitelist for private servers
  2. Set up spawn protection to prevent griefing
  3. Configure backups in Gamepanel
  4. Use anti-cheat plugins for public servers
  5. Keep server updated to patch security vulnerabilities
Never set “online-mode=false” unless you’re running a proxy server like BungeeCord or Velocity.

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Configuration Checklist

Use this checklist when setting up your server:
  • Set appropriate view and simulation distances
  • Configure entity limits and spawn rates
  • Set up proper resource allocation (RAM, Java arguments)
  • Configure world options (seed, type, border)
  • Set security options (whitelist, spawn protection)
  • Optimize spigot/paper settings if applicable
  • Set up proper plugin configurations
  • Create regular backup schedule
  • Test with a few players before fully launching
Following this guide will help you create a well-configured Minecraft server that balances performance, gameplay, and security. If you need further assistance, contact our support team.

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Backups

Regular backups are essential to protect against data loss:
  1. Create regular world backups using plugins like EssentialsX
  2. Export and save important configurations
  3. Configure backups in Gamepanel