Server/Requirements

Server installation and configuration
For a full tutorial on setting up a Minecraft server, please read the installation and configuration guide.

Server requirements

 * Note that these requirements only apply to the Survival version of Minecraft, and not to the Classic version.
 * Requirements may change depending on the server software, such as using Bukkit and/or mods.

* Note: Linux users should avoid using OpenJDK 6 for server hosting, as it has been known to cause issues
 * Java 1.8 is available for Minecraft Servers!
 * Only the JRE version is required, however, Java JDK will still work.
 * The more memory that your server has, the better. It is recommended to have at least 3 GB of physical RAM in the computer. That way, plenty of RAM is left over for the operating system, and you have the possibility of allocating more to the Minecraft server as needed.
 * Minecraft servers, as of 1.1.0, can use multiple cores, so now they will not sit idle and will increase server performance.
 * Windows or Desktop based Linux distributions aren't recommended for hosting servers, use console based Linux/BSD for maximum performance.

Here is a simple recommendation to help you get started and/or help decide which hosting option is best for you:

Running a LAN Party type Server (since 1.3.2)

 * Note that these requirements are for the server only. You will need to allocate more resources to the OS!
 * Also note that these suggestion presume default settings in server.conf - i.e., a Draw Distance no higher than 10, and is also based on a new world; the bigger the world gets, especially if there's advanced redstone circuitry at work, the requirements - especially the RAM, or in the case of lots of redstone or mobs (in e.g. grinders), the CPU - increase significantly (to the point where a major world with several camps, redstone machinery, grinders, etcetera can easily more than double the requirements).

Running a Dedicated type Server
Please see Dedicated Server Requirements for more information.

Running a Server-grade Server
Please see Server-Grade Server Requirements for more information.