Building Blocks of a Server: Hosting Minecraft Bedrock with Raspberry Pi

29-Jan-2022

Minecraft, the beloved sandbox game, has become a global phenomenon, captivating players of all ages. While many players enjoy the online multiplayer experience on established servers, some individuals prefer hosting their own private servers for a more personalized gaming environment. With the popularity of the Raspberry Pi, a small single-board computer, it has become increasingly feasible to host a Minecraft Bedrock server at home. In this article, we will explore the building blocks of hosting Minecraft Bedrock with Raspberry Pi, providing a guide for players interested in creating their own server.

What is Raspberry Pi?

Raspberry Pi is a small, affordable, and versatile computer board that can be used for various projects, including hosting a Minecraft server. Its compact size, low power consumption, and accessibility make it an ideal choice for running a private Minecraft Bedrock server at home.

Building Your Minecraft Bedrock Server with Raspberry Pi:

1. Prepare the Raspberry Pi:

   • Obtain a Raspberry Pi board (such as Raspberry Pi 4) and a power supply.
   • Connect a microSD card to the Raspberry Pi and install an operating system, such as Raspberry Pi OS (formerly known as Raspbian).
   • Set up network connectivity via Ethernet or Wi-Fi.

2. Install Minecraft Bedrock Server:

   • Download the official Minecraft Bedrock Server software from the official Minecraft website or the Microsoft Store.
   • Transfer the downloaded server software to the Raspberry Pi using a USB drive or by utilizing network file transfer protocols like SSH or SCP.
   • Install and configure the Minecraft Bedrock Server on the Raspberry Pi, following the provided documentation and instructions.

3. Port Forwarding:

   • Access your router's configuration settings and set up port forwarding to allow incoming connections to the Raspberry Pi.
   • Configure the router to forward incoming traffic on the Minecraft Bedrock Server's default port (19132) to the Raspberry Pi's local IP address.

4. Configure Server Settings:

   • Customize your Minecraft Bedrock Server by modifying the server properties file.
   • Adjust settings such as the server name, maximum player limit, game mode, difficulty, and more.
   • Optionally, install and configure additional plugins or mods to enhance the gameplay experience. Note that not all plugins and mods are compatible with Minecraft Bedrock Edition.

5. Security Considerations:

   • Implement basic security measures, such as using strong passwords for server administration, enabling a firewall, and regularly updating the Raspberry Pi's operating system and software.
   • Consider using additional security measures, such as enabling secure shell (SSH) access, configuring a virtual private network (VPN), or utilizing a dynamic DNS service to simplify remote access.

6. Invite Players and Enjoy:

   • Share your server's IP address and port with friends or other players who you'd like to invite to join your Minecraft Bedrock server.
   • Collaborate, build, and explore together in the personalized gaming environment you have created with your Raspberry Pi-powered server.