Minecraft Glossary for Server Owners
If you are starting a Minecraft server, or want to own one, this glossary will teach you all the words you need to know. Our glossary has been made to help owners find all the available resources to develop and run servers efficiently.
Admin, OP, Operator
The server administrator has full rights over commands and server behavior. To become a server operator, you need to use “op <NAME>” inside the server’s console.
API
In Minecraft, this is a special application to support mods and plugins. It is the middleman that allows plugin and mod creators create code, and make compatible features that could be ran in-game.
Ban
A command issued to permanently remove a player from a server.
BungeeCord
BungeeCord is a standalone project, that helps connect multiple Minecraft servers in one. In other words, BungeeCord helps create Minecraft server networks.
Commands
In-game commands, which are typed with a “/” before text inside your game, or without the “/” when using the server console. Commands in Minecraft are used to change the behavior of the game, execute plugins, and much more.
Cheater
A player who is using additional software, or resource packs to get in-game advantage over others.
DDoS
DDoS or Distributed Denial of Service attack involves one or multiple instances of disabling services connected to the internet. These instances can be seen on huge servers, cause massive lag on servers, and often disconnect them.
Difficulty
The survival difficulty is set through the server properties. Difficulty managing the hunger, mobs, and other game components.
DNS
DNS stands for Domain Name System and is the unique piece that connects us to the internet. A DNS is often a numeric value (e.g. 101.153.203.153) and can be masked by a domain name (TLD). Such domain names could be “Hypixel”, “ManaCube”, and others. Behind each name, there is an assigned unique IP address and port, that is used to communicate with the server.
Donations
Gifts or contributions to Minecraft servers without any commercial intact. Donations aim to help power servers, without receiving any items in return. Many Minecraft servers give rewards in return for a donation under a reward, which is not considered commercial activity, or goes against the Mojang EULA.
Dynamic and Static IP Address
The IP address (Internet Protocol) is a series of numeric values, used to connect to your server by other players. An IP address is assigned by your ISP, and it could be “Dynamic” or “Static”. Dynamic IPs change after each reset, while “Static” IPs remain unchanged. Static IPs are the preferred option, since players will not have to change the login IP each time you reset your router’s connection.
EULA
EULA (Minecraft End User License Agreement) is the legal agreement between you (the server owner), and them (Mojang AB and Microsoft). It is used to review how you can use Minecraft products, such as the creation of servers.
Gamemode
The type of mode, that a certain player will have. There are 5 different game modes in Minecraft.
Garbage Collection
Garbage collection is the main function of JVM, and it plays a huge role for Minecraft servers. The garbage collector cleans unused items and frees up allocated RAM for better uses. It is a term widely used for optimizing Minecraft servers.
Hosting
The machine used to run and keep your Minecraft server alive. There are 2 types of servers, which are company-hosted and locally hosted. Company-hosted means paying rent to host your server. Locally hosted means using your computer or server to host your server.
Jar
JAR stands for Java Archive, consisting of multiple packaged files, that combine multiple Java class files, into a single one. They are also called server Jar files and are used to run Minecraft servers. The original Jar is known as the Vanilla Jar, however, if you want to run plugins you need to search for alternative JARs.
Moderator
Another very common term for Administrators. In some cases, moderators are the ones responsible for plugin behavior and updates inside servers.
Modded
Mods that change the game aspect by adding additional content, such as new mobs, items, or even biomes.
Mods
Mods that change the game aspect by adding additional content, such as new mobs, items, or even biomes.
Offline Servers
Offline Servers are often referred to as cracked ones, meaning players with pirated versions of Minecraft can join them. In reality, offline servers are the ones that do not use the Mojang API to scan a player’s UUID and let him into the server. If the Mojang API is not working, many Online mode servers will not work until the API is running.
Panel
Web interface that provides access to the server console for performing tasks, modifying files, etc. It is usually provided by hosting providers but can be also installed on your local machine. There are many server panels, that you can find, but the most popular is pterodactyl.
Port
Port is used to pass traffic to your Minecraft server. By default, Minecraft servers use port 25565, however, these numbers can be changed. You only need to have the first 2 letters (25), while the rest can be anything else.
Plugins
Additive files to change aspects of Minecraft, such as adding “factions”, “NPCs”, new weapons, and others. Plugins can only be used in servers, and do not change the game like mods.
Reload
A command used to simulate a restart without kicking the players from servers.
Resource Pack
A command used to simulate a restart without kicking the players from servers.
Restart
A command that fully restarts the Minecraft server, kicking players, and restarting active plugins/mods.
Skin
The visual appearance of the in-game character. It can be set through the official Minecraft website, and be changed at any time.
Semi-Vanilla
A server, that uses JARs is different from the original Minecraft JAR file, however, features are limited to Vanilla ones, with slight differences.
Server mode
Minecraft servers have 2 modes inside the server properties file. They are “Online”, and “Offline” mode. The online mode lets the Mojang API scan the player’s UUID, while the offline mode is to keep a server running without relying on the identificator.
Server Network
More than one Minecraft server connected, and owned by an individual or a business is considered as a Minecraft server network.
Spawn
Spawn is the creation of players and mobs inside a Minecraft world. Spawnpoint refers to the point where each player, mob, or entity will appear in the game when requested.
Texture Pack
Collection of files that change the visuals of blocks, items, and other entities inside Minecraft. The default Minecraft texture pack has a resolution of 16×16, but with other texture packs, you can find better resolutions.
SQL
SQL stands for Structured Query Language and is used to insert data and queries into databases supporting it. For example, MongoDB.
Username
The player’s name that is chosen to be seen when joining Minecraft servers. It is used for identification on offline servers, along with a password combination.
UUID
An identification method that distinguishes a player, and preventing to join servers, from which he is banned, or is not whitelisted.
Vanilla
Vanilla means the original and untouched version of Minecraft. Vanilla Minecraft servers have no plugins, mods, or textures, which can change the original Minecraft design or mechanics.
YAML
A configuration format used by the Minecraft server. You can find the YAML files with a “.yml” extension. These are editable files and are included in each Minecraft plugin. By using the server console or log files, you can also see these files producing errors or loading properly.