written by RJ Wattenhofer

This article includes all the necessary files and information required to structure and build a 1.7.10 Cauldron server in less than thirty minutes. When we are finished you will have a functioning server that will be able to run Minecraft mods and Bukkit plugins simultaneously.

Begin by clicking the download link located in the upper right-hand corner of this page. This .zip file contains:

libraries (folder)
cauldron-1.7.10-server (.jar)
eula (.txt)
forge-1.7.10-installer (.jar)
minecraft_server.1.7.10 (.jar)
run-server (.bat)
server-icon (.png)

EULA: The eula.txt file contains the Mojang End User License Agreement, which is a legal contract between a software application author or publisher (i.e. Mojang) and the user of that application (i.e. you). You will need to open the file and mark it 'true': if it is marked 'false' or is missing from the root directory your server will not start.

FORGE INSTALLATION: If you already have Forge installed on your computer then go ahead and skip this section. If you have been playing exclusively on Minecraft vanilla or single player and have never played with mods then you will need to install 1.7.10 Forge.

Double click on the .jar file titled 'forge-1.7.10-installer'. A small interface will pop up (see left image). Make sure the 'Install client' radio button is selected and then click the 'OK' button. Forge will install itself in the correct directory.

START THE SERVER: Double-click the .bat file titled 'run-server'. The CMD interface will pop up (see right image) and cauldron will begin to download and install additional needed files.

If the CMD window pops up and then immediately closes then there is a problem with either your earlier Java installation or the file path is incorrect. I have set the run-server.bat file's Java path to:

For the server to initialize you will need to make sure that both your Java version and file path are entered correctly in the run-server.bat file.

Keep the CMD window up and take a look in the server folder. You will see that along with the initial seven files/folders you downloaded from my website you now have several new ones.

The primary items are the mods & plugins folders and the server.properties file. You can drop your 1.7.10 mods and plugins in their respective folders and edit the server.properties file to your specificatons.

TESTING THE SERVER:

Start the Minecraft client and click the 'profile' dropdown. You will see your Minecraft username and Forge. Select Forge and then click the 'Edit profile' button, as seen below:

It should have automatically defaulted to version release 1.7.10, but check it to make sure. Now click the 'Play' button, select Multiplayer and then choose 'Add server'. In the server Address field type localhost.

Your server will have a green checkmark next to it indicating it is active. Localhost is purely for testing the server, as the only person that can play on it is you.

SERVER HOSTING OPTIONS:

If you would like to run this server from your own computer you will need to set up port forwarding. and then supply the external IP (assigned by your ISP) to your friends. Normally your wireless/cable router is assigned to this address. Here is your external IP:

Instead of port forwarding, you could use a free host proxy (VPN) service that allows you to extend LAN-like networks to gamer friends. Here are the top three:

1) Hamachi

2) Evolve

3) Tunngle

If you are renting your own dedicated Virtual Private Server (VPS) you can simply create a new directory on the server and then FTP all the Cauldron files to it. You will not need the run-server.bat file so go ahead and delete that. Instead, you will start the server using PuTTY or a similar CMD interface.

After all the files are uploaded, login to your VPS via a CMD interface, navigate to the Minecraft directory and then run the following command:

 

java -Xmx1024M -Xmx2G -jar cauldron-1.7.10-server.jar nogui

Type screen to keep the Cauldron server running, after which you can close the CMD window. If you want to stop the server, type reboot -f - this will reboot your VPS.

REMINDER: Remember to configure the server.properties file with the correct information, including your IP address, maximum number of players and whitelist status.

You're all set: Now go have fun with your friends!