Setting up a scalable, secure, and modular Minecraft server system is no easy feat.
In this post we will look into how to deploy a Minecraft cluster using Docker, orchestrate the servers with PM2, and manage secure peer-to-peer connections with Holesail.
Whether you're a hobbyist or managing servers for a community, this system provides everything you need to run a robust setup.
# Cluster Source Code:
## https://git.ssh.surf/snxraven/mc-cluster
## Why Build a Minecraft Cluster:
Running a single Minecraft server can be sufficient for small groups, but as player numbers grow, or if you want to offer different experiences (e.g., creative, survival, or modded servers), a clustered setup becomes invaluable. The key benefits include:
1.**Scalability**: Add or remove servers based on demand.
2.**Flexibility**: Host different game modes or mods on separate servers.
3.**Performance**: Distribute player loads across multiple servers.
4.**Security**: Use Holesail for end-to-end encrypted peer-to-peer communication.
## Overview of the System
This system consists of three major components:
1.**Minecraft Server Cluster**: A group of Minecraft servers running FabricMC for mod support, deployed with Docker Compose and orchestrated using PM2.
2.**Velocity Proxy**: A lightweight proxy that routes player connections to the appropriate Minecraft server.
3.**Holesail Networking**: Secure peer-to-peer networking for managing connections between servers and the proxy.
- The `velocity.toml` configuration file specifies backend servers and ports.
- Players connect to the Velocity proxy, which uses Holesail to route traffic to the appropriate server in the cluster.
### 3. **Holesail Networking**
Holesail provides secure peer-to-peer networking using connection strings. This ensures encrypted communication between the Velocity proxy and Minecraft servers.
**Key Points**:
- Each server is assigned a unique connection string and port.
- The `pm2-setup.sh` script initializes Holesail connections.
This command deploys a cluster of Minecraft servers, each with its own connection string and port defined in `pm2-setup.sh`.
### **Step 2: Set Up the JUMP Node**
The JUMP node hosts the Velocity proxy, managing player connections and routing traffic to the Minecraft cluster. The docker compose also starts up the holesail connections to bind the remote Minecraft servers to the local JUMP Server. All connections within velocity are configured within localhost.