How to link a custom Minecraft domain name to a private Minecraft server with Cpanel
Unless you have been hiding under a rock, then you will have heard all about Minecraft and its wonderful ability for its players to build custom worlds, but more specifically the ability for more advanced players to host their own Minecraft servers offering them the flexibility of inviting their friends to engage in a customised, private but shared multiplayer experience.
To take it one step further, you can use easy to remember, custom domains to give out to your friends.
This means you can send your friends your custom Minecraft server address like below.
BEFORE: 7abe6d65e50e.eu.minecraft.net
AFTER: joes-custom-minecraft-server.com
Much cooler right!?
Getting Started with a custom Minecraft domain name
Before you start, you need three things.
- The IP address of your Minecraft server.
- A custom domain name.
- Ability to edit your dns zone file for your custom domain.
In this tutorial, the dns zone file will be edited with the Cpanel zone file editor.
Once you have your custom Minecraft domain registered and you have a Cpanel hosted account which allows you to edit the dns settings for the custom domain, you are ready to start configuring the zone file.
NOTE: The default port for Minecraft servers is: 25565 but if you have a different port, then obviously in the steps below insert your custom Minecraft port.
Configuring the Minecraft custom domain in Cpanel
In the example below, Joe wants to give his friend the following domain name so they can connect to his custom Minecraft server.
Joes custom minecraft domain: joes-custom-minecraft-server.com
- Login to Cpanel
- In the search bar type: zone editor and you will see the Zone Editor icon appear.
- After you have clicked on the Zone Editor icon, you will see your custom Minecraft domain name in the list like below. Click on the Manage button to start editing the domain.
- Now you will see a list of zone file settings for your custom Minecraft domain. For the purpose of this tutorial we have removed all unnecessary entries like MX and SPF etc.
Now we will do two things.
A. Edit the A Name record (easy)
B. Add an SRV record (little more advanced)
So click on the Edit button next to the A Record entry.
- Enter the IP of your Minecraft server into the Record field as shown below.
- Now you need to add an SRV record for your custom Minecraft domain. Click on the Add Record button.
- Now you will see the options to configure your new record, so first step is to select the SRV record type from the type dropdown.
- When you select the SRV record from the type menu, some new fields will appear.
- Now you need to enter the values for the SRV settings.
These are the values for these fields.
Name: _minecraft._tcp
Priority: 0
Weight: 5
Port: 25565
Target: joes-custom-minecraft-server.com
When you are ready, click on the Add Record button apply the settings for the custom domain.
- Now you should see the screen like this showing your custom Minecraft domain configured and ready to go.
ALL DONE!!
Your domain name should be ready to go and you can distribute your custom Minecraft domain name to your friends.
How to check if the A Record and SRV records are working?
If you are using a MAC, then just open terminal and type the following command in the terminal command line.
nslookup -q=SRV _minecraft._tcp.joes-custom-minecraft-server.com
As long as you did everything correctly on the cpanel side, this “should” produce the following results.
Post Written by Craig Edmonds
Craig co-owns JUCRA Digital and brings a rich background in hospitality and finance. Transitioning from finance, he embarked on a sabbatical to Marbella, Spain in 2000 and has since made a significant shift into web design and wordpress development. Residing in Marbella ever since, Craig thrives on the dynamic challenges of the internet, has a strong affinity for WordPress, and is an enthusiast of Cpanel.