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Godlike.Host offers modded Minecraft server hosting with one-click modpacks, a built-in mod installer and up to three free backups a day.
To host an FTB Presents: Direwolf20 — Season 14 server, install the matching FTB server release in a dedicated directory, use Java 21, provide at least 4 GB of RAM (6 GB recommended), accept the EULA on first start, and launch the generated script. Players must run the exact same pack release. Friends outside your home network also need a port-forward from TCP/UDP port 25565 to the server computer and a firewall rule allowing Minecraft.
The installer is the safest way to build the server because it downloads the files for the selected release and creates the launch script. The instructions below cover Windows, Linux and macOS, memory tuning, first startup, remote access, updates, backups and the trade-offs between running the server at home and using managed hosting.
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What Season 14 server you are installing
FTB Presents: Direwolf20 — Season 14 is the FTB/Direwolf20 pack for the Minecraft 1.21.1 ecosystem and uses NeoForge. The server files are version-locked: a client on one release is not interchangeable with a server on another. CurseForge lists server-file releases such as 1.17.0 and 1.18.3, while FTB’s current server browser exposes the 1.21 release stream and its release IDs. Treat the release number selected in the installer as part of the server configuration, not as a cosmetic label.
FTB’s server page currently lists 1.21.0 as release ID 100464 and also exposes newer release IDs. Select the release your group has agreed to use, then install that same release on every player’s client. If the launcher offers a newer build later, do not update only one side: back up first and schedule a coordinated client-and-server change.
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Requirements before you begin
Hardware and memory
- FTB publishes 4 GB of RAM as the minimum and 6 GB as the recommended allocation for the pack.
- Reserve memory for the operating system, file cache and any other applications. A machine with exactly 6 GB total RAM should not give all of it to Java.
- No official universal player-count, CPU, storage or bandwidth figure is published. Actual capacity depends on simulation load, view distance, installed mods, world size and the host’s hardware.
Software and account access
- Use Java 21. The FTB installer downloads the correct Java version automatically, but inspect the launch output if several Java installations are present.
- Have administrator rights on Windows or permission to execute files on Linux/macOS.
- Keep several gigabytes of free disk space for the installer, libraries, world saves, logs and backups. The official requirements do not specify a fixed storage amount, so monitor free space rather than relying on a universal number.
- For remote friends, you need router access to create a port-forward and permission to change the host firewall.
Choose the exact release and download the installer
- Open FTB’s Direwolf20 1.21 server-files page and identify the release your clients will run. Confirm the release ID rather than choosing a similarly named file from an old guide.
- Create a dedicated directory such as
Direwolf20-Season14-Server. Keep the directory separate from personal files and from any other Minecraft server. - Download the operating-system installer into that directory. Windows supplies an executable; Linux supplies a
curlcommand. macOS follows the Unix-style execution process. - Do not rename the installer. FTB states that “The server installer uses the file name to know which pack to install!” A renamed file can prevent the installer from identifying the intended pack and version.
For Linux, the official page supplies this form; replace the release ID only when selecting a different release, and preserve the versioned filename:
curl -JLO "https://api.feed-the-beast.com/v1/modpacks/public/modpack/126/100464/server/linux"
chmod +x serverinstall_126_100464
./serverinstall_126_100464The URL above downloads the Linux installer for release ID 100464. If you select another release, use the command generated for that release instead of editing the filename by guesswork.
Install the server on Windows
- Place the unchanged FTB installer executable in the dedicated server directory.
- Double-click the installer. Approve the operating-system security prompt if Windows displays one, then follow the installer’s prompts.
- Allow the installer to finish downloading the pack files. Do not close the window while it is creating libraries, configuration files and the launch scripts.
- When installation completes, confirm that the directory contains
run.batand the generated server files. - Start the server by double-clicking
run.bator by opening Command Prompt in that directory and runningrun.bat. Running it from the directory keeps relative paths and logs in the expected location.
If Windows reports that Java is missing, do not immediately install a random Java version. The installer is designed to obtain the required runtime; read the console output and check whether security software blocked the download or whether the generated script points to a different Java installation.
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Install on Linux or macOS
- Open a terminal and change to the directory containing the unchanged installer, for example
cd ~/Direwolf20-Season14-Server. - Make the installer executable with
chmod +x, as shown in the official command sequence. - Run it from that directory with
./serverinstall_126_100464or the exact filename supplied for your release. - Follow the prompts and wait for the download and file-generation steps to finish.
- Launch the completed installation with
./run.sh. Keep the terminal attached for the first run so you can read errors and see when the server reaches its ready state.
On macOS, Gatekeeper may warn about an executable downloaded from the internet. Confirm that you obtained it from the official FTB server-files page, then use the system’s allowed-app controls if macOS blocks the first execution. Do not rename the installer to work around the warning.
Complete the first launch and EULA
Run the generated script once and read the console output. A first start may create eula.txt and stop before the world loads. Historical FTB forum guidance describes changing eula=false to eula=true, saving the file and starting again. Because this behavior can vary by installer release, verify the files actually generated by your selected version.
- Stop the process if it is still running.
- Open
eula.txtin a plain-text editor. - Change only the value after
eula=totrueif the file requests acceptance. - Save the file without changing its name or extension.
- Run
run.baton Windows or./run.shon Linux/macOS again.
Accepting the EULA means you agree to Minecraft’s terms for running the server. If no EULA file is created, follow the prompt shown by that release rather than creating unrelated files manually.
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Set memory without exhausting the host
Use FTB’s 4 GB minimum and 6 GB recommendation as allocation targets, not as a promise of a particular player count. A practical starting point on a host with additional memory is an initial heap around 4 GB and a maximum around 6 GB. Only use those values if the machine can spare them after the operating system and other services have been accounted for.
Find the launch settings
- Open the generated
run.batorrun.shin a text editor, not a word processor. - Look for Java heap options named
-Xms(initial heap) and-Xmx(maximum heap). The exact layout is release-dependent. - If those options are exposed, set conservative values appropriate to the machine, such as an initial value near 4G and a maximum near 6G on a host with adequate spare RAM.
- Save a backup copy of the original script before editing and retain the installer’s generated structure.
Measure before increasing memory
Watch the server console and the host’s system metrics while players explore, generate terrain and use machines. Increase the maximum only when monitoring shows garbage-collection pauses, tick lag or out-of-memory errors and the host still has free memory. Giving Java all available RAM can make the operating system swap or become unresponsive, which is worse than a smaller, stable heap.
Because FTB does not publish a universal capacity guarantee, record the number of players, view distance and activity present when lag occurs. That information is more useful than applying a generic “players per gigabyte” rule.
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- Do not mix memory kits. Memory kits are sold in matched kits that are designed to run together as a set. Mixing memory kits will result in stability issues or system failure.
Start, stop and operate the server safely
Normal startup
- Start the generated script from the server directory.
- Wait for the console to finish loading the NeoForge environment and world. The first start can take longer while files and the initial world are created.
- Keep the console visible until you see the normal ready message for that release.
- Connect locally before inviting outside players. This separates installation problems from router and firewall problems.
Clean shutdown
Use the server console’s normal stop command (typically stop) and wait for the save to complete. Do not kill the process or power off the computer while the world is writing. A clean stop reduces the chance of corrupted region or player files.
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Run as a service only after testing
Once the interactive launch works, Linux administrators can place the script under a service manager and Windows operators can use a scheduled task or service wrapper. Keep the working directory, Java path, environment variables and log location identical to the tested interactive launch. Service setup is operating-system-specific; verify that it restarts the correct release and does not start two copies of the world.
Let players connect on your home network
Players on the same LAN
Give local players the host computer’s private address, such as its address on the home network, and the Minecraft port configured by the server. A local connection does not require exposing the router to the internet. If the host’s address changes after a reboot, create a DHCP reservation or configure a fixed local address so saved instructions remain valid.
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Players outside your home
- Assign the server computer a stable local address using a DHCP reservation or a correctly configured static address.
- In the router’s port-forwarding screen, forward the default Minecraft port, 25565, from the internet-facing interface to that local address. Use the protocol options required by your router and server; many routers offer TCP/UDP or “both.”
- Allow the Java runtime or server process through the host operating system’s firewall for the same port. Firewall commands and UI labels differ between Windows, Linux distributions and macOS.
- Start the server and have an off-network player test the connection using your public address. Testing from inside the same LAN can give misleading results on routers without NAT loopback.
- Share the public address only with intended players. Avoid posting it publicly, and review the port-forward rule whenever the server computer or router is replaced.
Some internet providers use carrier-grade NAT, which prevents inbound forwarding even when the router is configured correctly. If an off-network test still fails, compare the router’s public address with the address shown by a trusted external check and ask the provider whether inbound connections are supported.
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The installer will not identify the pack
- Confirm that the installer filename is unchanged and matches the release you selected.
- Re-download the installer into the dedicated directory rather than renaming an old copy.
- Check that security software did not quarantine part of the download.
The script reports a Java error
- Confirm that the selected pack release requires Java 21.
- Read the generated launch output to see which Java executable is being used when multiple versions are installed.
- Let the installer obtain its runtime, or correct the script’s Java path only after making a backup.
The server stops after the first run
- Look for
eula.txtand follow the release’s prompt to seteula=true. - Check that the account running the script can write to the server directory.
- Read the final console error before deleting files; removing configuration or world data can make recovery harder.
Local players connect but remote players cannot
- Verify the port-forward points to the server’s current local address.
- Confirm that the host firewall allows the Java/server process.
- Check for carrier-grade NAT or a second router performing NAT.
- Ensure remote players use the public address, while local players use the private address.
Players see a version or mod mismatch
- Compare the complete FTB release identifier on the client and server.
- Do not copy a newer client
modsdirectory into an older server. - Install the same pack release through the normal launcher or installer rather than mixing files from different releases.
Back up and update without losing the world
Back up before every change
Stop the server cleanly, then copy the world directory, configuration files and the complete server directory to storage that is not the live disk. Keep more than one dated backup and occasionally restore one to a separate test directory. A backup that has never been tested is only an assumption.
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- Announce maintenance and stop the current server.
- Copy the world, configuration and server directory to a dated backup location.
- Record the current release ID and any custom settings or added server-side files.
- Select the target release in FTB’s official installer and install it in a new directory, or follow the installer’s supported update process.
- Do not overwrite the only copy of the old server. Test the new installation with a copy of the world before opening it to the group.
- Update every player’s client to the same release before reconnecting them.
FTB notes that its installer can pull updated or hot-fixed files without shipping a replacement archive. That is why using the official installer is preferable to assembling individual jars manually.
Self-hosting versus managed hosting
Running the server at home gives you direct control, but you also become the administrator responsible for the machine and network. FTB’s official modpack page names BisectHosting as its partner for readers who want a managed service. Current plan prices, limits, locations and affiliate terms are not established here, so verify those details on the provider’s current order page before committing.
| Consideration | Self-hosted at home | Managed service |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront and recurring cost | Uses existing hardware and electricity; exact cost depends on your equipment and connection. | Recurring subscription; current price and plan limits require verification. |
| Files and mod control | Full access to scripts, configs, saves and backups. | Control depends on the provider’s panel and filesystem access. |
| Backups and updates | You schedule backups, test restores and coordinate release changes. | The provider may supply tools or policies, but you must confirm what is included. |
| Uptime and support | Depends on your power, hardware, internet service and maintenance. | Datacenter uptime and support are part of the service, subject to its terms. |
| Network setup | Requires a stable local address, port 25565 forwarding and firewall configuration. | Usually avoids home-router forwarding; confirm how players receive the connection address. |
| Memory capacity | Allocate at least 4 GB, with 6 GB recommended by FTB, while leaving headroom for the host. | Choose a plan that explicitly supplies at least the pack’s published requirement. |
Choose self-hosting when you are comfortable maintaining Java, the operating system, backups and router security. Choose managed hosting when continuous availability and avoiding home-network administration matter more than direct hardware control. In either case, keep clients and server on the same release and retain your own world backups.
Quick Recap
Operational checklist
- Release selected and recorded, with every client using that exact release.
- Unchanged FTB installer stored in a dedicated server directory.
- Java 21 available through the installer or verified in launch output.
- At least 4 GB of RAM allocated, with 6 GB as the recommended target and memory reserved for the operating system.
- First launch completed and the EULA accepted when requested.
- Local connection tested before remote access is enabled.
- Stable local address, port 25565 forwarding and firewall rule configured for outside players.
- World, configuration and server-directory backups created before updates.
- Console and system metrics monitored so lag, pauses and memory errors can be corrected with evidence.
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