Build and Operate Dedicated Game Servers on Linux

Start with the task you need to finish

For a new server, start with installation and joining. For an existing server, begin with recovery and updates. Follow each reading path to the next operational task.

• Palworld

  1. Install and join → 2. Save, stop and back up → 3. Update and roll back

• Minecraft Java

  1. Install the base server → 2. Run Fabric with Docker → 3. Investigate lag

• An existing server

  Prove a backup can be restored · Monitor resource usage · Measure your admin website response

Start with your symptom to find the checks, their meaning, and how to confirm the server works again.

• Game Server Running but Friends Cannot Join? Seven Checks in Order

  Diagnose Minecraft Java and Palworld join failures through process readiness, TCP/UDP, Docker publishing, router rules, external tests and version matching.

• Game Server Suddenly Stops: Diagnose Memory Pressure and Exit 137

  Distinguish Docker Exit 137, confirmed OOM kills, Java heap exhaustion, container limits and shutdown timeouts before changing memory settings.

• Game Server Disk Full: What to Check Before Deleting World Data

  Diagnose save failures through filesystem space, inodes, backups, logs and Docker mounts, then recover without treating world data as disposable.

• Game Server Fails After Reboot: Read and Fix systemd Startup Errors

  Diagnose a Minecraft or Palworld server that starts manually but fails on boot through enablement, executable paths, service users, mounts and restart limits.

• Move a Game Server to a New Computer: Saves, Configuration and Cutover

  Migrate a Minecraft or Palworld Linux dedicated server with matching builds, verified save paths, copy checks, permissions, external access and a rollback boundary.

• Minecraft 26.2 Server Management Protocol 3.0.0 Series

  Keep the JSON-RPC WebSocket control plane on localhost and discover its schema, auth, and readiness.

• Minecraft Bedrock Dedicated Server on Ubuntu Linux Series

  Official Bedrock binary, UDP 19132, an allowlist, systemd, and recoverable world backups.

• Valheim Dedicated Server on Linux With SteamCMD Series

  Steam versus Crossplay, ports, world paths, permission lists, and safe updates.

• Project Zomboid Build 42 Dedicated Server on Linux Series

  App 380870, an absolute cachedir, friends.ini, Workshop mods, and updates.

• Factorio Headless Dedicated Server on Linux Series

  Official headless package, save creation, UDP 34197, mod parity, and backups.

• Terraria 1.4.5.8 Dedicated Server on Linux Series

  serverconfig.txt, TCP 7777, verified saves, and staged release switching.

• Prove Game Server Backups With a Restore Drill Series

  Boot copied Minecraft, Palworld, or Satisfactory data away from production and perform a real join.

• 7 Days to Die V3.1 Dedicated Server on Linux With Docker Series

  Install V3.1, apply SandboxCode, forward the right ports, and run safe backups and updates.

• Build Your Own Palworld Server, Part 1: Launch It on Linux With Docker Series

  The start of a hands-on series on hosting a Palworld server at home - from install to friends joining.

• Palworld Server, Part 6: Updating the Server on Patch Day Series

  The latest part: why the game updates itself but your server does not, pinned version tags, and a safe update-and-rollback procedure.

• Build Your Own Minecraft Server, Part 1: A Java Server on Linux Series

  The Java version trap, the eula step, key settings, and a systemd unit that survives reboots.

• Minecraft Server, Part 2: A Fabric Mod Server, Run With Docker Series

  Fabric install, the file ownership trap, and world backups without stopping the server.

• Self-Hosting a Satisfactory Dedicated Server With Docker Series

  What each of the three ports does, the shutdown trap that eats progress, and installing mods with ficsit.

• Home Server Auto-Recovery, Part 2: When Only the Network Dies Ops note

  A watchdog that checks itself every minute and recovers in stages: USB rebind, driver reload, reboot.

• Home Server Auto-Recovery, Part 1: Reboot Itself After a Crash Ops note

  The sysctl settings that bring a dead kernel back in 35 seconds with nobody home - a real incident log.

• Palworld Server, Part 2: The Save Trap, Safe Shutdown, and Backups Series

  The shutdown that silently discards progress, plus automatic backups - traps from real operation.

• Palworld Server, Part 3: Build a Browser Admin Page Series

  A server control page with buttons, built in Node with zero external packages.

• Palworld Server, Part 4: Power Control, Console, and a Live Map Series

  Power on/off, console logs, and plotting player positions on a map.

• Hash-Based Duplicate File Checks Guide

  A short guide to SHA-256 duplicate checks and why hashes are more reliable than filenames.

• Find Duplicate Images With Python and Print Delete Candidates Code

  A practical SHA-256 example for finding identical images and reviewing candidates before deletion.

• Image Information Analysis Guide

  How to inspect dimensions, aspect ratio, and megapixels in the browser before choosing thumbnail settings.

• Choosing WebP Conversion Settings Guide

  How to pick quality, max width, and output format, and convert images in the browser.

• Check EXIF Privacy Before Sharing Photos Guide

  How capture time and GPS location stay inside photos, and how to remove them.

• Serving Large Files From PHP Safely Code

  Output buffers, non-ASCII filename headers, and CDN timeouts - streaming fixes from real operation code.

• Bulk Thumbnail Generation With Python Pillow Code

  An idempotent batch thumbnail script covering RGB conversion and skip rules.

• Protect Private Files With PHP and Nginx Guide

  Separate file folders from the public root and serve them only through an authenticated router.

• Shareable Source Examples Code

  Short examples for hash duplicate checks, authenticated media routing, and Nginx deny rules.

• Automation Code Lessons Lesson

  Reusable lessons from real operation code: dedupe, scheduled jobs, and SQLite history patterns.

• Avoiding Common cron Schedule Mistakes Ops note

  Frequent cron expression mistakes and safe scheduling rules for small servers.

• Server Status Webhook Alerts With a Shell Script Ops note

  Send CPU, memory, and disk reports to a messenger using only top, free, and df.

• How to Estimate Image Server Storage Capacity Ops note

  Separate originals, thumbnails, and backup copies to size your disk correctly.

• Operation Notes Ops note

  Practical notes for checking response time, error rate, and cache behavior on a small PHP site.