Dedicated Server for Minecraft:EE
Could we please have an option to create a dedicated server with classroom controls? I have different classes that use the same world, and it would simplify things for the students and teachers if the world was "always up".
Also - are there any plans to increase the player limit above 30? I would love to get 100+ students in there for massive projects...!
Many thanks and keep up the hard work
FG
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From a technical perspective if we can host something our self it would be great, and easier for teachers so they dont have to use time on setting up servers. I would like something linke this:
- Works like realms
- Containeraised servers ( Docker, kubernetest etc...)
- Easy to join.
- 100-200 player support.
- Should be able to joine inside your Microsoft 365 tenant without much trouble.
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For performance purposes I really hope its not gonna be the java version. We need something thats coded in a language thats from this century.
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can you make it so your server code doesn't change when your computer/pc close's.
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Hi
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Vyom Patel that may or may not go unanswered...
also i noticed the "open pilot" has either been taken down or moved, i get a 404 error when i try to click on it, which means that plans of any sort for dedicated server hosting is probably out the window. shame we couldnt get it.
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hi
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Any sort of server that will allow for a more or less always up world that education edition students can connect to is so very needed.
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Minecraft Java and Bedrock was released on Xbox Game Pass for PC. It is bundled together and has a dedicated launcher, were you can choose what version you want to play.
100% speculation here:
It seems Microsoft has figured how to license a Microsoft accounts for both version of Minecraft. I don't see why they couldn't make the Minecraft EE to behave like Xbox Game Pass version. Then schools/teachers could create their own self hosted Java Minecraft server, since you get a license for the Java version.
Just a guess.
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Andy Klavins - I don't know much about these things, but I just looked up MC:Java edition, and it costs $26.95 - I am using a $5.00 Education edition version right here on any number of computers that I log into. The priority is definitely to keep the experience fun and engaging and the wonderful Minecraft immersive experience! Like HOSHINO HISASHI , so many educators are using innovative and trend-setting tools and methods in their classrooms and clubs to build an incredible educational experience for their students. Folks like Aleece Landis are bringing new perspectives and testing the limits of what we have while reaching for better ways to reach our learning environment for the future. Creative, dedicated Minecraft users like Scotty W bring perspective and a desire to see new frontiers for the product.
For myself, I also keep in mind the security issues, while wishing for things that push against those restrictions. For example, Python code cannot write to files. Believe me, I have had plenty of students in my classes who could cause tons of trouble by getting file writing permission! However, not being able to write to files means they cannot develop sufficient coding experience. It is a balance.
There are students I would ~ not ~ want to have access to an unsupervised Minecraft server under a school account, where their usernames were their actual school names, etc. (or even avatar-style names which could be identified.) I have enough work keeping up with reality trouble without having virtual trouble.
I think it is a loaded question. We will see what ends up happening. I know what button I would push for our school if there were an on/off button.
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@Debbie Alexander unfortunately (although fortunately due to the privacy legislation issues and hardware/network security issues with Java servers) the JAVA version is not available in our school system (DET NSW AU). It would be quite simple for Microsoft to allocate each school an account and then have that account be an OP account but non-object in game. Setup the server with teachers as OPs and the world settings as allowing OP commands. The number of players is limited mainly by hosting system RAM, second bottle neck is CPU speed, third is network, fourth is SSD/HDD access speed. The RAM is not an issue with most DET NSW devices from 2014ish onwards. They can fit out up to 32GB, some 64GB. This is an easy fix with minimal cost and is user servicable. The software change for expanding the player limit should be based on the app requesting available RAM and then allowing the server operator to choose the number of concurrent players within the EE world setup screen. This should not be hard for Microsoft. I feel that there are other issues at play here, and they are not benevolent. Bottom dollar is my take on this matter.
I haven't, as yet been able to wrangle permission for our central ICT to setup a server on the schools XEON based server, that would be ideal. Setup the VM to have up to 128GB RAM and utilise a few cores. That would be the best, although if Microsoft came up with a dedicated server for bedrock EE, that would be awesome. I would posit that the central ICT would definitely not allow JAVA based apps on the server due to security issues.
On the point of certain students requiring supervision, there should be a grey list in the EE that prevents/kicks grey listed students from being on the server whilst a teacher-moderator is not present. This would be able to be incorporated into holistic wellbeing programs and allow supportive and cooperative students a reward while allowing limitations to be imposed after nasty behaviour from certain students (perhaps with auto time limits). Further, having a dedicated server would enable a permament log of chat to be held for review by Ps in such cases.
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Need this... need this... need this...
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They could just make a docker container. Spin it up on azure / on-prem whatever floats your boat.
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I'd believe this is a licensing issue, and MS doesn't want it available offline. Most companies have moved to the the subscription model. Yet places like Autodesk give out stand-alone student software for free. Making students familiar with your software is a great idea for the long run. Crippling function to secure income does the opposite.
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This is the only thing this app needs, my class has little SMPS and they can only play if the owner is online.
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Il faudrait qu'il y ait la possibilité de créer des serveurs sur minecraft éducation pour pouvoir jouer sur différentes connexions wifi
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Aleece Landis can you please do a more offical write up on your process on your homegrown server setup. I want to run a few of these servers at my k-12 private school for each devision. I have plenty of accounts and hardware I just need a run down on how you actually allowed your students to sleep in the world for someone who doesn't actually play minecraft.
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I had already worked with a few students to make this happen. I actually built 3 standalone host computers. I learned a lot in the process which the big thing being stuents can connect with IP address a not just share codes. This means my host desktops can run 24/7 which will be avialable even if the host code changes. I have all three desktops on different vlans which keeps each world unatanble from each division. So far each server has been running for 3 full days.
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Completely agree, I am a CTE teacher and do AWS Academy. I would love to be able to have my students build a server with EC2, then connect to it. I have done it with the Java Edition, but obviously would prefer an EE.
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Yes. I'm a ITE teacher (think STEM) and some of the best learning for my students comes from their ideas on how to approach a problem. I have them work/update the WIN10 computers in the lab, setup chromebooks for other classrooms as well. Many students have the same complaints about not being able to set up a server. They love coding in Minecraft, but get frustrated about this issue. Many know how to set up a server on the bedrock or java versions. The idea of "classroom mode" is great, but it doesn't work. The further out the kids get in the world, things come to a stand-still. I know it's only $5 per student, but it does not work as advertised.
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I'm not sure how to do a "Official" write up on what I do. It isn't really a server, just using the server function already in the game client.
For instance, I named my "spare" student account "HOST". And if I have that account hosting a "survival multiplay sort of world" I will place the Host player in the Nether so that regular players in the over world are able to sleep. Biggest problem is the game client seems to regularly need to be reset. At the very least the join code needs to be reset. Most of my students have to join using the IP address and port numbers since we have several computers at our location and all but one of my students is remote.
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Thanks Aleece Landis but i'm all set now. I was able to build 3 host desktops which all have been running for over a week now with zero issues. The host player in the Nether worked perfectly. All three desktops are on different vlans which allows my student base to be forced onto what's only available on their dedicated vlans. My school is k-12 so I have a host desktops set for each division that already was using 3 different vlans. So for example even though they connect with an ip address they could never connect to the other host desktops due to network restrictions. My next step is to port forward those IP addresses so kids can play at home as well. Honestly this setup is great and I don't really have any complaints yet except maybe for allowing more than 40 players at a time.
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Joe Scanlon I'm jealous! I've never been able to keep the "server" running for that long. It either crashes or the join code has to be regenerated.
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Joe Scanlon I've been having my students join that way. However, I wonder if students actually are able to stay connected or reconnect when it shows that the join code quit working. I've always thought that failure had more to do with the hosting client's connection to whatever service microsoft has on the web for those join codes, and if that has timed out I usually need to restart the game client anyway for things to keep working smoothly. BUT that may well have more to do with my old computers. I suppose if you have a powerful, CLEAN DEDICATED machine that doesn't do anything else, there probably isn't anything else going on that will cause these things to hang.
Good to hear you have a functional solution.
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Aleece Landis I do have clean didectated windows 10 desktops for just minecraft hosting. I have tested your theory about the codes not loading and have noticed you can connect with IP no matter what. Codes or no Codes it works everytime.
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I tried the method mentioned above on hosting a world locally with a host in the nether. 23 students logged in, no lag. It worked well on the LAN, but remote students could not login. I don't know if I can get around our firewall. Would port forwarding be something to consider?
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William Pearson That's my next project is to port forward my desktops to gain access outsidethe network. I know it's possible with some information i've seen on other threards.
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Great. Let me know how it works out please.
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Joe Scanlon Awesome, good to know!
I have managed the port forwarding for my situation, of course I'm doing this all from home. My biggest challenge is my ISP doesn't allow me to separate out the incoming port from the forwarded port so I actually had to purchase a second router to set up here and do the port forwarding twice. Once to forward all the ports to the new router and then use the new router to break out which computer would get the different ports (since minecraft education edition is always going to look for it just on 19132. Ugh, yet another reason I would have loved to have access to some server software.)
If you guys are in school computer labs, I'm sure you will have to work with who ever manages the school networks to handle the port forwarding.
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Aleece Landis Luckly I am the IT department in my situation.. This is made the process more streamline when I control everything from accounts, hardware, software, and networking.
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Sadly no Jonothan Porterhouse it seems that there are a few key differences between the 2 that don't work together, but I believe that they wouldn't have to do that much to make it work, although I feel like if they were to do this they would do it in an easier or more kid-friendly design.
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