**NOTE:** For the device to download all the data, the initial Wi-Fi connection must be functional. You can create a mobile hotspot and change the Wi-Fi network later. If the board is unable to connect to the internet, it will establish a hotspot. You can connect to it and enter the details of the new Wi-Fi network.
Remember that only users connected to the same WiFi network as the Raspberry Pi can connect, so it might be a good idea for one of your friends to share the internet from their mobile phone.
You can get your IP-Address within balenaCloud. You should copy IP-Address from the `LOCAL IP ADDRESS` in `Summary` block.
**NOTE:** You can set Environment Variable within balenaCloud. On the left, simply click on “Device Variables” and then click the “Add Variable” button. Give it a name, and set the value.
**NOTE:** You can also delete everything on the server and automatically reinstall it. On the left, simply click on “Actions” and then click the “Purge Data” button. Insert `1` and click “Purge Data”.
You can connect to your server console using Minecraft RCON. You only need server IP-address, RCON port (usually default) and RCON password (you should change it in server.properties, but default is admin).
If you are using Windows 10 (11) system, you can use [my simple batch script](https://gist.github.com/grey-cat-1908/6aa7894ae94588886aa5a1c7e786b5e4) to install and use Minecraft RCON.
The Host to connect to SFTP is the IP-Address you are using to connect to Minecraft Server, the protocol to choose is SFTP, the port number is 22, the username is “root” (without the quotes) and the password is “admin” (without the quotes). Once the connection is established, remember to navigate to the `/usr/src/mcfiles` directory.
Purpur is automatically installed the first time you run it. If you want to change it, you can set the environment variable `MC_SERVER`. (See the configuration section for more details.) Remember to reinstall the server afterwards (set `FORCE_REINSTALL` environment variable to `1`).
**NOTE:** Please note that `pufferfish` versions can only take integer values, i.e.: `1.19`, `1.20` can be specified; `1.20.4` cannot be specified, the game will not start. If you specify version `1.20`, you will be able to play with `1.20.4`.
You can also set the `MC_SERVER` value to `custom`, but then you must also set the `CUSTOM_BUILD_URL` environment variable. Maybe someone has already done this and written instructions. I suggest you look for the instructions [here](https://github.com/grey-cat-1908/portable-mc-server/issues) or try to do that by yourself.
You can install your plugins by connecting to the server via SFTP. Download the plugins you need from reliable sites (`hangar.papermc.io`, `spigotmc.org` or official plugin sites). Put them in the plugins directory and restart the server. (e.g. with RCON (command `restart`) or by restarting the minecraft service on balenaCloud).
## Disabling online-mode and more...
You can change your `server.properties` by connecting to the server via SFTP. Open and edit file called `server.properties`.
Here you can set `online-mode` value to `false`. After that users will not need a licensed Minecraft afterwards.
Also you can change `rcon.password`, `max-players` value, `motd` and much more things, that are not listed here (go to website `server.properties` to find more properties)
Remember to restart yor server (e.g. with RCON (command `restart`) or by restarting the minecraft service on balenaCloud).
Mods are not supported at the moment, and I don't see the point. As far as I know, servers with mods are not very common, are more difficult to use (everyone has to have the same mod version, etc.), and are more resource intensive (not sure if the Raspberry Pi can handle it).
**NOTE:** However, you could try installing mods using the `custom` server installation option. If you know how to do that, you can post a complete installation guide for beginners [here](https://github.com/grey-cat-1908/portable-mc-server/issues). You will probably help a lot of people, and support for this type of server may be added in the future.
YES! You can connect to the server using Minecraft Bedrock and play with your friends. To do this, set the `SUPPORT_BEDROCK` environment variable to `1` and restart the server.
Bedrock players can connect to the server by specifying port `19132`, which is the default port for Minecraft Bedrock. The IP-address must be the same as the one used by Minecraft Java players.
**NOTE:** You must be running the latest version of Minecraft. If you want to upgrade to a newer version, you will need to manually remove `geyser.jar` and `floodgate.jar` from the `plugins` folder using SFTP (we wrote about this earlier). If you want to remove Minecraft Bedrock support, remove the plugins and set the `SUPPORT_BEDROCK` environment variable to `0`.
If you want to make the server available outside your WiFi network, you can use something like **No-IP**. I've never used it, so I can't give you any advice. If you know how it works, you can write instructions and send a pull request.
If you have any questions or want to get involved in the project in any way, you can use all GitHub instruments (Issues and Pull Requests) or just [email me](mailto:mail@mrkrk.me).
