Server JARs

Server JARs are what the actually server itself runs on! These are simply JAR files that contain Minecraft. You can run the default vanilla Minecraft JAR, but that isn't recommended. Rather, you can choose either a PaperMC, Fabric or the dozen other server JARs available. Here is a more in-depth guide on server JARs:

Bukkit
└── Spigot
    └── Paper
        ├── Folia
        ├── Purpur
        └── Pufferfish

Do you want to use mods?
├── ✅ Yes
│   └── Use a Mod-based server like Fabric or NeoForge.
└── ❌ No
    └── Are you planning on using advanced moderating and anti-cheat features?
        ├── ✅ Yes
        │   └── Use a plugin-based server, as there are more options for this in the plugin market.
        └── ❌ No
            └── Do you value Vanilla parity?
                ├── ✅ Yes
                │   └── Then use a mod-based server, and use only performance enhancing and simply QoL mods.
                └── ❌ No
                    └── Welp, if you are just going for a simple non-technical server, paper is very easy to set up.

This is a basic tree showing our server infrastructure. We will now go more in-depth. One important note is that our server is fully built from the ground up at home on our own servers. Using a public server host, it may be difficult to replicate this setup without shelling out a lot of cash.

Player Client (Fabric)
└── Playit.gg Tunnel (connects client to server)
    └── Velocity Proxy (proxies traffic to all servers)
        ├── Plugins
        │   ├── GeyserMC (allows Bedrock clients)
        │   │   └── GeyserExtras (extra features for Bedrock players)
        │   └── TAB (Scoreboards, bossbars, other cosmetics)
        └── Backend servers
            ├── Lobby server (Paper 1.21.11)
            ├── Minigame server (Fabric 1.21.11)
            └── Eternal Realm server (Fabric 1.21.11)

Playit.gg

Playit is a simple system that allows you to make your server accessible to the public extremely easily. No port forwarding is needed (port forwarding is not only hard, but impossible for many if hosting at home.) Their website says it pretty well:

Host game servers from your own computer and let friends join from anywhere. No port forwarding required. Premium just $3/month.

We use playit.gg because our ISP puts us behind a CGNAT. This basically means not only is port forwarding impossible for us, we don't even have our own IP address! It is shared with the whole region. This is unfortunately very common in residential areas. This isn't sponsored in any way just so you know, Playit.gg is just very easy for us.

Velocity Proxy

Velocity is a new-ish proxy, made by the same team who made Velocity! It essentially allows you to run multiple servers under a single IP, and allows you to send players to one or another using plugins that utilize the Velocity API! A proxy is REQUIRED if you want a big server network like ours. Other options include Waterfall and Bungeecoord, but those are partially outdated, and Velocity has just suited our server better.

Also, here is our list of Velocity plugins and why we use them. Thank us later :)

• GeyserMC : This one is ESSENTIAL. We use it to allow Minecraft Bedrock players to connect to our server. It also has an extensions system, with both official and unofficial extensions you can use to enhance the Bedrock experience.
  • ThirdPartyCosmetics (official) : This extension allows Bedrock players to see certain custom Java cosmetics, like custom capes and ears (think DeadMau5).
  • GeyserExtras (unofficial) : This extension adds important features to Bedrock clients. It gives them a special menu (accessed by double-tapping the inventory button) that allows them to access their Java advancements, statistics, and other Java-exclusive menus. It also gives them a proper looking attack indicator, as well as particles such as critical-hit, sharpness, sweeping edge, etc.
• Floodgate : This plugin, made by the same team behind GeyserMC, is important for bedrock players. It authenticates Bedrock players that do not have a Java account. It also enables many many other features. This is important as this is most Bedrock players anyway. This should be installed on both the proxy and the backend, so backend plugins/mods can use the Floodgate API.

Backend servers

• TAB : This plugin allows you to decorate your server with custom bossbars, scoreboards, tablists, nametags, and more! And you NEVER have to touch weird commands! You can install it on backend servers, but it is way simpler and unified on the proxy.
  • TABScoreboardAPI : If you are using it on a proxy, you need this library plugin, as it gives Velocity a scoreboard API (it does not have one by default)
• MiniMOTD : This plugin is simple. It just allows you to create a nice looking MOTD and server icon, but fancy! It also allows you to add multiple randomized versions, and more. A must-have imo.

As already stated, we run a bunch of backend servers for different reasons. Instead of highlighting the server themselves, I will highlight what mods and plugins we use!