# Hardware
Source: https://help.play.hosting/hardware



All Minecraft servers we deploy now run on **AMD Ryzen 7950X** processors, which are known for their very high single thread performance. This means we can run many servers on a single machine, while maintaining high TPS and reducing the risk of lag on our users' servers.

<Frame>
  <img alt="AMD Epyc nodes" />
</Frame>

We then use **NVMe SSDs** for storage while servers are running, which offer great read/write speeds, but store your servers on high-capacity **HDDs** when not in use, in a separate NAS cluster.

<Frame>
  <img alt="Storage cluster" />
</Frame>


# Introduction
Source: https://help.play.hosting/introduction



<img alt="Play Hosting banner" />

## Welcome to Play Hosting!

**Thanks for creating a server.** You chose the right place for high-performance and - most importantly - FREE server hosting, available for everyone.

Play Hosting has full support for a huge library of plugins and modpacks, meaning you can customise your server to your heart's desire. These docs will provide you with all you need to get started with our platform. You can find some of the most popular articles below:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Setting up your server" icon="gear" href="/minecraft/setup">
    Configure your server to your liking
  </Card>

  <Card title="Joining the queue" icon="clock" href="/minecraft/queue">
    Find out about our queue system
  </Card>

  <Card title="Using the console" icon="terminal" href="/minecraft/console">
    Manage your server with the console
  </Card>

  <Card title="Discord" icon="discord" href="https://play.hosting/discord">
    Need more help? Ask in our Discord server
  </Card>
</CardGroup>


# Using the console
Source: https://help.play.hosting/minecraft/console



<Frame>
  <img alt="Console page" />
</Frame>

To start your server, click the **Start** button in the top-right. This can take a minute if your server is starting for the first time, as we need to download the server files.

Once online, connect to it via the subdomain you set earlier, displayed to the top-right of your console. Need to run commands? Use the command box at the bottom of the console, but make sure you don't type the `/` at the beginning. You might find some of the following commands useful - just be sure to replace `<player>` with the player's username:

* `whitelist add <player>`: Add a player to the whitelist
* `whitelist remove <player>`: Remove a player from the whitelist
* `op <player>`: Give a player operator permissions
* `deop <player>`: Remove operator permissions from a player
* `gamemode <player> <mode>`: Change a player's gamemode
* `kick <player>`: Kick a player from the server
* `ban <player>`: Ban a player from the server


# Enabling crossplay
Source: https://help.play.hosting/minecraft/crossplay



<Warning>
  There are currently issues with UDP ports causing mods/plugins such as
  Geyser/Floodgate to not work for some servers! You can join
  [our Discord](https://play.hosting/discord) to keep up-to-date on fixes.
</Warning>

It's now possible to let Bedrock players join your Minecraft: Java Edition server, and supports practically full feature parity between the platforms. Note this will only work for non-modded servers, such as the Paper server software, as Bedrock doesn't
support running mods.

First, select the **Software** tab in the sidebar when viewing your server, then **Paper**, followed by the version you want to install - likely the latest if you want Bedrock players to be able to join smoothly. You should see a popup, where you can choose to enable crossplay. Click on this, then **Install**.

<Frame>
  <img alt="Installing Geyser" />
</Frame>

Crossplay should now be configured on your server! If you head to the **Network** tab of your server, you'll see the address and port your players need to use when connecting via Bedrock:

<Frame>
  <img alt="Checking port" />
</Frame>

<Note>
  If you have a whitelist enabled on your server, you can add Bedrock players to
  it with the command `fwhitelist add ` followed by their Bedrock username
</Note>


# Joining the queue
Source: https://help.play.hosting/minecraft/queue



We have a queue system, like other free hosting providers, to ensure there's a fair distribution of resources. This means you might have to wait a bit before your server is created.

<Frame>
  <img alt="Queue system" />
</Frame>

During this time, we wait for a server to become available for you. This can take anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes, depending on how many people are in the queue.

Once your server is made available, you'll be presented with a console from which you can start and manage your server.


# Setting up your server
Source: https://help.play.hosting/minecraft/setup



After creating your server, you'll be presented with the setup process for your Play Hosting server, where you can whitelist and op the necessary players:

<Frame>
  <img alt="Onboarding page" />
</Frame>

Make sure you set up a `.play.hosting` subdomain as that'll be how you connect to your server. Then you should be good to start it via the [console](/minecraft/console).


# Uploading files
Source: https://help.play.hosting/minecraft/upload



<Frame>
  <img alt="Files page" />
</Frame>

Should you already have a world or other server content you'd like to use with your
Play Hosting server, you can upload it via the **Files** tab. To do so, drag and drop
the files you wish to upload or click the "Upload" button in the top-right corner.

If you want to upload a folder, you'll need to compress it locally, upload
the compressed file, and then unarchive it on your Play Hosting server.

In order to upload files larger than 10 GB to Play Hosting, you can't
drag and drop them into the control panel. The easiest way
is to use a public file host from which you can obtain a direct download link.

To obtain the direct download link from services such as
[SwissTransfer](https://www.swisstransfer.com)/[WeTransfer](https://wetransfer.com)/[MediaFire](https://www.mediafire.com),
you can initiate the download as you normally would with your browser, cancel it, and
then copy the download URL from your browser's "Downloads" tab.

After you've obtained this link, click the "URL Download" button in the top-right
corner of **Files**, insert the link in the text box, and click "Download".

<Tip>
  If you're trying to upload a world that's too big, try using a tool such as [MCA Selector](https://github.com/Querz/mcaselector) to remove unused chunks.
</Tip>


# Installing voice chat
Source: https://help.play.hosting/minecraft/voicechat



The [Simple Voice Chat](https://modrinth.com/plugin/simple-voice-chat) mod/plugin lets your players talk through in-game proximity voice chat. It's fully secure, fun to use and easy to install via the Modrinth App/similar on you and your friends' computers.

<Note>
  Make sure the players who want to use voice chat have the mod installed on
  their clients - there'll be guides online for this, and can be done easily
  using the [Modrinth App](https://modrinth.com/app)
</Note>

## Installing

### Plugin-Based Server

If you're running Paper or a plugin-based server version (recommended - can be changed via **Software** tab), just go to the **Plugins** tab and install **Simple Voice Chat** from the list by pressing the download icon on the right, and then the **Install** button.

<Frame>
  <img alt="Voice chat plugin" />
</Frame>

### Modded Server

If running a modded server version like Forge or Fabric, download the mod from [Modrinth](https://modrinth.com/plugin/simple-voice-chat/versions?c=release) and place it in the `mods` folder of your server, via the **Files** tab.

## Setup

Once you have the plugin/mod installed, you just need to start your server! The panel will automatically handle all configuration for you.

You can now join your server with the Simple Voice Chat mod and enjoy proximity chat with your friends. 🎉