Demystifying Minecraft Servers: Which IP Address Should You Use?
April 22, 2022
When it comes to joining Minecraft servers, one of the essential pieces of information you need is the server's IP address. However, understanding which IP address to use can sometimes be confusing for players, especially for those who are new to the Minecraft multiplayer experience. In this article, we will demystify Minecraft servers and help you determine which IP address to use when connecting to your desired server.
What is an IP Address?
An IP address is a unique numerical identifier assigned to each device connected to a network. In the context of Minecraft servers, an IP address is used to locate and connect to a specific server within the vast Minecraft multiplayer community.
Types of IP Addresses in Minecraft Servers:
There are two primary types of IP addresses used in Minecraft servers:
Public IP Address:
A public IP address is a globally unique address assigned to a server or network. It allows players from anywhere in the world to connect to the server. When connecting to a Minecraft server, you typically use the public IP address to establish a connection. The public IP address is provided by the server owner or hosting service.
Local IP Address:
A local IP address, also known as an internal IP address, is a unique identifier assigned to a device within a local network. It is used for communication within the local network and is not accessible outside of it. Local IP addresses are used for servers hosted on a local network, such as a home network or LAN (Local Area Network).
Which IP Address Should You Use?The IP address you should use to connect to a Minecraft server depends on the server's location and your network setup:
Public IP Address:
If you are connecting to a server hosted on a remote network or a dedicated hosting service, you will need to use the server's public IP address. This address allows you to connect to the server from anywhere in the world. The server's public IP address is typically provided on the server's website, server listing platforms, or by the server owner.
Local IP Address:
If you are connecting to a server hosted on your local network or LAN, you need to use the server's local IP address. To find the local IP address, you can check the server's network settings or use the command prompt/terminal and enter "ipconfig" (Windows) or "ifconfig" (Mac/Linux) to obtain the local IP address of the server.
Note: If you are hosting a server on your local network, players outside of your network will need to use your public IP address to connect.
