IP vs. Public IP: The Key to Joining Minecraft Servers
12.04.2021
Joining Minecraft servers opens up a world of collaborative gameplay, exciting adventures, and shared experiences. However, when it comes to connecting to servers, you may come across terms like IP and public IP, which can be confusing for newcomers. Understanding the distinction between IP and public IP is essential for successfully joining Minecraft servers and immersing yourself in the multiplayer universe. In this article, we'll delve into the differences between these terms and their significance in the context of Minecraft server connections.
Let's start with IP, which stands for Internet Protocol. An IP address is a unique numerical identifier assigned to devices connected to a network. In the context of Minecraft servers, an IP address is a series of numbers (e.g., 192.168.0.1) that serves as the location marker for a particular server. Think of it as the address that allows your Minecraft client to find and connect to the server you want to join.
IP addresses can be classified into two categories: private IP and public IP. A private IP address is used within a local network, such as a home network or a corporate network, and is not accessible from the internet. Private IP addresses are assigned by routers to devices within the network and are typically in the format of 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x. These private IP addresses are essential for devices to communicate with each other within the same network but cannot be used for connecting to servers outside of the network.
On the other hand, a public IP address is a globally unique address assigned to a device by the internet service provider (ISP). It allows devices to communicate with the internet and makes them accessible from outside the local network. Public IP addresses are required for hosting Minecraft servers that are accessible to players from all around the world. When you join a Minecraft server, you typically need to provide the public IP address of the server to connect successfully.
So, how do you find the public IP address of a Minecraft server? There are a few ways to do this:
Server Website or Forum: Many Minecraft servers have a website or forum where they provide the server's public IP address for players to join.
Server Listings: Online server listings, such as Minecraft server lists or forums, often display the public IP address of servers along with additional information about the server.
Server Administrators: If you're having trouble finding the public IP address, you can reach out to the server administrators or the community running the server for assistance.
Once you have the public IP address of the Minecraft server you want to join, you can launch the Minecraft game and follow these steps to connect:
Open the Minecraft Launcher and log in to your account.
Click on "Play" and select "Multiplayer."
Click on "Add Server" or "Direct Connect," depending on the version of Minecraft you're using.
Enter the server's public IP address in the appropriate field.
Optionally, you can give the server a name to easily identify it in your server list.
Click "Join Server" to connect to the Minecraft server.
It's worth noting that in some cases, Minecraft servers may use domain names instead of IP addresses. If a server provides a domain name, you can enter it instead of the IP address to connect. The domain name will be automatically resolved to the corresponding IP address.
Understanding the distinction between IP and public IP addresses is crucial for successfully joining Minecraft servers. The public IP address acts as the gateway to connect to servers hosted on the internet, enabling you to dive into multiplayer adventures and explore collaborative gameplay. By familiarizing yourself with the process of obtaining and using the public IP address, you can seamlessly connect to your desired Minecraft servers and embark on exciting journeys alongside fellow players.