One of the most common questions I found when setting up a Minecraft server was how to use a sub domain to connect to your server. Lets face it, its much easier remember the name of something instead of a bunch of numbers! An example I could try to remember is 198.23.145.23:25565 or if I setup a sub domain I can remember play.minecraftbuildinginc.com. Which one would you prefer?
Requirements
- Web hosting (typically can get some with a server purchase)
- Domain name
- Minecraft Server
- Dedicated IP for Minecraft Server
How To
Note settings will vary as all hosting companies are different! I’m currently with Bluehost using cpanel.
- Login to your cPanel Account
- Scroll down to “Domains”
- Enter the “Simple DNS Zone Editor”
- Look for “Add an A Record”
- For Name enter your subdomain you plan to use (play for play.yourdomain.com)
- For Address enter your Minecraft Server’s IP address (without port at the end)
![Added a new A Record to the DNS Zone Editor](https://www.coryfiala.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/adding-dns-a-record.png)
![Here you can see once entered it should look like in the DNS Zone Editor](https://www.coryfiala.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Minecraft-server-domin-connect-url.png)
Once done you will have to play the waiting game. It can take up to 24hrs in extreme cases for DNS propagation. Once done when you go to join a server in Minecraft you will type in play.yourdomain.com or if you used something else in step5 for the address!