Hosting your own Minecraft server means the world your friends play in runs on hardware you control: no slot caps, no plugin restrictions, no per-player pricing. This guide walks the path on a Linux VPS or dedicated server, from sizing the machine and choosing between vanilla, Paper, Fabric and NeoForge to installing Java 25 and writing a systemd unit that survives reboots. It also covers JVM sizing with Aikar's flags, the firewall rule and SRV record that let players in, whitelisting, backups, safe updating, and Bedrock crossplay through Geyser and Floodgate.