Server Performance Optimization

Understanding Server Performance

Key Metrics

• TPS (Ticks Per Second): Should be 20 for optimal performance
• RAM Usage: Monitor memory consumption
• CPU Usage: Watch processor load
• Player Count: More players = more resources needed

Performance Indicators

Watch for these warning signs:

• Low TPS (below 20)
• High memory usage
• Slow chunk loading
• Player lag complaints
• Console warnings about performance

Basic Optimizations

Server Properties Optimization

Edit server.properties for better performance:

# Reduce view distance (default: 10)
view-distance=8

# Reduce simulation distance (default: 10)
simulation-distance=6

# Limit chunk loading
max-chunk-neighbor-updates=1000000

# Optimize network
network-compression-threshold=512

Java Arguments

Optimize Java startup arguments:

• Memory: Allocate appropriate RAM (-Xmx and -Xms)
• Garbage Collection: Use optimized GC settings
• Threading: Configure thread settings
• JVM Flags: Add performance JVM flags

Example optimized arguments:

-Xmx4G -Xms4G -XX:+UseG1GC -XX:+ParallelRefProcEnabled -XX:MaxGCPauseMillis=200 -XX:+UnlockExperimentalVMOptions -XX:+DisableExplicitGC -XX:+AlwaysPreTouch -XX:G1NewSizePercent=30 -XX:G1MaxNewSizePercent=40 -XX:G1HeapRegionSize=8M -XX:G1ReservePercent=20 -XX:G1HeapWastePercent=5 -XX:G1MixedGCCountTarget=4 -XX:InitiatingHeapOccupancyPercent=15 -XX:G1MixedGCLiveThresholdPercent=90 -XX:G1RSetUpdatingPauseTimePercent=5 -XX:SurvivorRatio=32 -XX:+PerfDisableSharedMem -XX:MaxTenuringThreshold=1

Plugin Optimization

Remove Unnecessary Plugins

• Audit Plugins: Remove unused plugins
• Consolidate: Use plugins that do multiple things
• Lightweight Alternatives: Choose lighter plugin options
• Test Impact: Test performance after removing plugins

Optimize Plugin Configuration

• Disable Unused Features: Turn off features you don't need
• Reduce Check Intervals: Lower frequency of checks
• Optimize Database: If plugins use databases, optimize them
• Cache Settings: Enable caching where available

Performance Plugins

Consider adding optimization plugins:

• Chunk Loaders: Optimize chunk loading
• Entity Limiters: Limit entities per chunk
• Lag Monitors: Track and identify lag sources
• Cleanup Tools: Automatically clean up lag sources

World Optimization

Reduce World Size

• Pre-generate Chunks: Generate chunks before players explore
• Remove Unused Areas: Delete unused world regions
• Limit World Border: Set a world border to limit size
• Regular Cleanup: Remove unused chunks

Optimize Chunk Loading

• Lower View Distance: Reduce view-distance in server.properties
• Chunk Pre-generation: Pre-generate commonly used areas
• Limit Chunk Generation: Restrict chunk generation speed

Entity Management

• Limit Entities: Set entity limits per chunk
• Remove Excess: Regularly clean up excess entities
• Mob Spawn Limits: Reduce mob spawn rates if needed
• Animal Limits: Limit farm animals

Hardware Optimization

RAM Allocation

• Right Amount: Don't allocate too much or too little RAM
• Monitor Usage: Watch actual RAM usage
• Adjust as Needed: Increase if consistently high
• Leave Headroom: Don't use 100% of available RAM

CPU Optimization

• Monitor Usage: Watch CPU usage patterns
• Reduce Load: Optimize to reduce CPU usage
• Upgrade if Needed: Consider more CPU if consistently high
• Thread Optimization: Configure threading appropriately

Storage Optimization

• SSD Storage: Use SSD for better I/O performance
• Regular Cleanup: Remove old logs and backups
• Defragmentation: Defragment if using HDD (rarely needed for SSD)

Advanced Optimizations

Use Optimized Server Software

Consider using optimized server software:

• Paper: Optimized Spigot fork
• Purpur: Further optimized Paper fork
• Fabric with Optimization Mods: For modded servers
• Performance Mods: Add server-side optimization mods

Network Optimization

• Compression: Adjust network compression threshold
• Connection Limits: Limit connections if needed
• Packet Optimization: Use plugins that optimize packets
• Proxy: Use a proxy for better network handling

Database Optimization

If using databases:

• Index Optimization: Optimize database indexes
• Connection Pooling: Use connection pooling
• Query Optimization: Optimize database queries
• Regular Maintenance: Perform database maintenance

Monitoring Performance

Use Performance Tools

• Lag Monitoring Plugins: Track TPS and lag
• Profiling Tools: Identify performance bottlenecks
• Resource Monitors: Monitor RAM, CPU, disk usage
• Player Feedback: Listen to player complaints

Regular Checks

• Daily: Check TPS and basic metrics
• Weekly: Review performance trends
• After Changes: Monitor after making changes
• During Peak Times: Watch performance during busy periods

Troubleshooting Performance Issues

High Lag

1. Check TPS: Verify TPS is below 20
2. Identify Source: Use profiling to find lag source
3. Check Plugins: Disable plugins one by one to find culprit
4. Review Logs: Look for performance warnings
5. Optimize: Apply relevant optimizations

High Memory Usage

1. Check Allocation: Verify RAM allocation is appropriate
2. Memory Leaks: Look for memory leaks in plugins
3. Reduce Entities: Lower entity counts
4. Increase RAM: If legitimately needed, increase allocation
5. Optimize Plugins: Optimize memory-heavy plugins

High CPU Usage

1. Identify Process: Find what's using CPU
2. Optimize Plugins: Optimize CPU-intensive plugins
3. Reduce Checks: Lower plugin check frequencies
4. Upgrade Hardware: Consider better CPU if needed

Best Practices

• Start Conservative: Begin with basic optimizations
• Monitor Regularly: Keep an eye on performance metrics
• Test Changes: Test optimizations before applying widely
• Document Settings: Keep notes on optimization settings
• Update Regularly: Keep server and plugins updated
• Backup Before Changes: Always backup before major optimizations