Setting Up a Proxy Network (Lobbies & Hubs)

Want to build a professional network like Hypixel? That’s where Proxies come in. A proxy (like Velocity or BungeeCord) acts as a "hub" that connects multiple backend servers (like a Lobby, Survival, and Creative) into one seamless experience. Players join the proxy, and can move between servers without ever having to disconnect.

1. How a Network Works

The Proxy: This is the front door. It handles logins, security, and sends players where they want to go.
Backend Servers: These are your actual game worlds. They run in "Offline Mode" because the Proxy has already handled the security check at the front door.

2. Setting Up the Proxy

Create a server and install Velocity (we recommend this for most new networks) or BungeeCord.
Open the velocity.toml (or config.yml) file.
Add your backend servers by their IP and Port.
IP Forwarding: Make sure this is enabled! It ensures that your backend servers see the players' real IP addresses instead of the Proxy's address.

3. Prepping Your Backend Servers

Every game server you want to link needs a tiny bit of setup to talk to the Proxy:

Set Online Mode to Disabled in your Settings > Properties tab.
If you're using Velocity: Install a plugin like Ambrosia on the backend server to handle the handshake.
If you're using BungeeCord: Set bungeecord=true in your spigot.yml.

[!CAUTION] Don't Forget the Firewall: Since your backend servers are in "offline mode," they are vulnerable if someone joins them directly instead of through the Proxy. We handle this automatically for servers on the same Fern account, but always double-check your security!

4. Moving Between Worlds

Once linked, players can jump between servers using:

Commands: /server survival or /hub.
Portals: Use a plugin like Citizens to create NCPs that teleport players when clicked.
GUI Menus: Create a custom chest menu that opens when you hold a "Server Selector" item.

Building a massive network? Check out our guide on Advanced Multi-Server Management for scaling tips.