Tailscale on NixOS: A new Minecraft server in ten minutes
Blog post from Tailscale
The article provides a detailed guide on setting up a Java Edition Minecraft server using NixOS and Tailscale on a Digital Ocean droplet. It explains NixOS's modular configuration system, allowing users to manage the entire setup from a single file, and how Tailscale, a peer-to-peer VPN, is integrated to securely connect machines. The guide involves creating a configuration file called host.nix, setting Tailscale to start on boot, and using a systemd oneshot job for authentication. It further details configuring the firewall to allow only Minecraft traffic over Tailscale and setting up the Minecraft server with specific options like server properties and EULA agreement. The process includes replacing an Ubuntu installation with NixOS using nixos-infect and automatic configuration via user data. Steps to launch the server on Digital Ocean, including selecting the appropriate image, plan, and data center, are outlined, along with instructions on managing the Minecraft server using mcrcon and potential future enhancements with node sharing.