# Managing Servers

This guide covers how to manage your game servers through the PteroCA panel and Pterodactyl integration.

## Server List

### Accessing Your Servers

To view all your servers:

1. Click **My Servers** in the left sidebar, or
2. Navigate to `/servers`

### Server List View

Each server in your list displays:

* **Product image** - Visual representation of the game
* **Server name** - Name you assigned during purchase
* **Status indicator** - Running, stopped, or suspended
* **Quick actions** - Manage, renew, access controls

## Server Management Panel

### Accessing Server Management

To manage a specific server:

1. Go to your server list
2. Click **Manage** or click on the server card
3. You'll be taken to `/server?id={identifier}`

### Management Tabs

The server management page is organized into tabs for different functions:

## 1. Allocations Tab

**What it is:** Allocations are IP addresses and ports assigned to your server. These allow players to connect to your game server.

**Information displayed:**

* Primary IP:Port (main connection address)
* Additional allocations (if any)
* Port assignments

**What you can do:**

* View assigned IP addresses
* See which ports are allocated
* Share connection information with players

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** You can manage allocations directly from this tab — add new allocations, set a primary allocation, or delete ones you no longer need. The number of available allocations depends on your product plan.
{% endhint %}

## 2. Backups Tab

**What it is:** Automated backups of your server files and configuration.

**Information displayed:**

* List of existing backups
* Backup date and time
* Backup file size
* Backup status

**Available actions:**

* **Create backup** - Manually create a new backup
* **Restore backup** - Restore server to a previous state
* **Download backup** - Download backup file to your computer
* **Delete backup** - Remove old backups to free space

**Backup limits:**

* Number of backups is determined by your product plan
* Oldest backups may be automatically deleted when limit is reached

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Important: Backup Retention**

Check your product's backup limit. Once you reach the maximum, creating a new backup will delete the oldest one. Download important backups for long-term storage.
{% endhint %}

## 3. Subusers Tab

**What it is:** Subusers are additional users who can access and manage your server with specific permissions.

**Use cases:**

* Give moderators access to restart server
* Allow admins to manage files
* Share control with co-owners

**Information displayed:**

* List of current subusers
* Their email addresses
* Assigned permissions

**Managing subusers:**

1. **Add subuser** - Enter email and select permissions
2. **Edit permissions** - Modify what they can do
3. **Remove subuser** - Revoke access

**Common permissions:**

* View console
* Send console commands
* Access file manager
* Manage backups
* Control power (start/stop/restart)
* View allocations
* And more...

{% hint style="info" %}
Subusers must have a Pterodactyl Panel account. They'll receive an invite email when you add them.
{% endhint %}

## 4. Activity Tab

**What it is:** Activity log showing all actions taken on your server.

**Information displayed:**

* User who performed action
* Action type (start, stop, restart, file changes, etc.)
* Timestamp
* IP address (for security tracking)

**Why it's useful:**

* Track who did what
* Investigate server issues
* Detect unauthorized access
* Monitor subuser activity

## 5. Schedules Tab

**What it is:** Automated tasks that run on a schedule (like cron jobs).

**Information displayed:**

* Existing schedules
* Schedule name and timing
* Enabled/disabled status
* Tasks to perform

**Common use cases:**

* Automatic restarts (e.g., daily at 4 AM)
* Automated backups
* Periodic commands (e.g., broadcast messages)
* Maintenance tasks

**Managing schedules:**

1. **Create schedule** - Set up new automated task
2. **Edit schedule** - Modify timing or tasks
3. **Enable/disable** - Turn schedules on or off
4. **Delete schedule** - Remove automated task

{% hint style="info" %}
Schedules run even when you're offline, making them perfect for maintenance tasks.
{% endhint %}

## 6. Server Details Tab

**What it is:** Core information and configuration about your server.

**Information displayed:**

* Server identifier (unique ID)
* Server owner
* Node (physical server hosting your game server)
* Server resources:
  * Memory (RAM) allocation
  * Disk space
  * CPU limit
  * Database count
  * Backup slots
  * Port allocations

**Renewal information:**

* Expiration date
* Auto-renewal status
* Days remaining

This is a read-only view showing your server's specifications.

## 7. Variables Tab

**What it is:** Startup variables and configuration options specific to your game/egg.

**Information displayed:**

* Server port
* Game version
* Server settings (varies by egg)
* Environment variables

**Common variables (example for Minecraft):**

* Server version
* Server type (Vanilla, Spigot, etc.)
* Max players
* World seed
* Difficulty
* Game mode

**Editing variables:**

1. Find the variable you want to change
2. Enter new value
3. Save changes
4. Restart server for changes to take effect

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Restart Required**

Most variable changes require a server restart to take effect. Make sure to restart your server after updating variables.
{% endhint %}

## 8. Docker Images Tab

**What it is:** Docker container images used to run your server.

**Information displayed:**

* Current image in use
* Available images for your egg

**What you can do:**

* View which Docker image is being used
* Switch between available images (if multiple options)

{% hint style="info" %}
**Advanced Feature**

Most users don't need to change Docker images. This is mainly for advanced users with specific requirements.
{% endhint %}

## 9. Available Eggs Tab

**What it is:** Different server types/configurations you can switch to.

**Information displayed:**

* Currently active egg
* Other eggs available for your product

**What you can do:**

* **Change egg** - Switch to different game version or type
* View egg descriptions

**Examples of egg changes:**

* Switch from Vanilla Minecraft to Paper
* Change from CS:GO to CS2
* Update to newer game version

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Warning: Changing Eggs**

Changing eggs may:

* Require server reconfiguration
* Delete some server files
* Break existing configurations
* Need different startup variables

Always backup before changing eggs!
{% endhint %}

## Accessing Pterodactyl Panel

For full server control (console, file management, etc.), you need to access the Pterodactyl Panel.

### Using SSO (Single Sign-On)

**What it is:** SSO allows you to access Pterodactyl Panel without entering credentials again.

**How to use:**

1. Go to your server management page in PteroCA
2. Click **Access Pterodactyl Panel** or **Manage in Pterodactyl**
3. You'll be automatically logged into Pterodactyl
4. Your server will be selected

**What you can do in Pterodactyl:**

* **Console** - View live console output and send commands
* **File Manager** - Upload, edit, delete server files
* **Databases** - Manage MySQL databases
* **Advanced controls** - Power actions, crash detection, etc.

{% hint style="success" %}
**Seamless Integration**

SSO makes it easy to switch between PteroCA (billing/management) and Pterodactyl (server control) without re-entering passwords.
{% endhint %}

## Server Actions

### Renaming Your Server

You can rename your server and update other details directly from the server management page.

**To rename a server:**

1. Navigate to your server management page.
2. Find the **Server Details** section or the rename field.
3. Enter the new name and save.

Changes take effect immediately in your server list.

### Accepting the EULA (Minecraft Servers)

Minecraft servers require accepting Mojang's End User License Agreement (EULA) before the server can start. PteroCA provides a one-click EULA acceptance button on the server management page.

**To accept the EULA:**

1. Navigate to your server management page.
2. Click the **Accept EULA** button (visible only when the server requires it).
3. PteroCA automatically writes `eula=true` to the server's `eula.txt` file and restarts the server.

> **Note:** This button only appears for Minecraft-based servers that have not yet accepted the EULA. Once accepted, the button disappears.

### Reinstalling the Server

The reinstall option resets the server to its original state using the current egg and startup variables. All server files are wiped and reinstalled.

> **Warning:** Reinstallation permanently deletes all server files. Create a backup before proceeding.

**To reinstall:**

1. Navigate to your server management page.
2. Find the **Reinstall** button in the server actions area.
3. Confirm the action when prompted.

> **Note:** This feature requires the `settings_reinstall` permission. If the button is not visible, contact your administrator.

## Renewing Servers

### Auto-Renewal (Recommended)

If auto-renewal is enabled:

* Server automatically renews from your balance
* Renewal happens a few days before expiration
* Email notification sent after successful renewal

**Requirements:**

* Sufficient balance in your wallet
* Auto-renewal enabled on server

**Toggling Auto-Renewal:**

You can enable or disable auto-renewal directly from the server's **Configuration** tab on the server management page, without going through the renewal flow. This option is only available if the product's configuration permits auto-renewal.

> **Note:** If the auto-renewal toggle is not visible, the product used for your server has auto-renewal disabled by the administrator.

### Manual Renewal

If auto-renewal is disabled or fails:

1. Navigate to your server in the server list
2. Click **Renew** button
3. Select renewal period
4. Confirm purchase
5. Balance is deducted

**Renewal process is similar to** [**buying a new server**](/using-pteroca/using-pteroca/buying-servers.md)**.**

### Expiration Warnings

You'll receive email notifications:

* 7 days before expiration
* 3 days before expiration
* 1 day before expiration
* On expiration day

### What Happens If Server Expires?

**Grace period (usually):**

1. Server is suspended (stopped)
2. Data is preserved for X days (configured by provider)
3. You can still renew during this period

**After grace period:**

* Server and all data may be permanently deleted
* Cannot be recovered

{% hint style="danger" %}
**Keep Balance Topped Up!**

To avoid losing your server, maintain sufficient balance for auto-renewals or set calendar reminders for manual renewals.
{% endhint %}

## Server Status Indicators

**Server statuses you may see:**

* **Running** - Server is online and operational
* **Stopped** - Server is turned off but active subscription
* **Starting** - Server is booting up
* **Suspended** - Payment past due, needs renewal
* **Installing** - Server is being set up (new purchases)

## Troubleshooting

### Cannot Access Server

**Possible causes:**

* Server suspended (needs renewal)
* Server not started
* Wrong IP/port
* Firewall blocking connection

**Solutions:**

* Check server status in panel
* Ensure server is started (green status)
* Verify IP and port in allocations tab
* Check if renewal is needed

### Server Won't Start

**Check:**

1. Startup variables (correct values?)
2. Disk space (full?)
3. Console logs in Pterodactyl
4. Recent file changes

**Solution:** Access Pterodactyl Panel console to see error messages.

### Lost Data After Restart

**Possible causes:**

* Changed to different egg
* Restored old backup
* File corruption

**Prevention:**

* Create backups before major changes
* Download important backups locally
* Test changes on a test server first

## Best Practices

### Regular Backups

* Create backups before:
  * Updating mods/plugins
  * Changing server configuration
  * Upgrading game versions
* Download important backups locally
* Test backup restores periodically

### Security

* Use strong passwords for subusers
* Only give necessary permissions
* Review activity logs regularly
* Remove inactive subusers

### Monitoring

* Check activity logs for unusual behavior
* Monitor resource usage in Pterodactyl
* Watch for suspicious subuser actions
* Keep email notifications enabled

### Renewals

* Enable auto-renewal for important servers
* Keep sufficient balance
* Set calendar reminders as backup
* Check renewal dates monthly

## Related Guides

* [Buying Servers](/using-pteroca/using-pteroca/buying-servers.md) - How to purchase
* [Wallet & Payments](/using-pteroca/using-pteroca/wallet-and-payments.md) - Managing balance for renewals
* [Browsing the Shop](/using-pteroca/using-pteroca/browsing-shop.md) - Finding new products
* [Account Settings](/using-pteroca/using-pteroca/account-settings.md) - Profile management

## Need More Help?

For advanced server management topics not covered here:

* Check [Pterodactyl Documentation](https://pterodactyl.io/panel/1.0/getting_started.html)
* Contact your hosting provider's support
* Visit community forums and Discord


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