Hostd Linkd: connect multiple Minecraft servers into one network

Run a Hypixel-style network with auto-configured Velocity, lockdown firewall, and shared start/stop. One address for your players.

What is Hostd Linkd?

Hostd Linkd lets you connect several of your Minecraft Java servers behind a single Velocity proxy ("Linkd Core"). Players join one address; the proxy routes them to the right backend (lobby, survival, creative, mini-games, whatever you build).

We handle the parts that other hosts make you wire up by hand:

• Velocity is auto-configured when you link a server. No editing velocity.toml, no hunting for the forwarding secret.
• Linked servers are locked down by default - their public game port stops accepting direct connections. Players can only reach them through your proxy.
• Shared start/stop boots backends in priority order, then the proxy. One click, no choreography.
• Bulk pricing: link 2+ backends and your Linkd Core gets a discount applied automatically every cycle.

Step 1: buy a Linkd Core

In Pricing, switch to the Hostd Linkd tab and pick a Linkd Core size:

• Linkd Core S (£3.99/mo) - up to ~300 concurrent players. Right for groups under a few hundred.
• Linkd Core M (£6.49/mo) - up to ~700 concurrent.
• Linkd Core L (£10.99/mo) - up to ~1500+ concurrent. Use this if you're seeing >500 players regularly.
• Linkd Core XL (£14.99/mo) - same compute as L, plus the premium feature set: free hostd.it short domain, custom domain (CNAME), per-backend forced hostnames, 32 linked servers (vs 16), 365-day audit log retention, and a higher bulk-discount cap (-£12/mo at 5+ backends).

A Linkd Core is a tiny server in its own right: it doesn't run a Minecraft world, just routes traffic. After purchase, the network is created for you and shows up under Networks in the dashboard.

Step 2: link your servers

Open the network from Networks. Click Link a server and pick a Minecraft Java server you already own. We require:

• It's gameType Minecraft Java (we don't link Bedrock or non-Minecraft games).
• It's on the same node as your Linkd Core (we colocate v1 networks for the lowest possible latency).

Set a display name (used as the velocity.toml key - lobby, survival, creative...) and optionally tick Lobby to mark it as the player-entry point. Linking briefly restarts the backend container to apply the lockdown.

Step 3: share the address

Your Linkd Core's public address is shown at the top of the network detail page. Copy it and share - that's the only address your players need.

Bulk discount

Once your network has 2+ active backends, your Linkd Core invoice gets a recurring discount:

Discount applies automatically at billing time. If you cancel your Linkd Core, the discount stops on the next cycle.

Per-backend hostnames (XL only)

Linkd Core XL lets you give each backend its own join address. Players who join survival.yournet.com land directly on the survival server; players who join creative.yournet.com land on creative. The proxy reads the hostname and routes accordingly via Velocity's forced-hosts block.

Setup: when you link a server, fill in the optional Forced hostname field with a valid DNS hostname. Then add a CNAME record at your DNS provider pointing that hostname at your Linkd Core's player address. For example, if your Linkd Core is at yournet.hostd.it, you'd add:

survival.yournet.hostd.it.   CNAME   yournet.hostd.it.

If your DNS is hosted with us (*.hostd.it or *.hostdservers.com subdomains), reach out via support and we'll add the records for you while we wire up auto-publishing in a future update.

Common questions

Can I still connect to a backend directly? Not while it's linked. Removing it from the network restores its public port immediately.

What happens if my Linkd Core fails to renew? The network goes "dormant": backends keep running but the proxy is offline. Pay the outstanding invoice and the network reactivates within minutes.

Can I run BungeeCord instead of Velocity? No. We're Velocity-only - it's faster, has cryptographically signed forwarding, and is what every modern network runs.

Can I link servers from another node? Not in v1. Cross-node networks are on the roadmap for a future release.

Troubleshooting

• "No eligible servers" when linking: the server isn't on the same node as your Linkd Core. Open a support ticket if you need help shifting it.
• "Network is dormant": the Linkd Core's subscription has lapsed. Settle the invoice from Billing.
• Player gets disconnected with "invalid forwarding secret": rotate the secret from the network detail page; this rewrites every backend's config in lockstep.

Last updated 2026-04-30. Notice a mistake? Tell us.