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.
The short version
Linkd is Hostd's managed Velocity proxy. Buy a Linkd Core, attach your existing servers to it, and players connect to one address that routes them between servers. The proxy config, the firewall lockdown that stops direct backend joins, and shared start and stop are all handled for you.
#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 (£5.99/mo) - up to ~700 concurrent.
- Linkd Core L (£9.99/mo) - up to ~1500+ concurrent. Use this if you're seeing >500 players regularly.
- Linkd Core XL (£13.99/mo) - same compute as L, plus the premium feature set: free
hostd.itshort 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:
| Linked backends | Linkd Core S/M/L | Linkd Core XL |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | £2.00 | £2.00 |
| 3 | £4.00 | £5.00 |
| 4 | £6.00 | £8.00 |
| 5+ | £8.00 (cap) | £12.00 (cap) |
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.
#Frequently asked questions
Do I need a separate plan for each server in a network?
Yes. Each backend server keeps its own plan and its own RAM, and the Linkd Core is bought on top as the proxy. The bulk discount applies as you add servers to the same network.
Can players bypass the proxy and join a backend directly?
No. Linking a server puts it behind a lockdown firewall so it only accepts connections from its own proxy. This is what stops the classic Velocity mistake where anyone who learns a backend address can join with any username they like.
What is a per-backend hostname?
On the XL Core, each backend can have its own hostname pointed at the same proxy, so players can join a specific server by address while still going through the proxy. Smaller Cores route everything through the single network address.
Written and maintained by the Hostd engineering team. Last updated 2026-04-30. Notice a mistake? Tell us.