What is BungeeCord / a "network" and how does it work?

If you've heard people talk about a Minecraft "network" or "net," they're describing a proxy setup — the same architecture behind large servers like Hypixel. Here's what it means and how it works.

What a proxy network is

A proxy (BungeeCord, Waterfall, or Velocity) sits in front of several Minecraft servers and lets players move between them — lobby to survival to minigames — without ever disconnecting. That collection is a "network" or "net."

How it works

• Players connect to the proxy's address.
• The proxy routes them to backend servers.
• The proxy itself runs no world; each backend is a normal server.

Big networks are simply many backends behind one proxy.

Tip: Players only ever see and connect to the proxy address — the backends stay behind it, which is why securing them matters.

Frequently asked questions

Does the proxy run a world? No. The proxy only routes players. Each backend server runs its own world.

Is this how big servers work? Yes — large, Hypixel-style networks are many backend servers behind a single proxy.

How do I build one? See our proxy setup guide for the step-by-step — add any extra ports on the IPs & Ports page, and open a ticket if you need help.