Hosting Minecraft for schools

[johnymac]

I wrote about Minecraft in Edu in Sep 2010 but didn't expect it would have any legs yet to my astonishment the company I work for has been asked to provide a "safe and secure" Minecraft hosting solution for schools.

 

Here is what we do have:

Lots of hosting space/power/capacity.

A front end that takes a user/password and authenticates them through to the embedded JSP.

A solid understanding of auth on Apache inc. Shib.

 

Here is what we don't have:

An active interest/time to learn about the Minecraft server.

 

Here is what I need:

Someone that has experience of the Minecraft server to potentially do an hour or so consultancy/configuring a minecraft server deployment w/ bukkit and a bunch of config changes. The main config chance is I want to be able to only allow access once the user has authenticated with the front end[apache/php based auth] w/ the scope of expanding to Shib based SSO in the future.

 

I would also be interesting in hearing your thoughts/opinions/experiences of the use Minecraft in education and if anyone would be interested in us trying to negotiate Edu licensing(unless this already exists[i can't find it!]).

 

We're more of a development company w/ a focus on technology than a focus on pedagogy we have partnered w/ a company that will be providing the lesson plans etc.

 

Note: I'm aware of @minecraftteachr --

[EduTech]

If you need any help RE: FREE Server Hosting for MineCraft just let me know I can help out with that aspect of things.

 

I am sure ZH (ZeroHour) has MineCraft running on a server so he may be able to put more light on that part.

 

James.

[johnymac]

We don't need any help RE free hosting, like I said we have plenty of hosting resources available. Thanks tho I appreciate the offer of help.

[erikathtb]

Hey Johnny, I'd be interested in helping out with this. I've made 3 different deployments of Minecraft clusters and currently run a hosting company with 80+ clients hosting Minecraft servers.

 

Shoot me a PM or email me if you'd like more info on my experience with Minecraft hosting.

 

-Erik

 

P.S.

I think its amazing schools are able to use a video game as a teaching tool. Wish they had this back in my day!