Server-Only Mode

Server-only mode lets the backend handle all authentication. The proxy forwards raw TCP traffic after the handshake, just like passthrough. The difference is semantic: server-only signals that the backend is responsible for verifying player identities.

When to use it

Use server-only when your backend handles its own authentication and you want the proxy to stay out of the way. This is the right choice when:

• The backend runs with online-mode=true and handles Mojang auth itself
• You need domain-based routing but not packet inspection
• You want the backend to control the full login flow

Configuration

name = "my-server"
domains = ["mc.example.com"]
addresses = ["192.168.1.10:25565"]
proxy_mode = "server_only"

With Docker labels:

labels:
  infrarust.domains: "mc.example.com"
  infrarust.proxy_mode: "server_only"

Config options

Option	Type	Default	Description
domains	string array	required	Domains that route to this server. Supports wildcards (*.mc.example.com).
addresses	string array	required	Backend addresses in host:port format.
proxy_mode	string	"passthrough"	Set to "server_only".
send_proxy_protocol	bool	false	Send PROXY protocol header when connecting to the backend.
domain_rewrite	string or table	"none"	Rewrite the hostname in the handshake packet.
max_players	integer	0	Maximum players on this server. 0 means unlimited.
disconnect_message	string	"Server is currently unreachable..."	Message sent to the player when the backend is down.
timeouts.connect	duration	"5s"	How long to wait when connecting to the backend.
timeouts.read	duration	"30s"	Read timeout on the backend connection.
timeouts.write	duration	"30s"	Write timeout on the backend connection.

TIP

Duration values use human-readable format: "5s", "30s", "2m", "1h".

How it works

Server-only uses the same PassthroughHandler as passthrough and zero-copy modes. The steps are identical:

1. The proxy reads the client's handshake and login start packets.
2. It fires the login events (PreLoginEvent, GameProfileRequestEvent, PermissionsSetupEvent, LoginEvent) and checks bans. A plugin can refuse the player there, before any backend is contacted.
3. It registers a player session with active: false (passthrough sessions can't inject packets) and fires PostLoginEvent.
4. It fires PlayerChooseInitialServerEvent and ServerPreConnectEvent. Plugins can deny the connection or send the player to another server in a forwarding mode. Limbo results disconnect the player, because limbo needs an intercepted mode.
5. It connects to one of the target server's backend addresses. When none answers, it fires KickedFromServerEvent: a plugin can redirect the player to another server, otherwise the client gets the server's disconnect_message.
6. It forwards the initial packets to the backend, applying domain rewrite if configured, then fires ServerConnectedEvent. The proxy does not read the backend's answer, so this event does not mean the backend accepted the login, and no ServerPostConnectEvent follows.
7. It starts bidirectional forwarding via CopyForwarder, which calls tokio::io::copy in two concurrent tasks.
8. When either side closes, the write half of the other socket is shut down, the remaining bytes drain, the session ends and DisconnectEvent fires.

See the events reference for what plugins can do at each step.

The proxy never decrypts or parses packets after the handshake. The backend receives the raw login sequence and handles Mojang authentication directly.

Constraints

Server-only is a forwarding mode. The same constraints as passthrough apply:

• At least one domain is required.
• Cannot belong to a network (no server switching).
• No packet injection or inspection. Plugins that send packets to the player won't work.
• Works with every Minecraft version (1.7+).

Domain rewrite still works in server-only. It only affects the initial handshake packet, before the forwarding loop starts.

Passthrough vs. server-only

Both modes forward raw TCP. The difference is in intent:

	Passthrough	Server-only
Who authenticates	Backend (any mode)	Backend (online-mode=true)
Raw forwarding	Yes	Yes
Packet inspection	No	No
Implementation	Same handler	Same handler

In practice, passthrough and server-only behave identically. Server-only exists as a configuration signal that the backend is explicitly expected to handle authentication. Use whichever name makes your config clearer.

Compared to other modes

• Need lower CPU on Linux? Use zero-copy. Same forwarding behavior, kernel-level splice.
• Need server switching or plugins? Use client-only. The proxy handles Mojang auth and can move players between backends.
• Need server switching without authentication? Use offline.