Do I need MySQL for proxy plugins (voting, etc.)?
Whether your network needs a database depends on the plugins you run. Many simple proxies work fine without one, but any plugin that shares data across multiple servers usually wants a MySQL database.
When you need MySQL
Network plugins that keep the same data consistent across every backend — voting rewards, a global economy, or cross-server player data — use a shared MySQL database so all servers read from and write to the same place. Without it, each server would keep its own separate data.
A basic proxy that just routes players between servers doesn't need MySQL at all. Add a database only when a plugin specifically asks for one.
How to set it up
- Open the Databases tab on your server and create a new MySQL database.
- Copy the database host, name, username, and password the panel gives you.
- Point the plugin's config at those database details.
- Restart the server (or reload the plugin) so it connects.
Tip: Use the same database credentials across the servers that need to share data — that's what lets voting, economy, or player-data plugins stay in sync network-wide.
Frequently asked questions
Do all proxy plugins need a database? No. Only plugins that share data across servers do. Simple routing proxies don't.
Where do I create the database? In the Databases tab, which creates a MySQL database and shows you the connection details to paste into your plugin config.
Can multiple servers use one database? Yes — that's exactly the point for network plugins. Point each server's plugin config at the same database so they share the data.