How to host MineCraft server

How to host a server (1.5_01):
first, you need to download the server software here
Code:
http://www.minecraft.net/download/minecraft_server.jar?v=1304176726316

(note: you may have to change directory to the directory or "folder" you have downloaded it to. on windows it might be a good idea to save it to c:\mc so you can simply type cd c:/mc in the command line)
then run it once from the command line by
Code:
java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar minecraft_server.jar nogui

it will create a server.properties file and generate the world. let it finish. then type stop to quit.
now you can edit the properties by typing nano server.properties or on windows i guess notepad server.properties
you can change anything you want, but the most important is to disable online-mode by setting the property online-mode=false
start the server again by running
Code:
java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar minecraft_server.jar nogui

congrats! you now have a minecraft server running! test it by connect to 127.0.0.1. if it works, you can now goto
Code:
ipchicken.com

to get your remote ip address. this is the ip you will give to your friends to connect to your server.

if the local ip works but remote does not, you have a firewall and/or router issue.
for firewall, allow the java process to "act as server" and accept incoming connections on port 25565.
for router, type ifconfig or on windows ipconfig in the terminal. the "default gateway" points to your router. type this ip in your web browser and you will connect to your routers login page. if you dunno the password try admin:admin. once logged in, you need to navigate around to find some kind of "port forward". you want to forward port 25565 tcp to your local ip address. save and reset router. then try the remote ip address again.

there you have it! dont forget to post your servers on this thread!