What's the difference between a Dedicated IP, Domain & Sub-Domain?

All the items listed above are methods for connections to connect to your Minecraft server.

Dedicated IP

A Dedicated IP is an IPv4 address assigned to your server. Since you are reserved your own IP, which is not shared with other customers. The Minecraft server will default to running on port 25565, when joining the Minecraft server on a Minecraft client, if you don't put a port at the end of the server address as shown below in the image, it will join the default port of 25565.

It changes your server IP from (192.168.65.34:25582) to (171.81.34.224:25565) an IPv4 address with the default port, you can also join the IP with 171.81.34.224. You can rent a dedicated IPv4 address for $3/mo.

A Dedicated IPv4 address is not a domain. However, it is used for servers starting out that don't want a port. It is also used for connecting domains & subdomains to the Minecraft server.

Domain

A domain is a record like (myserver.net) or (coolminecraftserver.org). You can buy a domain from aquatis, please note domains do cost money. Around $12 a year at a base cost. We recommend if you start a network you do get a domain.

Sub-Domain

A sub-domain is a sub-record of your actual domain. If you own the domain (xylemnetwork.net). You can make a subdomain as (play.xylemnetwork.net) & (mc.xylemnetwork.net). You can make as many DNS records as you want for free. However, the end of the domain needs to be the same as the original domain. (*.xylemnetwork.net)

* The star represents anything you can place as the subdomain.

A sub-domain is generally used for servers for players to join. You could use (mc.xylemnetwork.net) for players to join your server if you own the domain, you can forums.xylemnetwork.net for your website.