Upgrading or Downgrading Your Terraria Server

Overview

As your Terraria community grows or changes, you may need to adjust your server resources. This guide covers how to upgrade or downgrade your server plan, what to expect during the process, and how billing works.

When to Upgrade Your Server

Consider upgrading your Terraria server when you experience:

• Performance Issues - Server lag or TPS drops with current player count
• Player Growth - More players joining than your current slot limit
• Large Worlds - Moving from small/medium to large worlds
• Mods/Plugins - Adding extensive modifications that require more RAM
• Multiple Worlds - Running multiple world files simultaneously

When to Downgrade Your Server

Downgrading might make sense if:

• Player Count Decreased - Your community has gotten smaller
• Smaller Worlds - Switching from large to medium/small worlds
• Budget Constraints - Reducing costs while maintaining adequate performance
• Seasonal Play - Player activity has decreased temporarily

Available Server Plans

OCNetworks offers flexible Terraria server plans:

Plan	RAM	Slots	Best For
Starter	2GB	8 players	Small friend groups, small-medium worlds
Standard	4GB	16 players	Medium communities, large worlds
Premium	6GB	32 players	Large communities, modded servers
Ultimate	8GB+	50+ players	Very large servers, heavy modding

How to Upgrade Your Server

Step 1: Access Your Service

1. Log into Client Area
2. Navigate to Services > My Services
3. Click on your Terraria server

Step 2: Initiate Upgrade

1. Look for the Upgrade/Downgrade Options button or link
2. You'll see all available plan options
3. Select your desired plan (plans higher than your current)
4. Review the prorated cost

Step 3: Complete Payment

1. Review the upgrade summary showing:
   • Current plan and new plan
   • Prorated cost for remaining billing period
   • New recurring price
2. Choose your payment method
3. Complete the payment
4. Your server will be upgraded automatically

How to Downgrade Your Server

Important Considerations

Before downgrading, ensure:

• ✅ Your world file fits in the new storage allocation
• ✅ Your typical player count fits the new slot limit
• ✅ You've created a recent backup
• ✅ You understand downgrade timing (usually at next renewal)

Downgrade Process

1. Log into your Client Area
2. Go to Services > My Services
3. Select your Terraria server
4. Click Upgrade/Downgrade Options
5. Select a lower-tier plan
6. Review the changes and billing adjustment
7. Confirm the downgrade request

Understanding Prorated Billing

For Upgrades

When you upgrade, you only pay the difference between plans for the remaining time in your billing cycle:

• Example: You're on a £10/month plan with 15 days remaining
• You upgrade to a £20/month plan
• Prorated cost: (£20 - £10) × (15/30) = £5
• You pay £5 now, then £20/month going forward

For Downgrades

Downgrades usually apply at renewal to avoid service disruption:

• You keep your current plan until the end of the billing period
• Your next invoice will be at the lower rate
• No refunds for the current period (you paid for full access)

What Happens to Your Data

During Upgrades

• ✅ All files remain intact (worlds, configs, backups)
• ✅ Server automatically restarts with new resources
• ✅ No data migration required
• ✅ Settings and configurations preserved

During Downgrades

• ✅ World files and configs are preserved
• ⚠️ May need to reduce player slots in config
• ⚠️ Large world files must fit in new storage limit
• ⚠️ Performance may decrease if resources are tight

Post-Upgrade/Downgrade Checklist

After Upgrading

1. ✅ Verify server restarted successfully
2. ✅ Check panel shows new resource allocations
3. ✅ Test server performance with multiple players
4. ✅ Adjust player slots if desired (Startup settings)
5. ✅ Update server description/info with new capacity

After Downgrading

1. ✅ Verify server running on new resources
2. ✅ Check all world files loaded correctly
3. ✅ Reduce MAX_PLAYERS setting if necessary
4. ✅ Monitor performance during peak times
5. ✅ Consider removing unused backups to free space

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I upgrade in the middle of a billing cycle?

Yes! Upgrades can be done anytime and take effect immediately. You'll only pay the prorated difference for the remaining time in your cycle.

Will my server go down during an upgrade?

Yes, but only briefly. The server will automatically restart with new resources, typically taking 2-5 minutes. Players will be disconnected but can rejoin immediately after.

Can I cancel a downgrade?

Yes, as long as it hasn't taken effect yet. Contact support or change your service settings before the renewal date.

What if I downgrade too much and need more resources?

You can upgrade again at any time. The prorated billing ensures you only pay for what you use.

Will I lose my backups when changing plans?

No, backups are preserved during plan changes. However, if downgrading, ensure your total storage (including backups) fits the new limit.

Can I switch to a custom resource allocation?

Yes! Contact support for custom plans if our standard tiers don't fit your needs. We can create tailored resource packages.

Getting Help

If you need assistance choosing the right plan or completing an upgrade/downgrade:

Contact Support

• 📧 Email: support@ocnetworks.co.uk
• 💬 Live Chat: Available on our website
• 🎫 Support Ticket: Open via client area

Performance Assessment

Not sure which plan you need? Our support team can:

• Review your current resource usage
• Analyze player count trends
• Recommend optimal plan based on your needs
• Provide performance projections

Summary

• ✅ Upgrades are instant and prorated - perfect for growth
• ✅ Downgrades take effect at renewal to maintain service
• ✅ All data is preserved during plan changes
• ✅ Flexible billing ensures you only pay for what you need
• ✅ No penalties or fees for changing plans
• ✅ Support team available to help choose the right plan