What is the difference between the Server version and the Client version of a pack?

[DaveSW]

Other than the fact that the server version doesn't have any client side only mods, aren't all the mods identical in both versions since 1.3? Would it be possible to upload the Client version of a modpack to my server?

 

[bwillb]

They're the same. The server version just comes with a server launcher instead of a client launcher.

 

[DaveSW]

Server Launcher? I didn't use a server launcher to set up my server.

 

[OmegaPython]

The Server version is what you use to run a server, and the Client version is what you use to play the pack.

 

[Bibble]

For clarity (its basically been said already). The server version is for dedicated servers (I.e. doesn't have the rendering stuff, and won't show game stuff, you just get a console), the client version contains the server files, but these are only used when playing SP, when connecting on MP, the remote server does all the calculation.

 

[Vauthil]

To add additional clarification, the server pack (ostensibly) cuts client-side modifications (InvTweaks, Rei's, NEI plugins, et al.) and has the potential to include mods that provide server-only functionality (I presume something emulating bukkit-style server administration, for example). This reduces the download footprint, initialization time, runtime footprint and makes the server run more smoothly (ever try running a server with Rei's or InvTweaks accidentally included? Last time I did that I got a lovely FML crash log regarding how the modification expects side CLIENT, etc.). There are also the little quirks to keep in mind, for example where PortalGun actually uses a differently named file for its server-side configuration and that doesn't necessarily need to be pushed to the client.

The server pack is also put together so you can upload to a host and run through a shell or other wrapper for minecraft management as opposed to using the launcher, but I'm sure anybody who has run a server is aware of that tidbit and the difference (and if you aren't, you may want to read up on running a minecraft server period).