Fabric Minecraft server loads to “connection refused” error

I realize this is not a unraid issue, but I was hoping someone here has gone through something similar..
 

I am trying to create a Minecraft server with a fabric launcher.

I am going for version 1.20.1 to play skyblock. 

I created a public share in the cache to put all the files. 
I then followed these steps exactly..

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The mod is only required server-side.

•Create a Fabric Server

•Download fabric-api, fabric-carpet, cloth-config, and Carpet Sky Additions

•Place downloaded mods into <server-directory>/mods/

•Start the server to generate a template server.properties and eula.txt file

•Agree to the EULA

•Open server.properties

•Change level-type=minecraft\:normal to level-type=carpetskyadditions\:skyblock

•Move carpetskyadditions\:skyblock from initial-disabled-packs to initial-enabled-packs

•Optionally move carpetskyadditions\:skyblock_acacia from initial-disabled-packs to initial-enabled-packs for an Acacia Tree start

•Start the server
 

Configuration

The mod has a config file: carpetskyadditions.toml

defaultToSkyBlockWorld

Defaults to false

When true, the SkyBlock world type is selected by default when creating a new world.

enableDatapackByDefault

Defaults to false

When true, the skyblock datapack is enabled by default when creating a new world.

initialTreeType

Defaults to OAK

When set to ACACIA, the skyblock_acacia datapack is also enabled by default when creating a new world.

Only takes effect when enableDatapackByDefault is true

autoEnableDefaultSettings

Defaults to true

When true, the default SkyBlock settings are enabled when first starting a world with SkyBlock generation.

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Set everything to true that needs to be. Start the server launcher. A “Minecraft server” Java window pop up on my pc showing its active.  
i load the Minecraft launcher, launch 1.20.1 and I receive a “connection refused” error when connection to the server. 
 

maybe I miss understand the correct ip to forward? 
im accessing the server from my pc. Placing the files on my server from my pc. Starting the launcher that’s stored on the server, from my pc. 
and I port forward my servers IP and the server port assigned to the Minecraft server (25565). Rule set to open on both UDP and TCP. 
 

im so lost, it’s been several days of trial and error and no success. Any help would be greatly appreciated. 

Edited September 7, 20241 yr by Bcj