Introduction
Welcome to our comprehensive guide on the topic of setting up Apache web server Ubuntu. The Apache web server is the most popular and widely used web server on the internet. Whether you want to host a website, set up a development environment, or build a cloud server, Apache is the go-to solution due to its reliability, security, and flexibility.
If you’re new to Ubuntu or simply want to set up an Apache server, this guide will walk you through all the steps required to get started. You’ll learn everything from installing and configuring Apache to creating virtual hosts and setting up SSL encryption. By the time you reach the end of this article, you’ll have a fully functional Apache web server running on your Ubuntu system.
Pre-requisites
Before we dive into the setup process, let’s discuss some of the pre-requisites required to follow this guide.
Pre-requisite |
Details |
|---|---|
Ubuntu Server |
Ubuntu 18.04 or Ubuntu 20.04 server installation with root access |
Internet Connection |
You will need to be connected to the internet throughout the process |
Terminal emulator |
You can use either the default Ubuntu terminal or an alternative like Putty. |
Setting up Apache Web Server Ubuntu – Step by Step
Step 1 – Update your system
The first step in setting up an Apache web server on Ubuntu is to update your system. Open the terminal and type the following command:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
This command will fetch the latest updates for your Ubuntu system and upgrade any existing packages if necessary.
Step 2 – Install Apache Web Server
Once you’ve updated your system, the next step is to install the Apache web server. Type the following command in the terminal:
sudo apt install apache2
After running the command, Ubuntu will fetch and install the Apache2 package along with its dependencies. Once the installation is complete, you can check if Apache is running by typing in your browser’s address bar:
127.0.0.1
You should see the default Apache web page:
Step 3 – Configure Firewall
By default, Ubuntu comes with UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall) enabled. You need to allow HTTP and HTTPS traffic through the firewall by typing:
sudo ufw allow 'Apache'
The command above will enable access to Apache for both HTTP and HTTPS traffic.
Step 4 – Create a Virtual Host
If you want to host multiple websites on your Apache server, you need to create virtual hosts. Virtual hosts enable you to run multiple websites on a single server with different domain names or IP addresses.
To create a virtual host, create a new file in the /etc/apache2/sites-available directory:
sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/example.com.conf
Replace example.com with your own domain name.
Next, enter the following configuration:
<VirtualHost *:80>ServerAdmin admin@example.comServerName example.comServerAlias www.example.comDocumentRoot /var/www/example.com/htmlErrorLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/error.logCustomLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/access.log combined</VirtualHost>Save the file and exit the editor. Then enable the virtual host by typing:
sudo a2ensite example.com.conf
Finally, restart Apache:
sudo systemctl restart apache2
You can now access the virtual host by typing your domain name in the browser.
Step 5 – Secure the Server with SSL Certificate
If you want to secure your website with an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate, the next step is to install and configure SSL on your Apache server.
First, install the SSL module:
sudo apt install openssl
Then, generate a self-signed SSL certificate:
sudo openssl req -x509 -nodes -days 365 -newkey rsa:2048 -keyout /etc/ssl/private/example.com.key -out /etc/ssl/certs/example.com.crt
Note: Replace example.com with your domain name.
Next, configure Apache to use SSL by typing:
sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/example.com.conf
Insert the following configuration within the VirtualHost block:
SSLEngine onSSLCertificateFile /etc/ssl/certs/example.com.crtSSLCertificateKeyFile /etc/ssl/private/example.com.keySave the file and then restart Apache:
sudo systemctl restart apache2
You can now access the website using HTTPS in the browser.
Step 6 – Install PHP
If you want to use PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) on your Apache server, you need to install it. To install PHP, type:
sudo apt install php libapache2-mod-php
Once PHP is installed, restart Apache:
sudo systemctl restart apache2
Step 7 – Install MySQL
If you want to use a database with your website, you need to install MySQL (or another database management system). To install MySQL, type:
sudo apt install mysql-server
After installation, you can log in to the MySQL terminal by typing:
sudo mysql
Advantages and Disadvantages of Setup Apache Web Server Ubuntu
Advantages
There are numerous advantages of using Apache web server on Ubuntu:
✅ Open Source: Apache is free and open-source software, which means you can use, modify, and distribute it as per your requirements.
✅ Cross-platform Compatibility: Apache web server is compatible with almost every operating system, including Ubuntu, which makes it a versatile web server.
✅ Easy to Configure: Apache is easy to configure, and you can set up a simple web server in just a few minutes.
✅ Robust Security: Apache web server is highly secure and offers built-in features like SSL encryption and password protection to ensure the safety of the website.
Disadvantages
There are a few disadvantages of Apache web server on Ubuntu:
❌ Not Suitable for High Traffic Websites: Apache web server is not recommended for high-traffic websites as it can struggle to handle a large number of concurrent requests.
❌ Resource-intensive: Apache web server can be resource-intensive, especially on systems with limited resources.
FAQs
1. How do I restart Apache on Ubuntu?
To restart Apache on Ubuntu, type:
sudo systemctl restart apache2
2. How do I create a new user on Ubuntu?
To create a new user on Ubuntu, type:
sudo adduser username
Replace “username” with the name of the new user.
3. How do I uninstall Apache on Ubuntu?
To uninstall Apache on Ubuntu, type:
sudo apt remove apache2
4. How do I use PHP on Apache?
To use PHP on Apache, you need to install the libapache2-mod-php package. Type:
sudo apt install php libapache2-mod-php
5. How do I install PHPMyAdmin on Ubuntu?
To install PHPMyAdmin on Ubuntu, type:
sudo apt install phpmyadmin
6. How do I enable HTTPS on Apache?
To enable HTTPS on Apache, you need to install an SSL certificate and configure Apache to use it.
7. How do I create a virtual host on Apache?
To create a virtual host on Apache, you need to create a new configuration file in the /etc/apache2/sites-available directory and specify the necessary settings.
8. How do I install MySQL on Ubuntu?
To install MySQL on Ubuntu, type:
sudo apt install mysql-server
9. How do I secure my Ubuntu server?
To secure your Ubuntu server, you need to enable the firewall, keep your system up-to-date, use strong passwords, and disable root login.
10. How do I install an SSL certificate on Apache?
To install an SSL certificate on Apache, you need to generate a certificate, install the OpenSSL package, and configure Apache to use the certificate.
11. How do I check if Apache is running on Ubuntu?
To check if Apache is running on Ubuntu, type:
sudo systemctl status apache2
12. How do I enable UFW on Ubuntu?
To enable UFW on Ubuntu, type:
sudo ufw enable
13. How do I disable UFW on Ubuntu?
To disable UFW on Ubuntu, type:
sudo ufw disable
Conclusion
In conclusion, setting up an Apache web server on Ubuntu is a relatively simple process that can be completed in just a few steps. Apache is a secure, reliable, and versatile web server that can handle most website and application hosting needs. We hope that this guide has been helpful and provided you with all the necessary information to set up your own Apache web server on Ubuntu.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you!
Closing Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability of the information contained in this article.
Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of or in connection with the use of this article or the information contained herein.