Greetings, Dev! In this article, we will guide you on how to host your own Signal server. Signal is a popular messaging app that emphasizes privacy and security. By hosting your own Signal server, you can have greater control over your messaging experience while maintaining your privacy. Here is a comprehensive guide that will help you set up your own Signal server.
Getting Started
Before you start hosting your own Signal server, it is important to understand the various components of Signal. The Signal system consists of three main parts: the client, the server, and the relay. The client is the application on your device that you use to send and receive messages. The server is the computer program that receives messages from the client and delivers them to the intended recipients. The relay is the server that helps to route messages between servers when they are unable to communicate directly.
In order to host your own Signal server, you will need to have a dedicated server with a public IP address running Ubuntu 18.04 or later. You will also need to have a domain name that you can use to access your server. In addition, you will need to have basic knowledge of command-line interface and networking.
Setting up the Server
The first step to hosting your own Signal server is setting up the server. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Create a New User Account
Create a new user account on the server by running the following command:
Command |
Description |
|---|---|
sudo adduser signal –home /home/signal |
This command creates a new user account named “signal” with the home directory set to “/home/signal”. |
Step 2: Install Required Packages
Install the required packages by running the following command:
Command |
Description |
|---|---|
sudo apt update |
This command updates the package index. |
sudo apt install curl git wget software-properties-common |
This command installs the required packages. |
Step 3: Install Node.js
Install Node.js using the following commands:
Command |
Description |
|---|---|
curl -sL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_14.x | sudo -E bash – |
This command downloads the installation script for Node.js. |
sudo apt install nodejs |
This command installs Node.js. |
Step 4: Install PostgreSQL
Install PostgreSQL using the following commands:
Command |
Description |
|---|---|
sudo apt install postgresql postgresql-contrib |
This command installs PostgreSQL. |
sudo systemctl start postgresql |
This command starts the PostgreSQL service. |
Step 5: Install Redis
Install Redis using the following commands:
Command |
Description |
|---|---|
sudo apt install redis-server |
This command installs Redis. |
sudo systemctl start redis-server |
This command starts the Redis service. |
Step 6: Install Signal Server
Install Signal Server using the following commands:
Command |
Description |
|---|---|
git clone https://github.com/signalapp/Signal-Server.git |
This command clones the Signal Server repository. |
cd Signal-Server |
This command changes the current directory to the Signal-Server directory. |
./gradlew build |
This command builds the Signal Server. |
Configuring the Server
The next step is to configure the server. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Create the Configuration File
Create the configuration file by running the following command:
Command |
Description |
|---|---|
cp config/example.yml config/config.yml |
This command creates a copy of the example configuration file. |
Step 2: Edit the Configuration File
Edit the configuration file using a text editor. Here are the parameters you need to set:
Parameter |
Value |
|---|---|
serverName |
Your domain name. |
storageBaseDirectory |
The directory where the Signal Server data will be stored. |
authentication |
The authentication method you want to use. You can choose from: RSA, Curve, and Password. |
certificate |
The path to the SSL certificate. |
key |
The path to the SSL private key. |
signingCertificate |
The path to the signing certificate. |
signingKey |
The path to the signing key. |
fileAuthenticator |
The path to the file authenticator configuration file. |
redisUrl |
The URL of the Redis server. |
databaseUrl |
The URL of the PostgreSQL database. |
Step 3: Generate the Keys and Certificates
Generate the SSL keys and certificates using the following commands:
Command |
Description |
|---|---|
mkdir cert |
This command creates a directory for the SSL keys and certificates. |
openssl req -x509 -newkey rsa:4096 -sha256 -days 3650 -nodes -keyout cert/signing-key.pem -out cert/signing-cert.pem |
This command generates the signing key and certificate. |
openssl req -newkey rsa:4096 -sha256 -nodes -keyout cert/domain.key -out cert/domain.csr |
This command generates the SSL private key and CSR. |
openssl x509 -req -sha256 -days 3650 -in cert/domain.csr -signkey cert/domain.key -out cert/domain.crt |
This command generates the SSL certificate. |
Step 4: Configure the Firewall
Configure the firewall to allow traffic on ports 80, 443, and 8443 using the following commands:
Command |
Description |
|---|---|
sudo ufw allow http |
This command allows traffic on port 80. |
sudo ufw allow https |
This command allows traffic on port 443. |
sudo ufw allow 8443 |
This command allows traffic on port 8443. |
sudo ufw enable |
This command enables the firewall. |
Running the Server
The final step is to run the server. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Start the Server
Start the Signal Server using the following command:
Command |
Description |
|---|---|
java -jar service/target/TextSecureServer-*.jar server config/config.yml |
This command starts the Signal Server. |
Step 2: Test the Server
Test the Signal Server using the Signal Desktop app or the Signal mobile app. Use your domain name as the server address and your phone number as the username. The Signal app will send a verification code to your phone, which you will need to enter to verify your identity.
FAQ
1. What are the advantages of hosting my own Signal server?
Hosting your own Signal server gives you greater control over your messaging experience while maintaining your privacy. You can customize the server to your liking and ensure that your data is not being shared with third-party servers or services.
2. Can I use the Signal Desktop app with my own server?
Yes, you can use the Signal Desktop app with your own server. Simply enter your domain name as the server address and your phone number as the username.
3. Do I need to be a developer to host my own Signal server?
No, you do not need to be a developer to host your own Signal server. However, you do need to have basic knowledge of command-line interface and networking.
4. Is hosting my own Signal server secure?
Hosting your own Signal server can be secure if you follow the proper security protocols. Make sure that you set up SSL encryption and configure your firewall to allow traffic on only the necessary ports.
5. Can I run multiple domains on the same Signal server?
Yes, you can run multiple domains on the same Signal server. Simply add the domain names to the configuration file and generate separate SSL certificates for each domain.
That concludes our comprehensive guide on how to host your own Signal server. We hope that this guide has been helpful to you, Dev. Happy hosting!