How To Install Apache2 On Ubuntu 20.04

Apache HTTP Server, commonly known as Apache2, is one of the most widely used web server software across the globe. It plays a pivotal role in hosting websites by delivering content through the internet to users’ browsers. The versatility and robustness of Apache2 make it a preferred choice for developers and system administrators. Before diving into the installation process on Ubuntu 20.04, it’s essential to understand why Apache2 stands out among its competitors.

Open Source: Apache2 is an open-source project, which means it is free to use, modify, and distribute.
Modularity: Its modular structure allows for extending functionality with various modules such as mod_ssl, mod_rewrite, etc.
Customization: Apache2 offers extensive configuration options to tailor the server to specific needs.
Community Support: A strong community provides support and contributes to continuous improvements.
Cross-Platform: Apache2 runs on various operating systems, including Linux, Windows, and macOS.

Prerequisites for Installing Apache2 on Ubuntu 20.04

Before proceeding with the installation of Apache2 on Ubuntu 20.04, ensure that you have the following prerequisites covered:

A machine running Ubuntu 20.04 LTS
A user account with sudo privileges
An active internet connection to download packages
Basic knowledge of terminal commands

Step-by-Step Installation of Apache2

Installing Apache2 on Ubuntu 20.04 is a straightforward process that can be completed using the terminal. Follow these steps to install and configure Apache2 successfully.

Step 1: Update Package Repository

Begin by updating your package repository to ensure you have access to the latest versions of software available.

sudo apt update

Step 2: Install Apache2

With the package list updated, proceed to install Apache2 using the following command:

sudo apt install apache2

Once the installation is complete, Apache2 will start automatically. You can check the status of the service with:

sudo systemctl status apache2

Step 3: Adjust Firewall Settings

If you have UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall) enabled, you need to allow traffic on port 80 (HTTP) and optionally on port 443 (HTTPS) for secure connections.

sudo ufw allow 'Apache'

Verify the changes with:

sudo ufw status

Step 4: Verify Apache2 Installation

To confirm that Apache2 is running correctly, open your web browser and navigate to your server’s IP address or localhost:

http://your_server_ip_or_localhost

You should see the default Apache2 Ubuntu page.

Configuring Apache2 on Ubuntu 20.04

After installing Apache2, it’s important to understand how to manage the configuration to host websites effectively.

Understanding Apache2 Configuration Files

Apache2 configuration files are located in /etc/apache2/. Key directories include:

sites-available/: This directory contains configuration files for all of your virtual hosts.
sites-enabled/: Here, you’ll find symlinks to the sites that you want to be actively served by Apache2.
mods-available/: Contains available modules.
mods-enabled/: Contains enabled modules.
conf-available/ and conf-enabled/: Directories for additional global configuration files.

Creating Virtual Hosts

Virtual hosts allow you to host multiple websites on a single server. To set up a new site, create a new configuration file in the sites-available/ directory.

sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/your_domain.conf

Add the following configuration, adjusting for your domain and document root:

<VirtualHost *:80>
    ServerAdmin webmaster@your_domain
    ServerName your_domain
    ServerAlias www.your_domain
    DocumentRoot /var/www/your_domain
    ErrorLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/error.log
    CustomLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/access.log combined
</VirtualHost>

Enable the new site and reload Apache2:

sudo a2ensite your_domain.conf
sudo systemctl reload apache2

Securing Apache with Let’s Encrypt SSL Certificate

For secure data transmission, it’s recommended to use HTTPS by obtaining an SSL certificate. Let’s Encrypt provides free certificates that can be easily installed.

sudo apt install certbot python3-certbot-apache
sudo certbot --apache -d your_domain -d www.your_domain

Follow the prompts to complete the setup, and Certbot will automatically renew the certificates.

Troubleshooting Common Apache2 Issues

Encountering issues during or after installation is common. Here are some troubleshooting tips:

Check syntax errors in Apache2 configuration files with sudo apache2ctl configtest.
If a website isn’t loading, verify that the virtual host file is linked in sites-enabled/.
Review error logs located in /var/log/apache2/ for specific error messages.
Ensure that ports 80 and 443 are open on your firewall.

Maintaining and Updating Apache2

Regular maintenance and updates are crucial for security and performance. Keep Apache2 up-to-date with:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

Additionally, disable any unnecessary modules or virtual hosts to optimize performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I restart Apache2?

Use the following command to restart Apache2:

sudo systemctl restart apache2

Can I install Apache2 alongside other web servers like Nginx?

Yes, but they cannot both listen on the same port. You would need to configure them to work on different ports.

How do I uninstall Apache2?

To remove Apache2, use:

sudo apt remove --purge apache2

Is Apache2 suitable for high-traffic websites?

Yes, Apache2 can handle high traffic if properly configured and optimized with caching, load balancing, and other techniques.

How do I enable HTTPS on Apache2?

Install an SSL certificate and configure your virtual host to use port 443 with the SSL module enabled.

References

For further reading and advanced configurations, refer to the official Apache documentation at Apache HTTP Server Documentation and the Ubuntu community help pages.