How to Install Ubuntu Server and Configure a Web Server (Step by Step)

Published: December 19, 2024

In this guide, you will learn how to install Ubuntu Server, configure Apache, and set up your first HTML website.

1. Prepare Your System

• Create Bootable USB

Download the Ubuntu Server ISO from the official website.
Create a bootable USB using Rufus (Windows) or Etcher (Linux/macOS).
Boot from the USB and follow the installation prompts to install Ubuntu Server.
During installation, configure a hostname (e.g., myserver) and create a user account.

• Update and Upgrade the System

After installation, log in to your server and run:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

2. Install & Configure Apache2 Web Server

• Installation Process

To install Apache, run:

sudo apt install apache2 -y

Enable Apache to start on boot and start the service:

sudo systemctl enable apache2
sudo systemctl start apache2

To check if Apache is running, visit your server's IP address in a web browser. You should see the default Apache welcome page.

• Configure Firewall for Apache

If UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall) is active, allow HTTP and HTTPS traffic:

sudo ufw allow 'Apache Full'

Enable the firewall if it is not already enabled:

sudo ufw enable

• Set Up Your First HTML Website

Create a New Directory for Your Website:

sudo mkdir -p /var/www/{{your_website_name}}

Change the ownership of the directory to your user:

sudo chown -R $USER:$USER /var/www/{{your_website_name}}

Create a simple HTML file in the new directory:

echo "<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <title>Welcome to My Website</title>
</head>
<body>
    <h1>Hello, World!</h1>
    <p>This is my first website hosted on Apache.</p>
</body>
</html>" | sudo tee /var/www/{{your_website_name}}/index.html

• Create an Apache Configuration File

Create a new configuration file for your website:

sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/{{your_website_name}}.conf

Add the following content:

<VirtualHost *:80>
ServerName {{your_website_name for eg. aeolink.com or ommnium.com}}
DocumentRoot /var/www/{{your_website_name}}
                
<Directory /var/www/{{your_website_name}}>
    AllowOverride All
    Require all granted
</Directory>
                
ErrorLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/error.log
CustomLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/access.log combined
</VirtualHost>

Enable Your Website

sudo a2ensite mywebsite.conf
sudo systemctl reload apache2

3. Update Your Hosts File

• (Optional for Local Testing)

If you are testing locally, add this line to your /etc/hosts file on your computer:

127.0.0.1 mywebsite.local

4. Final Step

• Test Your Website

Visit http://mywebsite.local (or your server's IP address if testing remotely) in a browser. You should see your "Hello, World!" page.

• Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Ubuntu Server, configured Apache, and deployed your first HTML website. From here, you can add more content or explore dynamic websites using PHP and MySQL.