How to Install Apache Web Server on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS: A Detailed Guide

Apache HTTP Server is one of the most widely used web servers in the world. It’s robust, reliable, and highly customizable, making it a preferred choice for hosting websites. If you’re running Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, installing Apache is straightforward and can be done with just a few commands. This guide will take you through the process step-by-step.

Apache serves as the backbone for countless web applications on the internet. It can host everything from personal blogs to large enterprise websites. Ubuntu’s APT package manager makes it simple to install and manage Apache packages, ensuring you get the latest stable version and security updates.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding, you should have:

• A machine running Ubuntu 24.04 LTS.
• A user account with sudo privileges.
• Access to a terminal/command line.

Step-by-Step Installation

Step 1: Update Your Package Index

Before installing any software, it’s good practice to update your package manager’s index to ensure you’re accessing the latest versions available in the repository:

sudo apt update

Step 2: Install Apache

Install Apache2 using the following command. This command will retrieve the latest Apache package from Ubuntu’s repositories:

sudo apt install apache2

Step 3: Adjust the Firewall

If your server is protected by a firewall, specifically the Uncomplicated Firewall (UFW), you’ll need to allow traffic on HTTP (port 80) and HTTPS (port 443) to enable access to the web server:

sudo ufw allow 'Apache'

To ensure the rules are applied and check the status, use:

sudo ufw status

The output should list ‘Apache’ as an allowed service.

Step 4: Verify Apache Installation

To confirm that Apache has been installed correctly and is running, you can check its status using the systemctl command:

sudo systemctl status apache2

You should see an output indicating that the service is active. Alternatively, open a web browser and type your server’s IP address. If Apache has been installed correctly, you will see the default Ubuntu Apache web page, which confirms that the server is up and running.

Step 5: Managing Apache Service

Apache can be managed with systemctl. Here are some basic commands to manage your Apache service:

To stop Apache:

sudo systemctl stop apache2

To start Apache when it has been stopped:

sudo systemctl start apache2

To restart Apache (useful for reloading configurations):

sudo systemctl restart apache2

To reload Apache without dropping connections (ideal for applying minor configuration changes):

sudo systemctl reload apache2

Step 6: Enable Apache to Start at Boot

To make sure Apache starts automatically at boot, use:

sudo systemctl enable apache2

Conclusion

With Apache installed and configured on your Ubuntu 24.04 LTS system, you’re now ready to host websites and web applications. Apache’s extensive documentation and active community support make it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced web administrators. Whether you’re hosting a small blog or a large-scale commercial site, Apache offers the flexibility and performance you need.