How to Install and Configure Apache Web Server - Beginner's Guide

How to Install and Configure Apache Web Server - A Beginner's Guide

How to Install and Configure Apache Web Server - A Beginner's Guide


The Apache HTTP Server, colloquially referred to as Apache, is a free and open-source cross-platform web server. It is one of the most dominant HTTP servers around, and it is a vital skill for any system administrator striving to succeed in server management and configurations.

This tutorial aims to provide a beginner’s guide on how to install and configure an Apache Web Server. So, sit tight and follow through, as we dive into this enlightening process.


Prerequisite


Before you proceed with the Apache installation and configuration, you need to have a basic understanding of what a web server is and an initial setup of any Linux distribution as your operating system.


Installing Apache


The installation process could vary depending on your operating system. However, for this guide, we are going to use Ubuntu. Steps are as follows:


  1. Open Terminal.

  2. Update your system by typing the following command: sudo apt update.

  3. Once your system is updated, install Apache by typing: sudo apt install apache2.


After the installation, you can verify the success of the installation process by launching a web browser and entering http://localhost/ in your address bar. If your installation is successful, you should see the Apache2 Ubuntu default welcome page.


Configuring Apache Web Server


To configure your Apache Web server, you need to familiarize yourself with the Apache configuration file, and its key directives. Let's see how to do this:


  1. Open the terminal and type sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/mywebsite.conf to create a new configuration file.

  2. In this configuration file, add the following content: 
    <VirtualHost *:80> 
    ServerAdmin webmaster@localhost 
    DocumentRoot /var/www/html 
    ErrorLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/error.log 
    CustomLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/access.log combined 
    </VirtualHost>

  3. Save and close the file.

  4. Now, enable the new configuration file by typing: sudo a2ensite mywebsite.conf.

  5. Restart Apache to apply the changes with: sudo systemctl restart apache2.


Congratulations! You have successfully installed and configured an Apache Web Server. Now you can host web pages off your server, monitor server logs for website traffic, and errors among other functionalities offered by an Apache server. Keep in mind that web server management involves a lot more than installation and configuration, and this guide serves as your first step towards managing your server well.


If you're ready to take the next step and start working with the Apache Web Server in a much more detailed manner, I would recommend further learning about the complex but equally rewarding world of Apache directives.