How to Host Java Web Application on Linux Server

Hello Dev, welcome to this step-by-step guide on how to host your Java web application on a Linux server. In this article, we will walk you through the entire process from start to finish, and by the end of it, you will have your web application up and running on your Linux server. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Choose Your Linux Server Provider

The first step in hosting your Java web application on a Linux server is to choose your Linux server provider. There are several hosting providers out there, and it’s important to choose the one that best suits your needs. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a Linux server provider:

Server Specifications

Make sure the server provider offers sufficient RAM, CPU, and storage space to handle your web application’s traffic and data. Check the provider’s website for details on server specifications before making your decision.

Uptime Guarantee

Uptime is critical for your web application’s availability. Make sure your provider offers an uptime guarantee of at least 99.9% to ensure your web application is always available to your users.

Support

Choose a provider that offers 24/7 support in case you need help with your server. Check reviews and testimonials to see how responsive and helpful the provider’s support team is.

Cost

Compare the pricing of different providers to choose the one that fits your budget. Don’t forget to consider any additional fees, such as setup or maintenance fees, when making your decision.

Setup Your Linux Server

Once you’ve chosen your Linux server provider, it’s time to set up your server. Here’s how:

Step 2: Install Java on Your Linux Server

Java is required to run your Java web application on the Linux server. Here’s how to install Java on your Linux server:

Check if Java is Installed

Before you install Java, check if it’s already installed on your server by running the following command in the terminal:

Command	Description
java -version	Checks if Java is installed and displays the version number

If Java is not installed, the command will return an error message. If Java is installed, you will see the version number.

Install Java

If Java is not installed on your server, follow these steps to install it:

Command	Description
sudo apt-get update	Updates the package list on your server
sudo apt-get install default-jdk	Installs the default JDK package on your server

Once the installation is complete, check if Java is installed by running the java -version command again.

Step 3: Install Apache Tomcat on Your Linux Server

Apache Tomcat is a popular web server for hosting Java web applications. Here’s how to install Apache Tomcat on your Linux server:

Download Apache Tomcat

Go to the Apache Tomcat website and download the latest version of Apache Tomcat for Linux:

Command	Description
wget https://downloads.apache.org/tomcat/tomcat-9/v9.0.45/bin/apache-tomcat-9.0.45.tar.gz	Downloads the latest version of Apache Tomcat for Linux

Extract Apache Tomcat

Extract the downloaded Apache Tomcat file using the following command:

Command	Description
tar -xvzf apache-tomcat-9.0.45.tar.gz	Extracts the Apache Tomcat file

Install Apache Tomcat as a Service

To run Apache Tomcat as a service, create a new user and group for Apache Tomcat and change the ownership of the extracted Apache Tomcat directory to the new user and group using the following commands:

Command	Description
sudo useradd -r -m -U -d /opt/tomcat -s /bin/false tomcat	Creates a new user and group for Apache Tomcat
sudo chown -R tomcat: /opt/tomcat	Changes the ownership of the Apache Tomcat directory to the new user and group

Configure Apache Tomcat

Configure Apache Tomcat by creating a new configuration file for Apache Tomcat:

Command	Description
sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/tomcat.service	Opens a new configuration file for Apache Tomcat

Paste the following configuration in the file:

[Unit]Description=Apache Tomcat Web Application ContainerAfter=network.target[Service]Type=forkingEnvironment=JAVA_HOME=/usr/lib/jvm/java-1.11.0-openjdk-amd64Environment=CATALINA_PID=/opt/tomcat/temp/tomcat.pidEnvironment=CATALINA_HOME=/opt/tomcatEnvironment=CATALINA_BASE=/opt/tomcatEnvironment='CATALINA_OPTS=-Xms512M -Xmx1024M -server -XX:+UseParallelGC'ExecStart=/opt/tomcat/bin/startup.shExecStop=/opt/tomcat/bin/shutdown.shUser=tomcatGroup=tomcat[Install]WantedBy=multi-user.target

Save and close the file, then reload the systemd daemon and start the Tomcat service using the following commands:

Command	Description
sudo systemctl daemon-reload	Reloads the systemd daemon
sudo systemctl start tomcat	Starts the Tomcat service

Finally, check if Tomcat is running by navigating to your server’s IP address followed by port 8080 in your web browser (e.g., http://server_ip:8080). If you see the Tomcat homepage, that means Tomcat is running successfully.

Step 4: Deploy Your Web Application to Apache Tomcat

Now that you’ve installed Apache Tomcat on your Linux server, it’s time to deploy your Java web application to it. Here’s how:

Build Your Web Application

Build your web application into a WAR file using your preferred build tool, such as Apache Maven or Gradle:

Command	Description
mvn clean package	Builds your web application into a WAR file using Maven
./gradlew bootWar	Builds your web application into a WAR file using Gradle

You will find the WAR file in the target/ directory.

Deploy Your Web Application to Apache Tomcat

Deploy your WAR file to Apache Tomcat using the Tomcat Manager web interface:

1. Navigate to http://server_ip:8080/manager/html in your web browser
2. Log in with your Tomcat username and password (specified in the tomcat-users.xml file)
3. Click the WAR file to deploy section
4. Click the Browse... button and select your WAR file
5. Click Deploy to deploy your web application

Once your web application is deployed, you can access it by navigating to http://server_ip:8080/your_web_application_name in your web browser.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I host my Java web application on a shared Linux server?

A: Yes, you can host your Java web application on a shared Linux server, but keep in mind that shared servers have limited resources and may not be suitable for high-traffic web applications.

Q: Do I need to restart Apache Tomcat every time I update my web application?

A: No, you don’t need to restart Apache Tomcat every time you update your web application. Simply redeploy your updated WAR file to Tomcat using the Tomcat Manager web interface, and Tomcat will automatically reload the web application.

Q: How do I configure SSL on my Apache Tomcat server?

A: You can configure SSL on your Apache Tomcat server by generating an SSL certificate and configuring your Tomcat server to use it. Here’s a guide on how to do it: https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials/how-to-install-an-ssl-certificate-from-a-commercial-certificate-authority.

Q: How do I backup my Apache Tomcat server?

A: You can backup your Apache Tomcat server by creating a backup of the /opt/tomcat/ directory and your web application’s data directory. Here’s a guide on how to do it: https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials/how-to-back-up-tomcat-web-applications-and-configurations.

That’s it, Dev! We hope this guide has helped you host your Java web application on a Linux server. If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to leave them in the comments section below. Happy hosting!