Lamp on Ubuntu Server 18.04: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction:

Welcome to our guide on installing and configuring LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP) stack on an Ubuntu Server 18.04. In this article, we will explain step-by-step how to install and configure the LAMP stack along with its advantages and disadvantages. If you’re a web developer or just starting with web development, this guide is for you.

Who is this guide for?

This guide targets beginners and experienced developers who want to configure a website on an Ubuntu Server 18.04. If you want to set up a webserver, host a website, or develop web applications, this guide is for you.

What is LAMP?

LAMP is an open-source web development platform that consists of four components:

Component	Description
Linux	An operating system that serves as the foundation for the LAMP stack.
Apache	A web server software that delivers web pages to clients.
MySQL	A relational database management system that stores and retrieves data.
PHP	A server-side scripting language that processes dynamic web content.

Prerequisites

To follow along with this guide, you will need:

• An Ubuntu Server 18.04 instance with root or sudo privileges.
• A terminal or command line interface.
• Basic knowledge of the Linux command line.

Installing LAMP on Ubuntu Server 18.04: Step-by-step guide

Step 1: Update and upgrade Ubuntu

Before you start installing LAMP, it’s essential to update and upgrade your Ubuntu Server. To do this, you need to enter the following command in the terminal:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Install Apache on Ubuntu Server 18.04

Apache is the webserver that provides the web pages to the client. To install Apache, use the following command:

sudo apt install apache2

Step 3: Install MySQL on Ubuntu Server 18.04

MySQL is a database management system that stores data. To install MySQL, use the following command:

sudo apt install mysql-server mysql-client

Step 4: Install PHP on Ubuntu Server 18.04

PHP is a server-side scripting language that processes dynamic web content. To install PHP, use the following command:

sudo apt install php libapache2-mod-php php-mysql php-cli

Step 5: Test the LAMP stack on Ubuntu Server 18.04

After installing all the components, you should test the LAMP stack to ensure that they’re working correctly. To do this, create a file called info.php in the /var/www/html directory by entering the following command:

sudo nano /var/www/html/info.php

Then, add the following PHP code to the file:

<?php phpinfo(); ?>

Save and exit the file, then open your web browser and navigate to http:///info.php. You should see a PHP information page displaying all the information about your server’s PHP configuration.

Advantages and Disadvantages of LAMP on Ubuntu Server 18.04

Advantages:

1. Easy to install:

Installing LAMP on Ubuntu Server 18.04 is straightforward, and the process has been streamlined over the years.

2. Open-source:

All components of the LAMP stack are open-source, free to use, and have a vast library of resources available online.

3. Highly customizable:

The LAMP stack’s open-source nature means that it can be customized to suit your specific needs and preferences.

4. Reliable:

The LAMP stack is known for its stability and reliability, making it a popular choice for web developers.

Disadvantages:

1. Security:

Security can be a concern with LAMP, especially if not appropriately configured, so it’s essential to take the necessary precautions.

2. Maintenance:

Maintenance can be time-consuming, requiring regular updates and performance optimization.

3. Performance:

Sometimes, LAMP’s performance can be slow, especially when handling massive amounts of data.

4. Scalability:

Scalability can be a problem with LAMP, especially when handling high traffic websites.

FAQs:

Q1. How do I start/stop Apache on Ubuntu Server 18.04?

To start or stop Apache, use the following commands:

sudo systemctl start apache2

sudo systemctl stop apache2

Q2. How do I change the default Apache port?

To change the default Apache port, open the /etc/apache2/ports.conf file and modify the “Listen” directive:

sudo nano /etc/apache2/ports.conf

Then, change the Listen directive to the desired port:

Listen 9999

Q3. How do I install PHPMyAdmin on Ubuntu Server 18.04?

To install PHPMyAdmin on Ubuntu Server 18.04, enter the following command:

sudo apt install phpmyadmin

Q4. How do I reset the MySQL root password on Ubuntu Server 18.04?

To reset the MySQL root password, use the following command:

sudo mysql -u root -p

Then, enter the following commands:

FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

ALTER USER 'root'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED WITH mysql_native_password BY 'new_password';

FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

Q5. How do I change the MySQL timezone on Ubuntu Server 18.04?

To change the MySQL timezone on Ubuntu Server 18.04, open the /etc/mysql/mysql.conf.d/mysqld.cnf file and add the following line:

default_time_zone = 'America/New_York'

Then, restart MySQL using the following command:

sudo systemctl restart mysql

Q6. How do I configure Apache virtual hosts on Ubuntu Server 18.04?

To configure Apache virtual hosts on Ubuntu Server 18.04, create a new configuration file in the /etc/apache2/sites-available directory:

sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/example.com.conf

Then, add the following configuration:

<VirtualHost *:80>
   ServerName example.com
   DocumentRoot /var/www/example.com
   ErrorLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/error.log
   CustomLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/access.log combined
</VirtualHost>

Save and exit the file, then enable the virtual host and restart Apache:

sudo a2ensite example.com.conf

sudo systemctl restart apache2

Q7. How do I access MySQL from a remote server?

To access MySQL from a remote server, you need to modify the /etc/mysql/mysql.conf.d/mysqld.cnf file:

sudo nano /etc/mysql/mysql.conf.d/mysqld.cnf

Change the bind-address to 0.0.0.0:

bind-address = 0.0.0.0

Then, grant remote access to the MySQL user:

GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON *.* TO 'root'@'%' IDENTIFIED BY 'password';

Finally, restart MySQL:

sudo systemctl restart mysql

Conclusion

In conclusion, LAMP is an excellent stack for web developers, but like anything, it has its advantages and disadvantages. Despite its minor flaws, LAMP provides a robust platform for web development, hosting, and web application development. With this guide, you’re now ready to get started with LAMP on Ubuntu Server 18.04.

If you face any challenges when installing or configuring LAMP on your Ubuntu Server, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for assistance.

Closing or Disclaimer

The information in this article is accurate to the best of our knowledge. We do not assume any responsibility for any damages caused by the use of the information provided in this guide. Please ensure to test any changes made on a non-production server before applying them to a live server.

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