How to Install the Apache Web Server on Ubuntu 20.04

Apache is one of the most popular web servers, and installing it on Ubuntu 20.04 is straightforward. Follow these steps to get Apache up and running on your system.

1. Update Your Package Index

Before installing any new software, it’s a good practice to update the package index. Open your terminal and run:

sudo apt update

2. Install Apache

With the package index updated, you can now install Apache using the following command:

sudo apt install apache2

3. Adjust the Firewall

If you have a firewall enabled, you need to allow HTTP and HTTPS traffic. Check the status of the firewall with:

sudo ufw status

If it’s active, allow Apache through the firewall:

sudo ufw allow 'Apache Full'

4. Verify Apache Installation

To confirm that Apache is installed and running, you can check its status with:

sudo systemctl status apache2

You should see a message indicating that Apache is active (running).

5. Test Apache

Open a web browser and type your server’s IP address into the address bar. You should see the default Apache welcome page, which confirms that Apache is successfully installed and running.

6. Manage the Apache Service

You can manage the Apache service using the following commands:

• Start Apache: sudo systemctl start apache2
• Stop Apache: sudo systemctl stop apache2
• Restart Apache: sudo systemctl restart apache2
• Reload Apache (apply configuration changes without restarting): sudo systemctl reload apache2
• Enable Apache to start on boot: sudo systemctl enable apache2