The LAMP stack is a popular and versatile set of open-source tools used for web server management. The acronym stands for Linux, Apache, MySQL/MariaDB, and PHP. This stack is ideal for those who want a robust and reliable platform to develop and host their websites. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of installing and configuring a LAMP stack on an Ubuntu server.

Introduction

Setting up a LAMP stack on a fresh cloud server is a straightforward way to get a web server up and running quickly. Whether you’re starting a new project or migrating an existing site, the LAMP stack provides a solid foundation for web development. Follow these steps to install and configure the LAMP stack on your Ubuntu server.

Step 1: Update Your Server

Before beginning the installation, ensure that your server’s package index is up to date:

 sudo apt update 

sudo apt upgrade

Step 2: Installing and Testing Apache2

Apache is a widely used web server that serves as the “A” in LAMP. To install Apache, use:

sudo apt install apache2

With the following command, confirm that Apache is currently running.

sudo systemctl status apache2

Now you might get a screen like below given output indicating that the apache2.service is getting active and start running. To confirm that Apache is working,

Open a web browser and visit your server’s IP address. You should see the Apache2 default page.

Step 3 : Installing PHP 7.4

PHP is the scripting language that powers dynamic content on your site. Install PHP along with some common modules::

sudo apt install php7.4 php7.4-mysql php-common php7.4-cli php7.4-json php7.4-common php7.4-opcache libapache2-mod-php7.4

Check the installed php version:

php --version

Restart Apache for the changes to take effect:

sudo systemctl restart apache2

Step 4: Installing and securing MariaDB

Install the following packages:

sudo apt install mariadb-server mariadb-client

Once installed, make sure it’s up and running:

sudo systemctl status mariadb

 You will receive a screen like shown in the below picture.

Secure the newly installed MariaDB service:

sudo mysql_secure_installation

Follow the prompts to set up root passwords and remove insecure default settings.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You now have a fully operational LAMP stack with Linux, Apache, MariaDB, and PHP installed on your Ubuntu server. This powerful combination provides a solid foundation for developing and hosting your websites. You are now ready to begin developing your web applications and managing your content. Happy coding!