How to Install httpd on AlmaLinux

Installing and configuring a web server is one of the first steps to hosting your own website or application. On AlmaLinux, a popular enterprise-grade Linux distribution, the httpd service (commonly known as Apache HTTP Server) is a reliable and widely used option for serving web content. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of installing and configuring the httpd web server on AlmaLinux.

What is httpd and Why Choose AlmaLinux?

The Apache HTTP Server, referred to as httpd, is an open-source and highly configurable web server that has powered the internet for decades. It supports a wide range of use cases, from hosting static websites to serving dynamic web applications. Paired with AlmaLinux, a CentOS successor designed for enterprise environments, httpd offers a secure, stable, and performance-oriented solution for web hosting.

Prerequisites for Installing httpd on AlmaLinux

Before starting, ensure the following prerequisites are met:

1. Access to an AlmaLinux Server
   You’ll need a machine running AlmaLinux with root or sudo privileges.

2. Basic Command Line Knowledge
   Familiarity with basic Linux commands is essential.

3. Updated System
   Keep your system up to date by running:

   sudo dnf update -y
   

4. Firewall and SELinux Considerations
   Be ready to configure firewall rules and manage SELinux settings for httpd.

Step-by-Step Installation of httpd on AlmaLinux

Follow these steps to install and configure the Apache HTTP Server on AlmaLinux:

1. Install httpd Using DNF

AlmaLinux provides the Apache HTTP Server package in its default repositories. To install it:

1. Update your package list:

   sudo dnf update -y
   

2. Install the httpd package:

   sudo dnf install httpd -y
   

3. Verify the installation by checking the httpd version:

   httpd -v
   

You should see an output indicating the version of Apache installed on your system.

2. Start and Enable the httpd Service

Once httpd is installed, you need to start the service and configure it to start on boot:

1. Start the httpd service:

   sudo systemctl start httpd
   

2. Enable httpd to start automatically at boot:

   sudo systemctl enable httpd
   

3. Verify the service status:

   sudo systemctl status httpd
   

   Look for the status active (running) to confirm it’s operational.

3. Configure Firewall for httpd

By default, the firewall may block HTTP and HTTPS traffic. Allow traffic to the appropriate ports:

1. Open port 80 for HTTP:

   sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=http
   

2. Open port 443 for HTTPS (optional):

   sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=https
   

3. Reload the firewall to apply changes:

   sudo firewall-cmd --reload
   

4. Verify open ports:

   sudo firewall-cmd --list-all
   

4. Test httpd Installation

To ensure the Apache server is working correctly:

1. Open a web browser and navigate to your server’s IP address:

   http://<your-server-ip>
   

2. You should see the Apache test page, indicating that the server is functioning.

5. Configure SELinux (Optional)

If SELinux is enabled on your AlmaLinux system, it might block some actions by default. To manage SELinux policies for httpd:

1. Install policycoreutils tools (if not already installed):

   sudo dnf install policycoreutils-python-utils -y
   

2. Allow httpd to access the network:

   sudo setsebool -P httpd_can_network_connect 1
   

3. If you’re hosting files outside the default /var/www/html directory, use the following command to allow SELinux access:

   sudo semanage fcontext -a -t httpd_sys_content_t "/path/to/your/files(/.*)?"
   sudo restorecon -Rv /path/to/your/files
   

Basic Configuration of Apache (httpd)

1. Edit the Default Configuration File

Apache’s default configuration file is located at /etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf. Use your favorite text editor to make changes, for example:

sudo nano /etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf

Some common configurations you might want to modify include:

• Document Root: Change the location of your website’s files by modifying the DocumentRoot directive.
• ServerName: Set the domain name or IP address of your server to avoid warnings.

2. Create a Virtual Host

To host multiple websites, create a virtual host configuration. For example, create a new file:

sudo nano /etc/httpd/conf.d/example.com.conf

Add the following configuration:

<VirtualHost *:80>
    ServerName example.com
    DocumentRoot /var/www/example.com

    <Directory /var/www/example.com>
        AllowOverride All
        Require all granted
    </Directory>

    ErrorLog /var/log/httpd/example.com-error.log
    CustomLog /var/log/httpd/example.com-access.log combined
</VirtualHost>

Replace example.com with your domain name and adjust paths as needed.

3. Create the document root directory:

   sudo mkdir -p /var/www/example.com
   

4. Set permissions and ownership:

   sudo chown -R apache:apache /var/www/example.com
   sudo chmod -R 755 /var/www/example.com
   

5. Restart Apache to apply changes:

   sudo systemctl restart httpd
   

Troubleshooting Common Issues

1. Firewall or SELinux Blocks

If your website isn’t accessible, check firewall settings and SELinux configurations as outlined earlier.

2. Logs for Debugging

Apache logs can provide valuable insights into issues:

• Access logs: /var/log/httpd/access.log
• Error logs: /var/log/httpd/error.log

3. Permissions Issues

Ensure that the Apache user (apache) has the necessary permissions for the document root.

Securing Your Apache Server

1. Enable HTTPS:
   Install and configure SSL/TLS certificates using Let’s Encrypt:

   sudo dnf install certbot python3-certbot-apache -y
   sudo certbot --apache
   

2. Disable Directory Listing:
   Edit the configuration file and add the Options -Indexes directive to prevent directory listings.

3. Keep httpd Updated:
   Regularly update Apache to ensure you have the latest security patches:

   sudo dnf update httpd -y
   

Conclusion

Installing and configuring httpd on AlmaLinux is a straightforward process that equips you with a powerful web server to host your websites or applications. With its flexibility, stability, and strong community support, Apache is an excellent choice for web hosting needs on AlmaLinux.

By following this guide, you’ll be able to get httpd up and running, customize it to suit your specific requirements, and ensure a secure and robust hosting environment. Now that your web server is ready, you’re all set to launch your next project on AlmaLinux!