How to install a web server on your Linux VPS

Instructions for installing the web servers Apache2 and Nginx on a Linux VPS.

Apache2 and Nginx in comparison

Apache2:

• Classic web server, very widely used
• Supports .htaccess files
• Simple configuration, ideal for beginners and WordPress hosting
• Works process-based, which can lead to performance losses under high load

Nginx:

• Modern, resource-saving web server
• Works event-based → very performant under high load
• No .htaccess support
• Often used as a reverse proxy in front of Apache or other services

Apache2

1. Update system
   First update the system of your server. Open the console and enter the following command:

   apt update && apt upgrade -y
   

2. Install Apache2
   Install Apache2 by entering the following command in the console:

   sudo apt install apache2
   

3. Default web directory
   After installation, you can upload your website files there:

   /var/www/html
   

4. Test website
   Open a web browser and navigate to: http://<server-ip>

5. Important commands
   Use the following commands to manage Apache2:

   sudo systemctl status apache2     # Displays the status of Apache2
   sudo systemctl restart apache2    # Restarts Apache2
   sudo systemctl enable apache2     # Enables Apache2 at system startup
   

Nginx

1. Update system
   First update the system of your server. Open the console and enter the following command:

   apt update && apt upgrade -y
   

2. Install Nginx
   Install Nginx by entering the following command in the console:

   sudo apt install nginx
   

3. Default web directory
   After installation, you can upload your website files there:

   /var/www/html
   

4. Test website
   Open a web browser and navigate to: http://<server-ip>

5. Important commands
   Use the following commands to manage Nginx:

   sudo systemctl status nginx     # Displays the status of Nginx
   sudo systemctl restart nginx    # Restarts Nginx
   sudo systemctl enable nginx     # Activates Nginx at system startup