Install and Configure OpenLiteSpeed on Ubuntu 22.04 | Easy Steps

In this article on the Orcacore website, we intend to teach you How To Install and Configure OpenLiteSpeed on Ubuntu 22.04.

OpenLiteSpeed is a high-performance, lightweight, open-source HTTP server that helps your site load faster than ever. Because it’s developed and maintained by the same team responsible for LiteSpeed Web Server Enterprise, it contains all of the essential features of the enterprise version and the same high-quality coding standard.

To Install and Configure OpenLiteSpeed on Ubuntu 22.04, you must log in to your server as a non-root user with sudo privileges and set up a basic firewall. To do this, you can follow our guide on the Initial Server Setup with Ubuntu 22.04.

1. Download and Install OpenLiteSpeed on Ubuntu 22.04

First, you need to update your local package index with the command below:

sudo apt update -y

Then, use the following command to download the OpenLiteSpeed package:

sudo wget https://openlitespeed.org/packages/openlitespeed-1.7.16.tgz

To check the latest version, you can visit the OpenLiteSpeed Downloads page.

Next, extract your downloaded file with the following command:

sudo tar -zxvf openlitespeed-*.tgz

Switch to your OpenLiteSpeed directory:

cd openlitespeed

At this point, use the command below to install OpenLiteSpeed on Ubuntu 22.04:

sudo ./install.sh

When your installation is completed, you will get the following output:

**Output**
-e Installation finished, Enjoy!

-e Your webAdmin password is **MmUyYjg1**, written to file /usr/local/lsws/adminpasswd.

Note: Note down your password somewhere, you will need it in the next steps.

Start your OpenLiteSpeed service by running the command below:

sudo /usr/local/lsws/bin/lswsctrl start

Verify that your OpenLiteSpeed web server is active and running on Ubuntu 22.04 with the following command:

sudo /usr/local/lsws/bin/lswsctrl status

In your output, you will see:

**Output**
litespeed is running with PID 2393.

2. Configure Firewall For OpenLiteSpeed

By default, the OpenLiteSpeed Web admin console listens on port 7080. At this point, you need to open the OpenLiteSpeed port through the Ubuntu 22.04 firewall with the command below:

sudo ufw allow 7080

Reload the firewall to apply the new rules:

sudo ufw reload

3. Access OpenLiteSpeed Admin Console

At this point, you can access the OpenLiteSpeed admin console by typing your server’s IP address in your web browser, followed by 7080:

http://your-server-ip:7080

You will see the OpenLiteSpeed login screen. Enter the Admin as the username and your password from the previous steps and click Login.

Now you will see your OpenLitespeed web admin console.

Conclusion

At this point, you learn to Install and Configure OpenLiteSpeed on Ubuntu 22.04 and access your OpenLiteSpeed Admin console. Installing and configuring OpenLiteSpeed on Ubuntu 22.04 provides a fast, lightweight, and high-performance web server. It improves website speed, security, and scalability, making it ideal for hosting dynamic applications.

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You may also like to read the following articles:

Lighttpd Web Server Installation on Debian 12

Lighttpd Setup on Ubuntu 22.04

Set up Caddy Web Server on Ubuntu 20.04

FAQs

Alternative Installation Methods for OpenLiteSpeed on Ubuntu 22.04

While the provided method of downloading and installing the OpenLiteSpeed tarball is effective, it requires manual management of updates. Here are two alternative approaches to install and configure OpenLiteSpeed on Ubuntu 22.04, offering easier updates or containerization benefits.

1. Using a Pre-built Docker Image

Docker provides a containerization solution, allowing you to run OpenLiteSpeed in an isolated environment. This method simplifies deployment, ensures consistency across different environments, and eases the update process.

Explanation:

Docker images are pre-packaged environments containing everything needed to run an application, including the operating system, runtime, dependencies, and application code. Using a pre-built OpenLiteSpeed Docker image eliminates the need for manual installation and configuration. Updates can be easily applied by pulling the latest image.

Steps:

1. Install Docker: If Docker is not already installed, install it using the following commands:

   sudo apt update
   sudo apt install docker.io -y
   sudo systemctl start docker
   sudo systemctl enable docker

2. Pull the OpenLiteSpeed Docker Image: There are several OpenLiteSpeed Docker images available on Docker Hub. Choose one that suits your needs. A popular option is the official LiteSpeedTech image.

   sudo docker pull litespeedtech/openlitespeed

3. Run the Docker Container: Create and run the container using the pulled image. You’ll need to map ports 80, 443, and 7080 (admin console) from the host to the container. You might also want to mount a volume to persist your website files.

   sudo docker run -d -p 80:80 -p 443:443 -p 7080:7080 
   -v /path/to/your/website:/usr/local/lsws/Example/html 
   --name openlitespeed litespeedtech/openlitespeed

   • -d: Runs the container in detached mode (background).
   • -p 80:80 -p 443:443 -p 7080:7080: Maps ports from the host to the container.
   • -v /path/to/your/website:/usr/local/lsws/Example/html: Mounts a volume to persist website files. Replace /path/to/your/website with the actual path to your website files on the host machine. The internal directory /usr/local/lsws/Example/html is the default web root.
   • --name openlitespeed: Assigns a name to the container for easier management.
   • litespeedtech/openlitespeed: Specifies the Docker image to use.

4. Access the OpenLiteSpeed Admin Console: Access the admin console using your server’s IP address and port 7080, just as in the original instructions: http://your-server-ip:7080. The default username and password for the admin console within the container are admin and 123456 respectively. It’s crucial to change this immediately after logging in for security reasons.

5. Updating the OpenLiteSpeed Docker Image: Stop and remove the existing container, pull the latest image, and recreate the container.

   sudo docker stop openlitespeed
   sudo docker rm openlitespeed
   sudo docker pull litespeedtech/openlitespeed
   sudo docker run -d -p 80:80 -p 443:443 -p 7080:7080 
   -v /path/to/your/website:/usr/local/lsws/Example/html 
   --name openlitespeed litespeedtech/openlitespeed

This approach makes updating OpenLiteSpeed considerably easier, as it avoids manual file replacement and configuration changes.

2. Using a Third-Party Package Manager (if available)

While OpenLiteSpeed doesn’t typically provide official .deb packages for direct installation via apt, some third-party repositories or package managers might offer them. This is a less common method and requires caution as the packages are not officially maintained by LiteSpeed Technologies.

Explanation:

Third-party package managers, such as apt repositories managed by community members, could potentially provide OpenLiteSpeed packages. However, it’s vital to verify the trustworthiness of the repository before adding it to your system. The benefit of this method is that you could then manage OpenLiteSpeed updates using standard apt update and apt upgrade commands.

Steps (Use with caution and at your own risk):

1. Research and Verify a Repository: Search for reputable third-party repositories that provide OpenLiteSpeed packages for Ubuntu 22.04. Check the repository’s website or documentation for information on the package’s maintainer, update frequency, and security practices. Do not add a repository without thoroughly verifying its trustworthiness.

2. Add the Repository (Example – Hypothetical): Assuming you find a trusted repository (this is purely illustrative; do not execute without verification), you might add it like this:

   # This is a hypothetical example.  DO NOT RUN without verifying the repository's safety.
   sudo add-apt-repository ppa:example-maintainer/openlitespeed

3. Update Package Lists:

   sudo apt update

4. Install OpenLiteSpeed:

   sudo apt install openlitespeed

5. Configure Firewall (as in the original instructions):

   sudo ufw allow 7080
   sudo ufw reload

6. Access the OpenLiteSpeed Admin Console (as in the original instructions):

   http://your-server-ip:7080

Important Considerations:

• Security: Using third-party repositories introduces a security risk. Always verify the repository’s trustworthiness before adding it to your system.
• Maintenance: Third-party packages may not be updated as frequently as the official releases.
• Conflicts: Packages from unofficial repositories may conflict with other packages on your system.

Recommendation:

Due to the security and maintenance concerns, the Docker method is generally the preferred alternative to manual tarball installation. Using a third-party package manager should only be considered if you are confident in the repository’s trustworthiness and are willing to accept the associated risks. It’s always preferable to stick with the official method, or the Dockerized version, when installing and configuring OpenLiteSpeed on Ubuntu 22.04.

In conclusion, this article has shown you how to Install and Configure OpenLiteSpeed on Ubuntu 22.04, along with some alternative installation methods. The method you choose depends on your specific needs and comfort level. Remember to always prioritize security and ensure that your OpenLiteSpeed installation is kept up-to-date to benefit from the latest features and security patches. This guide on how to Install and Configure OpenLiteSpeed on Ubuntu 22.04 should provide a solid foundation for deploying this powerful web server.