Christian WellsApache Web Server on Ubuntu 24.04 – A Proven, Flexible, and Secure Web Serving Platform
Apache HTTP Server (commonly referred to as Apache) is one of the most widely used and long-standing web servers in the world. It is known for its flexibility, rich module ecosystem, and strong support for standards-compliant HTTP/HTTPS communication.
Running Apache on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS provides developers and sysadmins with a secure, stable, and actively supported environment that’s well-suited for everything from static websites to complex PHP applications, CMS platforms, and reverse proxy setups.
Why Use Apache on Ubuntu 24.04?
Ubuntu 24.04 is a long-term support (LTS) release backed by Canonical until 2029 (standard support) and optionally until 2034 (with ESM). This makes it a robust and stable foundation for server deployments. Apache integrates seamlessly with Ubuntu’s packaging system, systemd, and modern web stacks like PHP 8.3, MySQL 8.0, and Let’s Encrypt SSL tools.
| Feature in Ubuntu 24.04 | Benefit for Apache Web Server |
|---|---|
| Linux Kernel 6.8+ | Enhanced performance and network stack |
| Systemd integration | Reliable service management and monitoring |
| AppArmor | Confinement of Apache processes for security |
| OpenSSL 3.2 support | Updated TLS support and stronger crypto |
| Latest PHP (via PPA or repo) | Seamless dynamic content handling with mod_php or PHP-FPM |
Core Features of Apache HTTP Server
- Modular Design: Enable/disable features like
mod_ssl,mod_rewrite,mod_headers, etc. - Virtual Hosts: Host multiple websites/domains on a single server.
- HTTPS/SSL: Easily configure Let’s Encrypt certificates or custom certs with
mod_ssl. - Reverse Proxy and Load Balancing: Use modules like
mod_proxy,mod_proxy_http, andmod_proxy_balancer. - Custom Configuration: Per-site configuration via
.confor.htaccessfiles. - Logging and Monitoring: Access and error logs for each virtual host.
- Integration with PHP: Via
mod_phpor externalphp-fpmprocesses.
Apache Web Server in Modern Use Cases
- CMS Hosting: WordPress, Joomla, Drupal
- Dev Environments: Paired with LAMP stack (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP)
- API Gateways & Proxies: Forwarding RESTful traffic, WebSockets
- SSL Termination Point: Front-end reverse proxy for backend app servers
- Static & Dynamic Content: HTML, CSS, JS, PHP, Python (via CGI/FastCGI)
Apache is still the web server of choice for many institutional, academic, and enterprise deployments thanks to its flexibility, stability, and long history of security hardening.
Benefits of Running Apache on Ubuntu 24.04
| Advantage | Description |
|---|---|
| Stable ecosystem | Both Apache and Ubuntu 24.04 receive regular security patches |
| Flexible configuration | Per-directory, per-user, or per-site tuning |
| Wide compatibility | Supports most popular programming languages and CMSs |
| Active community | Massive ecosystem of modules and shared configuration tips |
| Systemd integration | Easy service management (systemctl restart apache2) |
| Automated SSL | Works seamlessly with certbot for free HTTPS via Let’s Encrypt |
Apache vs Other Web Servers on Ubuntu 24.04
| Feature | Apache | Nginx | Lighttpd |
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance (static) | Moderate | High | High |
| Dynamic via PHP | Strong (mod_php, FPM) | Via FPM only | FPM or CGI |
| Ease of configuration | Moderate | Moderate (block-based) | Simple |
| Reverse Proxy | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| Memory Usage | Higher | Lower | Very low |
| Learning Curve | Moderate | Slightly higher | Low |
Apache is best suited for dynamic websites and developers who need .htaccess, per-site configuration, or legacy .php/CGI compatibility. For high-concurrency static sites, Nginx might outperform it, but Apache wins in flexibility and application compatibility.
Integration with Other Technologies
Apache integrates well with:
- PHP (via mod_php or php-fpm)
- MySQL/MariaDB for database-driven apps
- Certbot/Let’s Encrypt for HTTPS automation
- Docker (as a containerized service or reverse proxy)
- Python/Flask via mod_wsgi or proxying to Gunicorn
- Jenkins and GitLab web interfaces
- SELinux/AppArmor for policy enforcement and isolation
Apache on Ubuntu 24.04 continues to be a solid, stable, and flexible web server solution for a wide range of use cases—from simple personal websites to large-scale enterprise applications. With full support for modern web technologies, a mature module ecosystem, and tight integration with Ubuntu’s LTS architecture, Apache remains highly relevant in 2025 and beyond.
Whether you’re deploying a traditional LAMP stack, setting up a reverse proxy, or hosting multiple secure websites on a single instance, Apache provides a battle-tested, standards-compliant solution on top of the modern and secure Ubuntu 24.04 platform.
Step 1: Create a Shape.Host VPS
Go to https://shape.host and log in.
Click “Create” → “Instance”.
Choose your preferred server location.
Select Ubuntu 24.04 (64-bit) as the operating system.
Pick a plan with at least 1 CPU and 1 GB RAM.
Click “Create Instance”
Find your IP under Resources.
Step 2: Connect to the VPS via SSH
ssh root@your-server-ip
Replace your-server-ip with your actual instance IP address.
Step 3: Install Apache Web Server
Update the package index
apt update
Install Apache
apt install apache2
Start the Apache service
systemctl start apache2
Enable Apache to start on boot
systemctl enable apache2
Check Apache’s status
systemctl status apache2
You should see it marked as active (running).
Step 4: Configure UFW Firewall
To allow Apache and SSH through the firewall:
ufw allow 'Apache Full'
ufw allow ssh
ufw enable
Step 5: Test Apache in a Web Browser
Visit:
http://your-server-ip
You should see the default Apache welcome page.
Step 6: Replace the Default Web Page
Navigate to Apache’s document root:
cd /var/www/html
Replace the default index:
echo "<h1>Hello from Apache on Ubuntu 24.04</h1>" > /var/www/html/index.html
Then reload your browser at http://your-server-ip — you’ll see your custom message.
Step 7: Useful Apache Commands
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
systemctl start apache2 | Start Apache |
systemctl stop apache2 | Stop Apache |
systemctl restart apache2 | Restart the service |
systemctl reload apache2 | Reload without restarting |
systemctl enable apache2 | Enable on boot |
systemctl status apache2 | Check current status |
Step 8: Uninstall Apache (Optional)
If you wish to remove Apache completely:
apt remove apache2
apt purge apache2 && apt autoremove
You now have a fully functional Apache web server running on Ubuntu 24.04. For more advanced usage, consider setting up virtual hosts, SSL, or deploying PHP apps.
Tip: Try Shape.Host’s Cloud VPS prebuilt LAMP stack for even faster deployment.
