How to Install Tomcat 11 on Ubuntu 24.04

What is Apache Tomcat 11?

Apache Tomcat 11 is the latest version of the widely used open-source Java servlet container and web server developed by the Apache Software Foundation. It is designed to run Java-based web applications and provides an implementation of the Jakarta Servlet, Jakarta Server Pages (JSP), and related technologies.

Tomcat 11 introduces full support for the Jakarta EE 11 specification, marking a shift from the legacy Java EE namespace (javax.*) to the newer jakarta.* package namespace. It is ideal for deploying lightweight, scalable, and secure Java web applications.

Key Features of Tomcat 11

Jakarta EE 11 Compatibility

Full support for the jakarta. namespace*, aligning with the latest Jakarta EE specifications
Legacy applications using javax.* must be migrated to remain compatible

Improved Architecture

Modular, flexible codebase with enhancements to performance, error handling, and resource management
Reduced startup time and memory footprint compared to older versions

Security Enhancements

Improved HTTPS and TLS support
Hardened default configurations to reduce attack surface
Enhanced session management and authentication support

WebSocket and Servlet Enhancements

Upgraded WebSocket 2.1 support
Servlet 6.1 and JSP 3.1 compatibility for building dynamic web content

Management and Configuration Tools

Built-in web management interface for monitoring, deployment, and configuration
Extensive support for JMX (Java Management Extensions) and logging

Why Use Tomcat 11 on Ubuntu 24.04?

Ubuntu 24.04 is a long-term support (LTS) release that provides a modern and secure environment for deploying Java web servers:

Updated system libraries and kernel for performance and security
Support for OpenJDK 21, compatible with Tomcat 11
Easy service management with systemd
Ideal for both development and production environments
Compatible with cloud platforms, Docker, and container orchestration tools like Kubernetes

System Requirements

Component	Recommended Minimum
OS	Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (64-bit)
Java Version	OpenJDK 17 or higher (21 recommended)
Memory	512 MB (1 GB or more for production)
Disk Space	250 MB+ for base installation
Network	Uses port 8080 (HTTP), 8443 (HTTPS)

Typical Use Cases

Hosting Java-based web applications and APIs
Running enterprise intranet portals or content management systems
Supporting RESTful and SOAP-based web services
Integrating Jakarta EE 11 microservices into larger systems
Educational and research platforms based on Java servlets or JSP

Tomcat vs Other Java Application Servers

Feature	Tomcat 11	WildFly	Payara Server	Jetty
Jakarta EE Support	Partial (Servlet/JSP)	Full	Full	Partial (like Tomcat)
Lightweight	Yes	No	No	Yes
Ideal for	Web apps and REST APIs	Full Jakarta EE apps	Enterprise Jakarta EE	Embedded Java apps
Resource Usage	Low	Moderate to high	Moderate	Very low
Configuration	Simple (XML-based)	Complex (management UI)	Moderate	Simple (Java-based)

Security Recommendations

Always deploy behind HTTPS, using Let’s Encrypt or commercial SSL certificates
Remove default example apps and manager interfaces in production
Configure firewall rules to restrict port access (e.g., allow port 8080 only internally)
Keep Tomcat and Java regularly updated
Use reverse proxy (e.g., Nginx or Apache HTTP Server) for SSL termination and header control
Apply security headers and CORS settings as needed for frontend integration

Tomcat 11 on Ubuntu 24.04 offers a modern and reliable environment for deploying lightweight Java web applications. With its full support for Jakarta EE 11 and improvements in performance and security, Tomcat 11 is well-suited for both new projects and organizations updating from older servlet containers.

Ubuntu 24.04’s long-term support and updated software stack make it an excellent choice for both development and production environments. Whether you’re deploying microservices, legacy apps, or enterprise tools, the Tomcat 11 and Ubuntu 24.04 combination delivers performance, security, and ease of use.

Step 1: Deploy a Clean Server on Shape.Host

To get started, you’ll need a fresh VPS running Ubuntu 24.04. Here’s how to set that up on Shape.Host:

Go to https://shape.host and sign in.

Click on “Create” and choose “Instance”.

Select your preferred server location.

Shape.host instance form with the data center location selector highlighted.

Choose Ubuntu 24.04 (64-bit) as your operating system.

Pick a plan with at least 2 CPUs, 4 GB RAM, and 20 GB SSD.

Shape.host instance form with the operating system image selector highlighted.

Click “Create Instance”.

Shape.host instance form with the Create Instance button highlighted.

After setup, copy the server’s IP address from the Resources tab.

Shape.host Resources dashboard with the server IP address highlighted.

Step 2: Connect to Your Server

If you’re on Linux/macOS:

ssh root@your_server_ip

On Windows, use PuTTY to connect via SSH.

Step 3: Update System Packages

apt update

This ensures your system is running the latest package versions.

Terminal showing APT package management commands and output.

Step 4: Install Java

Tomcat requires Java. Let’s install OpenJDK 17:

apt install openjdk-17-jdk

Step 5: Create a Dedicated Tomcat User

We’ll create a system user for running Tomcat (no login shell, non-root):

useradd -m -U -d /opt/tomcat -s /bin/false tomcat

-m creates a home directory
-U creates a user group
-d /opt/tomcat sets the home directory
-s /bin/false disables shell login

Step 6: Download Tomcat 11

Download the latest version of Tomcat 11 to /tmp:

wget https://downloads.apache.org/tomcat/tomcat-11/v11.0.6/bin/apache-tomcat-11.0.6.tar.gz -P /tmp

Terminal showing Linux user account management commands.

Step 7: Create Tomcat Directory

Create the Tomcat installation directory:

mkdir -p /opt/tomcat

Step 8: Extract and Organize Files

Unpack the archive into /opt/tomcat:

tar -xvzf /tmp/apache-tomcat-11.0.6.tar.gz -C /opt/tomcat

Move it to a simpler path:

mv /opt/tomcat/apache-tomcat-11.0.6 /opt/tomcat/tomcat11

Step 9: Start Tomcat

Run Tomcat using the built-in startup script:

/opt/tomcat/tomcat11/bin/startup.sh

You should see output confirming that Tomcat has started.

Terminal showing mv commands or output during Start Tomcat.

Step 10: Access Tomcat in Your Browser

Open your browser and go to:

http://your-server-ip:8080

If everything was set up correctly, you’ll see the Tomcat 11 welcome page.

With Shape.Host, you get:

Lightning-fast Cloud VPS with full root access
Clean Ubuntu 24.04 environments
Instant scaling to handle production workloads
Global locations for low latency access

Launch your next Java project with Shape.Host — your perfect cloud partner for Tomcat deployments!