WildFly Java Application Server on Ubuntu 24.04 (Systemd + Nginx + SSL)

WildFly (formerly JBoss AS) is a powerful, lightweight, and flexible Java application server for running enterprise-grade applications. It supports Jakarta EE (formerly Java EE), RESTful services, web sockets, messaging, clustering, and microservices architectures. With its modular design and high-performance runtime, WildFly is widely used for modern Java deployments in production environments.

Deploying WildFly on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (Noble Numbat) provides a secure, up-to-date, and long-term supported base system. Ubuntu 24.04 ships with systemd 255, OpenSSL 3, and the latest OpenJDK releases — making it an ideal foundation for a stable, production-ready Java server setup.

Architecture Overview

LayerComponentRole
OSUbuntu 24.04 LTSStable, secure base with long-term support
RuntimeOpenJDK 17 / 21 (LTS)Runs WildFly application server and deployed apps
ApplicationWildFly (Java EE / Jakarta EE server)Provides APIs, container, and services for enterprise Java apps
Process ManagersystemdEnsures WildFly runs as a managed background service
Reverse ProxyNginx (optional)TLS termination, load balancing, routing
TLSLet’s Encrypt / PKIProvides secure HTTPS for applications

Why Use WildFly?

  • Enterprise-ready – complete support for Jakarta EE APIs and microservices.
  • High-performance – fast startup, modular design, and low memory footprint.
  • Flexible deployments – supports WAR/EAR packaging, standalone or domain mode.
  • Secure – RBAC, strong TLS support, and integration with enterprise auth (LDAP, Kerberos).
  • Clustering and HA – built-in support for load balancing, failover, and distributed caches.

WildFly vs Other Java Servers

Feature/CapabilityWildFlyTomcatPayara / GlassFishJetty
Jakarta EE supportFull (complete spec)Partial (Servlet/JSP)FullPartial (Servlets, WebSockets)
Clustering & HAYesLimitedYesLimited
Modular designYesLightweight coreLess modularLightweight core
Management consoleYes (web + CLI)NoYesNo

WildFly is strongest when you need a full Jakarta EE platform with clustering, security, and enterprise features, while Tomcat or Jetty are lighter servlet containers.

Security & Best Practices

  • Run WildFly as a dedicated system user (non-root).
  • Use systemd service management to ensure uptime and controlled restarts.
  • Place WildFly behind Nginx with SSL for secure HTTPS and reverse proxying.
  • Keep OpenJDK and WildFly updated to the latest supported versions.
  • Secure the management console with strong authentication and firewall rules.
  • Use role-based access control (RBAC) for administration.
  • Integrate with LDAP/AD for enterprise environments if needed.

Typical Use Cases

  • Hosting enterprise Java EE/Jakarta EE applications.
  • Running REST/SOAP web services for backend systems.
  • Clustering and HA setups for high-availability applications.
  • Microservices and modular Java apps using WildFly Swarm/Thorntail (or Quarkus migration paths).
  • Secure, scalable middleware platform for large organizations.

1. Create a Shape.Host VPS Instance

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

Click “Create” → “Instance”.

Shape.host Resources dashboard with Create > Instance highlighted.

Choose your preferred server location.

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

Select Ubuntu 24.04 (64-bit) as the 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.

Copy the server IP address from the Resources section.

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

2. Connect to Your VPS

On Linux/macOS

ssh root@your-server-ip

On Windows

  • On Windows 10/11 PowerShell: ssh root@your-server-ip
  • On older versions, download PuTTY and log in as root.

3. Install Java Development Kit

Update and upgrade packages:

apt update
apt upgrade
Terminal showing APT package management commands and output.

Install the default JDK:

apt install default-jdk
Terminal showing APT package management commands and output.

Verify Java installation:

java --version
Terminal showing java commands or output during Install Java Development Kit.

4. Create WildFly User and Directories

Add a wildfly system group and user:

groupadd -r wildfly
useradd -r -g wildfly -d /opt/wildfly -s /sbin/nologin wildfly
Terminal showing Linux user account management commands.

5. Download and Install WildFly

Download WildFly 37:

wget https://github.com/wildfly/wildfly/releases/download/37.0.0.Final/wildfly-37.0.0.Final.tar.gz -P /tmp
Terminal showing file download commands and transfer output.

Extract it to /opt:

tar xf /tmp/wildfly-37.0.0.Final.tar.gz -C /opt/

Create a symlink for easier upgrades:

ln -sfn /opt/wildfly-37.0.0.Final /opt/wildfly

Set ownership:

chown -RH wildfly:wildfly /opt/wildfly*
Terminal showing file ownership or permission commands.

6. Configure WildFly as a System Service

Create config directory:

mkdir -p /etc/wildfly

Copy systemd config files:

cp /opt/wildfly/docs/contrib/scripts/systemd/wildfly.conf /etc/wildfly/
cp /opt/wildfly/docs/contrib/scripts/systemd/wildfly.service /etc/systemd/system/
cp /opt/wildfly/docs/contrib/scripts/systemd/launch.sh /opt/wildfly/bin/

Make launch.sh executable:

chmod +x /opt/wildfly/bin/launch.sh
chown -R wildfly:wildfly /opt/wildfly

Reload systemd:

systemctl daemon-reload

Enable and start WildFly:

systemctl enable --now wildfly
Terminal showing systemd service management commands or output.

7. Create WildFly Admin User

Run the add-user script:

/opt/wildfly/bin/add-user.sh
Terminal showing sh commands or output during Create WildFly Admin User.

Restart WildFly:

systemctl restart wildfly

Check status:

systemctl status wildfly
Terminal showing systemd service management commands or output.

8. Configure WildFly Network Access

Edit WildFly config file:

nano /etc/wildfly/wildfly.conf

Set:

WILDFLY_BIND=0.0.0.0

Or update standalone.xml:

nano /opt/wildfly/standalone/configuration/standalone.xml

Find:

<interfaces>
    <interface name="management">
        <inet-address value="${jboss.bind.address.management:127.0.0.1}"/>
    </interface>
    <interface name="public">
        <inet-address value="${jboss.bind.address:127.0.0.1}"/>
    </interface>
</interfaces>

Change 127.0.0.1 → 0.0.0.0.

WildFly configuration excerpt defining network bind addresses.

Restart WildFly:

systemctl restart wildfly

9. Configure Firewall

Allow application and admin console ports:

ufw allow 8080/tcp
ufw allow 9990/tcp
ufw enable
Terminal showing firewall configuration commands and rules.

10. Access WildFly

  • Application URL: http://<server-IP>:8080
  • Admin Console: http://<server-IP>:9990

Login with the admin credentials you created. ✅

Browser authentication prompt for the WildFly console.
WildFly application server welcome page.

This tutorial was tested on a Shape.Host Linux SSD VPS.

With Shape.Host, you get:

  • Reliable VPS hosting across multiple global data centers
  • Support for Ubuntu, Debian, AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux
  • Instant scalability (CPU, RAM, storage)
  • Built-in backups, snapshots, and monitoring

Start today at https://shape.host and deploy your WildFly server in minutes.