devops-basics

Apache HTTP Server (httpd)

1. What is Apache HTTP Server?

Overview

The Apache HTTP Server, commonly referred to as Apache httpd, is a free and open-source web server software developed and maintained by the Apache Software Foundation. It is one of the most widely used web servers in the world and plays a key role in the growth of the internet by supporting websites of all sizes and types.

Apache httpd supports a wide range of features including dynamic loading of modules, powerful URL rewriting, authentication mechanisms, and support for various programming languages through integration (e.g., PHP, Python, Perl). It can serve both static and dynamic content and is highly configurable and extensible.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apache_HTTP_Server

Official Website of Apache HTTP Server

https://httpd.apache.org/

Official Documentation of Apache HTTP Server

https://httpd.apache.org/docs/

What you can do with Apache HTTP Server

Host static websites and serve files over HTTP/S.
Reverse proxy or load balance to backend services.
Use it as a secure frontend to application servers.
Integrate with scripting languages like PHP, Python, or Perl.
Configure URL routing, authentication, access control, logging, and more.

2. Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of web server technologies.
A Unix/Linux, Windows, or macOS system.
Command-line access with root/administrator privileges.

3. Installation

How to Install Apache HTTP Server?

On Ubuntu/Debian:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install apache2

On RHEL/CentOS/Rocky:

sudo dnf install httpd

On macOS (using Homebrew):

brew install httpd

Start and Enable Apache:

# Start the service
sudo systemctl start apache2     # Ubuntu/Debian
sudo systemctl start httpd       # RHEL/CentOS

# Enable on boot
sudo systemctl enable apache2    # Ubuntu/Debian
sudo systemctl enable httpd      # RHEL/CentOS

Verify Installation

Open a web browser and navigate to: http://localhost
You should see the Apache2 Default Page or “It works!” page.

4. Basics of Apache HTTP Server

Get started with Apache httpd

https://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.4/getting-started.html

Apache HTTP Server Quick Start Guide

Learn to configure the server using httpd.conf.
Set up Virtual Hosts for multiple websites.
Enable modules (e.g., mod_rewrite, mod_ssl, mod_proxy).
Create a custom index page in /var/www/html/.

Apache HTTP Server Hands-On

See: basic

5. More…

Apache httpd Cheatsheet

https://devhints.io/apache

Recommended Books

Apache: The Definitive Guide by Ben Laurie and Peter Laurie.
Pro Apache by Peter Wainwright.
Apache Cookbook by Rich Bowen and Ken Coar.

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