How to Install OpenLiteSpeed on Ubuntu 20.04 VPS

Are you looking to set up a fast and reliable web server? OpenLiteSpeed, the open source version of LiteSpeed ​​Web Server, is a great choice because of its high performance and ease of use. This guide will show you how to install OpenLiteSpeed on Ubuntu 20.04 VPS, ensuring your server runs efficiently.

1. What is OpenLiteSpeed, and Why Should You Use It?

OpenLiteSpeed is the open-source version of LiteSpeed Web Server, known for its exceptional speed and efficiency. It is a lightweight, high-performance web server that offers easy management and advanced features, making it a preferred choice for developers and system administrators.

Key Advantages of OpenLiteSpeed:

• High Performance: Handles millions of simultaneous connections with remarkable speed.
• Built-in LiteSpeed Cache: Enhances page load times and optimizes website performance.
• HTTP/3 Support: Ensures faster data transfer compared to HTTP/2.
• Easy Configuration: Provides an intuitive and user-friendly interface for management.
• Free and Open Source: A cost-effective alternative to paid web servers.

With these features, OpenLiteSpeed is suitable for both small websites and large-scale systems requiring high-performance solutions.

Note: OpenLiteSpeed is configured to run under a non-root account by default. This ensures enhanced security by restricting excessive permissions for the service.

2. How to Install OpenLiteSpeed on Ubuntu 20.04 VPS

Follow these detailed steps to set up OpenLiteSpeed on your VPS:

Step 1: Log in to Your VPS

Access your Ubuntu 20.04 VPS using a non-root account with sudo privileges. If you don’t have a non-root user, create one and log in to proceed.

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Step 2: Update the System

Update your system to ensure compatibility and security before installation. Run:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 3: Add the OpenLiteSpeed Repository

Add the official OpenLiteSpeed repository to your system since it’s not available in Ubuntu’s default repositories:

wget -O - https://repo.litespeed.sh | sudo bash

Step 4: Install OpenLiteSpeed

Install OpenLiteSpeed with the following command:

sudo apt install openlitespeed -y

Step 5: Set Admin Panel Credentials

Configure the username and password for OpenLiteSpeed’s admin panel:

sudo /usr/local/lsws/admin/misc/admpass.sh

• Choose a secure username and password (minimum 6 characters).

Step 6: Open Firewall Ports

By default, OpenLiteSpeed uses port 8088 for web traffic and port 7080 for the admin panel. Open these ports:

sudo ufw allow 8088

sudo ufw allow 7080

sudo ufw reload

Step 7: Verify OpenLiteSpeed Installation

Check if OpenLiteSpeed is running by accessing these URLs in your browser:

• Default Website: http://<your-vps-ip>:8088

• Admin Panel: http://<your-vps-ip>:7080

Log in using the credentials set in Step 5.

Step 8: Install PHP and MySQL (Optional)

If you need to run popular web applications like WordPress, install PHP and MySQL:

• Install PHP:

sudo apt install lsphp81 lsphp81-mysql -y

Configure OpenLiteSpeed to use this PHP version in the admin panel.

• Install MySQL:

sudo apt install mysql-server -y

Secure and configure MySQL as needed.

Step 9: Deploy Your Website

Upload your website files to the default directory:

/usr/local/lsws/Example/

3. How to Verify Installation and Check Version

• Check Service Status:

  Confirm OpenLiteSpeed is running with:

sudo systemctl status lsws

• • If OpenLiteSpeed ​​is installed and running, you will see an active (running) status.

• 

  • If not installed or the service has not started, the status will say error or not found.

If the service is not already running, you can start it with the command

sudo systemctl start lsws

• Check Version:
  To verify the installed version, use:

sudo /usr/local/lsws/bin/openlitespeed -v

This command will display the current version of OpenLiteSpeed.

Conclusion

OpenLiteSpeed is a robust and efficient web server solution for Ubuntu 20.04. With this step-by-step guide, you can quickly install OpenLiteSpeed on Ubuntu 20.04 VPS.

If you encounter any issues or need assistance with your VPS, feel free to contact us for support. Start leveraging the power of OpenLiteSpeed today