Alchemiclabs.ca - Setting up a Lamp Server

Setting up a LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) server on Debian involves several steps. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

Step 1: Install Debian

Download the Debian ISO from the official website: https://www.debian.org/
Create a bootable USB drive or DVD using the ISO.
Boot your server from the USB drive or DVD and follow the installation wizard to install Debian.

Step 2: Update the System

Log in to your Debian server using the root or a sudo-enabled user.
Open a terminal or SSH into the server.
Update the package list and upgrade the existing packages:
```
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
```

Step 3: Install Apache Web Server

Install Apache using the package manager:
```
sudo apt install apache2
```

Start the Apache service and enable it to start on boot:

sudo systemctl start apache2
sudo systemctl enable apache2

Verify that Apache is running by opening a web browser and entering your server's IP address or domain name.

Step 4: Install MySQL Database Server

Install MySQL server and client packages:

sudo apt install mysql-server mysql-client

During the installation, you will be prompted to set the root password for MySQL. Choose a strong password and remember it.
Start the MySQL service and enable it to start on boot:
```
sudo systemctl start mysql
sudo systemctl enable mysql
```
Secure your MySQL installation by running the security script:
```
sudo mysql_secure_installation
```

Step 5: Install PHP

Install PHP and necessary modules:

sudo apt install php libapache2-mod-php php-mysql

After installation, restart Apache for the PHP module to be loaded:
```
sudo systemctl restart apache2
```

Step 6: Test PHP

Create a PHP info file to check if PHP is working correctly:

echo "<?php phpinfo(); ?>" | sudo tee /var/www/html/phpinfo.php

Open a web browser and access http://your_server_ip/phpinfo.php. You should see the PHP info page displaying various PHP configuration details.

Step 7: Configure Firewall (Optional)

If you have a firewall installed (e.g., UFW), open ports 80 (HTTP) and 443 (HTTPS) to allow web traffic:
```
sudo ufw allow 80/tcp
sudo ufw allow 443/tcp
sudo ufw enable
```

Step 8: Optional Steps

You may want to install additional PHP modules or other tools, depending on your specific requirements. Common modules include php-cli, php-gd, php-curl, etc.
If you plan to host multiple websites, consider setting up virtual hosts in Apache.

That's it! You now have a LAMP server set up on your Debian system. You can proceed to deploy web applications or host websites on your server. Remember to keep your system and software up-to-date and maintain security best practices.