How to Host Multiple Domains With Apache2 Ubuntu Web Server
In this article, we gonna learn, how to host multiple domains on the apache2 web server. Also how to setup SSL for these domains
Ubuntu Version:- 20.04
Let's take an example of two domains example1.com and example2.com
1. Create A record on DNS records that points to your server.
2. Log into your server via SSH.
ssh root@your_server_ip3. Update apt and install apache2.
sudo apt updatesudo apt install apache24. Enable firewall.
Check firewall status.
sudo ufw statusroot@ultimateakash:~# sudo ufw status
Status: inactiveIf firewall's status is inactive, activate it by hitting the below command.
sudo ufw enableroot@ultimateakash:~# sudo ufw enable
Command may disrupt existing ssh connections. Proceed with operation (y|n)? y
Firewall is active and enabled on system startup5. Update ufw application profiles.
List the ufw application profiles.
sudo ufw app listroot@ultimateakash:~# sudo ufw app list
Available applications:
Apache
Apache Full
Apache Secure
OpenSSHThese apache profiles were added during apache2 installation.
Allow Apache Full and OpenSSH profiles.
sudo ufw allow 'Apache Full'sudo ufw allow OpenSSHCheck ufw status.
sudo ufw statusroot@ultimateakash:~# sudo ufw status
Status: active
To Action From
-- ------ ----
Apache Full ALLOW Anywhere
OpenSSH ALLOW Anywhere
Apache Full (v6) ALLOW Anywhere (v6)
OpenSSH (v6) ALLOW Anywhere (v6)
6. Check apache2 status
sudo systemctl status apache2root@ultimateakash:~# sudo systemctl status apache2
● apache2.service - The Apache HTTP Server
Loaded: loaded (/lib/systemd/system/apache2.service; enabled; vendor preset: enabled)
Active: active (running) since Sun 2022-07-03 13:53:50 UTC; 10min ago
Docs: https://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.4/
Main PID: 2301 (apache2)
Tasks: 55 (limit: 2339)
Memory: 5.1M
CGroup: /system.slice/apache2.service
├─2301 /usr/sbin/apache2 -k start
├─2303 /usr/sbin/apache2 -k start
└─2304 /usr/sbin/apache2 -k start
Jul 03 13:53:50 ultimateakash systemd[1]: Starting The Apache HTTP Server...
Jul 03 13:53:50 ultimateakash systemd[1]: Started The Apache HTTP Server.Open your domain/server IP in the browser. You will see the default apache2 installation page(/var/www/html/index.html ).
Apache2 has one server block enabled by default that is configured to serve documents from the /var/www/html directory.
7. Setup Virtual Hosts.
Create the directory for your domains.
sudo mkdir /var/www/example1.comsudo mkdir /var/www/example2.comAssign ownership of the directory with the $USER environment variable.
sudo chown -R $USER:$USER /var/www/example1.comsudo chown -R $USER:$USER /var/www/example2.comGrant 775 permission to www directory.
sudo chmod -R 755 /var/wwwCreate a sample index.html for example1.com
sudo nano /var/www/example1.com/index.html<html>
<head>
<title>example1.com</title>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Welcome to example1.com</h1>
</body>
</html>press ctrl + x and press y then hit enter.
Create a sample index.html for example2.com
sudo nano /var/www/example2.com/index.html<html>
<head>
<title>example2.com</title>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Welcome to example2.com</h1>
</body>
</html>press ctrl + x and press y then hit enter.
Create a config file for example1.com.
sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/example1.com.conf<VirtualHost *:80>
ServerAdmin webmaster@localhost
ServerName example1.com
ServerAlias www.example1.com
DocumentRoot /var/www/example1.com
ErrorLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/error.log
CustomLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/access.log combined
</VirtualHost>press ctrl + x and press y then hit enter.
Create a config file for example2.com.
sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/example2.com.conf<VirtualHost *:80>
ServerAdmin webmaster@localhost
ServerName example2.com
ServerAlias www.example2.com
DocumentRoot /var/www/example2.com
ErrorLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/error.log
CustomLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/access.log combined
</VirtualHost>These three lines
ServerName your_domain
ServerAlias www.your_domain
DocumentRoot /var/www/your_domainDisable the default configuration
sudo a2dissite 000-default.confEnable these new configurations.
sudo a2ensite example1.com.confsudo a2ensite example2.com.confReload apache2 to implement the changes.
sudo systemctl reload apache28. Next, open your domains in the browser. you will see our sample index.html
9. Install SSL certificates.
Install Certbot
sudo apt install certbot python3-certbot-apacheObtaining SSL certificates.
sudo certbot --apache -d example1.com -d www.example1.com -d example2.com -d www.example2.comyou can pass multiple domains with -d option. you can even use wildcards.
-d *.example1.comAfter hitting the above command you need to pass your email also you need to provide a few answers.
Checkout the sample below.
After completing the above step SSL certificates will be installed on your domains. You can verify it by hitting the https protocol.
Let’s Encrypt’s certificates are only valid for 90 days. but don't worry certbot takes care of renewals.
Check certbot's renewal service status.
sudo systemctl status certbot.timerroot@ultimateakash:~# sudo systemctl status certbot.timer
● certbot.timer - Run certbot twice daily
Loaded: loaded (/lib/systemd/system/certbot.timer; enabled; vendor preset: enabled)
Active: active (waiting) since Sun 2022-07-03 15:37:21 UTC; 5s ago
Trigger: Mon 2022-07-04 06:42:10 UTC; 15h left
Triggers: ● certbot.service
Jul 03 15:37:21 ultimateakash systemd[1]: Started Run certbot twice daily.
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