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How To Install the OpenLiteSpeed Web Server on Ubuntu

How To Install the OpenLiteSpeed Web Server on Ubuntu 24.04

Introduction

OpenLiteSpeed is a powerful, lightweight, and high-performance web server that has become increasingly popular among web hosting providers and developers. As one of the leading alternatives to Apache and Nginx, OpenLiteSpeed offers exceptional speed and efficiency for modern web applications. In this comprehensive tutorial, HostingHome will guide you through the complete process of installing and configuring OpenLiteSpeed on Ubuntu.

What is OpenLiteSpeed?

OpenLiteSpeed is the open-source version of LiteSpeed Web Server, designed to deliver outstanding performance while maintaining low resource consumption. This makes it an ideal choice for shared hosting environments, VPS hosting, and dedicated servers. Unlike traditional web servers, OpenLiteSpeed provides built-in caching capabilities and advanced security features that significantly improve website loading speeds.

Prerequisites

Before beginning the OpenLiteSpeed installation process, ensure your Ubuntu system meets the following requirements:

  • Ubuntu 18.04, 20.04, 22.04, or newer
  • Root or sudo access to your server
  • Basic command-line knowledge
  • At least 1GB of RAM (2GB recommended for optimal performance)
  • Stable internet connection

HostingHome recommends using a fresh Ubuntu installation for the best results when setting up your web hosting environment.

Step 1: Update Your Ubuntu System

Start by updating your Ubuntu system to ensure all packages are current. This is crucial for maintaining security and compatibility in any hosting environment.

bash 
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Add OpenLiteSpeed Repository

OpenLiteSpeed maintains an official repository for Ubuntu systems. Add this repository to access the latest stable releases optimized for web hosting applications.

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

This command downloads and executes the repository setup script, which configures your system to receive OpenLiteSpeed updates through the standard package management system.

Step 3: Install OpenLiteSpeed

With the repository configured, install OpenLiteSpeed using the following command:

bash 
sudo apt install openlitespeed -y

Step 4: Start and Enable OpenLiteSpeed Service

After installation, start the OpenLiteSpeed service and enable it to automatically start on system boot:

bash 
sudo systemctl start lsws
sudo systemctl enable lsws

Verify the service is running correctly:

bash 
sudo systemctl status lsws

Step 5: Configure Firewall

If you’re using UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall), configure it to allow web traffic. This is essential for any hosting setup:

bash 
sudo ufw allow 80/tcp
sudo ufw allow 443/tcp
sudo ufw allow 8088/tcp
sudo ufw allow 7080/tcp
sudo ufw reload
Port 7080 is used for the OpenLiteSpeed WebAdmin interface, which provides a user-friendly control panel for server management.
Port 8088 is the default port used by OpenLiteSpeed’s example site. Once this port is allowed through the firewall using ufw, the example site becomes publicly accessible. To view it, open your web browser and enter your server’s domain name or IP address followed by :8088 — for example:
http://your-server-ip:8088

Step 6: Set Up WebAdmin Access

OpenLiteSpeed includes a powerful web-based administration interface. Create an admin user for secure access:

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

This script will prompt you to create a username and password for accessing the WebAdmin console. Choose a strong password to maintain security for your hosting environment.

Step 7: Access the WebAdmin Interface

Open your web browser and navigate to:

https://your-server-ip:7080
You may encounter a browser warning indicating that the SSL certificate cannot be verified. This is expected, as the server is using a self-signed certificate. To continue, follow the browser-specific steps to bypass the warning. In Chrome, for instance, click Advanced, then Proceed to....

Step 8: Set Up PHP Support

For dynamic web hosting, install PHP support:

bash 
sudo apt install lsphp84 lsphp84-common lsphp84-mysql lsphp84-dev lsphp84-curl lsphp84-dbg -y
Configure PHP in the WebAdmin interface by navigating to Script Handler and adding:

Suffixes: php
Type: LiteSpeed SAPI
Extra Headers: X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme

Step 9: Configure Your First Virtual Host

To start hosting websites, you’ll need to create virtual hosts. Through the WebAdmin interface:

Navigate to Virtual Hosts in the left sidebar
Click the “+” button to add a new virtual host
Configure the following settings:

Virtual Host Name: your-domain.com
Virtual Host Root: /usr/local/lsws/Example/html/$VH_NAME/
Config File: conf/vhosts/$VH_NAME/vhconf.conf
Enable Scripts: Yes

Step 10: Modifying the Default Site’s Port

As an example of configuring settings via the web interface, you’ll change the default site’s port from 8088 to the standard HTTP port 80.

Begin by selecting Listeners from the side navigation menu. This will display a list of all configured listeners.

Locate the Default listener in the list and click the magnifying glass icon (View) to access its configuration details.

This will open a detailed view of the Default listener. To make changes, click the Edit button located in the top-right corner of the Address Settings section.

Clicking this button will open a new screen where you can modify the port settings. Replace port 8088 with 80, then click Save to apply the changes.

Step 11: SSL Certificate Configuration

For secure hosting, configure SSL certificates. You can use Let’s Encrypt for free SSL certificates:

bash 
sudo apt install certbot -y
sudo certbot certonly --webroot -w /usr/local/lsws/Example/html/ -d your-domain.com

Configure the SSL certificate in WebAdmin under “Listeners” > SSL tab.

Performance Benefits of OpenLiteSpeed Hosting

OpenLiteSpeed provides several advantages for web hosting:

1. High Performance

Significantly faster than Apache in most scenarios

2. Low Memory Usage

Efficient resource utilization ideal for VPS hosting

3. Built-in Caching

Reduces server load and improves response times

4. Easy Management

WebAdmin interface simplifies hosting administration

5. Security Features

Advanced anti-DDoS protection and security rules

Conclusion

OpenLiteSpeed provides an excellent foundation for modern web hosting solutions. Its combination of high performance, low resource usage, and user-friendly management makes it an ideal choice for hosting providers and website administrators. By following this tutorial, you’ve successfully installed and configured OpenLiteSpeed on Ubuntu, creating a robust hosting environment capable of serving high-traffic websites efficiently.

HostingHome recommends OpenLiteSpeed for businesses looking to upgrade their web hosting infrastructure without the complexity and licensing costs associated with commercial web servers. The open-source nature of OpenLiteSpeed, combined with its enterprise-grade features, makes it a cost-effective solution for modern hosting requirements.

Whether you’re managing a single website or multiple hosting accounts, OpenLiteSpeed provides the performance, security, and scalability needed for today’s demanding web hosting environment. Regular maintenance and optimization will ensure your hosting server continues to deliver excellent performance for all your web applications.