Installing Apache from source (compilation)

Installing Apache from Source: A Step-by-Step Guide

Apache HTTP Server, colloquially known as Apache, is among the most popular web server software worldwide. It powers countless websites, providing robustness and flexibility to the diverse needs of the internet. While many Linux users rely on precompiled packages for Apache installation, compiling from source can offer more control over customization. Whether you're aiming for optimized performance, need specific modules, or simply want the latest features and security updates, compiling Apache from source could be your go-to strategy. Here’s a detailed guide on how to do it.

Prerequisites

Before you start, ensure your system is ready. You need:

GCC Compiler and Development Tools: Essential for compiling source code on Linux.
Required Libraries: Apache depends on various libraries, such as APR (Apache Portable Runtime), APR-util, and PCRE (Perl Compatible Regular Expressions).

On most Linux distributions, installation is straightforward. For instance, on Ubuntu or Debian-based systems, run:

sudo apt-get install build-essential libapr1-dev libaprutil1-dev libpcre3-dev

Step 1: Download the Source Code

Always download the latest version of the source code from the official Apache website to ensure you get the newest features and security patches. Navigate to Apache HTTP Server’s download page, find the latest version, and download it using wget:

wget https://downloads.apache.org/httpd/httpd-2.4.xx.tar.gz

Replace 2.4.xx with the latest version number.

Step 2: Extract the Archive

After downloading the file, unpack it:

tar -xvf httpd-2.4.xx.tar.gz
cd httpd-2.4.xx

Step 3: Configure the Build

Configuration before building allows you to customize Apache to suit your needs. The ./configure script helps in setting up paths, selecting modules, and more. Common options include:

--prefix=/usr/local/apache2 to specify the installation directory.
--enable-so to enable loading of executable code at runtime (important for extensions and third-party modules).
--enable-ssl to enable SSL support.
--enable-cgi to enable CGI scripting.

Configure the source with your chosen options:

./configure --prefix=/usr/local/apache2 --enable-so --enable-ssl --enable-cgi

Step 4: Compile and Install

After configuring the source, compile and install it:

make
sudo make install

Step 5: Configure Apache

Once installed, the primary configuration file is located at /usr/local/apache2/conf/httpd.conf. You may need to edit this file to adjust settings such as:

ServerName
DocumentRoot
Directory directives

Step 6: Start the Server

Finally, start the Apache server with:

sudo /usr/local/apache2/bin/apachectl start

To ensure it runs after a reboot, you might need to add an init script or systemd unit file depending on your Linux distribution.

Summary and Conclusion

Compiling Apache from source on Linux provides granular control over the web server’s capabilities and behavior, allowing it to be tailored to specific requirements and environments. This process involves downloading the source, configuring the build environment, compiling, and finally installing the server. The complexity might be higher compared to using precompiled packages, but the customization benefits are significant, particularly for advanced users looking to optimize performance or integrate unique modules.

Keep in mind that maintaining a manually compiled Apache server requires handling updates and security patches yourself, which is automated with package managers. However, the control and customization obtained generally outweigh the cons, especially for specialized deployments. By following the steps detailed above and harnessing the flexibility of compiling from source, you can optimize Apache to meet your precise needs.