How to Install Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP (LAMP) stack on Debian

Apache is the most well-known web server software in the world, with over 50% of all web servers  in the world running it.

Before starting the install, it’s important to update the repositories. You can do this by running:

apt-get update

Step 1 – Apache Installation:

To begin the Apache installation, run the command:

apt-get install apache2

You’ll then be prompted

To check that Apache has now been installed, open up a web browser such as Internet Explorer or Google Chrome and type in the IP address of your server in the address bar. (For example http://98.76.54.321)

You should then be presented with a page like this -

If you’re not sure of your server’s IP address, run the following command:

ifconfig eth0 | grep inet | awk ‘{ print $2 }’

Your IP address will then be displayed -

Step 2 – MySQL Installation:

Now we can install MySQL. MySQL is one of the most common database systems and is widely used online.

To start the installation process, run the command:

apt-get install mysql-server

Again, you’ll be prompted to confirm you want to continue the install [Y/n]

At some point during the installation, you will be required to set a root password.

To then setup MySQL, you should run the installation script -

mysql_secure_installation

You’ll then be prompted asking if you wish to change your root password. Type in ‘N’, as you have already set a root password earlier.

There will then be a series of prompts. The easiest way to answer these is to answer Yes [Y] to all.

Step 3 – PHP Installation:

Now it’s time to install PHP!

In this case, we will be installing PHP5.

apt-get install php5 php-pear php5-suhosin php5-mysql

NOTE: If your VPS is running Debian 7, exclude php5-suhosin from the list.

You will now be required to accept two prompts – simply type ‘Y’ to continue.

You will now need to restart Apache by running the following command:

service apache2 restart

Step 4 – Finishing up:

We’ll create a file to test

nano /var/www/info.php

Type in to the document:

<?php
phpinfo();
?>

Then save the document – you can do this by pressing Control+X, then Y then Enter.

To check that PHP is working, type in the IP of your server plus ‘/info.php’. For example, if your server IP was 12.34.56.789, you would type in http://12.34.56.789/info.php You should then be presented with a page that looks something like this: Congratulations – your LAMP system should now be fully functional!