Setting Up WordPress on Ubuntu – Preparation

Part Two of this series can be found here

This is a new series we’re starting on this blog called Setting up WordPress on Ubuntu. This series will show new users and students how to prepare Ubuntu for WordPress as well as installing and managing WordPress on Ubuntu.

This is the first post in the series and will discuss getting Ubuntu server prepared for WordPress. The post is tested on Ubuntu 17.04 / 17.10. It should also work with previous and future editions of Ubuntu.

To get WordPress installed on Ubuntu server, you must prepare the server. To do that follow the steps below:

Step 1: Update Ubuntu

Prior to installing packages and software on Ubuntu, it’s recommended that you update the server. Run the commands below to do that

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get dist-upgrade && sudo apt-get autoremove

After updating the server, restart and log back in.

Step 2: Update the Server Date / Time

Next, configure the correct date and time for the server. This isn’t necessary but nice to do especially if you’re going to be monitoring system logs and data. The correct timezone and date/time should give you time sensitive information with respect to the logs.

To set Ubuntu server timezone / date and time, run the commands below.

sudo dpkg-reconfigure tzdata

Once open, follow the onscreen guide to select the region and time zone for the server.

Select the Region that corresponds to your local timezone

After that, install NTP to automatically synchronize your server.

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install ntp

Step 3: Setup Ubuntu Hostname

Another area to look at is configuring the Ubuntu server name. Again, this is not necessary, but nice to distinguish your server by names. First run the commands below to open the hostname file, then change whatever in there to the name you wish to use as the server name.

sudo nano /etc/hostname

web01

Save the file.

then run the commands below to open the hosts file and make the server name changes there as well.

sudo nano /etc/hosts

192.168.1.2                           web01

Save the file and you’re done.

Congratulations! Your Ubuntu server is ready to be used to install WordPress.

Summary:

This post shows students and new users how to prepare Ubuntu server for WordPress installation. Although not necessary, the steps above should be done to get the server properly configured. In our next post, we’ll show you how to install the LAMP or LEMP stack for WordPress

Enjoy!

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Manage Linux Server via SFTP and Notepad++