How to Install WordPress on Amazon Linux 2?

Amazon Linux 2 is Amazon Web Services’ (AWS) next-generation operating system, optimized for performance, security, and compatibility with cloud environments. It’s an excellent choice for developers and system administrators who wish to build scalable and secure applications on AWS. If you’re looking to set up WordPress on Amazon Linux 2, you’ll need to follow specific steps to configure the server environment properly and ensure smooth functioning.

This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of installing WordPress on Amazon Linux 2, including setting up the environment, installing required software, and configuring the WordPress application. Whether you are a beginner or experienced user, this article provides a comprehensive overview of the entire process.

Prerequisites for Installing WordPress on Amazon Linux 2

Before diving into the installation steps, there are a few prerequisites that you need to set up. These are necessary to ensure that WordPress functions properly on your Amazon Linux 2 server.

1. Amazon Web Services (AWS) Account

To get started, you’ll need an AWS account. If you don’t already have one, you can sign up for a free tier account to access basic AWS services.

2. Create an EC2 Instance Running Amazon Linux 2

In Amazon Web Services, EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud) is a service that allows you to run virtual servers. You’ll need an EC2 instance running Amazon Linux 2 to install WordPress.

Here’s how to create an EC2 instance:

• Log into your AWS Console and navigate to the EC2 Dashboard.

• Click on Launch Instance to create a new instance.

• Select Amazon Linux 2 AMI from the list of available operating systems.

• Choose an instance type (for basic use, the t2.micro instance qualifies for the AWS free tier).

• Set up Security Groups: Configure inbound rules to allow access to HTTP (port 80), HTTPS (port 443), and SSH (port 22) for secure access.

• Launch the instance and download your SSH Key Pair to access your EC2 instance via SSH.

3. Security Group Configuration

Ensure that your EC2 Security Group allows inbound traffic on ports:

• Port 22 (SSH) – For accessing the server via SSH.

• Port 80 (HTTP) – For website traffic.

• Port 443 (HTTPS) – For secure traffic if you plan to set up SSL.

Step-by-Step Guide to Install WordPress on Amazon Linux 2

Now that the prerequisites are in place, we can begin the installation process. Follow the steps outlined below to install WordPress successfully on your Amazon Linux 2 EC2 instance.

Step 1: Connect to Your EC2 Instance via SSH

Once your EC2 instance is up and running, connect to it via SSH. You can do this with the following command from your terminal (replace your-key.pem and your-ec2-ip with your actual SSH key and EC2 public IP address):

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ssh -i /path/to/your-key.pem ec2-user@your-ec2-public-ip

 

Step 2: Update Your EC2 Instance

After logging into your instance, it’s always a good practice to update the operating system to ensure that the system packages are up to date. Run the following command:

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sudo yum update -y

 

This will update all installed packages on your EC2 instance to their latest versions.

Step 3: Install Apache Web Server

WordPress requires a web server, and we’ll be using Apache HTTP Server, one of the most popular open-source web servers for WordPress.

To install Apache, run:

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sudo yum install -y httpd

 

Once Apache is installed, start the web server:

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sudo systemctl start httpd

 

To ensure Apache starts automatically when your instance reboots, enable it:

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sudo systemctl enable httpd

 

Now, you can verify that Apache is working by entering the public IP address of your EC2 instance in a web browser. You should see the default Apache test page.

Step 4: Install MariaDB (MySQL) Database

WordPress requires a database to store its content, settings, and data. We will use MariaDB, which is a MySQL-compatible database system.

To install MariaDB, run the following:

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sudo yum install -y mariadb-server

 

After installation, start the MariaDB service:

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sudo systemctl start mariadb

 

Enable MariaDB to start on boot:

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sudo systemctl enable mariadb

 

Secure your MariaDB installation by running:

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sudo mysql_secure_installation

 

You will be prompted to set a root password and remove insecure default settings.

Step 5: Create a Database and User for WordPress

Once MariaDB is installed and secured, you need to create a database and a user for WordPress.

1. Login to MariaDB:

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sudo mysql -u root -p

 

Enter the root password you set up earlier.

1. Create the WordPress Database:

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CREATE DATABASE wordpress_db;

 

1. Create a WordPress User and Grant Privileges:

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CREATE USER ‘wordpress_user’@’localhost’ IDENTIFIED BY ‘yourpassword’;

GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON wordpress_db.* TO ‘wordpress_user’@’localhost’;

FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

EXIT;

 

Replace yourpassword with a strong password for the WordPress user.

Step 6: Install PHP and Necessary Extensions

WordPress is built using PHP, so you’ll need to install PHP and some necessary PHP extensions. To install PHP and the required extensions, use the following:

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sudo yum install -y php php-mysqlnd php-fpm php-xml php-mbstring php-json

 

After installing PHP, restart Apache to ensure PHP is loaded:

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sudo systemctl restart httpd

Step 7: Download and Install WordPress

Now it’s time to download WordPress. Navigate to the web server root directory:

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cd /var/www/html

 

Download the latest version of WordPress:

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sudo wget https://wordpress.org/latest.tar.gz

 

Extract the downloaded WordPress archive:

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sudo tar -xzvf latest.tar.gz

 

Move the WordPress files to the current directory:

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sudo mv wordpress/* .

 

Set proper ownership of the WordPress files:

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sudo chown -R apache:apache /var/www/html

Step 8: Configure WordPress

You need to configure WordPress by editing the configuration file. Start by copying the sample configuration file:

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cd /var/www/html

sudo cp wp-config-sample.php wp-config.php

 

Now, edit the wp-config.php file:

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sudo nano wp-config.php

 

Find the following lines and replace them with your database name, username, and password:

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define(‘DB_NAME’, ‘wordpress_db’);

define(‘DB_USER’, ‘wordpress_user’);

define(‘DB_PASSWORD’, ‘yourpassword’);

define(‘DB_HOST’, ‘localhost’);

 

Save and close the file by pressing CTRL + X, then Y, and finally Enter.

Step 9: Finish WordPress Installation via Web Browser

Now, open a web browser and visit your website by typing your EC2 instance’s public IP address:

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http://your-ec2-public-ip

 

You should see the WordPress setup page. Here, you will need to choose your site title, create an admin account, and configure other WordPress settings.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed WordPress on your Amazon Linux 2 EC2 instance. Your site is now up and running, ready to be customized with themes, plugins, and content. Amazon Linux 2 offers a stable, secure environment to run WordPress, and by following this guide, you’ve set up a solid foundation for your website. With your site running on a reliable and scalable AWS infrastructure, you are ready to explore further optimizations, backups, security enhancements, and more. If you run into any issues, refer to the official WordPress and AWS documentation for troubleshooting and additional resources.

For more insights on managing your WordPress site, check out our article on how to uninstall Sky Login Redirect from WordPress. If you’re interested in identifying the themes used by WordPress sites, our WordPress theme detector guide will help you uncover the theme behind any WordPress website. Additionally, if you’re in the process of building or redesigning your site, you might find our guide on how to choose a web development company helpful in making the right decision for your development needs. These articles provide valuable information to help you navigate the world of WordPress and web development effectively. For more on web development best practices, check out Smashing Magazine, a valuable resource for developers and designers alike. 

FAQs

Q1: Can I use Amazon Linux 2 for production WordPress websites?

Yes, Amazon Linux 2 is a great choice for production environments due to its stability, performance optimizations, and integration with AWS services.

Q2: How do I update WordPress on Amazon Linux 2?

You can update WordPress through the WordPress dashboard, or you can manually update it via the terminal. For system updates, use sudo yum update to update the software.

Q3: Can I install SSL on my WordPress site hosted on Amazon Linux 2?

Yes, you can install SSL using tools like Certbot for free SSL certificates or by purchasing an SSL certificate through AWS Certificate Manager or another provider.

Q4: What security measures should I take after installing WordPress on Amazon Linux 2?

Ensure that your instance is secured by configuring firewalls, disabling unused services, using strong passwords, and keeping your system and WordPress up to date with security patches.

Q5: How can I back up my WordPress site on Amazon Linux 2?

You can use plugins like UpdraftPlus or manually back up the database and file system by creating periodic snapshots or using AWS services like Amazon S3 for storage.