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Step-by-Step Guide: Installing Jira on Ubuntu

Richard

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This tutorial guides users through the process of installing Jira project management software on Ubuntu 18.04 | 16.04 servers. It includes instructions for updating Ubuntu, installing MariaDB, setting up Jira Database, and installing Jira software. The Jira platform allows for efficient project management, bug tracking, and agile teamwork across a user-friendly interface.

This brief tutorial shows students and new users how to install the Jira project management platform on Ubuntu 18.04 | 16.04 servers.

Jira is a proprietary project management software from Atlassian that allows bug tracking and agile project management. It has a user-friendly web interface allows users to create stories and issues and plan and distribute tasks across teams and departments.

Whether you’re creating a personal or company setting up a self-hosted project management platform, Jira can help you build and manage your content on every device with its intuitive and powerful user and admin dashboard.

For more about Jira, please check its homepage.

When you’re ready to install Jira on Ubuntu, follow the steps below:

Update Ubuntu

Before installing Jira software on Ubuntu, you must first prepare Ubuntu and update installed packages.

To do that, run the commands below:

sudo apt update
sudo apt dist-upgrade

Continue below to install and set up Jira.

Install MariaDB Database Server

Jira also needs a database server to store its content. And MariaDB database server is a great place to start when looking at open-source database servers to use with Jira.

To install MariaDB, run the commands below.

sudo apt install mariadb-server mariadb-client

After installing MariaDB, the commands below can stop, start, and enable the service to start when the server boots.

Run these on Ubuntu

sudo systemctl stop mariadb.service
sudo systemctl start mariadb.service
sudo systemctl enable mariadb.service

After that, run the commands below to secure the MariaDB server by creating a root password and disallowing remote root access.

sudo mysql_secure_installation

When prompted, answer the questions below by following the guide.

  • Enter current password for root (enter for none): Just press the Enter
  • Set root password? [Y/n]: Y
  • New password: Enter password
  • Re-enter new password: Repeat password
  • Remove anonymous users? [Y/n]: Y
  • Disallow root login remotely? [Y/n]: Y
  • Remove test database and access to it? [Y/n]:  Y
  • Reload privilege tables now? [Y/n]:  Y

Restart MariaDB server

To test if MariaDB is installed, type the commands below to log into the MariaDB server

sudo systemctl status mariadb.service

You should see similar messages below:

mariadb.service - MariaDB 10.1.44 database server
   Loaded: loaded (/lib/systemd/system/mariadb.service; enabled; vendor preset: enabled)
   Active: active (running) since Thu 2020-03-05 12:14:17 CST; 1min 15s ago
     Docs: man:mysqld(8)
           https://mariadb.com/kb/en/library/systemd/
 Main PID: 16048 (mysqld)
   Status: "Taking your SQL requests now."
    Tasks: 27 (limit: 4666)
   CGroup: /system.slice/mariadb.service
           └─16048 /usr/sbin/mysqld

Mar 05 12:14:17 ubuntu1804 /etc/mysql/debian-start[16081]: information_schema
Mar 05 12:14:17 ubuntu1804 /etc/mysql/debian-start[16081]: mysql
Mar 05 12:14:17 ubuntu1804 /etc/mysql/debian-start[16081]: performance_schema

That’s how to install MariaDB on Ubuntu.

Create Jira Database

Now that MariaDB is installed, create a blank Jira database.

Run the commands below to log on to MariaDB. When prompted for a password, type the root password you created above.

sudo mysql -u root -p

Then, create a database called jira

CREATE DATABASE jira CHARACTER SET utf8mb4 COLLATE utf8mb4_bin;

Create a database user called jirauser with a new password

CREATE USER 'jirauser'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'new_password_here';

Then grant the user full access to the jira database.

GRANT ALL ON jira.* TO 'jirauser'@'localhost' WITH GRANT OPTION;

Finally, save your changes and exit.

FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
EXIT;

Next, run the commands below to open the MariaDB configuration file.

sudo nano /etc/mysql/mariadb.conf.d/50-server.cnf

Copy and paste the highlighted lines under [mysqld]

# this is only for the mysqld standalone daemon
[mysqld]

#
# * Basic Settings
#
user            = mysql
pid-file        = /var/run/mysqld/mysqld.pid
socket          = /var/run/mysqld/mysqld.sock
port            = 3306
basedir         = /usr
datadir         = /var/lib/mysql
tmpdir          = /tmp
lc-messages-dir = /usr/share/mysql
skip-external-locking

default-storage-engine= INNODB
character_set_server = utf8mb4
innodb_default_row_format = DYNAMIC
innodb_large_prefix = ON
innodb_file_format = Barracuda
innodb_log_file_size = 2G
sql_mode = NO_AUTO_VALUE_ON_ZERO

Save the file and exit.

When you’re done, restart MariaDB.

sudo systemctl restart mariadb.service

That should be it!

Download and Install Jira

To get Jira installed, visit its download page from the link below:

https://www.atlassian.com/software/jira/download

As of this writing, the current version is 8.7.1.

Change into the temp directory and download Jira. Then extract the downloaded file using the commands below:

cd /tmp
wget https://www.atlassian.com/software/jira/downloads/binary/atlassian-jira-software-8.7.1-x64.bin
chmod a+x atlassian-jira-software-8.7.1-x64.bin

Next, run the commands below to begin the installation.

sudo ./atlassian-jira-software-8.7.1-x64.bin

As highlighted below, you will be prompted to answer some questions when running the binary file. You can choose to install Jira in any directory.

To simplify things, I chose to install it in my home folder.

Unpacking JRE .
Starting Installer .
This will install Jira Software 8.7.1 on your computer.
OK [o, Enter], Cancel [c]
o
Click Next to continue, or Cancel to exit Setup.
Choose the appropriate installation or upgrade option.
Please choose one of the following:
Express Install (use default settings) [1], Custom Install (recommended for advanced users) [2, Enter], Upgrade an existing Jira installation [3]
2
Select the folder where you would like Jira Software to be installed.
Where should Jira Software be installed?
[/opt/atlassian/jira]
Enter
Default location for Jira Software data
[/var/atlassian/application-data/jira]
Enter
Configure which ports Jira Software will use.
Jira requires two TCP ports that are not being used by any other
applications on this machine. The HTTP port is where you will access Jira
through your browser. The Control port is used to startup and shutdown Jira.
Use default ports (HTTP: 8080, Control: 8005) - Recommended [1, Enter], Set custom value for HTTP and Control ports [2]
1
Jira can be run in the background.
You may choose to run Jira as a service, which means it will start
automatically whenever the computer restarts.
Install Jira as Service?
Yes [y, Enter], No [n]
y
Details on where Jira Software will be installed and the settings that will be used.
Installation Directory: /opt/atlassian/jira 
Home Directory: /var/atlassian/application-data/jira 
HTTP Port: 8080 
RMI Port: 8005 
Install as service: Yes 
Install [i, Enter], Exit [e]
i
Extracting files .                                                                          
Please wait a few moments while Jira Software is configured.
Installation of Jira Software 8.7.1 is complete
Start Jira Software 8.7.1 now?
Yes [y, Enter], No [n]
y
Please wait a few moments while Jira Software starts up.
Launching Jira Software .
Installation of Jira Software 8.7.1 is complete
Your installation of Jira Software 8.7.1 is now ready and can be accessed
via your browser.
Jira Software 8.7.1 can be accessed at http://localhost:8080
Finishing installation .

After that, Jira should be installed and started.

Download the MySQL JDBC driver before you can configure Jira for web portal access. You can get it from the link below:

Run the commands below to download it:

cd /tmp
wget https://dev.mysql.com/get/Downloads/Connector-J/mysql-connector-java-8.0.18.zip
unzip mysql-connector-java-8.0.18.zip
sudo cp mysql-connector-java-8.0.18/mysql-connector-java-8.0.18.jar /opt/atlassian/jira/lib

After that, stop and start Jira services

sudo /etc/init.d/jira stop
sudo /etc/init.d/jira start

To access its portal, simply open your browser and browser to the server hostname or IP address followed by port 8080.

http://localhost:8080

The first page presents two options, as shown. Click on I’ll set it up myself and click on the Next button.

Jira Ubuntu InstallOn the next Window, click on My database, and for the Database type value, click and select MySQL 5.7+.

Jira Ubuntu InstallSet up your application property and continue.

Jira Ubuntu Install
Next, you will be required to enter the license key of JIRA.

It would be best to have a license key to set up Jira. Enter your license key or generate a new license key below. You need an account at MyAtlassian to generate a license key.

Create an account if you don’t already have one; log in and generate a trial license key for your application.

Then, paste the license key in the box and continue.

Jira Ubuntu Install

Create an admin account and continue.

Jira ubuntu setup

Continue and complete the installation wizard. Once done, you should be able to set up your projects.

Jira Ubuntu Install

That’s it!

Conclusion:

This post showed you how to install Jira software on Ubuntu 18.04 | 16.04. If you find any error, please report it in the comment form below.

Thanks,

Richard Avatar
Richard
Richard, the owner and lead writer at Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast passionate about simplifying complex IT topics. His years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations have honed his ability to provide practical insights and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He’s deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions. He enjoys watching football, cheering for the Minnesota Vikings, and spending time with his family when he’s not writing or managing Geek Rewind.
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Comments

  1. Bogdan Dorca Avatar
    Bogdan Dorca

    Hi,

    There’s a typo on the configs for 50-server.cnf

    default-storage-engin e= INNODB should be
    default-storage-engine = INNODB

    Reply
  2. nigel dewar Avatar
    nigel dewar

    Awesome article.

    Please add this incase ufw is on

    sudo ufw allow 8080/tcp

    cheers mate

    Reply

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