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How to Install Tomcat 11 on Ubuntu 24.04

Richard

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The article outlines the installation process of Apache Tomcat 11 on Ubuntu 24.04. Key steps include installing Java, downloading Tomcat, creating a dedicated Tomcat user, setting up a system service for management, accessing the web portal via IP address, and configuring user roles for security. The process ensures a smooth installation.

This article explains how to install Tomcat 11 on Ubuntu 24.04.

Apache Tomcat is an open-source web server and servlet container developed by the Apache Software Foundation. It is used to run Java applications, specifically Java Servlets and JavaServer Pages (JSP).

Tomcat is a cross-platform app that works on Windows, Mac, and other operating systems. This cross-platform compatibility lets you build applications that run on various systems, allowing you to reach a wider audience.

Installing Tomcat on Ubuntu is a straightforward process. It involves downloading the Tomcat package, configuring the environment variables, and starting the server.

Install Java Runtime Environment

Tomcat is a Java application that requires installing Java on the system. If you don’t already have Java installed, read the post below to install it.

Install Java Runtime Environment on Ubuntu

After installing Java on Ubuntu, continue to install Tomcat.

Download Tomcat packages

Now that Java Runtime Environment is installed, download Tomcat packages from its website.

Make sure the latest version and source from the download site.

Since we’re installing Tomcat version 11, download the 11 binary code using the command below.

curl -O https://dlcdn.apache.org/tomcat/tomcat-11/v11.0.4/bin/apache-tomcat-11.0.4.tar.gz

After downloading the file, extract the downloaded file.

tar zxvf apache-tomcat-11.0.4.tar.gz

Then, move downloaded file to the [/usr/libexec/tomcat11]. This will be the working directory of the Tomcat user we will create below.

sudo mv apache-tomcat-11.0.4 /usr/libexec/tomcat11

Create Tomcat user

When configuring Tomcat, create a dedicated system account. This account will be named [Tomcat].

Run the command below to create the Tomcat user with home directory of the extracted Tomcat packages.

The second command ensures the Tomcat user is the owner of the directory.

sudo useradd -M -d /usr/libexec/tomcat11 tomcat
sudo chown -R tomcat:tomcat /usr/libexec/tomcat11

Create system service

Now that Tomcat packages have been downloaded and the system account has been created, let’s create a system service account that will be used to start, enable, and stop Tomcat services.

Run the command below to create a system service file for Tomcat.

sudo nano /usr/lib/systemd/system/tomcat11.service

Then, copy and paste the content below into the file.

[Unit]
Description=Apache Tomcat 11
After=network.target

[Service]
Type=oneshot
ExecStart=/usr/libexec/tomcat11/bin/startup.sh
ExecStop=/usr/libexec/tomcat11/bin/shutdown.sh
RemainAfterExit=yes
User=tomcat
Group=tomcat

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

Save and exit the file.

Next, enable the service.

sudo systemctl enable --now tomcat11
sudo systemctl restart tomcat11

Access Tomcat web portal

Tomcat is configured and ready.

You can access its portal using the server IP address or hostname followed by port 8080.

http://srv1.example.com:8080

Tomcat web portal

Tomcat is installed and ready.

To access the server manager, you will need an account and password.

You can create one by opening the configuration file below.

sudo nano /usr/libexec/tomcat11/conf/tomcat-users.xml

Then, copy and paste the code below in the file, just before the </tomcat-users>.

<role rolename="manager-gui"/>
<role rolename="admin-gui"/>
<user username="admin" password="type_new_password_here" roles="manager-gui,admin-gui"/>
</tomcat-users>

Save the file and exit.

To access the Tomcat server remotely, you’ll want to allow the remote IP address to be allowed. To change the IP address restrictions on these, open the appropriate context.xml files.

Server Manager app:

sudo nano /usr/libexec/tomcat11/webapps/manager/META-INF/context.xml

Host Manager app:

sudo nano /usr/libexec/tomcat11/webapps/host-manager/META-INF/context.xml

Add the IP address you want to access remotely in the highlighted area.

<Context antiResourceLocking="false" privileged="true" >
  <!--<Valve className="org.apache.catalina.valves.RemoteAddrValve"
         allow="127\.\d+\.\d+\.\d+|::1|0:0:0:0:0:0:0:1|new_public_ip_address_here" />-->
</Context>

Save and close the files, and you’re done!

That should do it!

Conclusion:

In summary, installing Apache Tomcat 11 on Ubuntu 24.04 is a straightforward process that involves several key steps:

  • Java Requirement: Ensure the Java Runtime Environment is installed before setting up Tomcat.
  • Downloading Tomcat: Obtain the latest Tomcat 11 binary package from the official Apache website.
  • User Creation: Create a dedicated system user for Tomcat to enhance security and manageability.
  • System Service Setup: Configure Tomcat as a system service for easy management and automated start on boot.
  • Accessing the Portal: Use the server’s IP address to access the Tomcat web portal at port 8080.
  • Security Configuration: Set up user roles and permissions for the Tomcat server to manage access effectively.

Following these steps, you can successfully install and configure Tomcat 11, making it ready to deploy your Java web applications.

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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