AlmaLinux 9 for Web Hosting Beginners
Install, Configure, and Secure Apache, Nginx, PHP, and MySQL on a VPS
What's Included:
Key Highlights
- Step-by-step VPS setup on AlmaLinux 9
- Apache and Nginx installation and configuration
- PHP and PHP-FPM integration
- MariaDB installation and security basics
- Virtual host configuration
- Let's Encrypt SSL setup
- Firewall and VPS hardening basics
- Monitoring and maintenance practices
- Troubleshooting common hosting errors
- Clear beginner-friendly explanations
Overview
Learn how to set up and secure a complete web hosting environment on AlmaLinux 9. Install Apache, Nginx, PHP, MariaDB, SSL, and harden your VPS step by step.
The Problem
Many beginners rely on shared hosting and never learn how real web servers work.
Without hands-on knowledge, hosting environments remain black boxes that limit flexibility and control.
The Solution
This book walks you step-by-step through installing, configuring, and securing a full AlmaLinux 9 web hosting stack on a VPS.
About This Book
AlmaLinux 9 for Web Hosting Beginners is a practical, step-by-step guide to building your own web hosting server from scratch on a VPS.
If you’ve ever wanted full control over your hosting environment — without relying on shared hosting platforms — this book shows you exactly how to do it using AlmaLinux 9.
Start with a Clean VPS
You’ll begin with a blank Virtual Private Server and learn how to:
- Connect securely via SSH
- Update and manage packages with
dnf - Configure users and permissions
- Apply essential server hardening practices
Every step is explained clearly and designed for beginners working in a real terminal environment.
Install and Configure Apache & Nginx
Modern web hosting requires flexibility. This book walks you through:
- Installing and configuring Apache
- Setting up Nginx as an alternative web server
- Understanding differences between Apache and Nginx
- Configuring virtual hosts
You’ll deploy real websites on both platforms.
Integrate PHP and MariaDB
Dynamic websites require backend technologies. You will learn how to:
- Install PHP and configure PHP-FPM
- Integrate PHP with Apache and Nginx
- Install and secure MariaDB (MySQL-compatible)
- Connect PHP applications to databases
Secure Your Hosting Environment
A web server is only as strong as its security configuration. This book includes:
- Firewall configuration
- Basic VPS hardening
- File permission management
- SSL certificate installation using Let's Encrypt
You will finish with a hosting setup that is not just functional, but secured.
Operate and Maintain Your Server
Web hosting does not end at installation. You will also learn:
- Monitoring basics
- System maintenance practices
- Common hosting errors and troubleshooting steps
- How to grow from beginner to production administrator
By the end of this book, you will have built — and secured — your own AlmaLinux 9 web server from the ground up.
Who Is This Book For?
- Beginners who want to host their own websites
- Developers seeking full control over their server
- Students learning Linux system administration
- Anyone moving away from shared hosting
Who Is This Book NOT For?
- Advanced Linux administrators
- Enterprise infrastructure architects
- Readers seeking deep kernel-level optimization
Table of Contents
- Understanding AlmaLinux 9 and VPS Hosting
- Preparing Your VPS
- Basic Server Hardening
- System Updates and Package Management
- Installing and Configuring Apache
- Installing PHP and Integrating with Apache
- Installing and Configuring Nginx
- Configuring PHP-FPM with Nginx
- Installing MySQL (MariaDB)
- Connecting PHP to MySQL
- Deploying a Website on Apache
- Deploying a Website on Nginx
- Securing Your Web Server
- Installing SSL with Let’s Encrypt
- Monitoring and Maintenance
- From Beginner Hosting to Production Administrator
Requirements
- Access to a VPS or virtual machine
- Basic familiarity with command-line interfaces
- Willingness to work in a Linux terminal
