How to install Apache/httpd on CentOS 8 Linux

In this guide, you will learn to install Apache (most widely used webserver) on CentOS 8 Linux server.

How to install Apache on CentOS 8

Step 1: Update software repository

# dnf update

Step 2: Verify the repo containing Apache

# dnf module list httpd

CentOS Linux 8 - AppStream
Name                                              Stream                                                 Profiles                                                               Summary
httpd                                             2.4 [d][e]                                             common [d], devel, minimal                                             Apache HTTP Server

From the above example, you can find that httpd v2.4 is available in CentOS Linux 8 - AppStream repository and it is the default version that will get installed.

Step 3: Install Apache

# dnf install httpd -y

Step 4: Open HTTP(80) and HTTPS(443) ports in firewalld

HTTP and HTTPS protocols are generally used by web servers such as Apache or Nginx. But these ports 80 & 443 are not opened by default in the firewalld. Follow the article to Open HTTP 80 and HTTPS 443 ports in firewalld on CentOS 8 Linux.

Step 5: Start and manage Apache Web Server

Apache does not automatically start on CentOS after the installation is completed! Check for the status as below:

Verify the httpd service

# systemctl status httpd

Start the httpd service

# systemctl start httpd

Note: If the command is run properly, then there won’t be output.

Configure httpd to run on Startup

# systemctl enable httpd

Reload Apache to apply any changes in configuration files

# systemctl reload httpd

Stop httpd

# systemctl stop httpd

Step 6: Test Apache Web Server

Apache web server’s job is to serve web pages over a network. Find your system’s IP address:

# hostname -I

Open a web browser and type in the IP address in the URL. The browser shows HTTP SERVER TEST PAGE.