How to Install Nextcloud on Amazon Linux

Learn how to install Nextcloud on Amazon Linux and set up your own private cloud storage solution.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the step-by-step process of installing Nextcloud on Amazon Linux. Whether you are a seasoned developer or just starting out with cloud storage solutions, this tutorial is designed to help you successfully deploy and configure Nextcloud on your Amazon Linux server.

Why Choose Nextcloud?

Before diving into the installation process, it's important to understand why Nextcloud is an excellent choice for your cloud storage needs. With its robust features and user-friendly interface, Nextcloud offers seamless collaboration, secure file sharing, and efficient data management capabilities. By hosting your own private cloud using Nextcloud on Amazon Linux, you gain complete control over your data while ensuring privacy and security.

Prerequisites

To proceed with the installation process smoothly, make sure you have the following prerequisites in place:

1. An active AWS account.
2. A running instance of Amazon Linux.
3. SSH access to your Amazon Linux instance.
4. Basic knowledge of working with command line interfaces (CLI).

If you meet these requirements, let's move forward and dive into the installation steps!

Step 1: Update System Packages

Keeping your system up-to-date is crucial for optimal performance and security. To update all installed packages on your Amazon Linux server, open a terminal window and execute the following commands:

sudo yum update -y

This command will ensure that all system packages are updated to their latest versions.

Step 2: Install Required Dependencies

Nextcloud relies on several dependencies to function properly. Let's install them by executing the following commands one by one:

sudo amazon-linux-extras install epel -y 
sudo yum install httpd php mariadb-server php-mysqlnd php-pdo -y

These commands will install Apache web server (httpd), MariaDB database server (mariadb-server), PHP, and other necessary packages.

Step 3: Configure MariaDB

Nextcloud requires a database to store its data. Let's configure MariaDB by executing the following commands:

sudo systemctl start mariadb 
sudo mysql_secure_installation

These commands will start the MariaDB service and guide you through the secure installation process. Make sure to set a strong password for the root user and answer "Y" to all prompts.

Step 4: Create a Database for Nextcloud

To create a dedicated database for Nextcloud, execute the following commands:

sudo mysql -u root -p 
CREATE DATABASE nextcloud;
CREATE USER 'nextclouduser'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'your_password';
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON nextcloud.* TO 'nextclouduser'@'localhost';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
EXIT;

Replace 'your_password' with a secure password of your choice. These commands will create a new database named "nextcloud" along with a user and necessary privileges.

Step 5: Install Nextcloud

Now it's time to install Nextcloud on your Amazon Linux server. Execute the following commands one by one:

cd /var/www/html/ 
wget https://download.nextcloud.com/server/releases/latest.zip  
unzip latest.zip  
sudo chown apache:apache -R nextcloud/
sudo chmod 775 -R nextclouddata/

These commands will download the latest release of Nextcloud, extract it, and set appropriate ownership and permissions on required directories.

Step 6: Configure Apache Web Server

To configure Apache web server for hosting Next cloud, follow these steps:

Create a new Apache configuration file for Nextcloud:

sudo nano /etc/httpd/conf.d/nextcloud.conf

Paste the following content into the file and save it:

Alias /nextcloud "/var/www/html/nextcloud/"

<Directory /var/www/html/nextcloud/>
  Require all granted
  AllowOverride All
  Options FollowSymlinks MultiViews

  <IfModule mod_dav.c>
    Dav off
  </IfModule>

</Directory>

Restart Apache to apply the changes:

sudo systemctl restart httpd

Step 7: Complete Nextcloud Installation via Web Browser

1. Open your web browser and enter your server's IP address or domain name followed by /nextcloud (e.g., http://your_server_ip_address/nextcloud).
2. You will be greeted with the Nextcloud setup wizard.
3. Set up an admin username and password.
4. Provide the database details you configured in Step 4.
5. Click on "Finish Setup" to complete the installation.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Nextcloud on Amazon Linux.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we walked through each step of installing Nextcloud on Amazon Linux, from updating system packages to configuring Apache web server and completing the installation via a web browser.

Nextcloud offers a powerful cloud storage solution that empowers individuals and organizations to take control of their data while ensuring privacy and security.

Start exploring Nextclo