LiteSpeed is a high-performance, lightweight web server that offers excellent scalability and optimization for WordPress sites. In this tutorial, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of installing and configuring LiteSpeed servers on AlmaLinux 8. By the end of this guide, you will have a fully operational LiteSpeed server ready to power your WordPress website.

Prerequisites:
Before you begin, ensure that you have the following:

1. Access to a server running AlmaLinux 8 with root privileges.
2. A domain name pointed to the server’s IP address.

Let’s get started!

Step 1: Update System Packages

1. Log in to your server via SSH using a terminal or SSH client.
2. Update the package list by running the following command:

sudo dnf update

3. If prompted, confirm the update by entering ‘y’ and pressing Enter.

Step 2: Install LiteSpeed Repository

1. Download and install the LiteSpeed repository by executing the following command:

sudo rpm -Uvh http://rpms.litespeedtech.com/almalinux/litespeed-repo-1.1-1.el8.x86_64.rpm

Step 3: Install LiteSpeed Web Server

1. Install LiteSpeed by running the command:

sudo dnf install lsws

2. During the installation, you will be prompted to set an administrator username and password. Provide the desired credentials and keep them secure.

Step 4: Start LiteSpeed Service

1. Start the LiteSpeed service with the command:

sudo systemctl start lsws

Step 5: Configure Firewall

1. If you have an active firewall, allow incoming connections to the LiteSpeed server. For example, using firewalld:

sudo firewall-cmd --zone=public --add-port=8088/tcp --permanent
sudo firewall-cmd --reload

Step 6: Access the WebAdmin Console

1. Open a web browser and navigate to http://<your_server_ip>:7080. Replace <your_server_ip> with your actual server’s IP address.
2. Log in using the administrator credentials you set during installation.

Step 7: Activate LiteSpeed License

1. In the WebAdmin console, navigate to Server Configuration -> License.
2. Enter your LiteSpeed license key in the designated field, and click “Update License.”

Step 8: Configure PHP

1. In the WebAdmin console, go to Server Configuration -> External App.
2. Click on LSAPI and edit the settings as follows:

• Command: /usr/local/lsws/lsphp74/bin/lsphp (replace lsphp74 with your installed PHP version)
• Max Connections: 35 (adjust as per your server’s capacity)
• Environment: PHP_LSAPI_MAX_REQUESTS=500 (optional, defines the maximum number of requests per worker process)

1. Click “Save” to apply the changes.

Step 9: Set Up Virtual Host for WordPress

1. In the WebAdmin console, navigate to Virtual Hosts -> Listeners.
2. Click on “Default” and set the following details:

• Address: All Interfaces
• Port: 80 (or the port you want to use)

1. Click “Save” to apply the changes.
2. Create a virtual host for your WordPress site:

• Navigate to Virtual Hosts -> General.
• Click on “Add” and fill in the required details:
  • Name: Enter a name for your virtual host.
  • Listener

: Select “Default” from the drop-down menu.
– Domain: Enter your domain name.
– Document Root: Set the document root path for your WordPress files.

• Click “Save” to create the virtual host.

Step 10: Configure WordPress

1. Install WordPress on your server using your preferred method.
2. Update your WordPress site’s database credentials in the wp-config.php file with the values provided by your hosting provider.
3. Set the correct file permissions for your WordPress installation:

sudo chown -R nobody:nobody /path/to/your/wordpress/installation
sudo find /path/to/your/wordpress/installation -type d -exec chmod 750 {} \;
sudo find /path/to/your/wordpress/installation -type f -exec chmod 640 {} \;

Step 11: Test and Verify

1. Restart LiteSpeed to apply all the configurations:

sudo systemctl restart lsws

2. Open your web browser and navigate to your WordPress site using your domain name.
3. If everything is set up correctly, you should see your WordPress site functioning properly.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed and configured LiteSpeed servers on AlmaLinux 8. You now have a high-performance web server ready to power your WordPress website. Enjoy the enhanced speed and scalability that LiteSpeed offers!

Remember to regularly update and maintain your server to ensure optimal performance and security.

Note: This guide assumes a basic installation of LiteSpeed. Additional configurations, such as SSL/TLS setup and cache optimization, may vary depending on your specific requirements. For more advanced configurations, refer to the official LiteSpeed documentation.