# How to Install Apache Web Server on Arch Linux
> URL: https://www.atlantic.net/dedicated-server-hosting/how-to-install-apache-web-server-on-arch-linux/ | Published: 2022-12-25 | Updated: 2023-11-15 | Author: Hitesh Jethva
Free and open-source Apache is one of the most popular web servers around the globe. It is based on process-driven architecture and supports all major operating systems, including Linux, Windows, macOS, and Solaris. Apache is customizable and can be integrated with other modules. It offers many features, including load balancing, URL tracking, auto-indexing, robust media support, and more.
This post will explain how to install the Apache web server on Arch Linux.
## Step 1 – Configure Repository
By default, the default repository is outdated in Arch Linux, so you will need to modify the default mirror list. You can do it by editing the mirrorlist configuration file:
```
nano /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist
```
Remove all lines and add the following lines:
```
## Score: 0.7, United States
Server = http://mirror.us.leaseweb.net/archlinux/$repo/os/$arch
## Score: 0.8, United States
Server = http://lug.mtu.edu/archlinux/$repo/os/$arch
Server = http://mirror.nl.leaseweb.net/archlinux/$repo/os/$arch
## Score: 0.9, United Kingdom
Server = http://mirror.bytemark.co.uk/archlinux/$repo/os/$arch
## Score: 1.5, United Kingdom
Server = http://mirrors.manchester.m247.com/arch-linux/$repo/os/$arch
Server = http://archlinux.dcc.fc.up.pt/$repo/os/$arch
## Score: 6.6, United States
Server = http://mirror.cs.pitt.edu/archlinux/$repo/os/$arch
## Score: 6.7, United States
Server = http://mirrors.acm.wpi.edu/archlinux/$repo/os/$arch
## Score: 6.8, United States
Server = http://ftp.osuosl.org/pub/archlinux/$repo/os/$arch
## Score: 7.1, India
Server = http://mirror.cse.iitk.ac.in/archlinux/$repo/os/$arch
## Score: 10.1, United States
Server = http://mirrors.xmission.com/archlinux/$repo/os/$arch
```
Save and close the file, then update all the package indexes with the following command:
```
pacman -Syu
```
## Step 2 – Install Apache Web Server
By default, the Apache web server package is included in the Arch Linux default repository. You can install it using the following command:
```
pacman -S apache
```
Once the Apache package is installed, start and enable the Apache service with the following command:
```
systemctl start httpd
systemctl enable httpd
```
You can also check the Apache status using the following command:
```
systemctl status httpd
```
You will get the following output:
```
● httpd.service - Apache Web Server
Loaded: loaded (/usr/lib/systemd/system/httpd.service; disabled; preset: disabled)
Active: active (running) since Tue 2022-09-27 04:41:54 UTC; 6s ago
Main PID: 54484 (httpd)
Tasks: 82 (limit: 2362)
Memory: 6.8M
CGroup: /system.slice/httpd.service
├─54484 /usr/bin/httpd -k start -DFOREGROUND
├─54485 /usr/bin/httpd -k start -DFOREGROUND
├─54486 /usr/bin/httpd -k start -DFOREGROUND
└─54487 /usr/bin/httpd -k start -DFOREGROUND
Sep 27 04:41:54 archlinux systemd[1]: Started Apache Web Server.
Sep 27 04:41:54 archlinux httpd[54484]: AH00558: httpd: Could not reliably determine the server's fully qualified domain name, using fe80::20>
```
By default, the Apache package does not provide any default **index.html** file to test the Apache. You can create it in the Apache default root directory using the following command:
```
nano /srv/http/index.html
```
Add the following code:
```
Welcome
Welcome to Atlantic Cloud test page
```
Save and close the file, then open your web browser and verify the Apache test page using the URL **http://your-server-ip.** You should see the Apache page on the following screen:
## Step 3 – Create an Apache Virtual Host
Virtual hosting allows users to host multiple websites on a single server. First, create a directory for virtual hosts using the following command:
```
mkdir /etc/httpd/conf/vhosts
```
Next, create an Apache virtual host configuration file:
```
nano /etc/httpd/conf/vhosts/example.com
```
Add the following code:
```
ServerAdmin webmaster@example.com
DocumentRoot "/srv/example.com"
ServerName test.example.com
ErrorLog "/var/log/httpd/example.com-error_log"
CustomLog "/var/log/httpd/example.com-access_log" common
Require all granted
```
Save and close the file, then create a website directory with the following command:
```
mkdir /srv/example.com
```
Next, create an index.html page for your website:
```
nano /srv/example.com/index.html
```
Add the following code:
```
Example.COM
Welcome to example.com
```
Save and close the file, then change the ownership of your website:
```
chown -R root:http /srv/example.com
```
Next, edit the Apache main configuration file:
```
nano /etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf
```
Add the following line to define your virtual host:
```
Include conf/vhosts/example.com
```
Save and close the file, then restart the Apache service to apply the changes:
```
systemctl restart httpd
```
## Step 4 – Verify Apache Virtual Host
Now, open your web browser and verify your website using the URL **http://test.example.com.** You should see your website on the following screen:
## Conclusion
In this post, we explained how to install the Apache web server on Arch Linux. We also explained how to create a virtual host in Apache. You can now host multiple websites on a single website using Apache’s virtual hosting feature. You can now try to use the Apache web server on [dedicated hosting](https://www.atlantic.net/dedicated-server-hosting/) from Atlantic.Net!