Step-by-Step Guide: Configuring Domains and Subdomains on a VPS with Apache
Setting up domains and subdomains on a VPS can be straightforward if you follow the right steps. In this guide, we'll walk you through the process using an example domain Braviy.com and a VPS IP (185.224.139.74). The process includes domain pointing, directory setup, virtual host configuration, and enabling HTTPS for secure connections.
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Step 1: Point Your Domain to the VPS
Update DNS Records on Your Domain Provider
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Log in to your domain provider's control panel (e.g., Hostinger).
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Update the main domain's DNS records:
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Set the
@(root domain) andwwwrecords to point to your VPS IP. Example: -
@record: 185.224.139.74 -
wwwrecord: 185.224.139.74
-
Add Subdomain DNS Records (Optional)
To create a subdomain (e.g., demo.braviy.com):
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Create an A record for the subdomain:
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Record Type: A
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Name:
demo(fordemo.braviy.com) -
Points to: 185.224.139.74
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TTL: Default or preferred value
-
-
Optionally, create another A record for
www.demo.braviy.comto avoid SSL errors:-
Name: www.demo
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Step 2: Configure the Main Domain 💡
Access Your VPS
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Log in to your VPS using SSH.
Create a Directory for the Main Domain
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Create the directory:
sudo mkdir -p /var/www/braviy.com/2.Set ownership and permissions:
sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/braviy.com
sudo chmod -R 755 /var/www/braviy.comAdd an Index File
-
Create a basic HTML file for testing:
sudo nano /var/www/braviy.com/index.htmlAdd the following content:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
<title>Braviy</title>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Welcome to braviy.com</h1>
</body>
</html>Save and exit (Ctrl + O, then Ctrl + X).
Create a Virtual Host Configuration File
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Navigate to the Apache sites-available directory:
ls /etc/apache2/sites-available/2.Create a virtual host file:
sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/braviy.com.confAdd the following configuration:
<VirtualHost *:80>
ServerName braviy.com
ServerAlias www.braviy.com
DocumentRoot /var/www/braviy.com
<Directory /var/www/braviy.com>
Options Indexes FollowSymLinks
AllowOverride All
Require all granted
</Directory>
ErrorLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/error.log
CustomLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/access.log combined
RewriteEngine on
RewriteCond %{SERVER_NAME} =braviy.com [OR]
RewriteCond %{SERVER_NAME} =www.braviy.com
RewriteRule ^ https://%{SERVER_NAME}%{REQUEST_URI} [END,NE,R=permanent]
</VirtualHost>Enable the Site and Reload Apache
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Enable the site configuration:
sudo a2ensite braviy.com.conf -
Disable the default site (optional):
sudo a2dissite 000-default.conf -
Test and reload Apache:
sudo apache2ctl configtest sudo systemctl reload apache2
Enable HTTPS (Optional but Recommended)
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Install Certbot (if not instaled in your vps):
sudo apt update sudo apt install certbot python3-certbot-apache -
Generate SSL certificates:
sudo certbot --apache -d braviy.com -d www.braviy.comFollow the prompts to set up HTTPS.
Step 3: Configure the Subdomain
Create a Directory for the Subdomain
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Create the directory:
sudo mkdir -p /var/www/demo.braviy.com/ -
Set ownership and permissions:
sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/demo.braviy.com sudo chmod -R 755 /var/www/demo.braviy.com
Add an Index File
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Create a basic HTML file for the subdomain:
sudo nano /var/www/demo.braviy.com/index.htmlAdd the following content:
<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en"> <head> <meta charset="UTF-8"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0"> <title>Demo Subdomain</title> </head> <body> <h1>Welcome to demo.braviy.com</h1> </body> </html>Save and exit (Ctrl + O, then Ctrl + X).
Create a Virtual Host Configuration File
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Create the virtual host file:
sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/demo.braviy.com.confAdd the following configuration:
<VirtualHost *:80> ServerName demo.braviy.com ServerAlias www.demo.braviy.com DocumentRoot /var/www/demo.braviy.com <Directory /var/www/demo.braviy.com> Options Indexes FollowSymLinks AllowOverride All Require all granted </Directory> ErrorLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/error.log CustomLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/access.log combined RewriteEngine on RewriteCond %{SERVER_NAME} =demo.braviy.com [OR] RewriteCond %{SERVER_NAME} =www.demo.braviy.com RewriteRule ^ https://%{SERVER_NAME}%{REQUEST_URI} [END,NE,R=permanent] </VirtualHost>
Enable the Subdomain Site and Reload Apache
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Enable the site configuration:
sudo a2ensite demo.braviy.com.conf -
Reload Apache:
sudo apache2ctl configtest sudo systemctl reload apache2
Enable HTTPS (Optional but Recommended)
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Generate SSL certificates:
sudo certbot --apache -d demo.braviy.com -d www.demo.braviy.comFollow the prompts to set up HTTPS.
Step 4: Verify the Setup
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Test the domain:
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Test the subdomain:
Congratulations! Your domain and subdomain are now successfully configured on your VPS with Apache 🤩.
