Step-by-Step Tutorial to Create LiteSpeed on Linux Server

LiteSpeed Web Server is one of the most powerful and high-performance web servers available today. Known for its speed, scalability, and low resource consumption, it has become a popular choice for hosting high-traffic websites and applications. Compared to Apache and Nginx, LiteSpeed can handle more concurrent connections with less memory, making it ideal for performance-focused environments. For administrators looking to optimize performance, create LiteSpeed on a Linux server is an excellent way to achieve faster and more efficient web hosting.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the steps to create and configure LiteSpeed on a Linux server. We’ll cover prerequisites, installation, configuration, managing services, enabling SSL, optimizing performance, and addressing common issues. By the end, you’ll have a fully functional LiteSpeed setup ready for production.

Prerequisites

Before installing LiteSpeed, make sure your Linux server meets the following requirements:

• A Linux distribution (Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, or RHEL recommended)
• Root or sudo privileges
• A domain name points to your server’s IP address
• Basic packages installed: wget, curl, and unzip
• Firewall access for HTTP (80) and HTTPS (443) ports

These ensure that LiteSpeed can be installed smoothly and accessed via a web browser.

Install LiteSpeed on Linux

Installing LiteSpeed on Linux involves downloading the official package, running the installer, and setting up basic configurations. With just a few steps, you can deploy a fast, secure, and efficient web server.

• Update System Packages

First, update your server’s package list:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y   # Ubuntu/Debian  
sudo yum update -y                       # CentOS/RHEL  

• Download LiteSpeed Installer

wget https://www.litespeedtech.com/packages/5.0/lsws-6.2-ent-x86_64-linux.tar.gz  
tar -zxvf lsws-6.2-ent-x86_64-linux.tar.gz  
cd lsws-6.2  

• Run the Installer

sudo ./install.sh  

During installation, you will be asked:

• Admin username and password for the LiteSpeed WebAdmin console
• Port for the admin panel (default is 7080)
• Path to installation directory (default: /usr/local/lsws)

Once complete, LiteSpeed will be installed successfully.

Configuring LiteSpeed on Linux

LiteSpeed provides a user-friendly WebAdmin console that allows administrators to manage and configure most settings with ease. From adjusting server performance and enabling SSL to managing virtual hosts and security rules, the console simplifies tasks that would otherwise require manual configuration. This makes it easier to optimize LiteSpeed for your specific application needs.

• Access LiteSpeed WebAdmin

To access the LiteSpeed webadmin, visit:

http://your_server_ip:7080  

Log in using the admin credentials you created during installation.

Virtual Host Configuration

• Add your domain as a virtual host.
• Point it to the document root (e.g., /var/www/html).
• Configure index files (like index.php, index.html).

• PHP Configuration

LiteSpeed supports LSAPI, a faster way to run PHP applications:

sudo apt install lsphp74 lsphp74-common lsphp74-mysql lsphp74-process lsphp74-mbstring lsphp74-xml -y  

Set LSAPI in WebAdmin under Server Configuration > External App.

Managing LiteSpeed Services on Linux

LiteSpeed provides commands to manage its service easily:

• Start LiteSpeed:

sudo /usr/local/lsws/bin/lswsctrl start  

• Stop LiteSpeed:

sudo /usr/local/lsws/bin/lswsctrl stop  

• Restart LiteSpeed:

sudo /usr/local/lsws/bin/lswsctrl restart  

• Check status:

sudo /usr/local/lsws/bin/lswsctrl status  

This ensures you can control LiteSpeed without rebooting the server.

Enabling SSL with LiteSpeed on Linux

Securing your LiteSpeed server with HTTPS is essential.

• Install Certbot

sudo apt install certbot -y   # Ubuntu/Debian  
sudo yum install certbot -y   # CentOS/RHEL  

• Generate SSL Certificate

sudo certbot certonly --standalone -d yourdomain.com -d www.yourdomain.com  

Configure SSL in LiteSpeed WebAdmin

• Navigate to Listeners > SSL > Add.
• Upload SSL certificate and private key from /etc/letsencrypt/live/yourdomain.com/.
• Restart LiteSpeed to apply changes.

Now, your site is accessible securely via HTTPS.

Optimizing LiteSpeed Performance on Linux

LiteSpeed is known for speed, but optimization helps achieve maximum performance.

• Enable LiteSpeed Cache Plugin: Works with WordPress, Joomla, Magento, and other CMS.
• Enable GZIP Compression: Reduces page load times.
• Set HTTP/2 and QUIC: Improves modern web browsing performance.
• Adjust Worker Processes: Tune based on available server resources.
• Use Brotli Compression: Offers better results than GZIP.

These settings can significantly boost performance and reduce load time.

Common Issues and Fixes in LiteSpeed

• Port Conflict → If Apache or Nginx is running, stop them before starting LiteSpeed.

sudo systemctl stop apache2  
sudo systemctl stop nginx  

• 403 Forbidden Error → Check file permissions and ownership of the web directory.
• Admin Panel Not Loading → Ensure port 7080 is open in your firewall.

sudo ufw allow 7080/tcp  

• PHP Not Working → Reconfigure LSAPI and ensure PHP packages are installed.

By identifying these problems early, you can fix LiteSpeed issues in Linux and maintain stable operations.

FAQs: Create LiteSpeed on Linux Server

What are the basic requirements to create LiteSpeed on a Linux Server?

To create LiteSpeed on a Linux server, you need a supported Linux distribution such as Ubuntu, CentOS, or Debian, along with root or sudo access. Additionally, ensure you have a stable internet connection, updated system packages, and sufficient resources like CPU, RAM, and storage for optimal performance.

How does LiteSpeed differ from Apache or Nginx after setup?

When you create LiteSpeed on Linux, it offers faster request handling, lower memory usage, and built-in caching compared to Apache or Nginx. Unlike traditional web servers, LiteSpeed is designed for high concurrency, making it ideal for websites that experience heavy traffic or require enhanced performance and scalability.

Is LiteSpeed free to use on Linux servers?

LiteSpeed offers both free and paid editions. The OpenLiteSpeed version is completely free and includes essential features like HTTP/3 support and caching. However, the Enterprise edition provides advanced features, security enhancements, and premium support. Choosing between them depends on your project’s size, traffic, and performance requirements.

Conclusion

LiteSpeed is a modern, high-performance web server that offers significant advantages over traditional solutions like Apache and Nginx. By following this guide, you learned how to install, configure, manage, and secure LiteSpeed on a Linux server. With SSL, caching, and proper optimization, LiteSpeed can deliver exceptional speed and scalability for your websites.

If you want to explore advanced features, tuning, and enterprise-level configurations, make sure to refer to the official LiteSpeed documentation.