Create MongoDB on Linux Server: Easy Setup for NoSQL Databases

MongoDB is one of the most popular NoSQL databases, designed for high performance, high availability, and easy scalability. Instead of relying on traditional rows and columns, MongoDB stores data in flexible, JSON-like documents, making it a great choice for modern applications that require agility and speed. Developers and administrators can easily create MongoDB instances on Linux servers to set up fast, scalable, and efficient database environments.

In this article, we’ll walk through how to create and configure MongoDB on a Linux server. We’ll cover prerequisites, installation steps, service management, configuration, securing MongoDB, using it with basic commands, performance optimization, and troubleshooting common issues. By the end, you’ll be able to run MongoDB efficiently in your Linux environment.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, ensure the following requirements are met:

• A Linux server (Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, or RHEL supported).
• Root or sudo privileges for installation and configuration.
• Package manager available (apt for Ubuntu/Debian, yum/dnf for CentOS/RHEL).
• Stable internet connection for downloading official MongoDB packages.

Having these in place ensures a smooth setup process.

Install MongoDB on Linux

Installing MongoDB on Linux is simple using your distribution’s package manager or by downloading the official binaries. Proper installation ensures a reliable NoSQL database setup ready for high-performance data storage and management.

• Update System Packages

First, update your system to ensure all packages are up to date:

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

• Add MongoDB Repository

MongoDB is not always available in default repositories, so you need to add the official repository.

For Ubuntu/Debian:

wget -qO - https://www.mongodb.org/static/pgp/server-6.0.asc | sudo apt-key add -  
echo "deb [ arch=amd64 ] https://repo.mongodb.org/apt/ubuntu focal/mongodb-org/6.0 multiverse" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/mongodb-org-6.0.list  
sudo apt update  

For CentOS/RHEL:

cat <<EOF | sudo tee /etc/yum.repos.d/mongodb-org-6.0.repo

name=MongoDB Repository
baseurl=https://repo.mongodb.org/yum/redhat/$releasever/mongodb-org/6.0/x86_64/
gpgcheck=1
enabled=1
gpgkey=https://www.mongodb.org/static/pgp/server-6.0.asc
EOF

• Install MongoDB

Ubuntu/Debian:

sudo apt install -y mongodb-org  

CentOS/RHEL:

sudo yum install -y mongodb-org  

• Start and Enable MongoDB

sudo systemctl start mongod  
sudo systemctl enable mongod  

• Verify Installation

Check if MongoDB is running:

sudo systemctl status mongod  

Or connect to the shell:

mongosh  

If you can access the MongoDB shell, installation is successful.

Configuring MongoDB on Linux

After installing MongoDB, proper configuration is essential for performance, security, and reliability. This includes setting up authentication, enabling access control, configuring storage paths, and adjusting network settings to ensure your database runs efficiently and securely.

MongoDB configuration can be customized using the main config file:

/etc/mongod.conf

Key Configurations

• Bind IP Address → By default, MongoDB listens on 127.0.0.1 (local only). To allow external connections, modify:

net:
  bindIp: 127.0.0.1,192.168.1.100

• Port → Default port is 27017, but you can change it if needed.
• Storage Engine → Use WiredTiger for better performance.
• Security Authentication → Enable role-based access control (RBAC).

Restart MongoDB after making changes:

sudo systemctl restart mongod  

Managing MongoDB Services on Linux

MongoDB can be controlled using systemd commands.

• Start MongoDB:

sudo systemctl start mongod  

• Stop MongoDB:

sudo systemctl stop mongod  

• Restart MongoDB:

sudo systemctl restart mongod  

• Enable at Boot:

sudo systemctl enable mongod  

This ensures MongoDB stays running and can be restarted when necessary.

Securing MongoDB on Linux

MongoDB needs proper security to prevent unauthorized access.

• Enable Authentication → Edit /etc/mongod.conf and enable security:

security:
  authorization: enabled

• Create Admin User → Inside the mongosh shell:

use admin
db.createUser({
  user: "admin",
  pwd: "StrongPasswordHere",
  roles: ["userAdminAnyDatabase", "dbAdminAnyDatabase", "readWriteAnyDatabase"]
})

• Firewall Rules → Allow only trusted IPs to access MongoDB port 27017.

sudo ufw allow from <trusted_ip> to any port 27017

• Enable TLS/SSL → For production, configure encrypted connections.

Using MongoDB on Linux

Once MongoDB is running, you can use its shell to interact with databases.

Basic MongoDB Commands

• Create a database:

use mydb

• Insert a document:

db.users.insertOne({ name: "Alice", age: 25, city: "Delhi" })

• Retrieve documents:

db.users.find()

• Update a document:

db.users.updateOne({ name: "Alice" }, { $set: { age: 26 } })

• Delete a document:

db.users.deleteOne({ name: "Alice" })

This flexibility makes MongoDB suitable for web apps, analytics, IoT, and more.

Optimizing MongoDB Performance on Linux

MongoDB’s performance can be tuned with proper configurations.

• Use Indexes → Create indexes for faster query execution.
• Enable Replication → Set up replica sets for high availability.
• Sharding → Distribute data across multiple servers for scalability.
• Tune Storage Engine → WiredTiger with compression improves efficiency.
• Monitor MongoDB → Use tools like mongostat, mongotop, or Prometheus.
• System Optimization → Use SSDs, increase RAM, and optimize kernel settings.

These optimizations ensure MongoDB handles large datasets effectively.

Common Issues and Fixes in MongoDB

Even though MongoDB is a robust and high-performance NoSQL database, administrators may occasionally face problems that affect its operation. Knowing how to fix MongoDB issues quickly is crucial to maintaining uptime, ensuring data reliability, and keeping applications running smoothly.

• MongoDB Not Starting: Check the logs located at /var/log/mongodb/mongod.log for errors or misconfigurations that prevent the service from starting.
• Connection Refused: Ensure MongoDB is bound to the correct IP address in mongod.conf and that firewall rules allow the required port (default 27017).
• Authentication Failures: Verify user roles, passwords, and authentication mechanisms to ensure that clients can connect securely.
• High Memory Usage: Tune the WiredTiger cache size and monitor system resources to prevent excessive memory consumption that could affect performance.
• Port Conflicts: If another service is using MongoDB’s default port, change it in mongod.conf and restart the service.

By following these steps, administrators can efficiently fix MongoDB issues, maintain optimal performance, and ensure reliable database operations in production environments.

FAQs: Create MongoDB on a Linux Server

How do I create MongoDB on a Linux server?

To create MongoDB on Linux, install it via your package manager or download the official binaries. After installation, start the MongoDB service, configure authentication and storage paths, and verify connectivity. This sets up a secure and scalable NoSQL database environment.

How can I secure MongoDB after creating it?

After creating MongoDB, secure it by enabling authentication, assigning proper user roles, restricting network access with bind IP and firewall rules, and enabling TLS/SSL for encrypted connections. These steps help prevent unauthorized access and ensure reliable data protection.

How do I fix common issues after creating MongoDB?

Common problems include connection errors, authentication failures, high memory usage, or port conflicts. Checking logs in /var/log/mongodb/mongod.log, verifying configuration files, adjusting memory settings, and firewall rules can quickly fix MongoDB issues and maintain smooth operation.

Conclusion

MongoDB is a modern NoSQL database that excels in speed, flexibility, and scalability, making it a top choice for businesses and developers. In this guide, we explored how to install, configure, secure, manage, and optimize MongoDB on a Linux server. By following these steps, you can deploy a secure and efficient MongoDB instance that can handle demanding workloads.

For deeper insights and advanced configurations, refer to the official MongoDB documentation for the most up-to-date information.