IT Tools Linux Ubuntu | Debian

How to Install and Configure RocketChat Server on Ubuntu 22.04 | 20.04 LTS

May 24, 2023
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Rocket.Chat is an open-source chat and collaboration application that allows you to create and manage your own private or public real-time chat system. With Rocket.Chat, you can establish an internal chat platform for your business or create an online community for your team.

In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of How to Install and Configure RocketChat Server on the Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | 20.04 LTS operating system. You will be taken through step-by-step instructions to install and configure MongoDB, Node.js, and Rocket.Chat. This tutorial will help you create a powerful working environment to deploy and utilize Rocket.Chat for your needs.

Follow the instructions below to Install and Configure Rocket.Chat Server on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | 20.04 LTS.

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Prerequisites

  • Operating system:
    • Ubuntu 22.04 LTS
    • Ubuntu 20.04 LTS
  • A static IP address has been configured on Ubuntu
  • User privileges: root or non-root user with sudo privileges.
  • RocketChat Server: latest version
  • Node: 14.21.3
  • MongoDB: 4.4, 5.0, 6.0

Step 1 – Prepare

Before starting the installation, ensure that your system is up to date. Use the following command to update it:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Next, to successfully install Rocket.Chat, we need to install some packages and dependencies. Use the following command to install the necessary packages:

sudo apt install curl build-essential graphicsmagick gnupg gcc g++ make net-tools -y

sudo apt install gnupg2 gnupg git unzip build-essential curl software-properties-common graphicsmagick gcc g++ make net-tools -y

Step 2 – Install MongoDB

Read: How to Install MongoDB Community Edition 5/6 on Ubuntu 22.04 20.04 18.04 LTS

Step 3 – Install NodeJS

First, configure Node.js to be installed through the Ubuntu Package manager by executing the command:

curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_14.x | sudo -E bash -

Next, install Node.js using the package manager by running:

sudo apt install nodejs -y

After Node.js is installed, we need to install a tool called n which allows us to switch between different Node.js versions. Run the following command:

sudo npm install -g inherits n

Now, we can proceed to install Node.js version 14.21.3. Execute the following command:

sudo n 14.21.3

To ensure that the changes take effect, update the system’s executable hash by running:

hash -r

Finally, to verify the installation and check the installed version of Node.js, execute the command:

node --version

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Step 4 – Install RocketChat Server on Ubuntu

Download and extract the latest release of Rocket.Chat Server

To download the latest Rocket.Chat version using the following command:

curl -L https://releases.rocket.chat/latest/download -o /tmp/rocket.chat.tgz

Next, extract the downloaded file using the following command:

sudo tar -xzf /tmp/rocket.chat.tgz -C /tmp

Install RockChat Server

Next, navigate to the /tmp/bundle/programs/server directory where the extracted files are located, use the following command:

cd /tmp/bundle/programs/server

Now, to install Rocket.Chat Server on your system, execute the following command:

For Ubuntu 22.04 LTS

sudo npm install --unsafe-perm --production

For Ubuntu 20.04 LTS

npm install

Finally, move the installed directory to the /opt directory by running the following command:

sudo mv /tmp/bundle /opt/Rocket.Chat

cd /

Note: This guide uses the /opt directory. However, you can choose your preferred directory.

Step 5 – Configure RocketChat Server

To configure the Rocket.Chat service, first create a rocketchat user named rocketchat and assign ownership of the Rocket.Chat folder to it:

sudo useradd -M rocketchat

sudo usermod -L rocketchat

sudo chown -R rocketchat:rocketchat /opt/Rocket.Chat

ll /opt/Rocket.Chat

install-rocketchat-on-ubuntu

Next, find the binary path of Node.js by running the following command:

which node

install-rocketchat-on-ubuntu

In this example, my Node.js binary path is: /usr/local/bin/node . Make note of this path for the next step.

Next, create a service unit file for the Rocket.Chat service named rocketchat

sudo vim /lib/systemd/system/rocketchat.service

Copy and paste the following content into the file:

  • Replace Path_of_NodeJS = Your-path
  • Replace IP_of_Server = Your IP Address
  • More information can be found at Rocket.Chat environmental variables here
[Unit]
Description=The Rocket.Chat server
After=network.target remote-fs.target nss-lookup.target nginx.service mongod.service
[Service]
ExecStart=Path_of_NodeJS /opt/Rocket.Chat/main.js
StandardOutput=syslog
StandardError=syslog
SyslogIdentifier=rocketchat
User=rocketchat
Environment=ROOT_URL=http://IP_of_Server:3000
Environment=PORT=3000
Environment=MONGO_URL=mongodb://localhost:27017/rocketchat?replicaSet=rs01
Environment=MONGO_OPLOG_URL=mongodb://localhost:27017/local?replicaSet=rs01
[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

Save and exit the file, press ESC type :x and press Enter.

install-rocketchat-on-ubuntu

The Rocket.Chat service has been created. Start and enable it to start automatically on system boot

sudo systemctl start rocketchat

sudo systemctl enable rocketchat

And also make sure it is running on your system. If it is running, you will see its status as Active

sudo systemctl status rocketchat

install-rocketchat-on-ubuntu

Step 6 – Configure MongoDB

Open and edit the /etc/mongod.conf file by running the following command:

sudo vim /etc/mongod.conf

Edit the file and make the following changes:

  • Set the storage engine to engine: wiredTiger
storage:
  engine: wiredTiger
install-rocketchat-on-ubuntu
  • Enable replication, and name the replicaset rs01
replication:
  replSetName: rs01
install-rocketchat-on-ubuntu

After making the changes, save the file and exit the file.

Next, run the following command to apply the changes in MongoDB:

sudo systemctl daemon-reload

sudo systemctl restart mongod

Now, log in to MongoDB service

For MongoDB 5

mongo

For MongoDB 6

mongosh

And enable replication

rs.initiate()

exit

install-rocketchat-on-ubuntu

Finally, restart services to apply the changes

sudo systemctl daemon-reload

sudo systemctl restart mongod

sudo systemctl restart rocketchat

Step 7 – Adjust Firewall

By default, RocketChat listens on port 3000. If UFW firewall is running on your system, you need to allow port 3000 through the UFW firewall.

Note: If you don’t want to use UFW on your system, you can skip this step.

sudo ufw enable

sudo ufw allow 3000

sudo ufw reload

sudo ufw status

install-rocketchat-on-ubuntu

Step 8 – Setup RocketChat Server

Now, open your preferred web browser and access the address:

http://IP-Server:3000

or

http://Your-domain:3000

First of all, create an admin profile to manage the Rocket Chat server.

Install-RocketChat-Server-using-Snap-Store

Next, you need to provide your Organization information as well

Install-RocketChat-Server-using-Snap-Store

In the Register Your Server page, enter your email and accept ToS then click Register

install-rocketchat-on-ubuntu

Confirmation

Install-RocketChat-Server-using-Snap-Store

Success !!!

Install-RocketChat-Server-using-Snap-Store

That’s it! With the How to Install and Configure RocketChat Server on Ubuntu guide, you now have your own internal chat server. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below.

Thank you for reading !!!

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