How to Setup Redis on Ubuntu

If you’re building a web app that needs speed and real-time performance, Redis is your friend. It’s an open-source, in-memory data store that’s fast, lightweight, and great for caching and pub/sub messaging.

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Now, let’s get Redis up and running on Ubuntu.

Step 1: Update Your System

Start by updating your package lists to make sure everything’s current:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Install Redis

Redis is available in Ubuntu’s default repositories, so installation is simple:

sudo apt install redis-server -y

This installs Redis and sets it up as a background service.

Step 3: Configure Redis

By default, Redis is set up for local development. If you’re deploying this in production, tweak the configuration.

Open the config file:

sudo nano /etc/redis/redis.conf

Key settings to check:

• Supervised mode: Make sure it’s set to systemd so Redis can be managed correctly by the system.

supervised systemd

• Bind address: Redis binds to 127.0.0.1 (localhost) by default. If you want remote access (not recommended without firewall/VPN), update this carefully:

bind 127.0.0.1
# bind 0.0.0.0 (uncomment with caution)

• Password protection (highly recommended):

requirepass your-strong-password

Save and close the file.

Step 4: Restart Redis to Apply Changes

sudo systemctl restart redis.service

Then enable Redis to start on boot:

sudo systemctl enable redis

Step 5: Test the Redis Installation

Use the Redis CLI:

redis-cli

If you set a password, authenticate first:

auth your-strong-password

Run a simple ping test:

ping

You should get:

PONG

Step 6: Secure Your Redis (Optional but Important)

If you’re using Redis on a server accessible to the public internet, do not leave it open. Here’s how to lock it down:

• Use a firewall (UFW example):

sudo ufw allow from your.ip.address to any port 6379
sudo ufw enable

• Or, tunnel Redis traffic through an SSH tunnel or VPN.

Step 7: Monitor and Manage

To check Redis status:

sudo systemctl status redis

To monitor Redis activity:

redis-cli monitor

Final Thoughts

Redis is powerful, but don’t just install and forget it. Secure it, monitor it, and make sure it’s tuned for your workload. Now you’ve got a solid setup on Ubuntu.

Want to boost your site with Redis-powered caching? Stay tuned for our next guide on integrating Redis with WordPress or Laravel.