How to Install LAMP Stack with MariaDB on Ubuntu 25.10

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A LAMP stack is a popular set of open-source software used to host dynamic websites and web applications.
It stands for Linux, Apache, MariaDB/MySQL, and PHP — all of which work together to serve modern web content efficiently.

Update the System

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Start by updating and upgrading your system to ensure all packages are up to date.

apt update
apt upgrade

Install Apache Web Server

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Install Apache and its utilities:

apt install -y apache2 apache2-utils

Output:

root@server:~# apt install -y apache2 apache2-utils
apache2 is already the newest version (2.4.64-1ubuntu3).
apache2-utils is already the newest version (2.4.64-1ubuntu3).
Summary:
  Upgrading: 0, Installing: 0, Removing: 0, Not Upgrading: 1

Check Apache status:

systemctl status apache2

Output:

root@server:~# systemctl status apache2
● apache2.service - The Apache HTTP Server
     Loaded: loaded (/usr/lib/systemd/system/apache2.service; enabled; preset: >
     Active: active (running) since Tue 2025-10-21 20:15:30 UTC; 3min 19s ago
 Invocation: 4a917750049f4add95bb34eea4239f3a
       Docs: https://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.4/
   Main PID: 9332 (apache2)
      Tasks: 55 (limit: 8799)
     Memory: 5M (peak: 5.2M)
        CPU: 175ms
     CGroup: /system.slice/apache2.service
             ├─9332 /usr/sbin/apache2 -k start
             ├─9334 /usr/sbin/apache2 -k start
             └─9335 /usr/sbin/apache2 -k start

Oct 21 20:15:30 server systemd[1]: Starting apache2.service - The Apache HTTP S>
Oct 21 20:15:30 server apachectl[9331]: AH00558: apache2: Could not reliably de>
Oct 21 20:15:30 server systemd[1]: Started apache2.service - The Apache HTTP Se>
lines 1-17/17 (END)

If Apache isn’t active, start it:

systemctl start apache2

Enable Apache to start automatically at boot:

systemctl enable apache2

Check Apache version:

apache2 -v

Output:

root@server:~# apache2 -v
Server version: Apache/2.4.64 (Ubuntu)
Server built:   2025-09-03T14:58:51

Enable Firewall Rules

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Allow HTTP and HTTPS traffic through the firewall:

ufw allow http
ufw allow https

Verify by opening your server’s IP in a browser:

http://your-server-ip

Note: Replace your-server-ip with your actual server IP.
You should see the Apache default page confirming successful setup.

Install MariaDB Server

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Install MariaDB packages:

apt install mariadb-server mariadb-client mariadb-client-compat -y

Check MariaDB status:

systemctl status mariadb

Output:

root@server:~# systemctl status mariadb
● mariadb.service - MariaDB 11.8.3 database server
     Loaded: loaded (/usr/lib/systemd/system/mariadb.service; enabled; preset: >
     Active: active (running) since Tue 2025-10-21 20:25:23 UTC; 18s ago
 Invocation: e9fd7009577f47bdad863cd868827b60
       Docs: man:mariadbd(8)
             https://mariadb.com/kb/en/library/systemd/
   Main PID: 10614 (mariadbd)
     Status: "Taking your SQL requests now..."
      Tasks: 14 (limit: 58076)
     Memory: 93.2M (peak: 97.6M)
        CPU: 5.337s
     CGroup: /system.slice/mariadb.service
             └─10614 /usr/sbin/mariadbd

Oct 21 20:25:20 server mariadbd[10614]: 2025-10-21 20:25:20 0 [Note] Plugin 'ws>
Oct 21 20:25:20 server mariadbd[10614]: 2025-10-21 20:25:20 0 [Note] InnoDB: Lo>
Oct 21 20:25:20 server mariadbd[10614]: 2025-10-21 20:25:20 0 [Note] InnoDB: Bu>
Oct 21 20:25:22 server mariadbd[10614]: 2025-10-21 20:25:22 0 [Note] Server soc>
Oct 21 20:25:22 server mariadbd[10614]: 2025-10-21 20:25:22 0 [Note] mariadbd: >
Oct 21 20:25:22 server mariadbd[10614]: 2025-10-21 20:25:22 0 [Note] /usr/sbin/>
Oct 21 20:25:22 server mariadbd[10614]: Version: '11.8.3-MariaDB-1build1 from U>
Oct 21 20:25:23 server systemd[1]: Started mariadb.service - MariaDB 11.8.3 dat>
Oct 21 20:25:23 server /etc/mysql/debian-start[10643]: Checking for insecure ro>
lines 1-23

If inactive, start and enable it:

systemctl start mariadb
systemctl enable mariadb

Secure MariaDB Installation

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Run the secure installation script to improve MariaDB security:

mysql_secure_installation

You’ll be prompted to:

• Set a root password
• Remove anonymous users
• Disallow remote root login
• Remove test databases
• Reload privilege tables

After completion, log in to MariaDB:

mariadb -u root -p

Exit from MariaDB:

exit

Check version:

mariadb --version

Output:

mariadb from 11.5.2-MariaDB, client 15.2 for debian-linux-gnu (x86_64)

Install PHP

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Install PHP and required extensions:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y software-properties-common ca-certificates lsb-release apt-transport-https
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ondrej/php -y
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y php8.4
sudo apt install php8.4-mysql -y

Restart Apache:

systemctl restart apache2

Check PHP version:

php -v

Output:

root@server:~# php -v
PHP 8.4.11 (cli) (built: Aug 13 2025 01:43:48) (NTS)
Copyright (c) The PHP Group
Built by Ubuntu
Zend Engine v4.4.11, Copyright (c) Zend Technologies
    with Zend OPcache v8.4.11, Copyright (c), by Zend Technologies

Test PHP Processing

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Create a test file to verify PHP functionality:

nano /var/www/html/info.php

Add the following content:

<?php phpinfo(); ?>

Open your browser and navigate to:

http://your-server-ip/info.php

You should see the PHP info page.

Once verified, remove the test file for security:

rm /var/www/html/info.php

Conclusion

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You’ve successfully installed the LAMP Stack — Apache, MariaDB, and PHP 8.3 — on Ubuntu 25.10.
Your server is now ready to host and serve dynamic PHP-based applications such as WordPress, Drupal, and more.