Wiki.js is a powerful, open-source wiki engine that supports Markdown and offers a user-friendly interface for managing documentation and collaboration. In this guide, we will show you how to install Wiki.js on Ubuntu 22.04 and configure Apache2 as a reverse proxy. Hosting your Wiki.js instance on a WindowsVPS provides the necessary resources and performance required to run a high-traffic wiki, offering enhanced control, scalability, and security with a VPS server.

Step 1: Update Your VPS Server

Before starting the installation process, make sure your VPS server is updated. Run the following commands to ensure your system is up to date:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

By hosting your Wiki.js instance on a WindowsVPS, you can take advantage of dedicated resources that ensure a smooth and fast experience for your users.

Step 2: Install Node.js

Wiki.js is built on Node.js, so you need to install it before setting up Wiki.js. Install Node.js by running the following commands:

curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_18.x | sudo -E bash -
sudo apt install nodejs -y

After the installation, verify that Node.js is installed correctly by checking the version:

node -v

Step 3: Install MongoDB

Wiki.js uses MongoDB to store its data. Install MongoDB using the following commands:

sudo apt install mongodb -y
sudo systemctl enable mongodb --now

To verify that MongoDB is running, use the following command:

sudo systemctl status mongodb

Step 4: Install Wiki.js

Now that the dependencies are installed, you can proceed with the installation of Wiki.js. First, create a directory for Wiki.js and navigate to it:

sudo mkdir -p /var/www/wiki && cd /var/www/wiki

Download and extract the latest version of Wiki.js:

wget https://github.com/Requarks/wiki/releases/latest/download/wiki-js.tar.gz
tar xzf wiki-js.tar.gz
rm wiki-js.tar.gz

Next, configure Wiki.js by creating the configuration file:

cp config.sample.yml config.yml

Edit the config.yml file to set up your MongoDB connection and any other necessary configurations. Use the following command to open the file:

sudo nano config.yml

Once the configuration is set, start Wiki.js using the following command:

node server

Step 5: Set Up Apache2 as a Reverse Proxy

To access Wiki.js via a domain or IP address, configure Apache2 as a reverse proxy. First, install Apache2:

sudo apt install apache2 -y

Enable the necessary Apache modules:

sudo a2enmod proxy
sudo a2enmod proxy_http
sudo a2enmod rewrite

Next, create a new virtual host configuration file for Wiki.js:

sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/wiki.conf

Add the following configuration, replacing your-domain.com with your actual domain or server IP address:

    ServerAdmin admin@your-domain.com
    ServerName your-domain.com

    ProxyPass / http://localhost:3000/
    ProxyPassReverse / http://localhost:3000/

    ErrorLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/wiki-error.log
    CustomLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/wiki-access.log combined

Enable the virtual host and restart Apache:

sudo a2ensite wiki.conf
sudo systemctl restart apache2

Step 6: Access Wiki.js

Once the configuration is complete, you can access Wiki.js by navigating to http://your-domain.com in your web browser. You will be taken to the initial setup screen where you can configure the admin account, connect to MongoDB, and finalize your Wiki.js setup.

Step 7: Secure Wiki.js with SSL (Optional)

For better security, it's a good idea to secure your Wiki.js instance with SSL using Let's Encrypt. Install Certbot by running:

sudo apt install certbot python3-certbot-apache -y

Run the following command to obtain and configure an SSL certificate for your domain:

sudo certbot --apache -d your-domain.com

Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the SSL setup. Once finished, your Wiki.js site will be accessible via HTTPS.

Step 8: Optimize Your VPS Server for Wiki.js

To ensure that your Wiki.js instance performs optimally, hosting it on a WindowsVPS is the best option. A VPS server offers dedicated resources, allowing your wiki to handle high traffic, serve content quickly, and scale as needed. A VPS also provides you with full control over your server, enabling you to tailor it to your specific project requirements.

Conclusion

Installing Wiki.js with Apache2 reverse proxy on Ubuntu 22.04 provides a powerful and efficient solution for managing your documentation and collaboration needs. By hosting your Wiki.js installation on a WindowsVPS, you gain enhanced performance, scalability, and security, ensuring that your wiki can grow as your needs evolve.

For more information on VPS hosting and optimizing your Wiki.js setup, visit WindowsVPS today.