How to Install and Create a Chat Server Using Matrix Synapse and Element on Ubuntu 22.04

Matrix Synapse is an open-source federated chat server that allows users to communicate across different platforms. Element is a popular web-based client for Matrix, providing a rich, user-friendly interface for chat and collaboration. In this guide, we will walk you through how to install Matrix Synapse and Element on Ubuntu 22.04 to set up your own chat server. Hosting this chat server on a WindowsVPS ensures high performance, scalability, and full control over your communication platform using a VPS server.

Step 1: Update Your VPS Server

Before installing Matrix Synapse, ensure that your VPS server is up to date. Run the following commands to update your system:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Using a WindowsVPS allows you to take advantage of dedicated resources, ensuring your chat server performs reliably, especially under heavy traffic.

Step 2: Install Matrix Synapse

First, add the official Matrix Synapse repository to your server. Run the following commands:

sudo apt install -y lsb-release wget apt-transport-https
sudo wget -qO /usr/share/keyrings/matrix-org-archive-keyring.gpg https://packages.matrix.org/debian/matrix-org-archive-keyring.gpg
echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/matrix-org-archive-keyring.gpg] https://packages.matrix.org/debian/ $(lsb_release -cs) main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/matrix-org.list
sudo apt update

Now, install Matrix Synapse:

sudo apt install matrix-synapse-py3 -y

During the installation, you will be prompted to enter your domain name, which will be used as the server address for your chat instance. If you haven't set up a domain yet, you can use your server’s IP address for now.

Step 3: Configure Matrix Synapse

After installation, you can configure Matrix Synapse by editing the configuration file located at /etc/matrix-synapse/homeserver.yaml:

sudo nano /etc/matrix-synapse/homeserver.yaml

Here, you can set up basic configurations such as server name, registration settings, and SSL/TLS options. Be sure to configure proper authentication and secure your server.

After making your changes, restart the Synapse service:

sudo systemctl restart matrix-synapse

Step 4: Install and Configure Nginx as a Reverse Proxy

To serve your Matrix Synapse instance securely over HTTPS, install Nginx as a reverse proxy:

sudo apt install nginx -y

Next, configure Nginx by creating a new configuration file for Matrix:

sudo nano /etc/nginx/sites-available/matrix

Add the following configuration (replace your-domain.com with your actual domain or IP address):

server {
    listen 80;
    server_name your-domain.com;

    location / {
        proxy_pass http://localhost:8008;
        proxy_set_header Host $host;
        proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
    }
}

Enable the site and restart Nginx:

sudo ln -s /etc/nginx/sites-available/matrix /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/
sudo systemctl restart nginx

Step 5: Install Element

Element is the web-based client for Matrix. To install Element, run the following commands to add the repository and install the package:

sudo apt install curl -y
curl -sL https://packages.riot.im/debian/riot-im-archive-keyring.gpg | sudo apt-key add -
echo "deb https://packages.riot.im/debian/ default main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/element.list
sudo apt update
sudo apt install element-desktop -y

Element will now be available as a desktop application, but you can also run it on a web server. Alternatively, you can access the hosted version of Element at app.element.io and connect it to your Synapse instance.

Step 6: Register Your First User

Matrix Synapse does not allow public user registration by default. You need to register the first admin user manually. To do this, run the following command:

sudo register_new_matrix_user -c /etc/matrix-synapse/homeserver.yaml http://localhost:8008

You will be prompted to enter the desired username, password, and set the user as an admin.

Step 7: Access Your Matrix Chat Server

After setting up your Matrix Synapse and Element, open your browser and go to http://your-domain.com. If you configured SSL, use https://your-domain.com. You can log in using the admin user you just created and start inviting users to join your chat server.

Step 8: Optimize Your VPS Server for Matrix Synapse

For optimal performance and scalability, hosting your Matrix Synapse server on a WindowsVPS is highly recommended. A VPS server provides the dedicated CPU, memory, and storage resources necessary to handle multiple chat rooms, users, and real-time messaging. As your user base grows, a VPS ensures that your chat server can scale to meet increasing demands without performance issues.

Conclusion

Matrix Synapse combined with Element provides a powerful and flexible platform for real-time communication. By setting up your own chat server on Ubuntu 22.04, you have full control over your communications. Hosting your chat server on a WindowsVPS ensures better performance, scalability, and security for your Matrix Synapse instance.

For more information about VPS hosting and optimizing your Matrix Synapse chat server, visit WindowsVPS today.