Brotli is a modern compression algorithm that provides superior compression rates compared to other popular algorithms like Gzip. It is commonly used to compress web assets, improving site performance. In this guide, we will show you how to compile Brotli from source on Ubuntu 18.04 LTS. Whether you're using a Windows VPS UK or another hosting provider, compiling Brotli from source allows you to leverage the latest updates and optimize your server's performance.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the following:

• An Ubuntu 18.04 LTS server, which can be hosted on a UK Windows VPS, Windows Virtual Private Servers, or another Windows VPS Hosting UK solution.
• Root or sudo privileges on your server.
• Basic knowledge of the command line.

Step 1: Update Your System

Before installing any packages, ensure that your system is up to date by running the following commands:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Install Dependencies

Brotli requires several build tools and libraries to compile from source. Install the necessary dependencies by running:

sudo apt install build-essential cmake git python3 -y

Step 3: Clone the Brotli Repository

Clone the official Brotli repository from GitHub to your local system:

git clone https://github.com/google/brotli.git

Navigate to the Brotli directory:

cd brotli

Step 4: Build Brotli from Source

Run the following commands to compile Brotli:

mkdir out
cd out
cmake ..
make

Once the build process is complete, install Brotli to your system:

sudo make install

Step 5: Verify Brotli Installation

After Brotli is successfully installed, you can verify the installation by running the following command:

brotli --version

This should return the installed version of Brotli, confirming that it was compiled and installed successfully.

Step 6: Using Brotli for Compression

Now that Brotli is installed, you can use it to compress files. For example, to compress a file named example.txt, run:

brotli example.txt

This will create a compressed file named example.txt.br.

Step 7: Configure Nginx to Use Brotli (Optional)

If you're using Nginx as your web server, you can enable Brotli compression for web assets. First, install the Nginx Brotli module:

sudo apt install nginx-extras -y

Next, edit the Nginx configuration file to enable Brotli compression:

sudo nano /etc/nginx/nginx.conf

Add the following lines inside the http block:

brotli on;
brotli_comp_level 6;
brotli_types text/plain text/css application/json application/javascript text/xml application/xml application/xml+rss text/javascript;

Save and close the file, then restart Nginx to apply the changes:

sudo systemctl restart nginx

Conclusion

By following these steps, you have successfully compiled Brotli from source on Ubuntu 18.04 LTS. Brotli provides an efficient compression algorithm that helps reduce file sizes and improve the performance of websites. Whether you are using a Windows VPS UK, Windows VPS Italy, or another Windows Virtual Private Server Hosting solution, Brotli can significantly enhance your server's efficiency in serving compressed web content.