How to Create a MongoDB on a VPS

MongoDB is a popular NoSQL database known for its flexibility, scalability, and performance. It stores data in flexible, JSON-like documents, which is perfect for developers working with dynamic, fast-evolving applications. If you’ve opted to run MongoDB on your own Virtual Private Server (VPS), you’re in for a rewarding experience that will give you full control over your database environment. This guide will take you through the step-by-step process of setting up MongoDB on a VPS.

Prerequisites

Before we start, ensure you have the following:

1. A VPS with root access.
2. Ubuntu 20.04 or a similar Linux distribution.
3. SSH access to your VPS.
4. At least 2GB of RAM (recommended) for MongoDB.
5. Basic knowledge of command-line interface (CLI) and Linux commands.

Step 1: Update the System

First, make sure your VPS is up-to-date. Log in via SSH and run the following commands to update your system’s package list and install any pending updates:

After the system is updated, it’s good practice to reboot the server to ensure all updates are applied properly:

Step 2: Install MongoDB

MongoDB is not included in the default Ubuntu repositories, so you’ll need to add its official repository before installing it. Here’s how to install MongoDB:

Add the MongoDB Repository

1. Import the MongoDB public GPG key:
   wget -qO - https://www.mongodb.org/static/pgp/server-4.4.asc | sudo apt-key add -

2. Create a list file for MongoDB:
   echo "deb [ arch=amd64,arm64 ] https://repo.mongodb.org/apt/ubuntu focal/mongodb-org/4.4 multiverse" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/mongodb-org-4.4.list

3. Update your local package list:
   sudo apt update


Install MongoDB Packages

Now, install the MongoDB packages by running the following command:

This installs MongoDB along with other required components (such as mongod, the MongoDB daemon).

Step 3: Start and Enable MongoDB

Once installed, you need to start MongoDB and enable it to run at startup:

To confirm that MongoDB is running, check its status:

You should see MongoDB listed as active (running). If everything looks good, you’re ready to move on to configuration.

Step 4: Secure MongoDB

By default, MongoDB allows unauthenticated access, which is not ideal for a production environment. To secure MongoDB, you should enable authentication.

Create an Admin User

1. First, access the MongoDB shell:
   mongo

2. Switch to the admin database:
   use admin

3. Create an admin user by running the following command, replacing adminuser and password with your desired username and password:
   db.createUser({
user: "adminuser",
pwd: "password",
roles: [ { role: "userAdminAnyDatabase", db: "admin" } ]
})