If you're looking to set up a high-performance in-memory data store on your server, Redis is a fantastic option. Whether you're managing a caching layer, real-time analytics, message queues, or even full-fledged databases, Redis can handle it with lightning speed. In this post, we'll walk through how to install Redis on Ubuntu, based on the official Vultr documentation, especially tailored for Ubuntu 24.04.

What is Redis?

Redis (Remote Dictionary Server) is an open-source, in-memory key-value store known for its performance and flexibility. It supports multiple data structures such as strings, hashes, lists, sets, and more. It’s commonly used for caching, session storage, pub/sub messaging, and real-time analytics.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have:

A system running Ubuntu 24.04





A sudo-enabled user





Basic knowledge of terminal commands





Step-by-Step Installation Guide

Here’s a simplified and informative version of how to install Redis on Ubuntu using the guidance provided by Vultr.

Step 1: Update Your System

First, ensure your package list and installed packages are up-to-date:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y



Step 2: Install Redis Server

Run the following command to install Redis:

sudo apt install redis-server -y



This will download and install Redis along with any necessary dependencies.

Step 3: Enable and Start Redis

Enable Redis to start on boot and start the service immediately:

sudo systemctl enable redis

sudo systemctl start redis



You can verify that Redis is running:

sudo systemctl status redis



Step 4: Configure Redis (Optional but Recommended)

By default, Redis is configured to run in non-persistent mode and listens only to localhost for security.

To edit the configuration:

sudo nano /etc/redis/redis.conf



Here, you can:

Enable password authentication using the requirepass directive





Configure memory policies





Set persistence options (appendonly, snapshotting, etc.)





After changes, restart Redis:

sudo systemctl restart redis



Step 5: Test Redis

You can test Redis functionality by entering the Redis CLI:

redis-cli



Once inside the prompt, run a simple test:

set mykey "RedisTest"

get mykey



If it returns "RedisTest", your Redis server is working perfectly.

Securing Redis

Though Redis is bound to 127.0.0.1 by default, if you intend to use Redis remotely, it is critical to:

Use strong authentication





Restrict access via a firewall (e.g., UFW)





Consider tunneling Redis traffic over SSH or using TLS encryption





Additional Tips

Use Redis with frameworks like Django, Laravel, or Express.js for caching and session management.





Monitor Redis using redis-cli info or tools like RedisInsight for advanced diagnostics.





Reference and Credits

The documentation provides an in-depth, step-by-step explanation, perfect for beginners and experienced sysadmins alike.

Conclusion

Installing Redis on Ubuntu is a straightforward process that can greatly enhance your application's speed and performance. By following the steps outlined in this post and referring to Vultr's official guide, you can confidently set up and manage Redis on Ubuntu 24.04.

Let us know in the comments how you’re using Redis in your stack, or if you faced any unique challenges during the setup process!