How to Install Rocket.Chat Server on Ubuntu Linux

Setting up your own Rocket.Chat server on Ubuntu Linux allows you to create a private, customizable chat environment for your team or community. This guide will walk you through each step, from preparing your server to launching Rocket.Chat successfully. Before starting, ensure you have a clean Ubuntu server (preferably Ubuntu 20.04 LTS or later) with root or sudo privileges. A domain name pointed to your server’s IP address is also recommended for easier access and SSL certificate setup.

What You’ll Need

Ubuntu Linux server (20.04 LTS or newer)
Root or sudo privileges
Domain name (optional but recommended)
Basic knowledge of Linux command line
Firewall configured to allow HTTP, HTTPS, and SSH (ports 80, 443, 22)

Step-by-Step

Update Your System
Begin by updating your system packages to ensure all dependencies are current. Run:
```
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
```

Install Node.js and Dependencies

Rocket.Chat requires Node.js, MongoDB, and other dependencies. First, install Node.js (version 14.x recommended):

curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_14.x | sudo -E bash -
sudo apt install -y nodejs

Next, install MongoDB. For Ubuntu 20.04, use the official MongoDB repository:

wget -qO - https://www.mongodb.org/static/pgp/server-4.4.asc | sudo apt-key add -

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

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y mongodb-org

Start and Enable MongoDB
Ensure MongoDB is running and set to start on boot:
```
sudo systemctl start mongod
sudo systemctl enable mongod
```
Create a Rocket.Chat User
For security, create a dedicated user to run Rocket.Chat:
```
sudo adduser --system --no-create-home --group rocket.chat
```

Download Rocket.Chat Server

Navigate to a directory where you want to install Rocket.Chat, then download the latest release:

cd /opt
sudo wget https://releases.rocket.chat/latest/download -O rocket.chat.tgz
sudo tar -xzf rocket.chat.tgz
sudo mv bundle Rocket.Chat

Install Dependencies and Set Permissions

Install necessary npm packages:

cd Rocket.Chat
sudo npm install --production

Set ownership:

sudo chown -R rocket.chat:rocket.chat /opt/Rocket.Chat

Create a Systemd Service

Create a new service file to run Rocket.Chat as a service:

sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/rocketchat.service

Paste the following configuration:

[Unit]
Description=Rocket.Chat server
After=network.target

[Service]
Type=simple
User=rocket.chat
Group=rocket.chat
WorkingDirectory=/opt/Rocket.Chat
ExecStart=/usr/bin/node /opt/Rocket.Chat/main.js
Restart=always
Environment=ROOT_URL=https://yourdomain.com
Environment=PORT=3000

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

Replace yourdomain.com with your actual domain or server IP.

Enable and start the service:

sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable rocketchat
sudo systemctl start rocketchat

Configure Firewall and SSL
Allow HTTP and HTTPS traffic:
```
sudo ufw allow 80/tcp
sudo ufw allow 443/tcp
sudo ufw reload
```
For secure communication, set up SSL using Certbot with Let’s Encrypt:
```
sudo apt install certbot python3-certbot-nginx
sudo certbot --nginx -d yourdomain.com
```
Follow the prompts to install and configure SSL certificates.
Access Rocket.Chat
Open your browser and navigate to https://yourdomain.com. You should see the Rocket.Chat setup page where you can create your admin account and configure your server further.

Common Mistakes

Not updating system packages before installation, leading to dependency issues.
Using an unsupported Node.js version; always check Rocket.Chat requirements.
Failing to configure environment variables properly in the systemd service file.
Forgetting to open or allow necessary firewall ports.
Not securing your server with SSL, which exposes data transmission.
Overlooking permissions, which can prevent Rocket.Chat from running correctly.

Tips

Use a domain name with SSL for security and professionalism.
Regularly update Rocket.Chat and dependencies to benefit from security patches.
Back up your MongoDB database regularly to prevent data loss.
Configure automatic restarts for your Rocket.Chat service to minimize downtime.
Leverage reverse proxy setups like Nginx for better load balancing and SSL management.
Monitor server resources (CPU, RAM) to ensure smooth operation as user load grows.

Troubleshooting

If Rocket.Chat does not start or you encounter errors:

Check the status of the Rocket.Chat service: sudo systemctl status rocketchat. Look for errors or failed status.
View logs for more details: journalctl -u rocketchat -f.
Ensure all dependencies, especially Node.js and MongoDB, are correctly installed and running.
Verify environment variables in the systemd service file are correctly set, especially ROOT_URL and PORT.
Confirm firewall rules are allowing traffic on ports 80, 443, and 3000 (or your custom port).
If SSL is misconfigured, try accessing via IP or disable SSL temporarily to troubleshoot.
Revisit permissions: ensure the Rocket.Chat directory is owned by the correct user.
Reinstall dependencies or re-download Rocket.Chat if corruption is suspected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install Rocket.Chat on a VPS or cloud server?

Yes, Rocket.Chat can be installed on any Linux server, including VPS and cloud platforms like AWS, DigitalOcean, or Azure, provided it meets the requirements.

Is Rocket.Chat free to use?

Yes, Rocket.Chat is open-source and free. You can host it yourself or pay for enterprise support and hosting options.

How secure is self-hosted Rocket.Chat?

Security depends on proper configuration, SSL setup, and regular updates. Self-hosting gives you control over data privacy.

Can I integrate Rocket.Chat with other tools?

Yes, Rocket.Chat supports integrations with many tools via webhooks, APIs, and built-in integrations for Slack, Jira, and more.

How do I upgrade Rocket.Chat after installation?

Download the latest release, stop the service, replace the old files, run npm install, then restart the service.

What should I do if I forget my admin password?

You can reset the admin password through the MongoDB database or by reinstalling, but ensure you back up data first.

How to Install Rocket.Chat Server on Ubuntu Linux

How to Install Rocket.Chat Server on Ubuntu Linux

What You’ll Need

Step-by-Step

Common Mistakes

Tips

Troubleshooting

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install Rocket.Chat on a VPS or cloud server?

Is Rocket.Chat free to use?

How secure is self-hosted Rocket.Chat?

Can I integrate Rocket.Chat with other tools?

How do I upgrade Rocket.Chat after installation?

What should I do if I forget my admin password?

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