Redis is one of the most powerful in-memory data structure stores available for developers today. Known for its high performance, simplicity, and versatility, Redis is commonly used for caching, real-time analytics, messaging queues, and more. If you are running Ubuntu 24.04 and want to take advantage of Redis, this guide will show you exactly how to install Redis on Ubuntu 24.04, with step-by-step instructions adapted from the official Vultr documentation:
Why Use Redis?
Redis (short for Remote Dictionary Server) is a high-performance NoSQL database that stores data in memory, making it much faster than traditional databases that write to disk. Here are some key benefits:
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Lightning-fast performance
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Supports advanced data structures like strings, hashes, lists, sets, and more
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Open-source and lightweight
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Used by top tech companies including GitHub, Twitter, and Stack Overflow
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Ideal for caching, pub/sub systems, leaderboards, session stores, and more
Prerequisites
Before you begin, make sure:
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You're running Ubuntu 24.04
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You have a user with sudo privileges
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Your system is connected to the internet
Step-by-Step: How to Install Redis on Ubuntu 24.04
Let’s break it down step-by-step.
Step 1: Update Your System
Keeping your system updated is always a good first step before any installation.
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y
Step 2: Install Redis
Ubuntu’s official repository already includes Redis, so you can install it using:
sudo apt install redis-server -y
This command installs Redis and its dependencies.
Step 3: Configure Redis to Work with systemd
To ensure Redis runs smoothly with Ubuntu’s service manager, modify the configuration:
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Open the Redis config file:
sudo nano /etc/redis/redis.conf
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Find the line:
supervised no
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Change it to:
supervised systemd
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Save and exit the file (Press Ctrl + O, then Enter, then Ctrl + X).
This step allows Redis to be managed properly via systemctl.
Step 4: Start and Enable Redis
Enable Redis to start automatically at boot and start the service immediately:
sudo systemctl enable redis
sudo systemctl start redis
Check if it’s running:
sudo systemctl status redis
You should see the status as “active (running).”
Step 5: Test Redis
To confirm that Redis is working properly, use the Redis CLI:
redis-cli
Then type:
ping
You should get the response:
PONG
This confirms your Redis server is running and responding as expected.
Additional Security (Recommended for Production)
If you're deploying Redis in a production environment, consider these extra steps:
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Bind Redis to localhost or internal IPs only
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Set a password using requirepass in the Redis configuration file
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Use firewall rules to block unauthorized access
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Consider enabling encryption with TLS
For a deeper dive into advanced configurations and best practices, refer to the full Vultr installation guide.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to install Redis on Ubuntu 24.04 is an essential skill for modern developers and system administrators. Redis provides a huge performance boost for applications that demand speed, real-time processing, and scalability.
Whether you're building an e-commerce store, a real-time analytics dashboard, or a chat application, Redis will significantly enhance your project’s responsiveness. With this guide and the support of Vultr’s official tutorial, you can get Redis running in minutes on your Ubuntu system.