How to Install Jitsi Meet Server on Ubuntu 20.04 – Step-by-Step

Want to set up a Jitsi server on Ubuntu 20.04 for your video chats or meetings? You’ve come to the right spot. Jitsi Meet is a go-to open-source platform for video conferencing, and installing it on Ubuntu 20.04 means you get a secure, reliable server under your control. This article will guide you with a clear Jitsi installation guide tailored for beginners. If you’re new to Ubuntu server setups, don’t worry; this step-by-step tutorial has got you covered.

Why Go with Ubuntu 20.04 for Jitsi?

Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (Long-Term Support) is a solid choice for hosting Jitsi Meet, and here’s why:

• Stability and Support: Ubuntu 20.04 offers five years of support with regular security updates to keep your server safe.
• Compatibility: It’s tested thoroughly with Jitsi Meet, so you’re less likely to run into compatibility issues.
• Community and Documentation: As one of the most popular Linux distributions, Ubuntu has extensive support, guides, and forums for help.
• Performance: Manages server resources efficiently, which is crucial when running video conferencing applications.
• Security: Regular updates protect against vulnerabilities—key for a video server handling sensitive calls.

To sum it up, Ubuntu 20.04 is an excellent foundation for a smooth, secure Jitsi video server setup.

Real-World Example

I’ve seen several clients who needed private video conferencing choose Ubuntu 20.04, and for good reasons. After one client switched from an older Ubuntu version, they experienced fewer crashes and much clearer calls. It’s little wonder why it’s a preferred choice for video server setups.

System Requirements and Preparations

Before beginning your Jitsi installation guide on Ubuntu 20.04, ensure your server ticks a few boxes.

Minimum System Requirements

• CPU: 2+ cores (but go for 4 if you’re expecting more users)
• RAM: At least 4 GB (8 GB+ is ideal for larger meetings)
• Storage: You’ll need at least 25 GB of free space for the OS, Jitsi packages, logs, and recordings
• Network: A reliable internet connection with open ports (UDP 10000, TCP 443, and 80)

Operating System Setup

• Start with a fresh Ubuntu 20.04 LTS server without clashing software.

• Make sure your user account has sudo privileges.

• Update your server packages fully:

  sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Domain Name

Jitsi Meet needs a valid domain name for SSL configuration and smooth operation.

• Secure a domain (like yourdomain.com).
• Point your domain’s DNS A record to your Ubuntu server’s public IP.
• Check that the DNS resolution is all good.

Firewall Rules

You’ll need to punch through your server firewall with these necessary ports:

• TCP ports 80 and 443 for HTTP and HTTPS
• UDP port 10000 for media traffic

Use these commands for the UFW firewall:

sudo ufw allow 80/tcp
sudo ufw allow 443/tcp
sudo ufw allow 10000/udp
sudo ufw enable
sudo ufw status

Installing Required Dependencies

Jitsi leans on some standard server packages. Get them first to avoid any headaches:

sudo apt install -y gnupg2 curl wget apt-transport-https

Getting your setup ready paves the way for a smoother Ubuntu server setup.

Installing Jitsi Meet Server

All set? Let’s dive into installing the Jitsi Meet server on Ubuntu 20.04. Here’s how you do it step-by-step:

1. Add Jitsi Repository and Key

Begin by grabbing Jitsi’s public GPG key to verify packages:

curl https://download.jitsi.org/jitsi-key.gpg.key | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/jitsi-keyring.gpg

Pop the Jitsi repository in:

echo 'deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/jitsi-keyring.gpg] https://download.jitsi.org stable/' | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/jitsi-stable.list

Now, update those package lists:

sudo apt update

2. Install Jitsi Meet Packages

Run that installer:

sudo apt install -y jitsi-meet

3. Configure Your Domain During Setup

The installer will prod you for your domain name (e.g., meet.yourdomain.com). Make sure it’s a fully qualified domain name pointing to your server’s IP.

4. Generate SSL Certificate

You’ll get asked if you want to whip up a self-signed SSL certificate or go with Let’s Encrypt.

• For serious use, opt for Let’s Encrypt.
• The script will auto-install Certbot and nab SSL certificates for your domain if the DNS is set right.

Confirm your email for Let’s Encrypt registration.

5. Verify Installation

Once done, check if the Jitsi services are up and running:

sudo systemctl status prosody
sudo systemctl status jicofo
sudo systemctl status jitsi-videobridge2

They all should come back active/running.

Additional Installation Tips

• For any server lurking behind a NAT/firewall, you’ll need to forward port UDP 10000.
• Trying to run Jitsi on a VPS with less than 2GB of RAM will drag down performance.
• Get cozy with a static IP to dodge DNS mishaps down the line.
• If you want to try Jitsi Meet in a container setup, there are official Docker images—though they’re a tad more advanced.

Configuring Jitsi Meet

Once the server’s in, tinker with your Jitsi Meet setup to get it purring smoothly.

Basic Configuration Files

Jitsi uses multiple config files at /etc/jitsi/:

• /etc/jitsi/meet/your-domain-config.js — Meeting and UI settings
• /etc/prosody/conf.avail/your-domain.cfg.lua — XMPP server config
• /etc/jitsi/jicofo/config — Conference focus settings
• /etc/jitsi/videobridge/config — Bridge service tweaks

Common Configurations

Enable Authentication

If you want to control who gets to start and manage meetings:

1. Tweak the Prosody config to require login details.

2. Add user accounts using:

sudo prosodyctl register username your-domain password

3. Restart Prosody with:

sudo systemctl restart prosody

Configure Video Quality

Modify /etc/jitsi/meet/your-domain-config.js to set the default video resolution and bitrate. Adjust these based on internet bandwidth.

Example:

constraints: {
  video: {
    height: {
      ideal: 360,
      max: 360,
      min: 180
    }
  }
}

Set Up Firewall Exceptions

Ensure your server isn’t shutting out traffic on essential ports. Check with:

sudo ufw status

Open any missing ports if needed.

SSL and HTTPS

Double-check your SSL certificate and ensure HTTPS redirection for secure connections. If you’ve used Let’s Encrypt, the installer handles this automatically.

Give HTTPS a test run by heading to https://meet.yourdomain.com in your browser.

Performance Optimization

• Fine-tune videobridge CPU cores setting for load balancing.
• Keep a tab on CPU and memory use via top or htop.
• Set a cap on how many folks can join per conference based on your server capability.

Post-Installation Tips

Monitoring and Logs

Keep tabs on the logs sitting in /var/log/jitsi to squash any hiccups.

Commands:

sudo tail -f /var/log/jitsi/jicofo.log
sudo tail -f /var/log/jitsi/jvb.log

Automatic Updates

Ubuntu’s unattended upgrades can shore up your Jitsi setup by automatically rolling out security patches.

Set it up with:

sudo dpkg-reconfigure unattended-upgrades

Backup Your Configuration

Make it a habit to back up /etc/jitsi and your SSL certificates to prevent downtime in case things go south.

Example backup command:

sudo tar czf jitsi-backup-$(date +%F).tar.gz /etc/jitsi /etc/letsencrypt

Scaling Your Jitsi Server

For big teams or enterprises, consider:

• Rolling out multiple Jitsi Videobridge instances.
• Getting a dedicated Prosody XMPP server.
• Load balancing with Nginx or Apache.

This kind of setup ticks boxes for the tech-savvy but will enhance reliability and call quality.

Security Considerations

• Always stick with HTTPS.
• Limit meeting creation to users who log in.
• Keep your server updated to nail vulnerabilities.
• Use robust passwords for Jitsi accounts.

Real-World Use Case

I helped a nonprofit set up Jitsi Meet on a humble Ubuntu 20.04 VPS with 4 CPU cores and 8GB RAM. They pull off weekly virtual events for up to 50 folks just fine. Thanks to the firewall setup and SSL, their meetings stay private and secure, with minimal fuss.

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Conclusion

Getting a Jitsi Meet server running on Ubuntu 20.04 is pretty straightforward if you stick to these steps. Ubuntu 20.04’s reliable stability and security make it a great platform for a dependable video server setup. By getting your system ready, installing Jitsi using its official repository, and setting up basic configurations, you can host your own secure video conferencing service.

Keeping an eye on things regularly and following security best practices will ramp up your server’s reliability. Whether this setup is for personal use, a small team, or an organization, you’ll have full control over the data and can tailor it to fit your needs.

Keen on taking charge of your video meetings without relying on external services? Install Jitsi server on Ubuntu 20.04 is a nifty, budget-friendly option.

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Ready to set up your own Jitsi Meet server and take charge of your video calls? Just follow this guide step-by-step, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need a hand or tips on making your setup better. Hosting your own video server means more privacy and reliability.

Start building your secure video conferencing system today!