How to Install MongoDB on Linux: A Step-by-Step Guide

MongoDB is a popular NoSQL database known for its flexibility, scalability, and high performance. It’s used by developers and organizations across various industries for its robustness and ease of use. If you are a Linux user and want to harness the power of MongoDB, this article provides a comprehensive guide to installing it on your Linux system.

Prerequisites

Before installing MongoDB, make sure you have the following:

1. Linux OS: This guide will focus on Ubuntu and CentOS, but the steps can be similar for other distributions.
2. Root/Sudo Privileges: You need administrative access to install software.
3. A Terminal: You will be using the command line to execute most of the installation commands.

Part 1: Install MongoDB on Ubuntu

Step 1: Import the MongoDB Public Key

First, you need to import the MongoDB public key to ensure the authenticity of the packages.

wget -qO - https://www.mongodb.org/static/pgp/server-6.0.asc | sudo apt-key add -

Step 2: Create a List File for MongoDB

Create a new list file for MongoDB by creating a .list file in the /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ directory.

echo "deb [ arch=amd64 ] https://repo.mongodb.org/apt/ubuntu focal/multiverse mongodb-org/6.0/restricted main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/mongodb-org-6.0.list

Make sure to change focal to your specific Ubuntu version (like bionic, if you are using Ubuntu 18.04).

Step 3: Update Package Database

After adding MongoDB’s official repository, update the package database.

sudo apt update

Step 4: Install MongoDB

Now, install the MongoDB packages.

sudo apt install -y mongodb-org

Step 5: Start the MongoDB Service

After installation, you can start the MongoDB service using the following command:

sudo systemctl start mongod

Step 6: Enable MongoDB to Start on Boot

To ensure that MongoDB starts automatically when your server reboots, run:

sudo systemctl enable mongod

Step 7: Verify Installation

You can verify that MongoDB is running with the following command:

sudo systemctl status mongod

If the service is active and running, you have successfully installed MongoDB!

Part 2: Install MongoDB on CentOS

Step 1: Create a Repository File

Create a repository configuration file using your text editor.

sudo nano /etc/yum.repos.d/mongodb-org-6.0.repo

Add the following lines to the file:

[mongodb-org-6.0]
name=MongoDB Repository
baseurl=https://repo.mongodb.org/yum/redhat/7/mongodb-org/6.0/x86_64/
gpgcheck=1
enabled=1
gpgkey=https://www.mongodb.org/static/pgp/server-6.0.asc

Step 2: Install MongoDB

Update your package database and install MongoDB.

sudo yum install -y mongodb-org

Step 3: Start MongoDB

After installation, start the MongoDB service:

sudo systemctl start mongod

Step 4: Enable MongoDB to Start on Boot

To ensure MongoDB starts automatically at system startup, execute:

sudo systemctl enable mongod

Step 5: Verify Installation

Like Ubuntu, you can check if MongoDB is running with:

sudo systemctl status mongod

Now you have a fully functional MongoDB server running on your Linux machine! Whether you’re using Ubuntu or CentOS, the installation process is straightforward and can be done in just a few steps. You can connect to MongoDB using the MongoDB shell or programmatically using various libraries provided for different programming languages.

Next Steps

1. Secure Your Installation: It’s important to configure authentication and secure your MongoDB settings.
2. Explore MongoDB Features: Learn about collections, documents, and indexes.
3. Backup and Restore: Familiarize yourself with best practices for backing up your databases.

With MongoDB installed, you’re all set to develop resilient, scalable applications!