# Bitnami package for Apache

## What is Apache?

> Apache HTTP Server is an open-source HTTP server. The goal of this project is to provide a secure, efficient and extensible server that provides HTTP services in sync with the current HTTP standards.

[Overview of Apache](https://httpd.apache.org/)
Trademarks: This software listing is packaged by Bitnami. The respective trademarks mentioned in the offering are owned by the respective companies, and use of them does not imply any affiliation or endorsement.

## TL;DR

```console
docker run --name apache bitnami/apache:latest
```

You can find the available configuration options in the [Environment Variables](#environment-variables) section.

## Why use Bitnami Images?

* Bitnami closely tracks upstream source changes and promptly publishes new versions of this image using our automated systems.
* With Bitnami images the latest bug fixes and features are available as soon as possible.
* Bitnami containers, virtual machines and cloud images use the same components and configuration approach - making it easy to switch between formats based on your project needs.
* All our images are based on [**minideb**](https://github.com/bitnami/minideb) -a minimalist Debian based container image that gives you a small base container image and the familiarity of a leading Linux distribution- or **scratch** -an explicitly empty image-.
* All Bitnami images available in Docker Hub are signed with [Notation](https://notaryproject.dev/). [Check this post](https://blog.bitnami.com/2024/03/bitnami-packaged-containers-and-helm.html) to know how to verify the integrity of the images.
* Bitnami container images are released on a regular basis with the latest distribution packages available.

Looking to use Apache in production? Try [VMware Tanzu Application Catalog](https://bitnami.com/enterprise), the commercial edition of the Bitnami catalog.

## How to deploy Apache in Kubernetes?

Deploying Bitnami applications as Helm Charts is the easiest way to get started with our applications on Kubernetes. Read more about the installation in the [Bitnami Apache Chart GitHub repository](https://github.com/bitnami/charts/tree/master/bitnami/apache).

## Why use a non-root container?

Non-root container images add an extra layer of security and are generally recommended for production environments. However, because they run as a non-root user, privileged tasks are typically off-limits. Learn more about non-root containers [in our docs](https://techdocs.broadcom.com/us/en/vmware-tanzu/application-catalog/tanzu-application-catalog/services/tac-doc/apps-tutorials-work-with-non-root-containers-index.html).

## Only the latest stable branch maintained in the free Bitnami catalog

Starting December 10th, 2024, only the latest stable branch of each container image will receive updates in the free Bitnami catalog. To access up-to-date releases for all upstream-supported branches (e.g., LTS), consider upgrading to Bitnami Premium. Previously released versions will not be deleted and will remain available for pulling from DockerHub.

Please check the Bitnami Premium page in our partner [Arrow Electronics](https://www.arrow.com/globalecs/na/vendors/bitnami?utm_source=GitHub&utm_medium=containers) for more information.

## Supported tags and respective `Dockerfile` links

Learn more about the Bitnami tagging policy and the difference between rolling tags and immutable tags [in our documentation page](https://techdocs.broadcom.com/us/en/vmware-tanzu/application-catalog/tanzu-application-catalog/services/tac-doc/apps-tutorials-understand-rolling-tags-containers-index.html).

You can see the equivalence between the different tags by taking a look at the `tags-info.yaml` file present in the branch folder, i.e `bitnami/ASSET/BRANCH/DISTRO/tags-info.yaml`.

Subscribe to project updates by watching the [bitnami/containers GitHub repo](https://github.com/bitnami/containers).

## Get this image

The recommended way to get the Bitnami Apache Docker Image is to pull the prebuilt image from the [Docker Hub Registry](https://hub.docker.com/r/bitnami/apache).

```console
docker pull bitnami/apache:latest
```

To use a specific version, you can pull a versioned tag. You can view the [list of available versions](https://hub.docker.com/r/bitnami/apache/tags/) in the Docker Hub Registry.

```console
docker pull bitnami/apache:[TAG]
```

If you wish, you can also build the image yourself by cloning the repository, changing to the directory containing the Dockerfile and executing the `docker build` command. Remember to replace the `APP`, `VERSION` and `OPERATING-SYSTEM` path placeholders in the example command below with the correct values.

```console
git clone https://github.com/bitnami/containers.git
cd bitnami/APP/VERSION/OPERATING-SYSTEM
docker build -t bitnami/APP:latest .
```

## Hosting a static website

The `/app` path is configured as the Apache [DocumentRoot](https://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.4/urlmapping.html#documentroot). Content mounted here is served by the default catch-all virtual host.

```console
docker run --name apache -v /path/to/app:/app bitnami/apache:latest
```

or using Docker Compose:

```yaml
version: '2'

services:
  apache:
    image: 'bitnami/apache:latest'
    ports:
      - '80:8080'
      - '443:8443'
    volumes:
      - /path/to/app:/app
```

> NOTE: As this is a non-root container, the mounted files and directories must have the proper permissions for the UID `1001`.

## Accessing your server from the host

To access your web server from your host machine you can ask Docker to map a random port on your host to ports `8080` and `8443` exposed in the container.

```console
docker run --name apache -P bitnami/apache:latest
```

Run `docker port` to determine the random ports Docker assigned.

```console
$ docker port apache
8443/tcp -> 0.0.0.0:32768
8080/tcp -> 0.0.0.0:32769
```

You can also manually specify the ports you want forwarded from your host to the container.

```console
docker run -p 8080:8080 -p 8443:8443 bitnami/apache:latest
```

Access your web server in the browser by navigating to `http://localhost:8080/`.

## Configuration

### Environment variables

#### Customizable environment variables

| Name                       | Description                       | Default Value |
|----------------------------|-----------------------------------|---------------|
| `APACHE_HTTP_PORT_NUMBER`  | HTTP port number used by Apache.  | `nil`         |
| `APACHE_HTTPS_PORT_NUMBER` | HTTPS port number used by Apache. | `nil`         |
| `APACHE_SERVER_TOKENS`     | Apache ServerTokens directive.    | `Prod`        |

#### Read-only environment variables

| Name                               | Description                                               | Value                             |
|------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
| `WEB_SERVER_TYPE`                  | Web server type                                           | `apache`                          |
| `APACHE_BASE_DIR`                  | Apache installation directory.                            | `${BITNAMI_ROOT_DIR}/apache`      |
| `APACHE_BIN_DIR`                   | Apache directory for binary executables.                  | `${APACHE_BASE_DIR}/bin`          |
| `APACHE_CONF_DIR`                  | Apache configuration directory.                           | `${APACHE_BASE_DIR}/conf`         |
| `APACHE_DEFAULT_CONF_DIR`          | Apache default configuration directory.                   | `${APACHE_BASE_DIR}/conf.default` |
| `APACHE_HTDOCS_DIR`                | Directory containing HTTP files to serve via Apache.      | `${APACHE_BASE_DIR}/htdocs`       |
| `APACHE_TMP_DIR`                   | Apache directory for runtime temporary files.             | `${APACHE_BASE_DIR}/var/run`      |
| `APACHE_LOGS_DIR`                  | Apache directory for logs.                                | `${APACHE_BASE_DIR}/logs`         |
| `APACHE_VHOSTS_DIR`                | Apache directory for virtual hosts.                       | `${APACHE_CONF_DIR}/vhosts`       |
| `APACHE_HTACCESS_DIR`              | Apache directory for htaccess files.                      | `${APACHE_VHOSTS_DIR}/htaccess`   |
| `APACHE_CONF_FILE`                 | Path to the Apache configuration.                         | `${APACHE_CONF_DIR}/httpd.conf`   |
| `APACHE_PID_FILE`                  | Path to the Apache PID file.                              | `${APACHE_TMP_DIR}/httpd.pid`     |
| `APACHE_DAEMON_USER`               | Apache system user.                                       | `daemon`                          |
| `APACHE_DAEMON_GROUP`              | Apache system group.                                      | `daemon`                          |
| `APACHE_DEFAULT_HTTP_PORT_NUMBER`  | Default Apache HTTP port number to enable at build time.  | `8080`                            |
| `APACHE_DEFAULT_HTTPS_PORT_NUMBER` | Default Apache HTTPS port number to enable at build time. | `8443`                            |

When you start the Apache image, you can adjust the configuration of the instance by passing one or more environment variables either on the docker-compose file or on the `docker run` command line. If you want to add a new environment variable:

* For docker-compose add the variable name and value under the application section:

```yaml
version: '2'

services:
  apache:
    image: 'bitnami/apache:latest'
    ports:
      - '80:8081'
      - '443:8443'
    environment:
      - APACHE_HTTP_PORT_NUMBER=8081
```

* For manual execution add a `-e` option with each variable and value:

```console
docker run -d --name apache -p 80:8081 -p 443:443 \
  --network apache-tier \
  --e APACHE_HTTP_PORT_NUMBER=8081 \
  bitnami/apache:latest
```

### Adding custom virtual hosts

The default `httpd.conf` includes virtual hosts placed in `/opt/bitnami/apache/conf/vhosts/`. You can mount a `my_vhost.conf` file containing your custom virtual hosts at the `/vhosts` folder.

For example, in order add a vhost for `www.example.com`:

#### Step 1: Write your `my_vhost.conf` file with the following content

```apache
<VirtualHost *:8080>
  ServerName www.example.com
  DocumentRoot "/app"
  <Directory "/app">
    Options Indexes FollowSymLinks
    AllowOverride All
    Require all granted
  </Directory>
</VirtualHost>
```

#### Step 2: Mount the configuration as a volume

```console
docker run --name apache \
  -v /path/to/my_vhost.conf:/vhosts/my_vhost.conf:ro \
  bitnami/apache:latest
```

or using Docker Compose:

```yaml
version: '2'

services:
  apache:
    image: 'bitnami/apache:latest'
    ports:
      - '80:8080'
      - '443:8443'
    volumes:
      - /path/to/my_vhost.conf:/vhosts/my_vhost.conf:ro
```

### Using custom SSL certificates

*NOTE:* The steps below assume that you are using a custom domain name and that you have already configured the custom domain name to point to your server.

This container comes with SSL support already pre-configured and with a dummy certificate in place (`server.crt` and `server.key` files in `/certs`). If you want to use your own certificate (`.crt`) and certificate key (`.key`) files, follow the steps below:

#### Step 1: Prepare your certificate files

In your local computer, create a folder called `certs` and put your certificates files. Make sure you rename both files to `server.crt` and `server.key` respectively:

```console
mkdir /path/to/apache-certs -p
cp /path/to/certfile.crt /path/to/apache-certs/server.crt
cp /path/to/keyfile.key  /path/to/apache-certs/server.key
```

#### Step 2: Run the Apache image

Run the Apache image, mounting the certificates directory from your host.

```console
docker run --name apache \
  -v /path/to/apache-certs:/certs \
  bitnami/apache:latest
```

or using Docker Compose:

```yaml
version: '2'

services:
  apache:
    image: 'bitnami/apache:latest'
    ports:
      - '80:8080'
      - '443:8443'
    volumes:
      - /path/to/apache-certs:/certs
```

### Full configuration

The image looks for configurations in `/opt/bitnami/apache/conf`. You can overwrite the `httpd.conf` file using your own custom configuration file.

```console
docker run --name apache \
  -v /path/to/httpd.conf:/opt/bitnami/apache/conf/httpd.conf \
  bitnami/apache:latest
```

or using Docker Compose:

```yaml
version: '2'

services:
  apache:
    image: 'bitnami/apache:latest'
    ports:
      - '80:8080'
      - '443:8443'
    volumes:
      - /path/to/httpd.conf:/opt/bitnami/apache/conf/httpd.conf
```

## Reverse proxy to other containers

Apache can be used to reverse proxy to other containers using Docker's linking system. This is particularly useful if you want to serve dynamic content through an Apache frontend.

**Further Reading:**

* [mod_proxy documentation](http://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.2/mod/mod_proxy.html#forwardreverse)

## Logging

The Bitnami Apache Docker image sends the container logs to the `stdout`. To view the logs:

```console
docker logs apache
```

or using Docker Compose:

```console
docker-compose logs apache
```

You can configure the containers [logging driver](https://docs.docker.com/engine/admin/logging/overview/) using the `--log-driver` option if you wish to consume the container logs differently. In the default configuration docker uses the `json-file` driver.

## Customize this image

The Bitnami Apache Docker image is designed to be extended so it can be used as the base image for your custom web applications.

### Extend this image

Before extending this image, please note there are certain configuration settings you can modify using the original image:

* Settings that can be adapted using environment variables. For instance, you can change the ports used by Apache for HTTP and HTTPS, by setting the environment variables `APACHE_HTTP_PORT_NUMBER` and `APACHE_HTTPS_PORT_NUMBER` respectively.
* [Adding custom virtual hosts](#adding-custom-virtual-hosts).
* [Replacing the 'httpd.conf' file](#full-configuration).
* [Using custom SSL certificates](#using-custom-ssl-certificates).

If your desired customizations cannot be covered using the methods mentioned above, extend the image. To do so, create your own image using a Dockerfile with the format below:

```Dockerfile
FROM bitnami/apache
### Put your customizations below
...
```

Here is an example of extending the image with the following modifications:

* Install the `vim` editor
* Modify the Apache configuration file
* Modify the ports used by Apache
* Change the user that runs the container

```Dockerfile
FROM bitnami/apache

### Change user to perform privileged actions
USER 0
### Install 'vim'
RUN install_packages vim
### Revert to the original non-root user
USER 1001

### Enable mod_ratelimit module
RUN sed -i -r 's/#LoadModule ratelimit_module/LoadModule ratelimit_module/' /opt/bitnami/apache/conf/httpd.conf

### Modify the ports used by Apache by default
## It is also possible to change these environment variables at runtime
ENV APACHE_HTTP_PORT_NUMBER=8181
EXPOSE 8181 8443

### Modify the default container user
USER 1002
```

Based on the extended image, you can use a Docker Compose file like the one below to add other features:

* Add a custom virtual host
* Add custom certificates
* Clone your web application and serve it through Apache

```yaml
version: '2'

services:
  apache:
    build: .
    ports:
      - '80:8181'
      - '443:8443'
    depends_on:
      - cloner
    volumes:
      - ./config/my_vhost.conf:/vhosts/my_vhost.conf:ro
      - ./certs:/certs
      - data:/app
  cloner:
    image: 'bitnami/git:latest'
    command:
      - clone
      - https://github.com/cloudacademy/static-website-example
      - /app
    volumes:
      - data:/app
volumes:
  data:
    driver: local
```

## Maintenance

### Upgrade this image

Bitnami provides up-to-date versions of Apache, including security patches, soon after they are made upstream. We recommend that you follow these steps to upgrade your container.

#### Step 1: Get the updated image

```console
docker pull bitnami/apache:latest
```

or if you're using Docker Compose, update the value of the image property to
`bitnami/apache:latest`.

#### Step 2: Stop and backup the currently running container

Stop the currently running container using the command

```console
docker stop apache
```

or using Docker Compose:

```console
docker-compose stop apache
```

Next, take a snapshot of the persistent volume `/path/to/apache-persistence` using:

```console
rsync -a /path/to/apache-persistence /path/to/apache-persistence.bkp.$(date +%Y%m%d-%H.%M.%S)
```

You can use this snapshot to restore the database state should the upgrade fail.

#### Step 3: Remove the currently running container

```console
docker rm -v apache
```

or using Docker Compose:

```console
docker-compose rm -v apache
```

#### Step 4: Run the new image

Re-create your container from the new image.

```console
docker run --name apache bitnami/apache:latest
```

or using Docker Compose:

```console
docker-compose up apache
```

## Useful Links

* [Create An AMP Development Environment With Bitnami Containers
](https://docs.bitnami.com/containers/how-to/create-amp-environment-containers/)

## Notable Changes

### 2.4.54-debian-11-r22

* Removed the [Apache PageSpeed Module (`mod_pagespeed`)](https://developers.google.com/speed/pagespeed/module).

### 2.4.43-debian-10-r66

* Included [Apache PageSpeed Module (`mod_pagespeed`)](https://developers.google.com/speed/pagespeed/module). It is disabled by default. To enable it, uncomment the following lines in `httpd.conf`:

```config
##Include conf/pagespeed.conf
##Include conf/pagespeed_libraries.conf
```

* Included [ModSecurity v2](https://github.com/SpiderLabs/ModSecurity). It is disabled by default. To enable it, mount and enable your custom ModSecurity rules for the virtual hosts, and uncomment the following line in `httpd.conf`:

```config
##LoadModule security2_module modules/mod_security2.so
```

* Included [ModSecurity v3](https://github.com/SpiderLabs/ModSecurity) and [ModSecurity v3 Apache Connector (`mod_security3`)](https://github.com/SpiderLabs/ModSecurity-apache). It is disabled by default. To enable it, mount and enable your custom ModSecurity rules for the virtual hosts, and uncomment the following line in `httpd.conf`:

```config
##LoadModule security3_module modules/mod_security3.so
```

### 2.4.41-debian-9-r40 and 2.4.41-ol-7-r42

* Decrease the size of the container. The configuration logic is now based on Bash scripts in the `rootfs/` folder.

### 2.4.39-debian-9-r40 and 2.4.39-ol-7-r50

* This image has been adapted so it's easier to customize. See the [Customize this image](#customize-this-image) section for more information.
* The Apache configuration volume (`/bitnami/apache`) has been deprecated, and support for this feature will be dropped in the near future. Until then, the container will enable the Apache configuration from that volume if it exists. By default, and if the configuration volume does not exist, the configuration files will be regenerated each time the container is created. Users wanting to apply custom Apache configuration files are advised to mount a volume for the configuration at `/opt/bitnami/apache/conf`, or mount specific configuration files individually.
* Enabling custom Apache certificates by placing them at `/opt/bitnami/apache/certs` has been deprecated, and support for this functionality will be dropped in the near future. Users wanting to enable custom certificates are advised to mount their certificate files on top of the preconfigured ones at `/certs`. Find an example at [Using custom SSL certificates](#using-custom-ssl-certificates).

### 2.4.34-r8

* The Apache container has been migrated to a non-root user approach. Previously the container ran as the `root` user and the Apache daemon was started as the `apache` user. From now on, both the container and the Apache daemon run as user `1001`. As a consequence, the HTTP/HTTPS ports exposed by the container are now 8080/8443 instead of 80/443. You can revert this behavior by changing `USER 1001` to `USER root` in the Dockerfile.

### 2.4.18-r0

* The configuration volume has been moved to `/bitnami/apache`. Now you only need to mount a single volume at `/bitnami/apache` for persisting configuration. `/app` is still used for serving content by the default virtual host.
* The logs are always sent to the `stdout` and are no longer collected in the volume.

### 2.4.12-4-r01

* The `/app` directory is no longer exported as a volume. This caused problems when building on top of the image, since changes in the volume are not persisted between Dockerfile `RUN` instructions. To keep the previous behavior (so that you can mount the volume in another container), create the container with the `-v /app` option.

## Using `docker-compose.yaml`

Please be aware this file has not undergone internal testing. Consequently, we advise its use exclusively for development or testing purposes. For production-ready deployments, we highly recommend utilizing its associated [Bitnami Helm chart](https://github.com/bitnami/charts/tree/main/bitnami/apache).

If you detect any issue in the `docker-compose.yaml` file, feel free to report it or contribute with a fix by following our [Contributing Guidelines](https://github.com/bitnami/containers/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md).

## Contributing

We'd love for you to contribute to this container. You can request new features by creating an [issue](https://github.com/bitnami/containers/issues) or submitting a [pull request](https://github.com/bitnami/containers/pulls) with your contribution.

## Issues

If you encountered a problem running this container, you can file an [issue](https://github.com/bitnami/containers/issues/new/choose). For us to provide better support, be sure to fill the issue template.

## License

Copyright &copy; 2025 Broadcom. The term "Broadcom" refers to Broadcom Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.

Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
You may obtain a copy of the License at

<http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0>

Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
limitations under the License.
