How To Install Java Application From Plesk?

Plesk is a popular web hosting control panel. It simplifies the management of: 

- Websites

- Databases

- Applications

This guide will walk you through installing a Java application on your server using Plesk. 

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure the following.

- Access to a Plesk control panel with administrative privileges.

- Basic understanding of how it works and server management

- A Java Runtime Environment (JRE) or Java Development Kit (JDK) installed.

Step 1: Access the Plesk Control Panel

Log in to your Plesk Control Panel

You can usually access it by navigating to https://your-domain.com:8443

Enter your credentials.

Step 2: Ensure Java Is Installed

To run Java applications, your server must have Java installed. Here’s how to check and install Java on your server through Plesk:

- Check Java Installation:

- In the Plesk control panel, go to Tools & Settings.

- Under Server Management, click on System Overview.

- Look for Java in the list of installed software.

- Install Java (if not already installed)

- Install Java via the command line or the Plesk extension (if available).

- Access your server using SSH and run the appropriate command for your operating system for a manual installation via the command line.

- For the CentOS server:

sudo yum install java-1.8.0-openjdk

- For Debian-based systems:

sudo apt-get install openjdk-8-jdk

Optional Step 3: Configure Tomcat 

If your Java application requires a servlet container like Apache Tomcat, you must ensure it is installed and configured correctly.

- Install Tomcat:

- You can install Tomcat through Plesk’s extension catalog if it’s available.

- Go to Extensions in Plesk and search for Tomcat. Follow the instructions to install it.

- Configure Tomcat:

- Once installed, configure Tomcat to work with your domain. Navigate to Domains and select your choice. Go to Hosting Settings.

- Enable support for Java applications and specify the path to your WAR file or web application.

Step 4: Upload Your Java Application

It’s time to upload your Java application’s WAR file to the server.

- Upload via Plesk File Manager:

- Go to Domains in the Plesk control panel and select the domain where you want to deploy your Java application.

- Click on File Manager and navigate to the web root directory (/httpdocs or another directory based on your configuration).

- Click Upload and select your WAR file to upload it to the server.

- Upload via FTP:

- An FTP client can put the WAR file on the server.

- Connect to your server using the credentials provided in Plesk. Navigate to the appropriate directory and upload the WAR file.

Step 5: Deploy the Application

After uploading the WAR file, you need to deploy it.

- Automatic Deployment:

- If you are using Tomcat, the WAR file is established automatically when the same is placed in the webapps directory.

- Ensure that your WAR file is placed in the correct directory so Tomcat can detect and deploy it.

- Manual Deployment:

- In some cases, you might need to deploy the application manually. Go to Domains and select your choice. Navigate to the Applications tab (if available).

- Click on Add Application and follow the prompts to deploy your WAR file.

Step 6: Configure and Test Your Application

Once the application is deployed, configure it as necessary.

- Configure Application Settings:

- Edit the configuration files, such as web.xml or application-specific configuration files.

- Test Your Application:

- Open a web browser. Enter the URL of your application.

- Verify that the app is running correctly and troubleshoot any issues that arise.

Step 7: Manage Your Java Application

Plesk offers several tools to manage your Java application:

- Monitor Performance:

- Use Plesk’s monitoring tools to track your server’s performance and resource usage.

- Manage Logs:

- Access and review application logs through the Plesk File Manager or command line to debug and resolve issues.

- Update Application:

- To update your Java application, upload a new version of the WAR file and follow the deployment steps.

To Sum it Up!

Installing a Java application using Plesk involves: 

- Checking for the necessary Java environment

- Uploading the application

- Configuring it correctly.

The applications can easily be managed with Plesk's user-friendly interface. Whether using a small application or a large business solution, it has the tools and options needed to meet the user’s needs.