How to install Apache modules

Apache is a competent web server and could be made more capable with modules. Modules extend the capability of Apache and could be installed and then enabled or disabled depending on your requirement.

Some example modules for Apache are PHP which provides support for hosting PHP scripts on Apache, and WSGI, which enables support for hosting Python web applications.

Common Apache modules in Linux are available in the official package repository of the default package manager. It makes it very easy to install most Apache modules in Linux.

1. List available Apache modules for your distribution.

   $ sudo apt search libapache2-mod- #Ubuntu and Debian
   [sudo] password for user:
   Full Text Search... Done
   libapache-mod-jk-doc/jammy/en 1:1.2.46-1 all
     Documentation of libapache2-mod-jk package
   
   libapache2-mod-apparmor/jammy/en 2.13.3-5ubuntu1 amd64
     changehat AppArmor library as an Apache module
   ##### snipped 

   $ sudo yum search mod_ # CentOS, Fedora and Red Hat
   [sudo] password for user:
   ============================== Name Matched: mod_ ==============================
   mod_md.x86_64 : Certificate provisioning using ACME for the Apache HTTP Server
   mod_ssl.x86_64 : SSL/TLS module for the Apache HTTP Server
   mod_ldap.x86_64 : LDAP authentication modules for the Apache HTTP Server
   ##### snipped
   > sudo zypper search apache2-mod # openSUSE and SLES
   [sudo] password for user:
   Loading repository data...
   Reading installed packages...
   
   S | Name                     | Summary                               | Type   
   --+--------------------------+---------------------------------------+--------
     | apache2-mod_apparmor     | AppArmor module for apache2           | package
     | apache2-mod_auth_gssapi  | GSSAPI Module for Apache              | package
     | apache2-mod_auth_openidc | Apache2.x module for an OpenID Conn-> | package
     | apache2-mod_authn_otp    | Apache module for one-time password-> | package
   ##### snipped

2. Install required Apache modules for your distribution.

   $ sudo apt install --assume-yes libapache2-mod-security2 #Ubuntu and Debian
   $ sudo yum install --assumeyes mod_security # CentOS, Fedora and Red Hat
   > sudo zypper install apache2-mod_php7 # openSUSE and SLES

   Some Apache modules such as for PHP will be installed by default by installing the main package (PHP in this example) in distributions such as CentOS and Red Hat derivatives.

3. Enable installed modules if it's not automatically enabled.

   Related: How to enable or disable Apache modules

4. Restart Apache to start using the installed module.

   Related: How to manage Apache service