How To Install and Secure Redis on Rocky Linux 8

Redis is an open-source, in-memory data structure store that is used as a database, cache, and message broker. With its fast speed and support for various data structures, Redis has become a popular choice for web applications that need quick access to data. In this article, we will show you how to install and secure Redis on Rocky Linux 8.

Step 1: Installing Redis on Rocky Linux 8

The first step in installing Redis on Rocky Linux 8 is to make sure that you have the necessary dependencies. This includes the GCC compiler, which is used to build Redis, and the TCL library, which is required for the Redis test suite.

To install these dependencies, run the following command:

sudo dnf install gcc tcl

Next, we need to download the Redis source code. This can be done by visiting the Redis website and downloading the latest stable release. Alternatively, you can use the following command to download the latest version directly from the command line:

wget http://download.redis.io/redis-stable.tar.gz

Once the download is complete, extract the tar archive using the following command:

tar xvzf redis-stable.tar.gz

Now, navigate to the Redis source code directory and run the following commands to compile and install Redis:

cd redis-stable
make
sudo make install

The Redis server is now installed on your Rocky Linux 8 system. However, it is not yet running. We will start the Redis server in the next step.

Step 2: Starting the Redis Server

To start the Redis server, we first need to create a configuration file. This file will be used to specify various options, such as the port number, the IP address to bind to, and the location of the Redis database file.

Create a new file called “redis.conf” using your preferred text editor, and add the following content:

port 6379
bind 127.0.0.1
daemonize yes
dir /var/lib/redis

Save the file and close the text editor. Next, start the Redis server by running the following command:

redis-server /path/to/redis.conf

The Redis server should now be running in the background. You can check if the Redis server is running by running the following command:

redis-cli ping

If the Redis server is running, you should see the following response:

PONG

Step 3: Securing Redis on Rocky Linux 8

By default, Redis is not very secure. Anyone who has access to the Redis port can connect
to the Redis server and perform various actions, such as modifying the data stored in the Redis database. To prevent unauthorized access, it is important to secure Redis on Rocky Linux 8.

Here are a few steps you can take to secure Redis:

Use a Firewall

One of the easiest ways to secure Redis is to use a firewall. This will limit access to the Redis port to only the IP addresses that are allowed. On Rocky Linux 8, you can use the firewall provided by the system, called firewalld, to achieve this.

To allow incoming traffic on the Redis port, run the following command:

sudo firewall-cmd --add-port=6379/tcp --permanent
sudo firewall-cmd --reload

This will allow incoming traffic on the Redis port (port 6379) and reload the firewall configuration. You can also use the firewall to limit access to only specific IP addresses if needed.

Use Authentication

Another way to secure Redis is to use authentication. This will require clients to provide a password before they can access the Redis server. To enable authentication, you need to set the “requirepass” directive in the Redis configuration file to a strong password.

Add the following line to the Redis configuration file:

requirepass strong_password

Make sure to replace “strong_password” with a strong, unique password. Restart the Redis server for the changes to take effect.

Use TLS Encryption

TLS encryption can be used to secure the connection between the Redis server and clients. This will ensure that all data transmitted between the Redis server and clients is encrypted and protected from eavesdropping and tampering. To enable TLS encryption, you need to obtain a SSL certificate and configure Redis to use it.

To obtain a SSL certificate, you can use a certificate authority such as Let’s Encrypt. Once you have obtained the certificate, add the following lines to the Redis configuration file:

tls-cert-file /path/to/cert.pem
tls-key-file /path/to/key.pem

Make sure to replace “/path/to/cert.pem” and “/path/to/key.pem” with the path to your SSL certificate and private key, respectively. Restart the Redis server for the changes to take effect.

Conclusion

Redis is a powerful, fast, and flexible data structure store that can be used as a database, cache, and message broker. Installing and securing Redis on Rocky Linux 8 is a straightforward process that can be done in a few simple steps. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can ensure that your Redis server is installed, running, and secure on Rocky Linux 8.

However, it’s important to note that securing Redis is an ongoing process that requires regular maintenance and updates. You should stay up to date with the latest security patches and updates, as well as regularly monitor the logs and performance of your Redis server. Additionally, you should perform regular backups of your Redis data to ensure that you can quickly restore it in the event of a disaster or outage.

Redis offers many features and configuration options that can be used to fine-tune its performance and behavior to suit your needs. For example, you can configure Redis to use different storage options, such as RAM, disk, or hybrid, depending on your needs. You can also configure Redis to use different data structures, such as lists, sets, hashes, or sorted sets, to store your data in the most efficient way possible.

In addition to securing and configuring Redis, it’s also important to choose the right hardware and infrastructure for your Redis server. This can have a significant impact on the performance and reliability of your Redis installation. For example, you should choose hardware with enough RAM and CPU resources to handle your workload, as well as fast and reliable storage options, such as solid-state drives (SSDs) or NVMe drives.

Finally, you should also consider using a Redis cluster or sharding solution to scale your Redis installation horizontally. This will allow you to add more Redis nodes to your installation as your data and traffic grows, ensuring that your Redis server can continue to perform well and handle your workload.

In conclusion, Redis is a powerful and flexible data structure store that can be used in many different ways. Installing and securing Redis on Rocky Linux 8 is a straightforward process that can be done in a few simple steps. By following the best practices outlined in this article, you can ensure that your Redis server is installed, running, and secure on Rocky Linux 8.