How to Install RabbitMQ on Ubuntu 20.04

RabbitMQ is an open-source message broker that supports flexible and scalable message-driven processing architectures. It’s crucial for high-throughput scenarios like financial transaction processing systems and expansive e-commerce platforms. By installing RabbitMQ on Ubuntu 20.04, you can achieve seamless communication between applications, ensuring data reliability and system resilience. In this article, we will guide you through the installation process to fully leverage the potential of RabbitMQ.

What is RabbitMQ?

RabbitMQ is a versatile message broker that can handle multiple messaging protocols. It’s designed to provide efficient, reliable delivery of messages in complex routing scenarios. Here are some common use cases for RabbitMQ:

1. Asynchronous Processing. RabbitMQ improves application responsiveness by handling time-consuming tasks in the background, thus decoupling application processes.
2. Application Integration. It allows different components or services within a system to communicate seamlessly, regardless of their development language or platform.
3. Work Queues. Distributes tasks among multiple workers or nodes, ensuring efficient load distribution and scalability.
4. Publish/Subscribe Pattern. RabbitMQ can broadcast a single message to many consumers simultaneously, useful for real-time updates or collaborative tools.
5. Load Balancing. By evenly distributing workloads across nodes or servers, RabbitMQ ensures optimal performance and prevents system overloads.

How to Install RabbitMQ?

Here’s a guide on how to install RabbitMQ on Ubuntu 20.04: 

1. Update the system. Firstly, ensure your system is up to date, run the command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

2. Add the required repositories. You need to add the official RabbitMQ signing key and repository, run the command:

sudo apt install curl gnupg -y
curl -fsSL https://packages.rabbitmq.com/gpg | sudo apt-key add -

Now, add the repository:

sudo add-apt-repository 'deb https://dl.bintray.com/rabbitmq/debian focal main'

3. Install RabbitMQ Server. Now you can install RabbitMQ:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install rabbitmq-server -y

4. Enable and Start the RabbitMQ Service. After installation, enable and start the RabbitMQ service:

sudo systemctl enable rabbitmq-server
sudo systemctl start rabbitmq-server

There won’t be any visible response to these commands, but if you’d like to verify the status:

sudo systemctl status rabbitmq-server

5. Access RabbitMQ Management Console. To access the RabbitMQ management console, enable the RabbitMQ management plugin:

sudo rabbitmq-plugins enable rabbitmq_management

Congratulations, now, you can access the RabbitMQ management console via the web browser: http://your_server_IP:15672/.

Remember to replace “your_server_IP” with your actual server’s IP address. Default login credentials are usually “guest” for both username and password. Once logged in, you’re encouraged to change the default password for security reasons. Depending on your use case and environment, you may need additional configurations or modifications. Always refer to the official RabbitMQ documentation for comprehensive instructions and best practices.