How to host Ackee on Vultr Server - ServerAvatar

Ackee is an open-source analytics platform designed to improve collaboration and communication within organizations. It provides features for analyzing data, managing content, and enhancing community engagement. Vultr is a dependable hosting option for Ackee, providing scalable infrastructure and simple deployment solutions. ServerAvatar makes it easy and user-friendly to deploy the Ackee application on the Vultr platform.

Create a Cloud Instance in Vultr

To create a server in Vultr, follow the below-given steps. If you want to learn How to use Vultr to manage your infrastructure in Vultr, You can refer to our Vultr cloud guide.

Step 1: Go to the Instance Creation Page

Vultr provides different types of cloud instances. From the server creation page, you can create cloud instances such as Regular VMs, Dedicated, Bare Metal, Cloud GPUs, and some managed services.

To access the server creation page, log in to your Vultr account and click on the Deploy New Server option from the + button given on the dashboard.

Step 2: Choose the Server

You can create 4 different types of cloud instances which includes Optimised Cloud Compute, Cloud Compute, Cloud GPU, and Bare Metal. Select the one that fits your requirements.

Step 3: Choose Server Type

Based on your selection of the server in the second step, You will have to select a specific type of server. If you have selected the Optimised Cloud Compute instance, You will see the options like this as shown in the image below:

Step 4: Select Server Location

Location is a very important option. Make sure to select a server location closest to your major traffic source demographically. You can select locations in 5 different continents.

Step 5: Select Server Image

In simple terms, a Server image is an operating system running on the server. So here, You have to select an OS for your server. Generally, the Ackee application required Ubuntu 20.04 LTS or a later version for compatibility and support.

If you are managing your servers with ServerAvatar, Select Ubuntu 20.04 or Ubuntu 22.04.

Step 6: Select Server Size

Here, Select a server size according to your requirements. If you are just getting started with the project, You can start with a small configuration and then upgrade it according to future requirements.

Step 7: Add Auto Backups and Additional Features

We recommend you to enable auto backups for important websites or apps. If you are creating a temporary server, You can skip the auto backups.

In addition to this feature, You can enable DDOS Protection and other options according to your requirements.

Do not enable the "No Public IPv4 Address" option. It will create the server without IPv4, which is impossible to connect with ServerAvatar.

Step 8: Select an SSH Key

If you use an SSH key to authenticate with the server, Select an SSH key in this section. If you haven't uploaded your key yet, You can do it by clicking on the Add New option.

SSH key is not mandatory. If you don’t want to use SSH keys, Ignore this option. You can still connect to your server by using the password.

Step 9: Firewall Group

If you are using the Vultr firewall, You can select the firewall group from here.

If you do not have the 43210 port enabled in your firewall group, you need to configure it to connect a server with ServerAvatar.

Step 10: Server Hostname and Label

In this step, you have to choose the hostname and the label for the server. You can set the same hostname and label. They are used for identification purposes only.

Step 11: Deploy Now!

Finally, click on the Deploy Now button to create a server. It might take a minute or two to fully boot up your server. Once it is ready, You will see it in the Products section in Vultr.

Initial Server Configuration

The Initial server configuration includes the installation and configuration of various packages required to host your website. Usually, You have to write commands and modify configuration files. Luckily, With ServerAvatar, Your full server configuration and optimization can be automated.

Here are the three ways to automatically configure your server with ServerAvatar.

wget https://srvr.so/install
chmod +x install
./install

Install and Setup Ackee on Cloud using ServerAvatar

Ackee Application: Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction:

Ackee is a self-hosted, open-source analytics tool that offers privacy-focused insights into website and application usage. It provides features comparable to traditional analytics platforms while prioritizing user privacy.

Here are Some Key Features of Ackee Analytics include:

• Privacy-Focused
• Self-Hosted
• Dashboard and Reporting
• Customizable
• Open Source

Prerequisites:

• Node.js (v14 or higher)
• MongoDB (v4.4 or higher)
• Nginx

Installation:

Step 1: Create an Application

Go to the Applications tab on the ServerAvatar server panel and click on the Create button as shown in the image below.

To proceed with the installation and deployment of Ackee, ensure you have met the prerequisites.

• Enter an Application Name of your choice.
• Specify a Domain (choose between a Test Domain or a Primary Domain).
  • Note: If you're hosting Ackee on your domain, make sure your domain is correctly pointed to your server's current IP address.

Now, Clone Ackee from the available public repository in Github.

• Method: Git
• Service Provider: Github
• Repository Type: Public
• Clone HTTPS URL: https://github.com/electerious/Ackee.git
• Branch: master

To proceed further, provide additional information.

• Select a Rendering Type: Server Side Rendering
• Port: 3000 (Choose an available port to avoid conflicts)
• Package Installation Command: npm install
• Start App Command: npm start

Click on the Create Application button. You will be redirected to the Application Installation Status page, where you can monitor the installation process and view command outputs.

Once, all of your entered commands run successfully you will be redirected to the Application Dashboard.

Step 2: Create Ackee Database

Go to the server panel, navigate to the Databases tab, and click on the Create button as shown in the following image.

On the following screen, complete the database details, including:

• Database Name
• Database Username
• Database Password

Step 3: Setup .env file

• Navigate to the Application Panel tab by clicking on the icon next to the application as shown in the below image.

• Now, go to the FIle Manager option and open the public_html folder.

• Create a new file and name it .env

• Now, open the .env file by clicking on it.

• Add the following configurations into the .env file, replacing placeholders with actual values:

  • ACKEE_MONGODB=mongodb://db_username:db_password@localhost:27017/db_name
  • ACKEE_USERNAME=username
  • ACKEE_PASSWORD=password
  • PORT=port number

• Now, visit your configured domain name and enter the username and password you entered in .env

Congratulations! You have successfully installed and deployed Ackee through ServerAvatar.