Deploying Mastodon on ServerStadium

Introduction

Mastodon offers a unique approach to social media, providing a decentralized, open-source platform that respects user privacy. By hosting Mastodon on ServerStadium’s infrastructure (VM Pricing, Dedicated Servers), you can create a social network that aligns with your community’s values and needs, free from the constraints of mainstream platforms.

Deploying Mastodon on ServerStadium

Prerequisites

• A ServerStadium VM or dedicated server (VM Pricing, Dedicated Servers), chosen based on your expected user base and traffic.
• Basic knowledge of Linux server administration.

Step 1: Select and Prepare Your ServerStadium Server

1. Choose a Server: Select a ServerStadium server that meets Mastodon’s requirements in terms of CPU, RAM, and storage.
2. Server Setup: Update and upgrade your server:

   sudo apt update
   sudo apt upgrade

Step 2: Install Dependencies

Mastodon requires various dependencies, including Ruby, Node.js, PostgreSQL, and Redis:

1. Install Ruby, Node.js, and Yarn:

   sudo apt install ruby-full nodejs yarn

2. Install PostgreSQL and Redis:

   sudo apt install postgresql redis-server

Step 3: Install and Configure Mastodon

1. Clone Mastodon’s Repository:

   git clone https://github.com/tootsuite/mastodon.git
   cd mastodon

2. Install Ruby and JavaScript Dependencies:

   bundle install
   yarn install

3. Setup Configuration Files:

   cp .env.production.sample .env.production
   nano .env.production

   Edit .env.production to match your environment.

4. Setup the Database:

   RAILS_ENV=production bundle exec rails db:setup

Step 4: Precompile Assets

Compile all the assets for production:

Step 5: Set Up Web Server and Run Mastodon

1. Configure Nginx or Apache to serve Mastodon:

   sudo nano /etc/nginx/sites-available/mastodon

   Add the Nginx configuration for Mastodon. Enable the site and restart Nginx.

2. Run Mastodon:

   RAILS_ENV=production bundle exec rails s

Step 6: Accessing Mastodon

1. Access Mastodon: Navigate to your Mastodon instance’s URL to access the platform.
2. Initial Configuration: Complete the setup process, creating an admin account and configuring your instance.

Step 7: Finalizing and Testing

1. Finalize Setup: Ensure all configurations are correct.
2. Test Your Mastodon Instance: Verify that all functionalities are working as expected.

Conclusion

Your Mastodon instance is now operational on a ServerStadium server, offering a robust and privacy-focused social media platform. For additional assistance or resources, visit our knowledge base or contact our support team.