How To Install Jitsi Meet on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

In today’s interconnected world, video conferencing has become an essential tool for businesses, educational institutions, and individuals alike. Jitsi Meet stands out as a powerful, open-source solution that offers secure and feature-rich video conferencing capabilities. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of installing Jitsi Meet on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, ensuring you can harness the full potential of this versatile platform.

Whether you’re a system administrator looking to deploy a robust video conferencing solution or an enthusiast eager to explore open-source alternatives, this article will provide you with the knowledge and steps needed to successfully set up Jitsi Meet on your Ubuntu 24.04 LTS system.

What is Jitsi Meet?

Jitsi Meet is a fully encrypted, 100% open source video conferencing solution that you can use all day, every day, for free — with no account needed. It provides a feature-rich alternative to proprietary video conferencing platforms, offering high-quality, secure, and scalable video conferences.

Key features of Jitsi Meet include:

• WebRTC-based for browser-friendly, plugin-free operation
• End-to-end encryption for secure communications
• Screen sharing and collaborative document editing
• Integration with popular calendar and messaging platforms
• Customizable interface and branding options
• Support for large-scale conferences with breakout rooms

As an open-source solution, Jitsi Meet offers unparalleled flexibility and control over your video conferencing environment, making it an attractive option for organizations and individuals who prioritize privacy and customization.

Prerequisites

Before we begin the installation process, ensure that your system meets the following requirements:

• Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (Long Term Support) installed and updated
• Root or sudo access to the system
• A domain name pointing to your server’s IP address
• At least 4GB of RAM (8GB recommended for better performance)
• Dual-core CPU or better
• Open ports: 80 (HTTP), 443 (HTTPS), 10000 (UDP for video)

It’s also recommended to have a basic understanding of Linux command-line operations and server administration concepts.

Preparing Your Ubuntu 24.04 LTS System

Before installing Jitsi Meet, it’s crucial to ensure your Ubuntu 24.04 LTS system is up-to-date and properly configured. Follow these steps to prepare your system:

1. Update and Upgrade Your System

Open a terminal and run the following commands:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y

This will update the package lists and upgrade all installed packages to their latest versions.

2. Install Necessary Dependencies

Install the required dependencies with the following command:

sudo apt install -y gnupg2 nginx-full

3. Configure Firewall Settings

If you’re using UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall), allow the necessary ports:

sudo ufw allow 80/tcp
sudo ufw allow 443/tcp
sudo ufw allow 10000/udp
sudo ufw enable

Ensure your firewall is active and properly configured to allow Jitsi Meet traffic.

Installing Jitsi Meet

Now that your system is prepared, let’s proceed with the installation of Jitsi Meet:

1. Add Jitsi Repository

First, add the Jitsi repository to your system:

curl https://download.jitsi.org/jitsi-key.gpg.key | sudo sh -c 'gpg --dearmor > /usr/share/keyrings/jitsi-keyring.gpg'
echo 'deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/jitsi-keyring.gpg] https://download.jitsi.org stable/' | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/jitsi-stable.list > /dev/null
sudo apt update

2. Install Jitsi Meet Package

Install the Jitsi Meet package using apt:

sudo apt install -y jitsi-meet

During the installation, you’ll be prompted to enter your domain name. Make sure to enter the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) that points to your server.

3. Configure SSL Certificate

For secure communications, set up an SSL certificate. You can use Let’s Encrypt for free certificates:

sudo /usr/share/jitsi-meet/scripts/install-letsencrypt-cert.sh

Follow the prompts to complete the certificate installation process.

Configuring Jitsi Meet

After installation, you may want to customize your Jitsi Meet instance. Here are some common configuration tasks:

Basic Configuration

The main configuration file is located at /etc/jitsi/meet/<your-domain>-config.js. Open this file with a text editor to make changes:

sudo nano /etc/jitsi/meet/<your-domain>-config.js

Some common settings you might want to adjust include:

• startWithAudioMuted: Set to true to start meetings with audio muted
• startWithVideoMuted: Set to true to start meetings with video muted
• enableWelcomePage: Set to false to disable the welcome page

Customizing Interface and Branding

To customize the Jitsi Meet interface, you can modify the CSS and add your own logo. Create a custom CSS file:

sudo nano /usr/share/jitsi-meet/css/custom.css

Add your custom styles to this file. To change the logo, replace the default image at /usr/share/jitsi-meet/images/watermark.svg with your own.

Setting Up Authentication (Optional)

For added security, you can set up authentication for your Jitsi Meet instance. This involves configuring Prosody (the XMPP server used by Jitsi) and enabling authentication in the Jitsi Meet config.

Edit the Prosody configuration:

sudo nano /etc/prosody/conf.avail/<your-domain>.cfg.lua

Add the following lines:

VirtualHost "guest.<your-domain>"
    authentication = "anonymous"
    c2s_require_encryption = false

VirtualHost "<your-domain>"
    authentication = "internal_plain"

Then, update the Jitsi Meet config to use authentication:

sudo nano /etc/jitsi/meet/<your-domain>-config.js

Add or modify the following lines:

anonymousdomain: 'guest.<your-domain>',
enableUserRolesBasedOnToken: true,

Restart the services to apply the changes:

sudo systemctl restart prosody
sudo systemctl restart jicofo
sudo systemctl restart jitsi-videobridge2

Securing Your Jitsi Meet Installation

Security is paramount when setting up a video conferencing solution. Here are some steps to enhance the security of your Jitsi Meet installation:

Implementing HTTPS

Ensure that HTTPS is properly configured using the SSL certificate we set up earlier. You can verify this by accessing your Jitsi Meet instance through a web browser and checking for the padlock icon in the address bar.

Configuring User Authentication

As mentioned in the previous section, setting up user authentication adds an extra layer of security. This prevents unauthorized access to your meetings.

Setting Up Firewall Rules

Ensure that your firewall is configured to allow only the necessary traffic. Use UFW or iptables to manage your firewall rules effectively.

Optimizing Jitsi Meet Performance

To ensure the best possible experience for your users, consider the following optimizations:

Adjusting Video Quality Settings

You can adjust video quality settings in the <your-domain>-config.js file. For example:

resolution: 720,
constraints: {
    video: {
        height: {
            ideal: 720,
            max: 720,
            min: 180
        }
    }
},

Configuring Bandwidth Limitations

To prevent excessive bandwidth usage, you can set limits in the same configuration file:

videoQuality: {
    maxBitratesVideo: {
        low: 200000,
        standard: 500000,
        high: 1500000
    },
},

Optimizing Server Resources

Ensure your server has adequate resources. Monitor CPU, RAM, and network usage during peak times and upgrade your server if necessary.

Integrating Jitsi Meet with Other Services

Jitsi Meet can be integrated with various other services to enhance its functionality:

Connecting with Calendar Applications

You can integrate Jitsi Meet with calendar applications like Google Calendar or Outlook. This allows users to schedule and join meetings directly from their calendar interface.

Integrating with Messaging Platforms

Jitsi Meet can be integrated with messaging platforms like Slack or Microsoft Teams, allowing users to start video conferences directly from their chat interfaces.

Setting Up Recording and Streaming Options

Jitsi Meet supports recording and live streaming. To enable these features, you’ll need to set up a Jibri (Jitsi Broadcasting Infrastructure) instance. This is an advanced topic that requires additional server resources and configuration.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with careful setup, you may encounter some issues. Here are solutions to common problems:

Connection Problems

If users are having trouble connecting, check the following:

• Ensure all required ports are open (80, 443, 10000)
• Verify that your domain is correctly pointing to your server’s IP
• Check the Jitsi Meet and Nginx log files for any error messages

Audio/Video Quality Issues

For audio/video problems:

• Ensure users have a stable internet connection
• Check server resource usage during meetings
• Adjust video quality settings as mentioned in the optimization section

Server Performance Concerns

If your server is struggling:

• Monitor CPU, RAM, and network usage
• Consider upgrading your server resources
• Implement Jitsi Videobridge for better scalability

Maintaining and Updating Jitsi Meet

To keep your Jitsi Meet installation secure and up-to-date:

• Regularly update your Ubuntu system: sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
• Back up your configuration files before making changes
• Monitor server health using tools like Nagios or Zabbix
• Keep an eye on the official Jitsi documentation for new releases and features

Scaling Jitsi Meet for Larger Deployments

For larger deployments, consider the following strategies:

Load Balancing

Implement a load balancer to distribute traffic across multiple Jitsi Meet instances. This can significantly improve performance and reliability for large-scale deployments.

Implementing Jitsi Videobridge

Jitsi Videobridge is a WebRTC compatible video router. Setting up multiple videobridges can help distribute the load of video processing across several servers.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Jitsi Meet. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing the Jitsi Meet on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official Jitsi website.