If you’ve ever wanted to store lots of data in a smart way, MongoDB might be what you’re looking for. I use it when I need to work with information that doesn’t fit nicely into rows and columns like a regular spreadsheet or database. It’s super useful when building websites or apps. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to set up MongoDB on a Debian server. Don’t worry if you’re new to this. I’ll keep it simple and clear.
What Is MongoDB?
Before we jump in, let’s talk about what MongoDB actually is.
MongoDB is a type of database. But unlike older databases that store information in tables (like Excel), MongoDB stores data in something called documents. These are kind of like digital folders. They’re flexible, and you don’t need to fit everything into a fixed shape.
MongoDB is a NoSQL database. That just means it’s “Not Only SQL”. SQL is a language used to talk to traditional databases. NoSQL databases like MongoDB work differently and are great when data changes a lot or has different types of information.
So, why choose MongoDB? Well, I like how it lets me be creative with how I store stuff. You can add new types of data anytime without having to change the whole structure. It saves time and lets me build things faster.
What You’ll Need
Let’s make sure we’re ready to start. Here’s what you’ll need:
- A Debian-based server (I’m using Debian 12 for this tutorial)
- Access to the terminal (either through SSH or locally)
- A non-root user with sudo access
You don’t need any fancy hardware. I’ve done this on a basic VPS and even on an old laptop I had lying around.
Step 1: Update Your Server
First things first, let’s update our server to make sure everything is fresh. Open your terminal and type:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
This will make sure all your system packages are up to date. It’s like brushing your teeth before eating. Always a good idea.
Step 2: Add MongoDB to Your System
Debian doesn’t always have the newest MongoDB version in its default software list (called “repositories”). So we’ll add the MongoDB official repository ourselves.
First, install some helpful tools:
sudo apt install gnupg curl -y
Now add the MongoDB GPG key. This is a security thing that helps your system trust MongoDB:
curl -fsSL https://pgp.mongodb.com/server-7.0.asc | sudo gpg -o /usr/share/keyrings/mongodb-server-7.0.gpg --dearmor
Then create a list file so your system knows where to find MongoDB:
echo "deb [ signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/mongodb-server-7.0.gpg ] https://repo.mongodb.org/apt/debian bookworm/mongodb-org/7.0 main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/mongodb-org-7.0.list
Update again to refresh the software list:
sudo apt update
Step 3: Install MongoDB
Now we can install MongoDB using this command:
sudo apt install mongodb-org -y
It will download and install the MongoDB server, tools, and other helpful parts.
Step 4: Start and Enable MongoDB
Next, let’s start MongoDB and make sure it turns on every time the server starts.
sudo systemctl start mongod
sudo systemctl enable mongod
To check if it’s running, type:
sudo systemctl status mongod
If it says “active (running)”, you’re good!
Step 5: Test MongoDB
Now let’s see if MongoDB is really working. Run:
mongosh
You should see a prompt that looks like this:
test>
This means you’re inside the MongoDB shell. You can type commands here to talk to your database.
Try this command:
db.testCollection.insertOne({name: "Debian", type: "Linux"})
It will save a tiny piece of data to MongoDB.
Then try:
db.testCollection.find()
You should see the data you just added. Cool, right?
Type exit to leave the MongoDB shell.
Why Use MongoDB?
So, you might be wondering, why use MongoDB instead of something like MySQL or PostgreSQL?
Here’s a quick comparison:
- MongoDB: Flexible, good for changing data, stores info like JSON
- MySQL/PostgreSQL: Structured, great for organized and stable data
- MongoDB: Easy to scale for big projects
I use MongoDB when I build apps with different data types, like user profiles, chat messages, and other stuff that doesn’t fit neatly into tables.
Helpful MongoDB Commands
Here are some handy commands I use all the time:
show dbs– See all your databasesuse myDatabase– Switch to a database (or create one if it doesn’t exist)db.collectionName.find()– See what’s in a collection
You can think of a collection like a folder full of similar documents. For example, a collection called “users” might hold info about everyone who signed up for your site.
Troubleshooting Tips
Sometimes things go wrong. That’s okay. Here are a few tips:
- MongoDB won’t start? Try checking the logs:
sudo journalctl -u mongod - Forgot to enable it? Just run:
sudo systemctl enable mongod - Can’t connect? Make sure MongoDB is running and check firewall settings
Keep Your MongoDB Safe
Here’s what I do to keep things secure:
- Create a user with a password instead of using the default setup
- Turn off access from outside the server unless needed
- Use MongoDB’s built-in authentication
A simple way to enable security is to edit the MongoDB config file:
sudo nano /etc/mongod.conf
Find the line that says #security and add:
security:
authorization: enabled
Then restart MongoDB:
sudo systemctl restart mongod
Next time you log in, you’ll need to use a username and password.
Wrap-Up
Setting up MongoDB on Debian might seem hard at first, but once you take it step by step, it gets easier. I like that I can store data in a way that makes sense to me, without needing to fit it into boxes. It gives me more freedom.
If you’re just getting started, take your time and explore. Try adding and searching for different types of data. Play around with collections and learn by doing. That’s how I got comfortable with it.
What kind of data are you thinking about storing? Are you building an app or working on a personal project?
Let me know if you get stuck or want to see a guide on backing up MongoDB or connecting it to a website. I’d be happy to help.
