How to Install Wowza Streaming Engine on a Dedicated Server

Introduction : Why You Need a Dedicated Server for Streaming

Streaming video is heavy. It eats CPU power for breakfast and demands massive bandwidth. If you try to run Wowza Streaming Engine on a cheap VPS or shared hosting, your stream will buffer, lag, or crash when you get too many viewers. To build a professional, broadcast-quality streaming platform (like an OTT service, live sports, or 24/7 TV channel), you need the raw power of a Bare Metal Dedicated Server. In this guide, ServerMO experts will walk you through the complete installation on a Linux Dedicated Server (Ubuntu/AlmaLinux). We go beyond the basic docs—we’ll show you how to tune it for maximum performance.

Phase 1: Prerequisites & Server Selection

Before we touch the command line, we need to ensure you have the right engine for your car.

Step 1: Choose the Right Hardware (Critical)

Wowza performance depends heavily on whether you are just "passing through" video or "transcoding" it (changing quality, e.g., 1080p to 720p).

ServerMO Recommended Configurations:

Step 2: Get Your License Key

You cannot install Wowza without a license key.

• If you have one, keep it ready.
• If not, go to the Wowza website and get a Free Trial License. You will need this string of characters during installation.

Step 3: Prepare Your Linux Server

We recommend Ubuntu 20.04/22.04 LTS or AlmaLinux 8/9 for stability.

1. Connect to your server via SSH: Open your terminal (or Putty) and log in as root:
   ssh root@YOUR_SERVER_IP
2. Update your system: Always start fresh. Run this command to update all packages:
   # For Ubuntu/Debian:
   apt-get update && apt-get upgrade -y
   # For CentOS/AlmaLinux:
   dnf update -y
3. Install Essential Tools: We need wget to download the installer.
   # For Ubuntu/Debian:
   apt-get install wget -y
   # For CentOS/AlmaLinux:
   dnf install wget -y
   ServerMO Expert Note regarding Java: You might read online that "Wowza needs Java." Good News: The modern Wowza installer comes with its own embedded version of Java. You do not need to install Java manually on your OS. This keeps your server clean and prevents version conflicts!

Phase 2: Downloading & Installing Wowza (The CLI Method)

Since you are running a high-performance dedicated server, you likely don't have a graphical desktop interface. We will do everything via the Command Line (SSH).

Step 1: Get the Download Link

You cannot simply click "Download" on your server.

1. On your local computer, go to the Wowza Downloads Page.
2. Find the "Linux (64-bit)" installer.
3. Right-click on the download button and choose "Copy Link Address". (The link will look something like: https://www.wowza.com/downloads/WowzaStreamingEngine-4-8-20/WowzaStreamingEngine-4.8.20-linux-x64-installer.run)

Step 2: Download the Installer to Your Server

Go back to your server terminal (SSH). Use the wget command to download the file directly to your server.

(Example: wget https://www.wowza.com/downloads/WowzaStreamingEngine-4-8-20/WowzaStreamingEngine-4.8.20-linux-x64-installer.run)

Step 3: Make the Installer Executable

Linux protects servers by preventing downloaded files from running automatically. You must grant permission first.

Run this command (replace the filename with the version you downloaded):

Step 4: Run the Installation Wizard

Now, let's start the engine.

The text-based installation wizard will start inside your terminal.

1. License Agreement: It will show you the EULA. Press Enter to scroll through. Type yes to accept.
2. License Key (Critical): It will ask for your License Key.
   • Copy your key from your email.
   • Paste it into the terminal (Right-click usually pastes in SSH).
   • Press Enter.
3. Create Admin User:
   • Username: Create a secure username (e.g., wowza_admin).
   • Password: Create a strong password. You will need this to log in to the web panel later.
4. Install Location: Press Enter to accept the default (/usr/local/WowzaStreamingEngine).
5. Start Automatically: It will ask if you want to start Wowza automatically. Type yes. (Important for dedicated servers so it restarts after a reboot).

The installer will now copy files and configure the system. Within a minute, you should see: "Installation Complete"

Step 5: Start the Service

Even though we set it to auto-start, let's make sure it's running now.

Phase 3: Firewall Access & Performance Tuning (The Expert Steps)

Your Wowza engine is running, but right now, it's locked inside your server. No one can send video to it, and you can't see the dashboard. We need to open the doors (Ports).

Step 1: Open Firewall Ports

Streaming uses specific "Ports" to send and receive video data.

• TCP 1935: The main door for streaming (RTMP, RTSP, HLS).
• TCP 8088: The door for the Web Manager (Dashboard).
• TCP 80: (Optional) For HTTP streaming.

Run these commands based on your OS:

Step 2: Access the Wowza Streaming Engine Manager

Now that the firewall is open, let's verify the installation.

1. Open your web browser (Chrome/Firefox).
2. Type: http://YOUR_SERVER_IP:8088/enginemanager
3. Log in with the username and password you created in Phase 2.

If you see the dashboard, Success! But wait—don't start streaming yet. We need to tune the engine.

Step 3: Tune Java Heap Size (The Performance Secret)

By default, Wowza might only use a small fraction of your RAM (e.g., 1GB or 4GB). If you bought a ServerMO Dedicated Server with 64GB RAM, this is a waste. We need to tell Java to use more memory.

1. Stop the Service:
   sudo systemctl stop WowzaStreamingEngine
2. Edit the Tuning File: We need to edit the Tune.xml file.
   nano /usr/local/WowzaStreamingEngine/conf/Tune.xml
3. Find the HeapSize Setting: Look for the line that says <HeapSize>. It might say ${com.wowza.wms.TuningHeapSize} or "development".
4. Change it to Production Settings: Delete the existing value and replace it with a specific number in Megabytes (MB).

   ServerMO Tuning Formula: For a dedicated streaming server, allocate about 50% - 60% of your total physical RAM to the Heap. Do not give 100%, or the OS will crash.

   • If you have 16GB RAM: Set HeapSize to 8000 (8GB)
   • If you have 32GB RAM: Set HeapSize to 16000 (16GB)
   • If you have 64GB RAM: Set HeapSize to 32000 (32GB)
   Example config:
   <HeapSize>16000</HeapSize>
5. Save and Exit: Press Ctrl+O -> Enter -> Ctrl+X.
6. Restart the Service:
   sudo systemctl start WowzaStreamingEngine

Now your Wowza Engine is unlocked and fully optimized to handle thousands of viewers.

Phase 4: Testing Your Stream & Going Live

Your server is tuned and ready. Now, let's confirm that the engine is actually delivering video to the world. Wowza comes with a pre-installed "sample" video file. We will use this to test playback without needing to set up an encoder (like OBS) yet.

Step 1: The "VOD" Test

• Go back to your Wowza Engine Manager in your browser
  (http://YOUR_SERVER_IP:8088/enginemanager).
• In the top menu, click "Applications".
• On the left sidebar, click on "vod" (Video On Demand).
• On the right side, you will see a button called "Test Players". Click it.
A popup window will appear with different streaming protocols (MPEG-DASH, HLS, RTMP).
• Click the "Mobile (HLS)" tab.
• Click "Start".

Step 2: Going Live (RTMP Connection Details)

To stream live from your computer (using OBS Studio, vMix, or Wirecast) to your new ServerMO dedicated server, here are the "Gold Standard" connection details you will need:

• Server URL (RTMP): rtmp://YOUR_SERVER_IP:1935/live
• Stream Key: myStream (You can change this)
• Username/Password: Use the "Source Authentication" credentials you can set in the Server > Source Authentication menu.