Guide: How to Deploy a Jitsi Cluster Using Akamai (Linode) App Marketplace

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1. Introduction to Jitsi and Akamai (Linode) App Marketplace

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2. Prerequisites

• Akamai (Linode) Account: You must have an active account with Akamai (Linode). If you’re new, sign up at cloud.linode.com—new users may be eligible for a $100 credit for 60 days.
• Basic Cloud Computing Knowledge: Familiarity with concepts like compute instances, DNS, and IP addresses will be helpful.
• Understanding of Jitsi: While not required, knowing Jitsi’s features and use cases can help you make informed decisions during deployment.
• Custom Domain (Optional): If you plan to use a custom domain (e.g., meet.example.com), ensure it is configured to use Akamai’s name servers for automatic DNS setup during deployment.

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3. Step-by-Step Deployment Instructions

• Visit Akamai Cloud Manager and log in with your credentials.

• In the left navigation menu, click Marketplace. This opens the Marketplace tab on the Linode Create page.

• In the Select App section, scroll or use the search bar to find Jitsi Cluster.
• Click the app to proceed to the configuration form.

• Fill out the deployment form with the following details:
  • Region: Choose a data center close to your users for optimal performance (e.g., US-East for East Coast users).
  • Plan: Select a plan based on your needs. For best results, use an 8GB Dedicated CPU or Shared Compute Instance, especially for large or multiple simultaneous meetings.
  • Label: Assign a name to your compute instance (e.g., jitsi-cluster-01) for easy identification.
  • Root Password: Set a strong password for the root user.
• Additional Jitsi-specific options are covered in Step 5.

• Custom Domain: To use a custom domain:
  • Ensure your domain uses Akamai’s name servers (see Use Linode’s Name Servers with Your Domain).
  • Provide a Linode API Token with Read/Write access to Domains. Generate this in the Cloud Manager under API Tokens.
  • Enter your Subdomain (e.g., meet) and Domain (e.g., example.com) in the provided fields.
• Limited Sudo User: Enter a username for a limited sudo user (e.g., jitsiadmin). Avoid capital letters, spaces, or special characters. A password will be generated automatically.
• Disable Root Access Over SSH: For enhanced security, select Yes to block root login via SSH. You can still access the root user via the Lish console.

• Review your selections and click Create Linode to start the deployment.
• Deployment typically takes 5-10 minutes. Monitor progress in the Cloud Manager under the instance’s details page.

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4. Configuration Options

• Plan Selection: An 8GB Dedicated CPU or Shared Compute Instance is recommended for optimal performance, especially for large meetings.
• Custom Domain Setup: Provide an API token and domain details to automate DNS configuration.
• SSH Key Assignment: Assign an SSH key to the limited sudo user for secure access. This key will also apply to the root user.
• API Token for DNS Management: Required for custom domains to manage DNS records automatically.

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5. Post-Deployment Tasks

• Check the instance status in the Cloud Manager to ensure the app is fully installed. See Verify Installation for details.

• Without a Custom Domain:
  • Find the rDNS address (e.g., 192-0-2-1.ip.linodeusercontent.com) in the Networking tab of your Linode’s detail page.
  • Open this address in a browser to access Jitsi.
• With a Custom Domain:
  • Visit your configured domain (e.g., meet.example.com).
• Start a meeting by following the on-screen prompts.

• If you created a limited sudo user, retrieve the password by:
  1. Connecting to the instance via SSH (using the assigned key) or Lish.
  2. Running:
     cat /home/$USERNAME/.credentials

     Replace $USERNAME with your sudo username (e.g., jitsiadmin).

• Log into Jitsi and explore admin settings to customize features like meeting passwords, streaming, or integrations.

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6. Troubleshooting and Support

• DNS Configuration Errors: Verify your domain uses Akamai’s name servers if using a custom domain.
• SSH Access Problems: If root access is disabled and no SSH key was assigned, use the Lish console to retrieve the sudo user’s password.

• Akamai (Linode) Support: Contact support via the Support Center.
• Jitsi Community: Visit the Jitsi Community Forum for app-specific help.

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7. Conclusion