How to Install ClickHouse on Ubuntu

ClickHouse is a high-performance, open-source database specifically designed for real-time analytics. Its columnar storage architecture and optimized query engine enable it to handle massive datasets and deliver lightning-fast query results. This makes ClickHouse a powerful tool for applications requiring immediate insights from vast amounts of data. 

This guide will walk you through the process of installing, a popular and stable operating system. Ubuntu provides a user-friendly environment and readily available packages, making it an excellent choice for setting up ClickHouse. Whether you’re a developer, data analyst, or simply interested in exploring the capabilities of ClickHouse, this guide will equip you with the necessary steps to get started.

Prerequisites to Install ClickHouse on Ubuntu

Before diving into the installation process, ensure your system meets the necessary software and system requirements to run ClickHouse smoothly.

Processor

A multi-core processor with a minimum of 2 cores is recommended. While there’s no official minimum, ClickHouse benefits from multiple cores for parallel processing.

RAM

At least 4GB of RAM is required for a basic installation. More RAM is recommended for larger datasets or high-load environments. The actual RAM requirement will depend on the size of your data and the query workload.

Storage

Sufficient disk space is needed to store the ClickHouse database files. The required amount will depend on the size of your data. ClickHouse utilizes a columnar storage format, which is generally more efficient in terms of storage space compared to row-oriented databases.

Optional Dependencies

While not strictly necessary, installing these packages can enhance the ClickHouse experience:

• MySQL Client: For connecting to external MySQL databases.
• PostgreSQL Client: For connecting to external PostgreSQL databases.
• Redis Client: For using Redis as a cache for ClickHouse.
• Python: For using Python-based tools and libraries with ClickHouse.

By meeting these prerequisites, you’ll ensure a successful and efficient ClickHouse Ubuntu installation on your system.

Installing ClickHouse on Ubuntu

This guide will walk you through the detailed process of installing ClickHouse on your Ubuntu system using the latest recommended approach from the official ClickHouse website. 

Step 1: Install Necessary Dependencies

Before download ClickHouse for Ubuntu, ensure your system has the required tools by running the following command:

sudo apt-get install -y apt-transport-https ca-certificates curl gnupg

This command installs packages like `apt-transport-https` for secure HTTPS connections, `ca-certificates` for verifying certificates, `curl` for downloading files, and `gnupg` for handling cryptographic keys. These tools are essential for a secure and reliable ClickHouse installation.

Step 2: Add ClickHouse Repository Key

To establish a trusted connection with the ClickHouse repository, you need to add its public key to your system:

curl -fsSL 'https://packages.clickhouse.com/rpm/lts/repodata/repomd.xml.key' | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/clickhouse-keyring.gpg

This command downloads the ClickHouse repository key using `curl` and then decrypts it using `gpg`, saving it to `/usr/share/keyrings/clickhouse-keyring.gpg`. This step ensures that your system can verify the authenticity of packages downloaded from the ClickHouse repository.

Step 3: Add ClickHouse Repository to Sources List

Next, you need to inform your system’s package manager about the ClickHouse repository

echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/clickhouse-keyring.gpg] https://packages.clickhouse.com/deb stable main" | sudo tee \ /etc/apt/sources.list.d/clickhouse.list

This command adds a line to your sources list, specifying the ClickHouse repository URL (`https://packages.clickhouse.com/deb`), distribution (stable), and components (main). It also instructs the system to verify packages using the key stored in `/usr/share/keyrings/clickhouse-keyring.gpg`. This step allows your package manager to access and install ClickHouse packages.

Step 4: Update Package List

After adding the ClickHouse repository, you need to update your system’s package list:

sudo apt-get update

This command refreshes the package list with information from all configured repositories, including the newly added ClickHouse repository. This ensures that your system has the latest package information.

Step 5: Install ClickHouse Server and Client

Now you’re ready to install ClickHouse on Ubuntu:

sudo apt-get install -y clickhouse-server clickhouse-client

This command downloads and installs the ClickHouse server and client packages from the ClickHouse repository which can also be verified by looking at the bottom of the terminal:

It also automatically installs any required dependencies.

Step 6: Start ClickHouse Server and Client

With the ClickHouse server and client installed, you need to initiate them to begin working with your database using the following commands

sudo clickhouse start

The clickhouse start command uses a systemd service to manage the ClickHouse server. System is a powerful system management tool used in Linux distributions like Ubuntu. This service handles the starting, stopping, and restarting of ClickHouse, ensuring it runs smoothly and efficiently.

Next, you need to open an interactive ClickHouse client session using the below command:

clickhouse-client --password

This command opens an interactive ClickHouse client session. The clickhouse-client tool provides a command-line interface for interacting with the ClickHouse server. This allows you to execute queries, manage databases, and perform various tasks related to your ClickHouse database.

The –password flag is used to specify a password for authentication. If you have set up user accounts with passwords in your ClickHouse configuration, this flag will prompt you to enter your password to access the database.

These two commands effectively start the ClickHouse server and connect you to the client, allowing you to interact with your database. You can now execute queries and start exploring the capabilities of ClickHouse.

Conclusion

This guide has provided a comprehensive walkthrough of installing ClickHouse on Ubuntu. We began by outlining the prerequisites for a smooth installation, ensuring your system meets the necessary hardware and software requirements. We then detailed the steps for adding the ClickHouse repository, installing the server and client packages, and starting the ClickHouse server. 

You learned how to verify the installation and connect to the ClickHouse client using the command line. Finally, we discussed the optional step of configuring ClickHouse to customize its settings for your specific needs. By following these steps, you are now ready to leverage the power of ClickHouse for your real-time analytics endeavors.

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