Knowledgebase

How to Install Icecast on AnonVM

Icecast allows you to stream audio to listeners over the internet, providing flexible configurations for bitrate, user limits, and mount points. With this tutorial, you’ll be able to set up Icecast on your AnonVM server and start streaming.

Prerequisites

Before installing Icecast, make sure you have the following:

• Root or sudo access on your AnonVM server.
• A fresh installation of Ubuntu 20.04 or Debian 10+.
• Basic knowledge of the command line.

Step 1: Update Your System

To ensure you’re installing the latest version of Icecast, first update your server’s package lists and upgrade any outdated packages:

Step 2: Install Icecast

1. Install the Icecast package from the default Ubuntu/Debian repositories:

    

   sudo apt install icecast2 -y

2. Start the Icecast service:

    

   sudo systemctl start icecast2

3. Enable Icecast to start at boot:

    

   sudo systemctl enable icecast2

Step 3: Configure Icecast

Icecast’s configuration file is located at /etc/icecast2/icecast.xml. To customize settings, open this file using a text editor:

Key Configuration Options

1. Set Admin and Source Passwords:

   Locate the <authentication> section, and update the admin and source passwords. These are essential for managing the server and connecting source clients:

    

   <authentication> <!-- Password for admin interface --> <admin-user>admin</admin-user> <admin-password>your_admin_password</admin-password> <!-- Password for streaming sources --> <source-password>your_source_password</source-password> </authentication>

2. Set the Server’s Hostname and Port:

   Update the <hostname> and <port> values to reflect your domain or server IP. Typically, Icecast listens on port 8000:

    

   <hostname>your_domain_or_ip</hostname> <port>8000</port>

3. Configure Limits:

   Set user and bitrate limits under the <limits> section based on your expected listener count and bandwidth:

    

   <limits> <clients>100</clients> <sources>5</sources> </limits>

4. Customize Mount Points:

   Icecast allows you to set multiple mount points (streams). By default, it uses /example.ogg. To change this or add more streams, modify the <mount> section:

    

   <mount> <mount-name>/stream.mp3</mount-name> <file>/usr/share/icecast2/web/index.html</file> <bitrate>128</bitrate> </mount>

   Each <mount> entry represents a different stream.

5. Save and Exit:

   After configuring Icecast to your preference, save and exit the editor by pressing CTRL + X, then Y, and then Enter.

Step 4: Restart Icecast

For the changes to take effect, restart the Icecast service:

Step 5: Test Icecast

1. Access Icecast Admin Panel:

   Open a browser and go to:

    

   http://your_domain_or_ip:8000/admin

   Log in using the admin and admin-password you configured in icecast.xml.

2. Access Public Stream URL:

   Listeners can access your stream by visiting:

    

   http://your_domain_or_ip:8000/stream.mp3

Step 6: Set Up a Source Client

To stream audio content to Icecast, you’ll need a source client. Common options include BUTT (Broadcast Using This Tool) and Mixxx.

Example Using BUTT

1. Download and Install BUTT:

   Install BUTT on your local machine, available at BUTT’s website.

2. Configure BUTT for Icecast:

   • Open BUTT and navigate to Settings > Main.
   • Enter your server’s IP and port (8000).
   • Use /stream.mp3 as the Mountpoint.
   • Set the Password to the source-password you configured.

3. Connect to the Server:

   Start streaming, and your audio should be live on Icecast.

Step 7: Secure Icecast with SSL (Optional)

For secure streaming, consider setting up SSL on your Icecast server.

1. Install Certbot and Enable SSL:

    

   sudo apt install certbot -y sudo certbot certonly --standalone -d your_domain_or_ip

2. Configure SSL in Icecast:

   Open the Icecast configuration file and add SSL certificate paths:

    

   <ssl> <ssl-certificate>/etc/letsencrypt/live/your_domain_or_ip/fullchain.pem</ssl-certificate> <ssl-key>/etc/letsencrypt/live/your_domain_or_ip/privkey.pem</ssl-key> </ssl>

3. Restart Icecast to enable SSL:

    

   sudo systemctl restart icecast2

Listeners can now connect using HTTPS for a secure connection.

Step 8: Managing Icecast

You can monitor and control your Icecast streams through the Admin Panel by logging in to:

From here, you can view connected listeners, manage mount points, and control server settings.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed Icecast on your AnonVM server. You can now start streaming audio to your audience. Icecast provides a flexible solution for broadcasting live streams, radio, or even pre-recorded content, giving you full control over your streaming environment.

Quick Recap:

• Icecast Installation: Installed from Ubuntu/Debian repositories.
• Configuration: Set admin and source passwords, hostname, port, and mount points.
• Testing and Streaming: Verified setup through the admin panel and tested streaming with a source client.
• SSL Setup: Secured the server with SSL using Certbot.

With Icecast on your AnonVM server, you’re ready to share your audio content globally!