Installing MongoDB on Windows Linux Mac Step by step Implementation and Top 10 Questions and Answers
 Last Update:6/1/2025 12:00:00 AM     .NET School AI Teacher - SELECT ANY TEXT TO EXPLANATION.    20 mins read      Difficulty-Level: beginner

Installing MongoDB on Windows, Linux, and macOS

MongoDB is a popular NoSQL document-oriented database that stores data in flexible, JSON-like documents. Installing MongoDB can vary based on the operating system. Here’s a comprehensive guide to installing MongoDB on Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Prerequisites

  1. Ensure Compatibility: Check if your OS version meets MongoDB's system requirements.
  2. Disk Space: Allocate at least 3-5GB of free disk space.
  3. Permissions: Ensure you have administrative rights on your machine.

MongoDB Installation on Windows

  1. Download MongoDB

  2. Install MongoDB

    • Run the downloaded MSI installer.
    • Follow the prompts to complete the installation. You will need to:
      • Accept the license agreement.
      • Select custom setup if you want to configure directories manually; otherwise, use the default paths.
      • Choose a setup type:
        • Complete: Installs all MongoDB components.
        • Custom: Allows selecting components and installation paths.

  3. Environment Variables

    • To run MongoDB from any command line, add the bin directory to your system's PATH environment variable.
      • Open Start Menu > Control Panel > System and Security > System > Advanced System Settings > Environment Variables.
      • Under System variables, find the Path variable, click Edit, and add the path to your MongoDB bin directory (e.g., C:\Program Files\MongoDB\Server\<version>\bin).

  4. Configure MongoDB

    • Create a configuration file (mongod.cfg) to specify MongoDB settings. A basic configuration would be: 
      systemLog:
  destination: file
  path: "C:\data\log\mongod.log"
  logAppend: true
storage:
  dbPath: "C:\data\db"
net:
  bindIp: 127.0.0.1
  port: 27017
    • Create the required directories (C:\data\log and C:\data\db).
    • To start the MongoDB server with this configuration, open a command prompt and run: 
      mongod --config C:\path\to\mongod.cfg

  5. Run MongoDB as a Service

    • It’s a good practice to run MongoDB as a service.
    • Install the service using the following commands in the command prompt: 
      "C:\Program Files\MongoDB\Server\<version>\bin\mongod.exe" --config "C:\path\to\mongod.cfg" --install
    • Start the service: 
      net start MongoDB
    • Stop the service: 
      net stop MongoDB

MongoDB Installation on Linux (Ubuntu为例)

  1. Import MongoDB public GPG Key

    • Before installing MongoDB, import its GPG key into the package manager: 
      wget -qO - https://www.mongodb.org/static/pgp/server-6.0.asc | sudo apt-key add -

  2. Create a List File for MongoDB

    • Create a new list file in the /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ directory: 
      echo "deb [ arch=amd64,arm64 ] https://repo.mongodb.org/apt/ubuntu focal/mongodb-org/6.0 multiverse" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/mongodb-org-6.0.list

  3. Reload the Package Database

    • Refresh your local package database: 
      sudo apt-get update

  4. Install MongoDB

    • Install MongoDB packages using the following command: 
      sudo apt-get install -y mongodb-org

  5. Start and Enable MongoDB Service

    • Start the MongoDB daemon: 
      sudo systemctl start mongod
    • Enable MongoDB to start on boot: 
      sudo systemctl enable mongod

  6. Verify Installation

    • Check the status of the MongoDB process: 
      sudo systemctl status mongod
    • Access the MongoDB shell by running: 
      mongo

MongoDB Installation on macOS

  1. Install Homebrew (if not already installed)

    • Install Homebrew, which simplifies package management: 
      /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

  2. Install MongoDB via Homebrew

    • Use Homebrew to install MongoDB Community Edition: 
      brew tap mongodb/brew
brew install mongodb-community@6.0

  3. Start MongoDB Service

    • Launch the MongoDB server: 
      brew services start mongodb-community@6.0
    • Alternatively, start it manually: 
      mongod --config /usr/local/etc/mongod.conf --fork

  4. Verify Installation

    • Check MongoDB status: 
      brew services list
    • Connect to the MongoDB server: 
      mongo

Additional Configuration

  1. Firewall Configuration

    • If you're opening MongoDB to external connections, ensure your firewall allows traffic on the MongoDB port (default: 27017).

  2. Security

    • Enable authentication by configuring a username and password.
    • Set up role-based access control (RBAC) for better security.

  3. Backup Strategy

    • Regularly back up your data using tools like mongodump and mongorestore.

  4. Monitoring and Maintenance

    • Use MongoDB tools and third-party services for monitoring and maintenance to keep the database running smoothly.

By following these detailed instructions, you can successfully install MongoDB on Windows, Linux, and macOS, tailoring configurations to meet your specific needs. MongoDB offers a robust and scalable solution for handling large volumes of structured as well as unstructured data. Happy coding!




Installing MongoDB on Windows, Linux, and Mac: A Comprehensive Guide with Examples

Introduction

MongoDB is a popular, open-source NoSQL database that stores data as flexible, JSON-like documents called BSON. It is known for its scalability and high performance, making it a great choice for building modern applications. This guide will walk you through the steps required to install MongoDB on Windows, Linux, and macOS, including setting up a route, running the application, and understanding the basic data flow.

Installation Steps

1. MongoDB Installation on Windows

Step 1: Download the MongoDB Windows Installer from the official MongoDB website:

  • Visit MongoDB's Download Center
  • Choose 'Community Server' and select the version suitable for your system
  • Click on 'Download' next to Windows

Step 2: Run the downloaded installer (.msi file):

  • Follow the installation prompts
  • Ensure you check the option to add MongoDB to your system PATH

Step 3: Configure MongoDB:

  • Create a folder where you want to store your database files, e.g., C:\data\db
  • Open CMD (Command Prompt) and start the MongoDB server by running mongod

Step 4: Start the MongoDB Shell:

  • You can start the MongoDB shell (mongo) by running mongo in a new CMD window

2. MongoDB Installation on Linux (Ubuntu/Debian)

Step 1: Import the public GPG key:

wget -qO - https://www.mongodb.org/static/pgp/server-6.0.asc | sudo apt-key add -

Step 2: Create a list file for MongoDB

echo "deb [ arch=amd64,arm64 ] https://repo.mongodb.org/apt/ubuntu focal/mongodb-org/6.0 multiverse" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/mongodb-org-6.0.list

(Note: replace 'focal' with your Ubuntu version or 'buster' for Debian)

Step 3: Reload the package database:

sudo apt-get update

Step 4: Install MongoDB:

sudo apt-get install -y mongodb-org

Step 5: Start MongoDB:

sudo systemctl start mongod

Step 6: Enable MongoDB to start at boot time:

sudo systemctl enable mongod

Step 7: Verify MongoDB is installed and running:

sudo systemctl status mongod

Step 8: Start the MongoDB shell

mongo

3. MongoDB Installation on macOS

Step 1: Make sure Homebrew is installed: For installation instructions, visit Homebrew's homepage

Step 2: Update Homebrew:

brew update

Step 3: Install MongoDB:

brew tap mongodb/brew
brew install mongodb-community@6.0

Step 4: Start MongoDB:

brew services start mongodb-community

Step 5: Verify MongoDB is running:

brew services list

Step 6: Start the MongoDB shell:

mongo

Setting up a Route

In the context of MongoDB, setting up a route often refers to configuring how your application connects to your MongoDB instance. Here’s how you can do that:

Step 1: Identify the MongoDB URI**

  • The default MongoDB URI if your instance is running locally without authentication is: mongodb://localhost:27017

Step 2: Integrate MongoDB into Your Application**

  • If you're using Node.js, you can use the MongoDB Node.js Driver to connect.
// Sample script for connecting to MongoDB using Node.js

const { MongoClient } = require('mongodb');

// Connection URI
const uri = 'mongodb://localhost:27017';

// Create a new MongoClient
const client = new MongoClient(uri, { useNewUrlParser: true, useUnifiedTopology: true });

async function run() {
  try {
    // Connect the client to the server
    await client.connect();

    console.log('Connected successfully to server');

    // Set the db variable
    const database = client.db('sample_db');
    const collection = database.collection('inventory');

  } finally {
    // Ensures that the client will close when you finish/error
    await client.close();
  }
}

run().catch(console.dir);

Running the Application

Now that you have MongoDB installed and your application set up to connect to MongoDB, let’s look at how to run the application.

Step 1: Save the above script in a file, say app.js

  • Place this file in your project directory

Step 2: Ensure you have Node.js installed**

Step 3: Install MongoDB driver in your project**

  • Run npm install mongodb in your project directory

Step 4: Execute the script**

  • Navigate to the directory containing app.js and run node app.js

You should see the message ‘Connected successfully to server’ indicating your application has successfully connected to MongoDB.

Data Flow Step-by-Step Example

Let's go through a simple example, which includes inserting, retrieving, updating, and deleting data in MongoDB.

Scenario: Inserting a sample document into an "inventory" collection.

Step 1: Connect to the database**

const database = client.db('sample_db');
const collection = database.collection('inventory');

Step 2: Insert a document**

async function insertDocument() {
  const doc = { item: "canvas", qty: 100, tags: ["cotton"], size: { h: 28, w: 35.5, uom: "cm" } };
  const result = await collection.insertOne(doc);
  console.log(`New listing created with the following id: ${result.insertedId}`);
}

Step 3: Retrieve inserted document**

async function findDocument() {
  const query = { item: "canvas" };
  const doc = await collection.findOne(query);

  if (doc) {
    console.log(`Found document => ${doc.item}`);
  } else {
    console.log(`No document matches the provided query.`);
  }
}

Step 4: Update the document**

async function updateDocument() {
  const filter = { item: "canvas" };
  const updateDoc = {
    $set: {
      qty: 200,
      "size.uom": "meters",
      status: "A"
    },
  };
  const result = await collection.updateOne(filter, updateDoc);
  console.log(`${result.matchedCount} document(s) matched the filter, updated ${result.modifiedCount} document(s)`);
}

Step 5: Delete the document**

async function deleteDocument() {
  const query = { item: "canvas" };
  const result = await collection.deleteOne(query);
  console.log(`${result.deletedCount} document(s) were deleted.`);
}

Complete code snippet:

const { MongoClient } = require('mongodb');

// Connection URI
const uri = 'mongodb://localhost:27017';

// Create a new MongoClient
const client = new MongoClient(uri, { useNewUrlParser: true, useUnifiedTopology: true });

async function run() {
  try {
    // Connect the client to the server
    await client.connect();

    console.log('Connected successfully to server');

    // Set the db variable
    const database = client.db('sample_db');
    const collection = database.collection('inventory');

    // Insert Document
    await insertDocument(collection);

    // Find Document
    await findDocument(collection);

    // Update Document
    await updateDocument(collection);

    // Delete Document
    await deleteDocument(collection);

  } finally {
    // Ensures that the client will close when you finish/error
    await client.close();
  }
}

// Function to insert a document
async function insertDocument(col) {
  const doc = { item: "canvas", qty: 100, tags: ["cotton"], size: { h: 28, w: 35.5, uom: "cm" } };
  const result = await col.insertOne(doc);
  console.log(`New listing created with the following id: ${result.insertedId}`);
}

// Function to find a document
async function findDocument(col) {
  const query = { item: "canvas" };
  const doc = await col.findOne(query);

  if (doc) {
    console.log(`Found document => ${doc.item}`);
  } else {
    console.log(`No document matches the provided query.`);
  }
}

// Function to update a document
async function updateDocument(col) {
  const filter = { item: "canvas" };
  const updateDoc = {
    $set: {
      qty: 200,
      "size.uom": "meters",
      status: "A"
    },
  };
  const result = await col.updateOne(filter, updateDoc);
  console.log(`${result.matchedCount} document(s) matched the filter, updated ${result.modifiedCount} document(s)`);
}

// Function to delete a document
async function deleteDocument(col) {
  const query = { item: "canvas" };
  const result = await col.deleteOne(query);
  console.log(`${result.deletedCount} document(s) were deleted.`);
}

run().catch(console.dir);

Data Flow Explanation:

  1. Connection: The application first connects to the MongoDB instance using the provided URI.
  2. Insert: Using the insertOne function, a document is added to the "inventory" collection. The method returns a result object that includes the _id of the newly added document.
  3. Retrieve: With findOne, we search for a document based on our filter { item: "canvas"}. Once found, it is logged to the console.
  4. Update: We modify the canvas item using the updateOne function with the $set operator, changing the quantity, unit of measurement, and status. The response includes information about the documents affected.
  5. Delete: Finally, we remove the canvas document from our collection using deleteOne. The number of deleted documents is included in the response.

Conclusion

By now, you should have a good understanding of how to install MongoDB on Windows, Linux, and macOS, set up the necessary routes within your application, run your application, and perform basic data operations in MongoDB. Each step outlined here is crucial for ensuring that your MongoDB instance is correctly configured and your application integrates seamlessly with it.

Feel free to explore more advanced features and configurations as your skills grow and your application requirements change. Happy coding!




Top 10 Questions and Answers: Installing MongoDB on Windows, Linux, and Mac

1. What are the system requirements for installing MongoDB on Windows, Linux, and Mac?

Answer: MongoDB has specific system requirements that vary slightly across platforms:

  • Windows:

    • 64-bit Windows Server 2016, Windows 10, or later.
    • Allocate at least 1GB of free disk space for data and logs.

  • Linux:

    • Supported distributions include: Ubuntu, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), CentOS, Debian, Amazon Linux, etc.
    • 64-bit architecture is mandatory.
    • At least 1GB of free disk space.

  • macOS:

    • macOS 10.13 or later (High Sierra).
    • 64-bit architecture.
    • Sufficient disk space based on your data needs.

2. How do I install MongoDB on Windows?

Answer: To install MongoDB on Windows:

  1. Download MongoDB MSI installer:

    • Navigate to the MongoDB Downloads page.
    • Select your Windows version and download the MSI installer for the MongoDB Community Server.

  2. Install MongoDB:

    • Run the downloaded MSI installer.
    • Follow the on-screen instructions. During installation, you can choose to install the MongoDB Compass GUI as well.

  3. Configure MongoDB:

    • By default, MongoDB installs in C:\Program Files\MongoDB\Server\<version>\bin.
    • MongoDB stores data in C:\data\db. Ensure this directory exists and MongoDB has read/write permissions.
    • You may need to add the MongoDB executable path (C:\Program Files\MongoDB\Server\<version>\bin) to your system’s PATH environment variable.

  4. Start and Stop MongoDB Service:

    • You can start MongoDB by running mongod in a command prompt or use the MongoDB service (mongod --install).
    • Start the service using net start MongoDB and stop it using net stop MongoDB.

3. How do I install MongoDB on Linux?

Answer: To install MongoDB on Linux using the package manager:

  1. For Ubuntu/Debian:

    • Import the MongoDB GPG key: 
      wget -qO - https://www.mongodb.org/static/pgp/server-5.0.asc | sudo apt-key add -
    • Create a list file for MongoDB: 
      echo "deb [ arch=amd64,arm64 ] https://repo.mongodb.org/apt/ubuntu $(lsb_release -cs)/mongodb-org/5.0 multiverse" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/mongodb-org-5.0.list
    • Reload the package database: 
      sudo apt-get update
    • Install MongoDB: 
      sudo apt-get install -y mongodb-org

  2. For CentOS/RHEL:

    • Create the /etc/yum.repos.d/mongodb-org-5.0.repo file with the following content: 
      [mongodb-org-5.0]
name=MongoDB Repository
baseurl=https://repo.mongodb.org/yum/redhat/$releasever/mongodb-org/5.0/x86_64/
gpgcheck=1
enabled=1
gpgkey=https://www.mongodb.org/static/pgp/server-5.0.asc
    • Install MongoDB: 
      sudo yum install -y mongodb-org

  3. Start and Enable MongoDB Service:

    • Start MongoDB: 
      sudo systemctl start mongod
    • Enable MongoDB to start at boot: 
      sudo systemctl enable mongod

4. How do I install MongoDB on macOS?

Answer: To install MongoDB on macOS, you can use Homebrew, a popular package manager:

  1. Install Homebrew (if not installed):

    /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

  2. Install MongoDB:

    brew update
brew tap mongodb/brew
brew install mongodb-community@5.0

  3. Start MongoDB:

    • Create the default data directory, /data/db, and change its ownership to your user: 
      mkdir -p /data/db
chown -R $(whoami) /data/db
    • Start the MongoDB server: 
      mongod

  4. Configure MongoDB:

    • MongoDB will start by pointing to the default data directory. If you wish to change the data directory, modify the dbPath setting in the /usr/local/etc/mongod.conf file.

5. What steps should I follow to secure my MongoDB instance?

Answer: Securing MongoDB is critical, particularly in production environments. Follow these steps:

  • Use Authentication: Always enable authentication to ensure only authorized users can connect to your MongoDB instance.
  • Use Strong Passwords: Ensure all users have strong, unique passwords.
  • Listen Localhost: Configure MongoDB to bind to localhost (127.0.0.1) unless remote access is required.
  • IP Whitelisting: If MongoDB is exposed to the internet, use firewall rules to restrict access to trusted IP addresses.
  • Enable SSL/TLS: Use SSL/TLS to encrypt data in transit.
  • Regular Updates: Keep MongoDB updated with the latest security patches.
  • Enable Authorization: Run MongoDB with the --auth option to enable the authentication system.

6. How do I create a new database and user in MongoDB?

Answer: To create a new database and user in MongoDB:

  1. Start the MongoDB shell:

    • On Windows, macOS, or Linux, run mongo from the command prompt.

  2. Switch to the desired database:

    use mydatabase

  3. Create a new user with appropriate roles:

    db.createUser({
  user: "myuser",
  pwd: "mypassword",
  roles: [ { role: "readWrite", db: "mydatabase" } ]
})

  4. Verify the new user:

    db.getUser("myuser")

  5. Enable Authentication:

    • Restart MongoDB with the --auth parameter or add it to the configuration file.
    • Connect to MongoDB using the new user credentials: 
      mongo -u myuser -p mypassword --authenticationDatabase mydatabase

7. How do I use MongoDB Compass for database management?

Answer: MongoDB Compass is a GUI tool for interacting with MongoDB databases:

  1. Download and Install Compass:

    • Go to the MongoDB Downloads page.
    • Download MongoDB Compass and install it on your system.

  2. Connect to a MongoDB Server:

    • Launch Compass and enter the connection string for your MongoDB server.
    • If you’re connecting to a local MongoDB server with default settings, use mongodb://localhost:27017.
    • If authentication is enabled, provide the username and password.

  3. Explore Databases and Collections:

    • Once connected, Compass displays a list of available databases on the left panel.
    • Click a database to view its collections.
    • Perform CRUD operations, create indices, and execute queries using the GUI.

  4. Use Aggregation Pipelines:

    • Compose complex queries using the built-in aggregation pipeline editor.

  5. Backups and Monitoring:

    • Use Compass to create backups of your databases.
    • Monitor server performance using the built-in monitoring tools.

8. Troubleshooting MongoDB Installation Issues

Answer: Common issues and their solutions during MongoDB installation:

  • Insufficient Disk Space:

    • Ensure your system has enough disk space for MongoDB data and logs.

  • Permission Issues:

    • MongoDB needs read/write access to its data directory. Ensure correct permissions are set.

  • Port Conflicts:

    • MongoDB uses port 27017 by default. Verify no other applications are using this port.
    • Modify the port setting in the MongoDB configuration file if necessary.

  • Authentication Failures:

    • Ensure you are using the correct username and password.
    • Verify that authentication is enabled and the user has the appropriate roles.

  • Network Connectivity Problems:

    • Ensure MongoDB is running and accessible from your client machine.
    • Check firewall settings to allow connections to MongoDB.

9. How do I uninstall MongoDB?

Answer: Uninstalling MongoDB depends on the installation method. Here’s how to uninstall MongoDB on each platform:

  • On Windows:

    • Stop the MongoDB service: 
      net stop MongoDB
    • Uninstall the MongoDB service: 
      "C:\Program Files\MongoDB\Server\<version>\bin\mongod.exe" --remove
    • Delete MongoDB’s data and log directories.

  • On Linux:

    • Stop the MongoDB service: 
      sudo systemctl stop mongod
    • Uninstall MongoDB and its dependencies:
      • Ubuntu/Debian: 
        sudo apt-get purge mongodb-org
sudo apt-get autoremove
      • CentOS/RHEL: 
        sudo yum erase mongodb-org*
    • Remove the MongoDB data and log directories.

  • On macOS:

    • Stop the MongoDB service: 
      pkill mongod
    • Uninstall MongoDB using Homebrew: 
      brew uninstall mongodb-community@5.0
    • Remove the MongoDB data and log directories.

10. What are the benefits and drawbacks of using MongoDB?

Answer: MongoDB, as a NoSQL database, offers several benefits and drawbacks:

Benefits:

  • Scalability: MongoDB can scale horizontally across multiple servers, making it suitable for growing applications.
  • Flexibility: It supports various data models, including structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data.
  • Aggregation Pipeline: MongoDB’s powerful aggregation framework is useful for processing and analyzing large datasets.
  • Automatic Sharding: It automatically distributes data across multiple servers to ensure availability and reliability.
  • Community and Ecosystem: MongoDB has a large community, extensive documentation, and a growing ecosystem of tools and plugins.

Drawbacks:

  • Data Consistency: MongoDB’s eventual consistency model may not suit applications requiring strong consistency.
  • Disk Usage: Due to its schema-less nature, MongoDB can be more disk-intensive compared to relational databases.
  • Complex Queries: While MongoDB supports complex queries, they can be more challenging to write and optimize.
  • Backup and Restoration: Performing backups in a way that ensures data consistency can be complex, especially for replica sets.
  • Learning Curve: New users may find it challenging to fully grasp MongoDB’s features and best practices.

By understanding these aspects, developers can make informed decisions about whether MongoDB is the right fit for their projects. Proper installation, configuration, and maintenance ensure that you can leverage MongoDB’s strengths effectively while mitigating its potential drawbacks.