How to install the Maxmind Geolite City database and the mod-geop module for apache on Debian

Finding the geographical location of an ip address couldn't be simpler. In a few minutes, you'll have the foundation of a geotargeting/geotracking setup on your Debian based server. 

Here's how to install maxmind geolite city on debian lenny 64 bit.

With root privileges, follow the following steps.

Install the mod-geoip module for apache2

apt-get install libapache2-mod-geoip

DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL THE GeoLite City DATABASE

Download and install the free GeoLite City Database

gunzip GeoLiteCity.dat.gz

Make a simple change to your apache configuration

Next, find the file /etc/apache2/mods-available/geoip.conf

And edit it so that it's contents look like this:

  GeoIPEnable On

  GeoIPDBFile /usr/share/GeoIP/GeoIP.dat Standard

  GeoIPDBFile /usr/share/GeoIP/GeoLiteCity.dat Standard

</IfModule>

Save and close the file after making your edits.

Restart your web server

Restart apache with this command:

Test out your Maxmind mod-geoip & GeoLite City Installation

Now test to see if it works. Create and run a PHP file:

It's contents should be as follows:

      <?php 
      /*
       
        Uses mod-geoip to query the
        MaxMind GeoLite City
        binary database and returns
        geographic information based
        on the client's IP address
       
      */
       
      $country_code = apache_note("GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE");
      $country_name = apache_note("GEOIP_COUNTRY_NAME");
      $city_name = apache_note("GEOIP_CITY");
      $region = apache_note("GEOIP_REGION");
      $metro_code = apache_note("GEOIP_DMA_CODE");
      $area_code = apache_note("GEOIP_AREA_CODE");
      $latitude = apache_note("GEOIP_LATITUDE");
      $longitude = apache_note("GEOIP_LONGITUDE");
      $postal_code = apache_note("GEOIP_POSTAL_CODE");
       
      echo 'Country code: '.$country_code.'<br>';
      echo 'Country name: '.$country_name.'<br>';
      echo 'City name: '.$city_name.'<br>';
      echo 'Region: '.$region.'<br>';
      echo 'Metro code: '.$metro_code.'<br>';
      echo 'Area code: '.$area_code.'<br>';
      echo 'Latitude: '.$latitude.'<br>';
      echo 'Longitude: '.$longitude.'<br>';
      echo 'Postal code: '.$postal_code.'<br>';
       
      ?>

After running the above script, you should see information describing your location. If you don't, well, look over the instructions again and see if you skipped a step.