How to Configure Multiple Domain Virtual Hosts on Tomcat in CentOS – Step‑by‑Step Guide

Introduction

The article explains how to run multiple websites on a single Tomcat server in a CentOS environment by configuring virtual hosts, each accessed via a distinct domain name.

1. Prepare virtual‑host directories

Create independent directories for each site and place a simple test file.

mkdir -p /var/www/site1
mkdir -p /var/www/site2

echo "Welcome to Site 1" > /var/www/site1/index.html
echo "Welcome to Site 2" > /var/www/site2/index.html

2. Modify server.xml

Edit the server.xml file located under $CATALINA_HOME/conf and locate the <Engine> element (usually inside the <Service name="Catalina"> block). Add a <Host> element for each virtual host.

3. Configuration example

<Engine name="Catalina" defaultHost="localhost">
    <!-- Default localhost -->
    <Host name="localhost" appBase="webapps" unpackWARs="true" autoDeploy="true">
        <Context path="" docBase="${catalina.home}/webapps/ROOT" />
    </Host>

    <!-- Virtual host 1 -->
    <Host name="www.site1.com" appBase="" unpackWARs="true" autoDeploy="true">
        <Context path="" docBase="/var/www/site1" />
    </Host>

    <!-- Virtual host 2 -->
    <Host name="www.site2.com" appBase="" unpackWARs="true" autoDeploy="true">
        <Context path="" docBase="/var/www/site2" />
    </Host>
</Engine>

4. Restart Tomcat

Apply the new configuration by shutting down and starting Tomcat again.

$CATALINA_HOME/bin/shutdown.sh
$CATALINA_HOME/bin/startup.sh

5. Test the virtual hosts

Open a browser and visit the configured domains (replace with real DNS or hosts‑file entries):

http://www.site1.com:8080 – should display Welcome to Site 1 http://www.site2.com:8080 – should display

Welcome to Site 2

6. Additional considerations

Firewall

If Tomcat runs on a non‑default port, ensure the firewall allows traffic.

firewall-cmd --zone=public --add-port=8080/tcp --permanent
firewall-cmd --reload

DNS

In production, configure DNS records so www.site1.com and www.site2.com resolve to the server’s public IP.

Production recommendations

Use Apache or Nginx as a reverse proxy to forward domain requests to Tomcat and to enable HTTPS.

Do not expose Tomcat directly to the internet; the proxy adds a security layer.

Conclusion

Configuring Tomcat virtual hosts is straightforward once you create the site directories, correctly set docBase, adjust name and path attributes, open the necessary firewall ports, and configure DNS. Adding a reverse proxy such as Nginx or Apache further secures the deployment.