How to Install OpenSearch 3 for Magento 2.4.9 on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

Introduction

Magento 2.4.9 uses OpenSearch as its primary search engine for catalog search, layered navigation, autocomplete, and product discovery.

Without a properly configured OpenSearch server, Magento installation will fail, and search functionality will not work correctly.

In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to install OpenSearch 3 on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and configure it for Magento 2.4.9.

What is OpenSearch?

OpenSearch is an open-source search and analytics engine based on Elasticsearch.

Magento uses OpenSearch to:

  • Power catalog search
  • Improve product filtering
  • Support layered navigation
  • Deliver faster search results
  • Handle large product catalogs efficiently

Starting with Magento 2.4.x, OpenSearch has become the recommended search engine.

Magento 2.4.9 OpenSearch Requirements

Before installation, ensure your server meets the following requirements:

Component Version
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS
Magento 2.4.9
OpenSearch 3
RAM Minimum 4 GB
Java OpenSearch bundled JDK

Recommended:

  • 8 GB RAM
  • SSD Storage
  • Dedicated VPS or Cloud Server

Step 1: Update Ubuntu

Update your server packages:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Download OpenSearch 3

Navigate to the temporary directory:

cd /tmp

Download the latest OpenSearch package:

wget https://artifacts.opensearch.org/releases/bundle/opensearch/3.3.2/opensearch-3.3.2-linux-x64.deb

Note:

Always verify the latest available OpenSearch 3 package before installation.

Step 3: Install OpenSearch

 

Install the downloaded package:

export OPENSEARCH_INITIAL_ADMIN_PASSWORD='Sonal@123456'
echo "$OPENSEARCH_INITIAL_ADMIN_PASSWORD"

sudo dpkg -i opensearch-3.3.2-linux-x64.deb

If dependency issues occur:

sudo apt --fix-broken install

Step 4: Configure OpenSearch

Open configuration file:

sudo nano /etc/opensearch/opensearch.yml

Locate:

network.host:

Change to:

network.host: 127.0.0.1

Set cluster name:

cluster.name: magento-cluster

Set node name:

node.name: magento-node

Save the file.

Step 5: Configure JVM Memory

Open:

sudo nano /etc/opensearch/jvm.options

Locate:

-Xms1g
-Xmx1g

For a server with 8 GB RAM:

-Xms2g
-Xmx2g

For a server with 16 GB RAM:

-Xms4g
-Xmx4g

A good practice is to allocate approximately 50% of available memory to OpenSearch.

Step 6: Start OpenSearch

Enable service:

sudo systemctl enable opensearch

Start service:

sudo systemctl start opensearch

Verify status:

sudo systemctl status opensearch

Expected:

active (running)

Step 7: Verify OpenSearch Installation

Run:

curl -X GET http://localhost:9200

Expected output:

{
  "name": "magento-node",
  "cluster_name": "magento-cluster"
}

This confirms OpenSearch is running successfully.

Step 8: Check OpenSearch Version

Verify version:

curl http://localhost:9200

Example output:

{
  "version": {
    "number": "3.x.x"
  }
}

Ensure the installed version is OpenSearch 3.

Step 9: Configure Firewall (Optional)

If OpenSearch needs external access:

sudo ufw allow 9200

For Magento servers, it is recommended to keep OpenSearch accessible only locally.

Configure Magento 2.4.9 with OpenSearch

During Magento installation:

php bin/magento setup:install \
--search-engine=opensearch \
--opensearch-host=localhost \
--opensearch-port=9200

Magento will connect directly to OpenSearch during installation.

Verify Magento OpenSearch Connection

After Magento installation:

Navigate to:

Stores → Configuration → Catalog → Catalog Search

Verify:

  • Search Engine = OpenSearch
  • Host = localhost
  • Port = 9200

Click:

Test Connection

Expected:

Connection Success

Common OpenSearch Errors and Fixes

Error: OpenSearch Service Failed

Check logs:

sudo journalctl -u opensearch

Common causes:

  • Insufficient RAM
  • Incorrect JVM settings
  • Configuration syntax errors

Error: Connection Refused

Verify service:

sudo systemctl status opensearch

Restart:

sudo systemctl restart opensearch

Error: Java Heap Space

Increase memory allocation:

-Xms2g
-Xmx2g

Restart service:

sudo systemctl restart opensearch

Error: Magento Cannot Connect to OpenSearch

Verify:

curl http://localhost:9200

Check:

  • Host
  • Port
  • Firewall
  • Service status

OpenSearch Performance Tips for Magento

For better performance:

✅ Use SSD storage

✅ Allocate sufficient RAM

✅ Enable Varnish

✅ Configure proper JVM memory

✅ Optimize Magento indexing

✅ Use production mode

These optimizations improve catalog search performance significantly.

Why Magento 2.4.9 Uses OpenSearch

Benefits include:

  • Faster product searches
  • Better scalability
  • Improved layered navigation
  • Better relevance scoring
  • Enhanced search experience
  • Future Magento compatibility

OpenSearch is now a critical component of modern Magento infrastructure.

Conclusion

Installing OpenSearch 3 is an essential step when setting up Magento 2.4.9 on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS.

A properly configured OpenSearch environment improves search performance, scalability, and overall user experience while ensuring compatibility with Magento’s latest requirements.

If you’re planning a Magento installation, upgrade, migration, or performance optimization project, make sure OpenSearch is configured correctly from the start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Magento 2.4.9 require OpenSearch?

Yes. OpenSearch is the supported search engine for Magento 2.4.9.

Which OpenSearch version is supported by Magento 2.4.9?

Magento 2.4.9 supports OpenSearch 3.

What port does OpenSearch use?

By default OpenSearch runs on port 9200.

How do I test OpenSearch?

Run:

curl http://localhost:9200

Can Magento run without OpenSearch?

No. Magento requires a supported search engine for catalog functionality.

Is OpenSearch free?

Yes. OpenSearch is open-source and free to use.

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