How to Install b2evolution with Apache on Ubuntu 24.04

Install Apache HTTP server on Ubuntu

Install the Apache web server on Ubuntu 24.04 to run b2evolution. Apache is a common program b2evolution needs, and you can set it up with a couple of commands in the Ubuntu terminal. Just run ‘sudo apt update’ followed by ‘sudo apt install apache2’ to get it ready.

To do that, open the Ubuntu terminal and run the commands below to install the Apache web server.

sudo apt update
sudo apt install apache2

Once Apache is installed, the commands below can start, stop, and enable the Apache web server to start automatically when your server boots up.

sudo systemctl stop apache2
sudo systemctl start apache2
sudo systemctl enable apache2

You can test that the Apache web server is running by opening your web browser and browsing to the server’s localhost or IP address.

http://localhost

When you see the Apache2 Default Page, it means the Apache HTTP server is successfully installed.

Additional help on installing Apache on Ubuntu is in the link below.

How to install Apache on Ubuntu

Install the MariaDB database server on Ubuntu

Your b2evolution blog needs a database to store its posts, and MariaDB is a good choice for Ubuntu 24.04. Installing the MariaDB database server is straightforward using your terminal. Follow the commands below to get it up and running for your b2evolution setup.

To install and use the MariaDB database server, use the instructions below.

Open the Ubuntu terminal and run the commands below to install the MariaDB database server.

sudo apt update
sudo apt install mariadb-server

Once the MariaDB database server is installed, use the commands below to stop, start, and enable the MariaDB server to start automatically when the server boots.

sudo systemctl stop mariadb
sudo systemctl start mariadb
sudo systemctl enable mariadb

Run the following commands to validate and test if the MariaDB database server is installed successfully.

sudo mariadb

Once you run the commands above, it will log you onto the MariaDB console and display a message similar to the one below.

Welcome to the MariaDB monitor.  Commands end with ; or g.
Your MariaDB connection id is 32
Server version: 10.11.2-MariaDB-1 Ubuntu 23.04

Copyright (c) 2000, 2018, Oracle, MariaDB Corporation Ab and others.

Type 'help;' or 'h' for help. Type 'c' to clear the current input statement.

MariaDB [(none)]> 

The message tells you that the server is installed successfully.

Additional help on installing MariaDB.

• How to install MariaDB on Ubuntu Linux
• MariaDB without password prompt

Create a b2evolution HRM database

After setting up MariaDB, create a specific database for b2evolution to store its content securely. You will create a database named ‘b2edb’ and a user called ‘b2edbuser’ with permission to manage it. This keeps your website’s data organized and safe.

As part of the setup, we will create a b2edb database and a user account called b2edbuser.

Finally, we’ll grant the b2edbuser full access to the b2edb database.

All the database steps above can be done using the commands below:

But first, log on to the MariaDB database server:

sudo mariadb

Then run the commands below to complete the steps:

CREATE DATABASE b2edb CHARACTER SET utf8mb4 COLLATE utf8mb4_general_ci;
CREATE USER b2edbuser@localhost IDENTIFIED BY 'type_your_password_here';
GRANT ALL ON b2edb.* TO b2edbuser@localhost WITH GRANT OPTION;
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
exit

Install PHP on Ubuntu Linux

Install PHP on your Ubuntu 24.04 system because b2evolution is built with it. You also need specific PHP add-ons that b2evolution requires to work correctly. Run the commands below to install the latest PHP version and its necessary extensions.

Then, run the commands below to install the latest PHP version.

sudo apt install php libapache2-mod-php php-intl php-mysql php-curl php-cli php-zip php-xml php-gd php-common php-mbstring php-xmlrpc php-bcmath php-json php-sqlite3 php-soap php-zip php-ldap php-imap

Additional help on installing PHP

How to install PHP on Ubuntu Linux

Download b2evolution HRM files

Download the latest b2evolution files from its official website and place them on your Ubuntu server, usually starting in the ‘/tmp/’ folder. This prepares the files for installation. Always check the b2evolution download page to get the most current version.

First, navigate to the /tmp/ directory and download the b2evolution files. Next, extract the content into the b2evolution folder in the Apache root directory.

The final step is to change the permissions. This will allow the Apache web server to interact safely with the files, ensuring a secure environment for your b2evolution installation.

Apache root folder permissions must change so the b2evolution app can function correctly. Run the following commands to set ownership of the b2evolution installation directory (e.g., `/var/www/b2evolution`) to the user Apache runs as (often `www-data`). This action ensures the application has the necessary write access to its files, preventing errors during operation.

cd /tmp
wget https://b2evolution.net/media/blogs/downloads/v7/b2evolution-7.2.5-stable-2022-08-06.zip
sudo unzip b2evolution-*.zip -d /var/www
sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/b2evolution/

Once you have completed all the above steps, continue configuring the Apache web server below to serve the b2evolution content.

Run the commands below to create an Apache virtual host file for b2evolution.

sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/b2evolution.conf

Then, copy and paste the content block below into the Apache server block.

<VirtualHost *:80>
  ServerName b2evolution.example.com
  ServerAlias www.b2evolution.example.com
  ServerAdmin admin@example.com
  DocumentRoot /var/www/b2evolution
    
  <Directory /var/www/b2evolution/>
       Options FollowSymlinks
       AllowOverride All
       Require all granted
  </Directory>

       ErrorLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/error.log
       CustomLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/access.log combined
</VirtualHost>

Save the file.

You enable the b2evolution virtual host and restart the Apache web server by running two specific commands. This process ensures Apache recognizes and serves your b2evolution site.

sudo a2ensite b2evolution.conf
sudo a2enmod rewrite
sudo systemctl restart apache2

Setup Let’s Encrypt SSL/TLS for b2evolution

Secure your b2evolution website with a free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate to use HTTPS, which builds trust and keeps visitors safe. This section guides you on setting up this important security feature for your Apache server. Follow the linked resources for detailed instructions.

Please read the post below for additional resources on installing and creating Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates for Apache.

How to set up Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate for Apache on Ubuntu Linux

Once you have restarted the Apache web server, open your browser and browse to the server hostname or IP address defined in the Apache server block.

http://b2evolution.example.com/install/index.php

The b2evolution installation wizard should appear.

Type in the database name and password, then click the Update config file button.

Select New Install and click Next.

Click Install to begin.

b2evolution should be ready to use.

That should do it!

Conclusion:

Setting up b2evolution with Apache on Ubuntu is a straightforward process that enables you to harness the full potential of a powerful content management system. Here are the key takeaways from the installation process:

• Multi-Feature CMS: b2evolution is an open-source tool for managing blogs, forums, and newsletters from a single installation.
• Robust Environment: By pairing with Apache and MariaDB, you ensure a robust and flexible infrastructure for your website.
• Easy Installation: The step-by-step instructions simplify the installation process for novice and experienced users.
• Security Features: Implementing SSL/TLS with Let’s Encrypt provides enhanced security for your site.
• Customizable: The ability to adjust settings via Apache’s virtual host configuration grants you flexibility in managing your application.
• Community Support: Access to various resources and documentation ensures you can find help when needed.

b2evolution site maintenance and growth depend on having the correct elements installed. These elements include a properly configured Apache web server and a functional database, along with the b2evolution software files. With these components in place, you can effectively manage and expand your b2evolution-powered site.