How to Install BoxBilling with Apache on Ubuntu Linux

How to install Apache on Ubuntu Linux

Installing 💿 Apache on Ubuntu remains a key milestone for bringing any BoxBilling site online. Apache acts as the underlying web server software responsible for rendering pages to visitors. Terminal commands handle the installation process.

sudo apt update
sudo apt install apache2

Managing the Apache service happens through specific utility commands:

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

Verifying the installation requires loading the server IP address inside a web browser.

How to install MariaDB on Ubuntu Linux

BoxBilling relies on a relational database to store critical data records, making MariaDB on Ubuntu an ideal choice. Required steps include installing 💿 the MariaDB server and client packages before running the security script.

sudo apt install mariadb-server mariadb-client

Securing the database deployment utilizes a dedicated utility command:

sudo mysql_secure_installation

Prompts require specific responses during execution. Pressing Enter bypasses the current password prompt. Selecting the default secure option handles authentication settings. Entering "y" removes anonymous users, blocks remote root logins, and deletes the test database.

How to install PHP on Ubuntu Linux

Ensuring operational compatibility with BoxBilling requires PHP 8.3 on Ubuntu. Adding a specialized software repository guarantees access to the current release branch. Subsequent actions install PHP 8.3 along with mandatory module extensions.

sudo apt install software-properties-common
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ondrej/php
sudo apt update

Installing PHP 8.3 and the required extensions executes next:

sudo apt install php8.3 php8.3-mysql php8.3-xml php8.3-mbstring php8.3-fpm php8.3-curl php8.3-gd php8.3-zip

General Configuration

Configuring Apache to work with PHP-FPM helps BoxBilling run smoothly and quickly. PHP-FPM (FastCGI Process Manager, a tool that handles PHP requests separately from the web server) helps Apache process dynamic code more efficiently. Required actions include enabling necessary Apache modules, configuring PHP-FPM, and establishing a dedicated site configuration file for BoxBilling.

sudo a2enmod proxy_fcgi setenvif
sudo a2enconf php8.3-fpm

Creating a configuration file for the new site uses this command:

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

Pasting specific parameters populates the configuration file:

<VirtualHost *:80>
ServerName example.com
DocumentRoot /var/www/boxbilling
<Directory /var/www/boxbilling/>
AllowOverride All
Require all granted
</Directory>
</VirtualHost>

Enabling the virtual host and restarting Apache completes the web server integration:

sudo a2ensite boxbilling.conf
sudo systemctl restart apache2

Assigning correct file permissions secures directory ownership:

sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/boxbilling

How to create a BoxBilling database

Accessing the database console requires administrator login credentials:

sudo mysql -u root -p

Executing these database queries provisions the required schema and user account:

CREATE DATABASE boxbilling;
CREATE USER 'boxbillinguser'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'your_password';
GRANT ALL ON boxbilling.* TO 'boxbillinguser'@'localhost';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
EXIT;

How to download BoxBilling

Downloading and extracting application sources utilizes terminal utilities:

cd /tmp
wget https://github.com/boxbilling/boxbilling/releases/download/4.22.1.3/BoxBilling.zip
sudo mkdir -p /var/www/boxbilling
sudo unzip BoxBilling.zip -d /var/www/boxbilling

How to setup Let's Encrypt

Securing the web deployment with SSL requires following an external guide: How to Setup Let's Encrypt on Ubuntu Linux with Apache - Website for Students.

Finalizing the setup

Finalizing the BoxBilling setup on Ubuntu involves clearing out installer files for security. Making the configuration file read-only protects sensitive environment variables from unauthorized tampering. Automating background operations requires setting up a scheduled cron task.

sudo rm -rf /var/www/boxbilling/install

Restricting file permissions on the configuration file involves running this command:

sudo chmod 644 /var/www/boxbilling/bb-config.php

Registering a background cron job keeps automated system tasks running:

sudo crontab -e

Inserting the scheduled task string into the crontab table completes the procedure:

*/5 * * * * php /var/www/boxbilling/bb-cron.php

BoxBilling deployment procedures are now complete and fully operational.

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