How to Install ICE HRM with Apache on Ubuntu 24.04

Install Apache HTTP server on Ubuntu

Installing the Apache web server is the first step to getting ICE HRM running on your Ubuntu 24.04 system, as it handles requests from users visiting your site.

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

ICE HRM needs a database to keep all its important information, and MariaDB is a solid choice for your Ubuntu server.

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 an ICE HRM database

Once MariaDB is installed, you’ll create a dedicated database named ‘icehrmdb’ and a user ‘icehrmdbuser’ specifically for ICE HRM to store its data.

As part of the setup, we will create an icehrmdb database and a user account called icehrmdbuser.

Finally, we’ll grant the icehrmdbuser full access to the icehrmdb 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 icehrmdb CHARACTER SET utf8mb4 COLLATE utf8mb4_general_ci;
CREATE USER icehrmdbuser@localhost IDENTIFIED BY 'type_your_password_here';
GRANT ALL ON icehrmdb.* TO icehrmdbuser@localhost WITH GRANT OPTION;
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
exit

Ensure to replace ‘type_your_password_here ‘with your password.

Install PHP on Ubuntu Linux

Since ICE HRM is built with PHP, you need to install it on your Ubuntu system to make the application work correctly.

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 ICE HRM files

You’ll now download the latest ICE HRM software files and extract them to your Ubuntu server to begin the installation process.

To always install the latest version, check the download page for ICE HRM. Get the download link and download the archived package to your computer. Then, extract it.

First, navigate to the /tmp/ directory and download the ICE HRM files. Next, extract the content into the ICE HRM 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 ICE HRM installation.

Next, run the commands below to change Apache root folder permissions so the ICE HRM app can function correctly.

cd /tmp
wget https://phoenixnap.dl.sourceforge.net/project/icehrm/icehrm_v33.5.0.OS.zip
unzip icehrm_*.zip
sudo cp -rf icehrm_v33.5.0.OS /var/www/icehrm
sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/icehrm/

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

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

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

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

<VirtualHost *:80>
  ServerName icehrm.example.com
  ServerAlias www.icehrm.example.com
  ServerAdmin admin@example.com
  DocumentRoot /var/www/icehrm
    
  <Directory /var/www/icehrm/>
       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.

Then, run the commands below to enable the virtual host and restart the Apache server.

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

Setup Let’s Encrypt SSL/TLS for ICE HRM

Setting up a Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate will secure your ICE HRM installation with HTTPS, making it safe for users to access.

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://icehrm.example.com

The ICE HRM installation wizard should appear.

Type in the database name, account name, and password created above. Then, click the Test Database Connectivity button.

If successful, click the Install Application button to begin.

Login with the default username and password.

• admin
• admin

ICE HRM should be ready to use.

That should do it!

Conclusion:

Installing ICE HRM with Apache on Ubuntu provides a robust and efficient environment for managing HR processes. Here are the key takeaways from the installation process:

• Open-source Foundation: Leverage the benefits of using free and secure software that reduces operating costs.
• Apache Web Server: Utilized for its flexibility and strong community support, Apache offers a reliable platform for hosting applications.
• MariaDB Database Server: Essential for data management, it offers scalability and robust performance tailored for ICE HRM.
• PHP Support: Ensures the application runs smoothly and is compatible with the latest version.
• SSL Security: Enhancing security by implementing Let’s Encrypt certificates provides a secure connection for sensitive HR data.
• User-friendly Setup: The installation process is straightforward, enabling quick deployment for HR teams.
• Post-installation Support: Additional resources and documentation are available for ongoing management and troubleshooting.

By following these steps, organizations can efficiently set up ICE HRM to streamline their HR operations and enhance productivity.