How to install MODX CMS with Apache on Ubuntu 24.04
MODX CMS version 3.x with Apache on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS creates a self-hosted environment for running custom websites and web applications. MODX CMS is a free content management system that gives you complete control over your site layout and features, while Apache serves as the web server that delivers pages to visitors.
This installation process requires a server running Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and administrative access to configure the server environment. You get total ownership of your web project data and design without third-party platform limits or subscription fees.
Install Apache with `sudo apt install apache2`, then MariaDB with `sudo apt install mariadb-server`. Create a database for MODX using `CREATE DATABASE modxdb;` and grant privileges. Finally, install PHP and necessary modules with `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-json`.
Install Apache HTTP server on Ubuntu
Apache is the web server required to run your website when you install MODX CMS Ubuntu. You can install it on Ubuntu 24.04 by opening your terminal and running the package manager update command followed by the Apache installation command. This sets up the web server so visitors can reach your site over the internet.
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.
Install the MariaDB database server on Ubuntu
MariaDB provides the database storage needed for your content and settings when you install MODX CMS Ubuntu. You can install the database server on Ubuntu 24.04 by running the standard package installation command in your terminal. This prepares the system to host your website data securely.
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 MODX database
Creating a dedicated database and user account is a necessary step when you install MODX CMS Ubuntu. You do this by logging into the MariaDB command line interface and running SQL commands to set up the database and assign full permissions to your new user account.
As part of the setup, we will create a modxdb database and a user account called modxdbuser.
Finally, we'll grant the modxdbuser full access to the modxdb 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 modxdb CHARACTER SET utf8mb4 COLLATE utf8mb4_general_ci;
CREATE USER modxdbuser@localhost IDENTIFIED BY 'type_your_password_here';
GRANT ALL ON modxdb.* TO modxdbuser@localhost WITH GRANT OPTION;
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
exit
Install PHP on Ubuntu Linux
PHP is the scripting language required to run MODX when you install MODX CMS Ubuntu. You can install PHP and all necessary supporting modules on Ubuntu 24.04 by running a single command in your terminal, which ensures the content management system functions correctly on your server.
Run the commands below to install PHP.
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-json php-sqlite3 php-soap php-ldap php-zip
Additional help on installing PHP
Download MODX files
Downloading the official source code package is required when you install MODX CMS Ubuntu. You can fetch the latest release directly from the project website and place the files into your web server directory so the browser-based installer can run.
To always install the latest version, check the MODX's download page. If a new version is available, replace the version number in the link below.
After unzipping the file, move the content into the MODX 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 MODX installation.
cd /tmp
wget https://modx.s3.amazonaws.com/releases/3.0.5/modx-3.0.5-pl.zip
unzip modx-*.zip
sudo mv modx-*/ /var/www/modx
sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/modx
Once you have completed all the above steps, continue configuring the Apache web server below to serve the MODX content.
Run the commands below to create an Apache virtual host file for MODX.
sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/modx.conf
Then, copy and paste the content block below into the Apache server block.
<VirtualHost *:80>
ServerName modx.example.com
ServerAlias www.modx.example.com
ServerAdmin admin@example.com
DocumentRoot /var/www/modx
<Directory /var/www/modx/>
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 Apache virtual host configuration for MODX and restart the Apache web server to apply the changes. This makes your website accessible. To do this, run the commands `sudo a2ensite modx.conf` and `sudo systemctl restart apache2`.
sudo a2ensite modx.conf
sudo a2enmod rewrite
sudo systemctl restart apache2
Setup Let's Encrypt SSL/TLS for MODX
Installing a free SSL certificate from Let's Encrypt secures visitor data and enables HTTPS after you install MODX CMS Ubuntu. You can set this up on your Apache server using the Certbot tool to automatically generate and configure your website security certificates.
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://modx.example.com/setup
A MODX installation wizard page should appear. Select the installation language and click Continue.
Then, select MODX installation type. For this post, we're choosing "New Installation."
Next, enter the database name, account, and password and click Test. Create an admin account on the same page and continue.
Next, click the Install button to begin the installation.
On the next screen, ensure all the tests are successful and click Continue.
Your MODX site should be set up and ready to use.
Run this command to ensure that the /Core/ directory isn't accessible from the web.
sudo mv /var/www/modx/core/ht.access /var/www/modx/core/.htaccess
That should do it!
Conclusion
- Installing MODX CMS with Apache on Ubuntu 24.04 provides a flexible and reliable environment for efficient content management and web application customization.
- Combining MODX, Apache, and Ubuntu ensures a stable and secure environment for web applications, supported by a web server capable of handling HTTP requests and delivering web content. Apache and Ubuntu together offer a well-supported and stable operating system.
- The step-by-step guide covers the installation of the Apache HTTP server, MariaDB database server, PHP, and the necessary setup for MODX, including creating a MODX database. Additionally, it explains the process of downloading and configuring MODX files, setting up an Apache virtual host file, and securing the installation with Let's Encrypt SSL/TLS.
- Overall, following these comprehensive instructions will result in a successful installation of MODX CMS with Apache on Ubuntu 24.04, providing web administrators with the tools to build and manage websites and web applications effectively.
Is modx a good CMS?
The MODX content management system (CMS) is our holy grail for building websites, web shops, intranets and other digital products. This CMS is a bit more unknown than CMSs like WordPress, Joomla and Drupal, but its online performance certainly doesn't fall short of that.
Was this guide helpful?
About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
No comments yet — be the first to share your thoughts!