This article explains installing Backdrop CMS with Apache on Ubuntu 24.04.
Backdrop CMS is a free, open-source content management system for small to mid-size businesses and non-profit organizations looking to publish their content easily and quickly with a customized platform.
Ubuntu Linux is a popular operating system for web servers due to its stability and security features, while Apache is the most widely used web server software.
Installing Backdrop CMS on Ubuntu Linux with Apache support gives you access to a powerful content management system that is easy to use and customize, with integrated security features and speed optimizations.
Install Apache HTTP server on Ubuntu
Backdrop requires a web server. This post will install and use the Apache web server to run Backdrop.
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
The next component required to run Backdrop is a database server. This post will install and use the MariaDB database 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.
Create a Backdrop database
Upon successfully installing the MariaDB database server, create a blank database on the server specifically for the Backdrop application.
As part of the setup, we will create a backdropdb database and a user account called backdropdbuser.
Finally, we’ll grant the backdropdbuser full access to the backdropdb 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 backdropdb CHARACTER SET utf8mb4 COLLATE utf8mb4_general_ci;
CREATE USER backdropdbuser@localhost IDENTIFIED BY 'type_your_password_here';
GRANT ALL ON backdropdb.* TO backdropdbuser@localhost WITH GRANT OPTION;
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
exit
Ensure to replace ‘type_your_password_here ‘with your password.
Install PHP on Ubuntu Linux
The last component you will need to run Backdrop is PHP. The Backdrop application is PHP-based and supports the latest versions of PHP.
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
Additional help on installing PHP
How to install PHP on Ubuntu Linux
Download Backdrop files
Let’s begin downloading and configuring the Backdrop files on Ubuntu Linux.
To always install the latest version, check the download page for Backdrop. Get the download link and download the archived package to your computer. Then, extract it.
First, navigate to the /tmp/ directory and download the Backdrop files. Next, move the content into the Backdrop 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 Backdrop installation.
cd /tmp/
wget https://github.com/backdrop/backdrop/releases/download/1.29.1/backdrop.zip
sudo unzip backdrop.zip
sudo mv backdrop /var/www/backdrop
sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/backdrop
Once you have completed all the above steps, continue configuring the Apache web server below to serve the Backdrop content.
Run the commands below to create an Apache virtual host file for Backdrop.
sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/backdrop.conf
Then, copy and paste the content block below into the Apache server block.
<VirtualHost *:80>
ServerName backdrop.example.com
ServerAlias www.backdrop.example.com
ServerAdmin admin@example.com
DocumentRoot /var/www/backdrop
<Directory /var/www/backdrop/>
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 backdrop.conf
sudo a2enmod rewrite
sudo systemctl restart apache2
Setup Let’s Encrypt SSL/TLS for Backdrop
You may want to install an SSL/TLS certificate to secure your Backdrop site. Secure your Backdrop installation with HTTPS from Let’s Encrypt.
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://backdrop.example.com
A Backdrop installation wizard page should appear. Select the installation language and continue.
Type the database connection details created above and continue.
Create an admin account and continue.
Your Backdrop site should be ready.
That should do it!
Conclusion
Installing Backdrop CMS on Ubuntu 24.04 with Apache offers a streamlined and efficient way for small to mid-size businesses and non-profits to manage their content. Here are the key takeaways from the installation process:
- Apache Web Server: Ensure the Apache HTTP server is installed correctly and configured to serve your Backdrop site.
- MariaDB Database: Set up a dedicated database for Backdrop to manage your content effectively.
- PHP Installation: Install the necessary PHP extensions to support Backdrop’s functionality.
- Download and Configure Backdrop: Acquire the latest version of Backdrop and set up the necessary directory structure and permissions.
- Virtual Host Setup: Create an Apache virtual host configuration to direct traffic to your Backdrop installation.
- SSL/TLS Security: Consider securing your site with an SSL/TLS certificate from Let’s Encrypt for enhanced security.
- Installation Wizard: Follow the Backdrop installation wizard to complete the setup process and create your admin account.
With these steps completed, you will have a fully functional Backdrop CMS installation ready. Enjoy managing your content!
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