Install Backdrop CMS with Apache on Ubuntu 24.04

Install Apache HTTP server on Ubuntu

To get Backdrop running on Ubuntu 24.04, you first need a web server, and we’ll use Apache for this guide. Installing Apache is simple: just open your terminal and run the commands to update your package list and then install the apache2 package.

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

Backdrop needs a place to store its information, which is where a database server comes in, and we’ll install MariaDB for this. To install MariaDB on Ubuntu, open your terminal and use the apt command to update your system and then install the mariadb-server package.

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 Backdrop database

Now that MariaDB is installed, we need to create a dedicated database for Backdrop to use, along with a user to manage it. This guide will walk you through creating a database named ‘backdropdb’ and a user ‘backdropdbuser’, then giving that user all the necessary permissions for the ‘backdropdb’ database.

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

Backdrop is built using PHP, so you’ll need to install it on your Ubuntu system to run the CMS. We’ll install the latest supported PHP version along with essential modules like php-mysql and php-gd, which Backdrop requires to function 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

Additional help on installing PHP

How to install PHP on Ubuntu Linux

Download Backdrop files

With your server set up, it’s time to download the Backdrop CMS files onto your Ubuntu system. You can find the latest version on the official Backdrop download page; we’ll show you how to download the archive to the /tmp/ directory and then move it to its final location.

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

To make your Backdrop site secure and accessible via HTTPS, you’ll want to set up an SSL/TLS certificate, and Let’s Encrypt offers a free option. This section guides you on securing your Backdrop installation using Let’s Encrypt with Apache on Ubuntu, ensuring a safe connection for your visitors.

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!