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How to Install Directus CMS with Apache on Ubuntu Linux

Richard

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This article provides an in-depth guide to installing the Directus CMS, an open-source, headless content management system, on Ubuntu Linux with Apache support. The guide includes steps on installing Apache2 HTTP Server, the MariaDB database server, PHP 7.2, and related modules, then setting up a Directus CMS database. The process concludes with the downloading, installation,…

This article describes the steps to install Directus CMS on Ubuntu Linux with Apache support.

Directus CMS is an open-source, headless content management system (CMS) built on the LAMP or LEMP stack. It comes with a flat, crisp, and clear design to help you create great content. 

Installing Directus CMS with Apache on Ubuntu Linux allows you to use an open-source, headless content management system (CMS) with a popular and widely used web server.

This combination provides a great environment for creating and managing content for your website or other data-driven projects. Additionally, Ubuntu Linux is a highly customizable and secure operating system, making it a great choice for hosting Directus CMS.

Following the steps outlined in the article, you can easily install Directus CMS with Apache support on your Ubuntu Linux server and create great content.

For more on Directus, please visit its home page.

How to install Directus CMS on Ubuntu Linux with Apache support

As described above, Directus CMS is an open-source, headless content management system (CMS) built on the LAMP or LEMP stack. It comes with a flat, crisp, and clear design to help you create great content. 

Below is how to install it on Ubuntu Linux with Apache support.

Install Apache2 HTTP Server on Ubuntu

Apache2 HTTP Server is the most popular web server in use. Install it since Directus needs it.

To install Apache2 HTTP on the Ubuntu server, run the commands below.

sudo apt update
sudo apt install apache2

After installing Apache2, the commands below can stop, start, and enable the Apache2 service to always start up with the server boots.

sudo systemctl stop apache2.service
sudo systemctl start apache2.service
sudo systemctl enable apache2.service

To test the Apache2 setup, open your browser and browse to the server hostname or IP address. You should see the Apache2 default test page, as shown below. When you see that, then Apache2 is working as expected.

http://localhost
apache2 ubuntu install

Install MariaDB Database Server

MariaDB database server is a great place to start when looking at open-source database servers for Magento. To install MariaDB, run the commands below.

sudo apt-get install mariadb-server mariadb-client

After installing MariaDB, the commands below can stop, start, and enable the service to start when the server boots.

Run these on Ubuntu 16.04 LTS

sudo systemctl stop mysql.service
sudo systemctl start mysql.service
sudo systemctl enable mysql.service

Run these on Ubuntu 17.10 and 18.04 LTS

sudo systemctl stop mariadb.service
sudo systemctl start mariadb.service
sudo systemctl enable mariadb.service

After that, run the commands below to secure the MariaDB server by creating a root password and disallowing remote root access.

sudo mysql_secure_installation

When prompted, answer the questions below by following the guide.

  • Enter current password for root (enter for none): Just press the Enter
  • Set root password? [Y/n]: Y
  • New password: Enter password
  • Re-enter new password: Repeat password
  • Remove anonymous users? [Y/n]: Y
  • Disallow root login remotely? [Y/n]: Y
  • Remove test database and access to it? [Y/n]:  Y
  • Reload privilege tables now? [Y/n]:  Y

Restart MariaDB server

Type the commands below to log into the MariaDB server to test if MariaDB is installed.

sudo mysql -u root -p

Then, type the password you created above to sign on. If successful, you should see a MariaDB welcome message.

mariadb welcome

Install PHP 7.2 and Related Modules

PHP 7.1 may not be available in Ubuntu default repositories. To install it, you will have to get it from third-party repositories.

Run the commands below to add the below third party repository to upgrade to PHP 7.2

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

Then update and upgrade to PHP 7.2

sudo apt update

Next, run the commands below to install PHP 7.2 and related modules.

sudo apt install php7.2 libapache2-mod-php7.2 php7.2-common php7.2-sqlite php7.2-curl php7.2-intl php7.2-mbstring php7.2-xmlrpc php7.2-mysql php7.2-gd php7.2-xml php7.2-cli php7.2-zip

After installing PHP 7.2, run the commands below to open the PHP default config file for Apache2.

sudo nano /etc/php/7.2/apache2/php.ini

Then, save the changes on the following lines below in the file. The value below is an ideal setting to apply in your environment.

file_uploads = On
allow_url_fopen = On
short_open_tag = On
memory_limit = 256M
upload_max_filesize = 100M
max_execution_time = 360
date.timezone = America/Chicago

After making the change above, please save the file and close it.

After installing PHP and related modules, you must restart Apache2 to reload PHP configurations.

To restart Apache2, run the commands below

sudo systemctl restart apache2.service

To test PHP 7.2 settings with Apache2, create a phpinfo.php file in the Apache2 root directory by running the commands below

sudo nano /var/www/html/phpinfo.php

Then, type the content below and save the file.

<?php phpinfo( ); ?>

Save the file. Then browse to your server hostname followed by /phpinfo.php

http://localhost/phpinfo.php

You should see the PHP default test page.

PHP 7.2 ubuntu nginx

Create Directus CMS Database

Once you’ve installed all the packages required for Directus to function, continue below to start configuring the servers. First, run the commands below to create a blank Magento database.

To log on to the MariaDB database server, run the commands below.

sudo mysql -u root -p

Then, create a database called directus

CREATE DATABASE directus;

Create a database user called directususer with a new password

CREATE USER 'directususer'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'new_password_here';

Then, grant the user full access to the database.

GRANT ALL ON directus.* TO 'directususer'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'user_password_here' WITH GRANT OPTION;

Finally, save your changes and exit.

FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
EXIT;

Download and Install Directus

Run the commands below to download Directus content. You can always find the latest version from this link.

cd /tmp && wget https://github.com/directus/directus/releases/download/6.4.9/directus-build-6.4.9-20180403074820.zip
sudo mkdir /var/www/html/directus
sudo unzip directus-build-6.4.9-20180403074820.zip -d /var/www/html/directus

Next, run the commands below to change the root folder permissions.

sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/html/directus/
sudo chmod -R 755 /var/www/html/directus/

Configure Apache2 Directus Site

Finally, configure the Apache2 configuration file for Directus. This file will control how users access Directus content. Run the commands below to create a new configuration file called directus. conf

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

Then copy and paste the content below into the file and save it. Replace the highlighted line with your domain name and directory root location.

<VirtualHost *:80>
     ServerAdmin [email protected]
     DocumentRoot /var/www/html/directus
     ServerName example.com

     <Directory /var/www/html/directus/>
          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 and exit.

After configuring the VirtualHost above, please enable it by running the commands below.

Enable the Directus Site and Rewrite Module

After configuring the VirtualHost above, please enable it by running the commands below, then restart the Apache2 server.

sudo a2ensite directus.conf
sudo a2enmod rewrite
sudo systemctl restart apache2.service

Next, open your browser, go to the URL, and continue with the installation.

http://example.com/

Click Next to start the installation wizard and select the language.

Directus ubuntu install

Next, create an administrator account to manage the platform in the backend. and continue

Directus ubuntu setup

Afterward, type in the database connection info you created above and continue.

Directus ubuntu setup

Finally, click Install to complete the setup. After that, you are prompted to log on.

Directus ubuntu setup

Don’t forget to delete the installation directory.

sudo rm -rf /var/www/html/directus/installation/

Enjoy!

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Richard Avatar
Richard
Richard, the owner and lead writer at Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast passionate about simplifying complex IT topics. His years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations have honed his ability to provide practical insights 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. He enjoys watching football, cheering for the Minnesota Vikings, and spending time with his family when he’s not writing or managing Geek Rewind.
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