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How to Install Exponent CMS with Apache on Ubuntu Linux

Richard

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Exponent CMS is an open-source content management system that enables users to build dynamic websites with functionalities like content editing and user management. The article is an in-depth tutorial on how to install Exponent CMS on Ubuntu editions 16.04, 18.04 and 18.10. It details required steps such as installing Apache2 HTTP Server and PHP 7.2,…

Exponent CMS is an open-source content management system (CMS) that allows web admins and anyone to build beautiful and dynamic websites without necessarily directly coding web pages or managing site navigation.

It comes with everything, from user management to site configuration, content editing, and many more features available with other popular CMS platforms.

Exponent is designed for easy use and has security features that may help protect your content.

For more about Exponent, please check its homepage.

This brief tutorial will show students and new users how to install Exponent CMS on Ubuntu 16.04 | 18.04 | 18.10 with Apache2, MariaDB, and PHP 7.2 support.

To get started with installing Exponent CMS, follow the steps below:

Install Apache2 HTTP Server on Ubuntu

Apache2 HTTP Server is the most popular web server. Install it since Bludit 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 be used to 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, and you should see the Apache2 default test page as shown below.

http://localhost
apache2 ubuntu install

Install PHP 7.2 and Related Modules

PHP 7.2 may not be available in Ubuntu default repositories for some systems. So, you will have to get it from third-party repositories if you need it.

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-mysql php7.2-mbstring php7.2-xmlrpc php7.2-sqlite3 php7.2-soap php7.2-gd php7.2-xml php7.2-cli php7.2-curl 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 lines below in the file. The value below is an excellent setting to apply in your environment.

file_uploads = On
allow_url_fopen = 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

Install MariaDB

Exponent also requires a database server to function. And MariaDB database server is a great place to start. To install it, run the commands below.

sudo apt-get install mariadb-server mariadb-client

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

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.

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

sudo systemctl restart mariadb.service

Create Exponent Database

Now that you’ve installed all the required packages, continue below to start configuring the servers. First, run the commands below to create the Exponent database.

Run the commands below to log on to the database server. When prompted for a password, type the root password you created above.

sudo mysql -u root -p

Then create a database called exponentcms

CREATE DATABASE exponentcms;

Create a database user called exponentcmsuser with a new password

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

Then grant the user full access to the database.

GRANT ALL ON exponentcms.* TO 'exponentcmsuser'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'user_password_here' WITH GRANT OPTION;

Finally, save your changes and exit.

FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
EXIT;

Download Exponent’s Latest Release

Next, visit the Exponent site and download the latest version.

After downloading, run the commands below to install git and download Exponent’s content into the Apache2 root directory.

cd /var/www/html/
sudo apt install git
sudo git clone git://github.com/exponentcms/exponent-cms.git exponentcms
sudo touch /var/www/html/exponentcms/install/not_configured

Then run the commands below to set the correct permissions for Exponent CMS to function.

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

Configure Apache2

Finally, configure the Apahce2 site configuration file for Exponent CMS. This file will control how users access Exponent CMS content. Run the commands below to create a new configuration file called exponentcms.conf.

sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/exponentcms.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 admin@example.com
     DocumentRoot /var/www/html/exponentcms
     ServerName example.com
     ServerAlias www.example.com

     <Directory /var/www/html/exponentcms/>
          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.

Enable the Exponent and Rewrite the Module

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

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

Then open your browser and browse to the server domain name. You should see the Exponent setup wizard complete. Please follow the wizard carefully.

http://example.com/install/index.php

You should see Exponent’s installation wizard. This installation wizard will guide you through the configuration and setup of your new Exponent-powered website.

Exponent CMS Ubuntu install

Next, confirm that all the requirements are met. For example, Exponent requires that several file permissions be set correctly to operate. In addition, sanity checks are being run to ensure that the web server directory you wish to install Exponent is suitable.

Exponent CMS Ubuntu setup

On this page, you configure the database connection you created above. Exponent requires a database to store and manage content. Create a database using your database tool of choice, and fill in the information on this page.

Exponent cms install

After the database configuration page, continue with the setup.

On the next page, enter some basic site information and continue.

Exponent cms ubuntu setup

Next, you select a template to use with your setup. Then create an admin account and continue.

The user you’re about to create will be the Super Administrator for the entire system. This level of administration has unrestricted access and abilities to the whole website.

Exponent system setup

Your installation is complete.

Exponent ubuntu setup

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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