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Install Serendipity CMS on Ubuntu with Apache

Richard

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The article guides the reader through the process of installing Serendipity CMS on Ubuntu Linux. It first presents an overview of Serendipity’s features and uses, then details the installation procedures, which include setting up the Apache2 HTTP Server, installing MariaDB database server, and proceeding to PHP installation, before creating the Serendipity database and configuring Apache…

This article describes installing Serendipity CMS on Ubuntu Linux with Apache support.

Serendipity CMS is an open-source LAMP / LEMP engine that allows anyone to build and maintain websites for any purpose. It also offers an expandable framework with the power for professional applications.

There are several reasons why someone might want to install Serendipity CMS with Apache on Ubuntu Linux. For one, Serendipity is a powerful and flexible content management system that can be used to build and maintain websites for any purpose. It offers an expandable framework that is perfect for professional applications, and its intuitive and powerful admin dashboard makes it easy to create and manage content on every device.

In addition, Apache is the most popular web server in use, which is required for Serendipity CMS to function. Ubuntu Linux is a popular operating system that is well-suited to running web servers, and it offers excellent support for both Apache and Serendipity.

By installing Serendipity CMS with Apache on Ubuntu Linux, users can use both tools’ power and flexibility to create and manage powerful websites that meet their needs.

For more on Serendipity CMS, please visit its home page

Install Serendipity CMS on Ubuntu Linux with Apache support

As described above, Serendipity CMS is an open-source LAMP / LEMP engine that allows anyone to build and maintain websites for any purpose. It also offers an expandable framework with the power for professional applications.

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. Install it since Serendipity CMS 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. 

http://localhost
apache2 ubuntu install

Install MariaDB Dae Server

MariaDB 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 7.2 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-sqlite3 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 Serendipity Database

Once you’ve installed all the packages required for Serendipity CMS to function, continue below to start configuring the servers.

First, run the commands below to create a blank Serendipity database.

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

sudo mysql -u root -p

Then, create a database called Serendipity

CREATE DATABASE serendipity;

Create a database user called serendipity users with a new password

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

Then, grant the user full access to the database.

GRANT ALL ON serendipity.* TO 'serendipityuser'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'user_password_here' WITH GRANT OPTION;

Finally, save your changes and exit.

FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
EXIT;

Download and Install Serendipity CMS

Run the commands below to download Serendipity CMS’s latest (2.1.2) content. Then, unzip the download file and move the content to the Apache2 default root directory.

cd /tmp && wget https://github.com/s9y/Serendipity/releases/download/2.1.2/serendipity-2.1.2.zip
unzip serendipity-2.1.2.zip
sudo mv serendipity /var/www/html/serendipity

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

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

Configure Apache Serendipity CMS Site

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

sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/serendipity.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/serendipity
     ServerName example.com

     <Directory /var/www/html/serendipity/>
          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 Serendipity CMS

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

sudo a2ensite serendipity.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/

You’ll probably want to use the simple installation option.

Serendipity ubuntu install

Type in the database connection info and create an administrator account to manage the platform in the backend. and continue

After entering the info above, click Complete Installation to install the CMS.

Enjoy!

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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