ExpressionEngine is an open-source, flexible, and extensible content management system (CMS) that can be used to create powerful and dynamic websites and blogs. ExpressionEngine has a cloud hosting service. however, you can install it on your servers and always own your content, and can take it with you wherever you go. If you want a Content Management System (CMS) that is easy to use and manage, then ExpressionEngine CMS is a good place to start. ExpressionEngine CMS is built on an open-source core with support for open standards, which might be very useful in helping you run your digital content. For more about ExpressionEngine CMS, please check their Homepage To get started with installing ExpressionEngine, follow the steps below:
Install Nginx HTTP Server
ExpressionEngine CMS requires a web server and the Nginx HTTP server is probably the second most popular open-source web server available today. To install the Nginx server, run the commands below: After installing Nginx, the commands below can be used to stop, start and enable the Nginx service to always start up with the server boots. Now that Nginx is installed. to test whether the web server is working, open your browser and browse to the URL below. If you see the page above, then Nginx is successfully installed.
Install MariaDB Database Server
ExpressionEngine also requires a database server to store its content. If you’re looking for a truly open-source database server, then MariaDB is a great place to start. To install MariaDB run the commands below: After installing MariaDB, the commands below can be used to stop, start and enable the MariaDB service to always start up when the server boots. Run these on Ubuntu 16.04 LTS Run these on Ubuntu 18.10 and 18.04 LTS Next, run the commands below to secure the database server with a root password if you were not prompted to do so during the 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
Now that MariaDB is installed, to test whether the database server was successfully installed, run the commands below. type the root password when prompted. If you see a similar screen as shown above, then the server was successfully installed.
Install PHP 7.2-FPM and Related Modules
ExpressionEngine CMS is a PHP-based CMS and PHP is required. However, PHP 7.2-FPM may not be available in Ubuntu default repositories. To run PHP 7.2-FPM on Ubuntu 16.04 and previous, you may need to run the commands below: Then update and upgrade to PHP 7.2-FPM Next, run the commands below to install PHP 7.2-FPM and related modules. After installing PHP 7.2, run the commands below to open the PHP default configuration file for Nginx. The lines below are a good setting for most PHP-based CMS. Update the configuration file with these and save. Every time you make changes to the PHP configuration file, you should also restart the Nginx web server. To do so, run the commands below: Now that PHP is installed, to test whether it’s functioning, create a test file called phpinfo.php in the Nginx default root directory. ( /var/www/html/) Then type the content below and save the file. Next, open your browser and browse to the server’s hostname or IP address followed by phpinfo.php You should see the PHP default test page.
Create ExpressionEngine Database
Now that you’ve installed all the packages that are required for ExpressionEngine to function, continue below to start configuring the servers. First, run the commands below to create a blank ExpressionEngine database. To log on to the MariaDB database server, run the commands below. Then create a database called expressionengine Create a database user called expressionengineuser with a new password Then grant the user full access to the database. Finally, save your changes and exit.
Download ExpressionEngine Latest Release
To get ExpressionEngine latest release you may want to get it from its download page below. At the time of this writing, the current version is 5.0.1. https://expressionengine.com/ Extract the downloaded content and copy it to the Nginx root directory. Then run the commands below to set the correct permissions for the ExpressionEngine root directory and give Nginx control.
Configure Nginx
Finally, configure the Apahce2 site configuration file for ExpressionEngine. This file will control how users access WebsiteBaker content. Run the commands below to create a new configuration file called expressionengine 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. Save the file and exit.
Enable the ExpressionEngine and Rewrite Module
After configuring the VirtualHost above, enable it by running the commands below Then open your browser and browse to the server domain name. You should see ExpressionEngine setup wizard to complete. Please follow the wizard carefully. Then follow the on-screen instruction. Enter the database connection you created above as well as the backend admin account. When you’re done, click Install That’s it! You can log on to the backend using the admin email address and password created above. Congratulation! You have successfully installed ExpressionEngine CMS on Ubuntu 16.04 | 18.04 and 18.10. You may also like the post below:
