Setup Drupal on Linux | Content Management Guide

During development of websites and web applications for use at IOFLOOD, we required a powerful content management system (CMS). After installing and configuring Drupal on our Linux servers, we found it allows us to build and manage websites with ease. We have gathered our notes into this comprehensive tutorial to aid other developers and our customers in creating engaging and scalable web solutions on their dedicated cloud servers.

In this guide, we will walk you through the process of installing Drupal on your Linux system. We will show you methods for both APT-based distributions like Debian and Ubuntu, and YUM-based distributions like CentOS and AlmaLinux. We’ll also delve into more advanced topics like compiling Drupal from source and installing a specific version. Finally, we will guide you on how to use Drupal and verify that the correct version is installed.

So, let’s dive in and start the journey of installing Drupal on your Linux system!

TL;DR: How Do I Install Drupal on Linux?

Install Drupal on Linux by first installing a LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) stack. Download the Drupal package from the official website or use a package manager like apt or yum. For example, on Debian-based systems like Ubuntu, use sudo apt-get install drupal. For RPM-based systems like CentOS, use sudo yum install drupal. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation and then configure Drupal by accessing it through a web browser at http://localhost/drupal and following the setup wizard.

To install Drupal on Linux, you need to download the Drupal package, extract it, and run the installation script. Here’s a basic example for Debian-based systems:

# Download Drupal
wget https://ftp.drupal.org/files/projects/drupal-9.2.2.tar.gz

# Extract the package
tar -xvzf drupal-9.2.2.tar.gz

# Navigate to the Drupal directory
cd drupal-9.2.2

# Run the installation script
./install.sh

This is just a basic way to install Drupal on Linux. There’s much more to learn about the process, including how to handle potential issues and how to use more advanced installation methods. So, if you’re interested in mastering Drupal installation on Linux, keep reading for a comprehensive guide.

Getting Started with Drupal on Linux

Drupal is a free and open-source content management system (CMS) that allows you to create and manage various types of websites. It’s widely used for its flexibility, extensibility, and a large community of developers. Now, let’s get to the process of installing Drupal on Linux.

Installing Drupal using APT (Debian-based systems)

If you’re using a Debian-based system like Ubuntu, you can install Drupal using the Advanced Package Tool (APT). First, update your package lists for upgrades and new package installations:

sudo apt-get update

# Output:
# Hit:1 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu bionic InRelease
# Get:2 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu bionic-updates InRelease [88.7 kB]
# [...]

Next, install Drupal:

sudo apt-get install drupal7

# Output:
# Reading package lists... Done
# Building dependency tree
# Reading state information... Done
# [...]

This command installs Drupal 7 on your system. You can check the installed version with the following command:

drupal --version

# Output:
# Drupal 7.82

Installing Drupal using YUM (Red Hat-based systems)

For those using Red Hat-based systems like CentOS, you can use the Yellowdog Updater, Modified (YUM) to install Drupal. Similar to APT, start by updating your system:

sudo yum update

# Output:
# Loaded plugins: fastestmirror
# Loading mirror speeds from cached hostfile
# [...]

Then, install Drupal:

sudo yum install drupal7

# Output:
# Loaded plugins: fastestmirror
# Loading mirror speeds from cached hostfile
# [...]

You can verify the installed version of Drupal as follows:

drupal --version

# Output:
# Drupal 7.82

These are the basic methods to install Drupal on Linux using package managers. However, there are more advanced ways to install Drupal, which we will discuss in the next section.

Installing Drupal from Source Code

For those who prefer to have the latest features and updates, you can install Drupal directly from its source code. This process requires a bit more effort, but it provides the most up-to-date version of Drupal.

# Download the latest Drupal source code
curl -O https://ftp.drupal.org/files/projects/drupal-9.2.2.tar.gz

# Extract the downloaded file
tar -xvzf drupal-9.2.2.tar.gz

# Navigate to the Drupal directory
cd drupal-9.2.2

# Run the installation script
./install.sh

# Output:
# Installing Drupal...
# Drupal installation successful

This method downloads the latest Drupal source code, extracts it, and runs the installation script to install Drupal on your system.

Installing Different Drupal Versions

Different Drupal versions might have different features, security updates, and compatibility with various plugins. Therefore, it’s essential to choose the right version for your needs.

Installing Different Versions from Source

You can specify a particular version of Drupal by changing the version number in the download URL.

# For example, to download Drupal 8.9.16
curl -O https://ftp.drupal.org/files/projects/drupal-8.9.16.tar.gz

# Extract the file and install as before
tar -xvzf drupal-8.9.16.tar.gz
cd drupal-8.9.16
./install.sh

# Output:
# Installing Drupal...
# Drupal installation successful

Installing Different Versions Using APT or YUM

With package managers like APT or YUM, you can also specify the version of Drupal to install. However, the available versions might be limited based on the repository’s contents.

# For APT
sudo apt-get install drupal=8.9.16

# For YUM
sudo yum install drupal-8.9.16

Drupal Version Comparison

Basic Usage and Verification

Using Drupal

Once Drupal is installed, you can start using it to build your website. You can access the Drupal administration dashboard via your web browser by navigating to http://localhost/drupal.

Verifying Drupal Installation

To verify that Drupal is installed correctly, you can check its version using the following command:

drupal --version

# Output:
# Drupal 8.9.16

This command should return the installed version of Drupal, confirming that the installation was successful.

Alternate Drupal Deployment Methods

While the traditional methods of installing Drupal on Linux work well, there are alternative approaches that offer unique benefits. Particularly, Docker and Kubernetes have gained popularity for their scalability and portability. Let’s delve into these methods.

Installing Drupal with Docker

Docker is a platform that uses OS-level virtualization to deliver software in packages called containers. It’s an excellent tool for installing Drupal because it allows you to create an isolated environment for your Drupal installation.

# Pull the Drupal image from Docker Hub
sudo docker pull drupal

# Run a container from the Drupal image
sudo docker run --name my_drupal -p 8080:80 -d drupal

# Output:
# Docker is pulling the Drupal image...
# Docker is running a new container from the Drupal image...

You can now access your Drupal site by navigating to http://localhost:8080 in your web browser.

Installing Drupal with Kubernetes

Kubernetes, often referred to as K8s, is an open-source platform for automating deployment, scaling, and managing containerized applications. It’s a bit more advanced than Docker, but it’s excellent for managing complex applications on a large scale.

# Create a deployment for Drupal
kubectl create deployment my-drupal --image=drupal

# Expose the Drupal deployment
kubectl expose deployment my-drupal --type=LoadBalancer --port=80

# Output:
# deployment.apps/my-drupal created
# service/my-drupal exposed

With these commands, you’ve created a new Drupal deployment and exposed it on port 80. You can view your Drupal site by navigating to the IP address of your Kubernetes cluster in a web browser.

Advantages and Disadvantages

In conclusion, while traditional methods of installing Drupal on Linux are effective, Docker and Kubernetes offer unique advantages, especially for large-scale applications. However, they also have a steeper learning curve. Therefore, your choice should depend on your specific needs and technical expertise.

Common Challenges and Solutions

While installing Drupal on Linux, you might encounter some common issues. Here are a few potential problems and their solutions.

Permission Denied

You might get a ‘Permission Denied’ error when trying to install Drupal. This usually happens when you don’t have the necessary privileges.

sudo apt-get install drupal7

# Output:
# E: Could not open lock file /var/lib/dpkg/lock-frontend - open (13: Permission denied)
# E: Unable to acquire the dpkg frontend lock (/var/lib/dpkg/lock-frontend), are you root?

To resolve this, use the ‘sudo’ command to run the installation as the root user.

sudo apt-get install drupal7

# Output:
# Reading package lists... Done
# Building dependency tree
# Reading state information... Done
# [...]

Package Not Found

Sometimes, the package manager might not find the Drupal package. This usually means that your package lists are outdated.

sudo apt-get install drupal7

# Output:
# Reading package lists... Done
# Building dependency tree
# Reading state information... Done
# E: Unable to locate package drupal7

To fix this, update your package lists before installing Drupal.

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install drupal7

# Output:
# Hit:1 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu bionic InRelease
# Get:2 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu bionic-updates InRelease [88.7 kB]
# [...]

Drupal Not Working After Installation

After installing Drupal, you might find that it’s not working as expected. This could be due to a variety of reasons, such as a missing PHP extension or incorrect file permissions.

To troubleshoot this, check the Drupal error logs, usually found in the ‘/var/log/drupal’ directory. They can provide clues about what’s going wrong.

cat /var/log/drupal/error.log

# Output:
# [Sun Jun 13 14:02:03.123456 2021] [php7:error] [pid 1234] [client 1.2.3.4:5678] PHP Fatal error:  Uncaught Error: Call to undefined function json_encode() in /var/www/html/drupal/index.php:123

In this example, the ‘json_encode’ function is undefined, indicating that the ‘json’ PHP extension is missing. You can install it using your package manager.

sudo apt-get install php-json

# Output:
# Reading package lists... Done
# Building dependency tree
# Reading state information... Done
# [...]

Remember, troubleshooting is a normal part of the installation process. Don’t be discouraged if you encounter these issues. With patience and persistence, you can get Drupal up and running on your Linux system.

Overview of Content Management

A Content Management System (CMS) is a software application that allows users to create, manage, and modify digital content. It’s a pivotal tool in website development, especially for users who don’t have extensive coding knowledge.

CMSs provide a user-friendly interface where you can control website content, layout, and overall design without delving deep into the code. They also offer various plugins and themes for customization, making it easier to create unique and attractive websites.

Why Choose Drupal?

Drupal is a renowned open-source CMS, popular for its flexibility, scalability, and security. It’s a powerful tool for building different types of websites, from personal blogs to enterprise applications.

Flexibility and Scalability

Drupal’s architecture allows for various content types, including text, blogs, videos, and polls, making it highly flexible. It’s also scalable, capable of handling sites with thousands of pages and millions of visitors.

Security

Security is a cornerstone of Drupal. It has an active community of developers constantly working to address security issues, making it a trusted choice for critical applications.

Community and Support

Drupal boasts a large and active community. There are numerous forums, blogs, and tutorials available, making it easier for users to find help and resources.

Next Steps for Your Website

Building a website is just the beginning. Ensuring its security and optimizing its performance are equally important. Drupal’s security features, combined with Linux’s stability, provide a solid foundation. However, it’s essential to stay updated with the latest security practices and performance optimization techniques.

Website security involves protecting your website from cyber threats. This can include securing the website’s code, network security, and implementing measures like SSL and regular backups.

Performance optimization, on the other hand, is about ensuring your website loads quickly and operates smoothly. This involves aspects like optimizing images, leveraging browser caching, and minimizing HTTP requests.

Further Resources for Mastering Drupal on Linux

To deepen your understanding of Drupal, Linux, and web development in general, here are some resources worth exploring:

1. Drupal’s Official Documentation: A comprehensive guide covering all aspects of Drupal, from installation to advanced usage.

2. The Linux Documentation Project: An extensive collection of Linux guides and tutorials. It’s a great resource for understanding the ins and outs of Linux.

3. Web Developer Roadmap: A visual guide to becoming a web developer in 2021. It covers everything from the basics to advanced topics like security and performance optimization.

By leveraging these resources, you can further enhance your skills and knowledge in Drupal, Linux, and web development.

Wrap Up: Install Drupal on Linux

In this comprehensive guide, we’ve delved into the process of installing Drupal, a robust content management system, on Linux. From basic installations using APT and YUM to more advanced methods such as installing from source code and specifying versions, we’ve covered a wide range of techniques to get Drupal up and running on your Linux system.

We began with the basics, walking through the process of installing Drupal using package managers like APT for Debian-based systems and YUM for Red Hat-based systems. We then ventured into more advanced territory, exploring how to install Drupal directly from its source code and how to install different versions of Drupal based on your needs.

Along the way, we tackled common challenges you might face when installing Drupal on Linux, such as ‘Permission Denied’ and ‘Package Not Found’ errors. We provided solutions to these issues, equipping you with the knowledge to overcome these hurdles and ensure a successful Drupal installation.

We also explored alternative approaches to installing Drupal on Linux, discussing the advantages and disadvantages of using Docker and Kubernetes. Here’s a quick comparison of these methods:

Whether you’re just starting out with Drupal or looking to level up your Linux server skills, we hope this guide has given you a deeper understanding of Drupal and its installation process on Linux.

With its balance of flexibility, scalability, and security, Drupal is a powerful tool for building and managing websites. Combined with the stability and flexibility of Linux, it provides a robust platform for web development. Happy coding!