Install OwnCloud | Simplified Cloud Storage Setup Guide

For our linux cloud storage enhancement project at at IOFLOOD, we setup an OwnCloud server to review its features. After experiencing its viability for file synchronization and potential usefulness to our cloud server hosting clients, we’ve decided to include our processes to install OwnCloud in today’s article.

In this guide, we will navigate you through the process of installing OwnCloud Ubuntu, Centos, and More! We will provide methods for installing with APT package managers like Debian and Ubuntu, as well as YUM-based distributions like CentOS and AlmaLinux. We’ll also delve into more advanced topics like compiling OwnCloud from source, installing a specific version, and finally, we’ll guide you on how to use OwnCloud and ensure it’s installed correctly.

Let’s dive in and start installing your own OwnCloud Server!

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

You can install OwnCloud on Linux by first updating your system packages with sudo apt-get update or sudo yum update depending on your distribution. Then, install the LAMP stack using sudo apt-get install lamp-server^ for Debian/Ubuntu or sudo yum install httpd mariadb mariadb-server php php-common php-mysqlnd php-gd php-xml php-mbstring php-ldap for CentOS/AlmaLinux. Finally, download and install OwnCloud with wget https://download.owncloud.org/community/owncloud-complete-20220210.zip and unzip it in your web server’s root directory.

# Update system packages (Debian/Ubuntu)
sudo apt-get update

# Install LAMP stack (Debian/Ubuntu)
sudo apt-get install lamp-server^

# Download OwnCloud
wget https://download.owncloud.org/community/owncloud-complete-20220210.zip

# Unzip to web server root directory
unzip owncloud-complete-20220210.zip -d /var/www/html/

This is a basic way to install OwnCloud on Linux, but there’s much more to learn about installing and using OwnCloud. Continue reading for more detailed information and advanced installation options.

Getting Started: OwnCloud Installation

OwnCloud is an open-source software that allows you to create and manage your own cloud storage system. It provides a safe, secure, and private environment for your data, making it ideal for those who prioritize data privacy.

Installing OwnCloud on Linux is a straightforward process, and we’ll guide you through it step-by-step. We’ll start with the installation process for Debian-based distributions like Ubuntu, and then move on to Red Hat-based distributions like CentOS.

Installing OwnCloud Ubuntu/Debian

Debian-based distributions use the APT package manager. Here’s how you can install OwnCloud on systems like Ubuntu:

# Update system packages
sudo apt-get update

# Install Apache, MySQL, and PHP (LAMP stack)
sudo apt-get install apache2 mysql-server libapache2-mod-php7.4

# Download the OwnCloud package
wget https://download.owncloud.org/community/owncloud-10.6.0.tar.bz2

# Extract the package to the web server root directory
tar -xjf owncloud-10.6.0.tar.bz2 -C /var/www/html/

This set of commands first updates your system packages, then installs the Apache web server, MySQL database, and PHP. After that, it downloads the OwnCloud package and extracts it to the web server’s root directory.

Installing OwnCloud on CentOS/AlmaLinux

For Red Hat-based distributions like CentOS, we use the YUM or DNF package manager. Here’s the equivalent process for these systems:

# Update system packages
sudo yum update

# Install Apache, MariaDB, and PHP (LAMP stack)
sudo yum install httpd mariadb-server php php-mysql

# Download the OwnCloud package
wget https://download.owncloud.org/community/owncloud-10.6.0.tar.bz2

# Extract the package to the web server root directory
tar -xjf owncloud-10.6.0.tar.bz2 -C /var/www/html/

This set of commands performs similar actions to the previous one but uses YUM to install the LAMP stack and set up OwnCloud.

With these steps, you should have OwnCloud installed on your Linux system. In the next sections, we’ll cover more advanced installation methods and how to use OwnCloud effectively.

Install OwnCloud from Source

While package managers make the installation process simpler, you might prefer to install OwnCloud from source. This gives you more control over the installation and allows you to install specific versions of OwnCloud if needed.

Here’s how to install OwnCloud from source on Linux:

# Download the source code
wget https://github.com/owncloud/core/archive/v10.6.0.tar.gz

# Extract the source code
tar -xzf v10.6.0.tar.gz

# Change to the source code directory
cd core-10.6.0

# Install the required packages
sudo apt-get install php7.4 php7.4-gd php7.4-json php7.4-mysql php7.4-curl php7.4-mbstring php7.4-intl php7.4-imagick php7.4-xml php7.4-zip

# Configure OwnCloud
sudo -u www-data php occ maintenance:install --database "mysql" --database-name "owncloud" --database-user "root" --database-pass "password" --admin-user "admin" --admin-pass "password"

This script downloads the OwnCloud source code, extracts it, changes to the source code directory, installs the required PHP packages, and then configures OwnCloud.

Specific Versions: Installing OwnCloud

Different versions of OwnCloud come with different features and compatibilities. You might need to install a specific version to meet certain requirements. Here’s how you can install specific versions of OwnCloud from source and using package managers.

Installing Specific Versions from Source

To install a specific version from source, you just need to change the version number in the download link. For example, to install version 10.5.0, you would use the following command:

# Download the source code for version 10.5.0
wget https://github.com/owncloud/core/archive/v10.5.0.tar.gz

Installing Specific Versions Using APT

On Debian-based systems, you can install a specific version of a package using the apt-get install package=version command. Here’s an example for OwnCloud:

# Install OwnCloud version 10.5.0
sudo apt-get install owncloud-files=10.5.0-1+1.1

Installing Specific Versions Using YUM

On Red Hat-based systems, you can use the yum install package-version command to install a specific version. Here’s an example for OwnCloud:

# Install OwnCloud version 10.5.0
sudo yum install owncloud-10.5.0-1.el7

Version Comparison

Different versions of OwnCloud come with different features. Here’s a comparison of some recent versions:

Verifying OwnCloud Server Install

After installing OwnCloud, it’s important to verify that it was installed correctly. You can do this by accessing the OwnCloud web interface at http://your_server_ip/owncloud. You should see the OwnCloud login page.

You can also check the version of OwnCloud that you installed using the following command:

# Check OwnCloud version
sudo -u www-data php /var/www/html/owncloud/occ -V

You should see output similar to the following:

# Output:
# ownCloud version 10.6.0

This indicates that OwnCloud version 10.6.0 is installed on your system.

Alternate Personal Cloud Server Linux

While OwnCloud is a fantastic cloud storage solution, it isn’t the only option available. There are other great alternatives like Nextcloud and Seafile. Let’s explore how to set these up on Linux and discuss their advantages and disadvantages.

Setting Up Nextcloud on Linux

Nextcloud, like OwnCloud, is an open-source cloud storage solution. Here’s how you can install it on Debian-based systems:

# Update system packages
sudo apt-get update

# Install Apache, MySQL, and PHP
sudo apt-get install apache2 mysql-server php7.4 libapache2-mod-php7.4

# Download the Nextcloud package
wget https://download.nextcloud.com/server/releases/nextcloud-20.0.8.zip

# Extract the package to the web server root directory
unzip nextcloud-20.0.8.zip -d /var/www/html/

This set of commands is similar to the OwnCloud installation process. It updates your system packages, installs the LAMP stack, downloads the Nextcloud package, and extracts it to the web server’s root directory.

Setting Up Seafile on Linux

Seafile is another open-source cloud storage solution that emphasizes reliability and high performance. Here’s how to install it on Debian-based systems:

# Update system packages
sudo apt-get update

# Install dependencies
sudo apt-get install python2.7 python-setuptools python-ldap python-urllib3 ffmpeg python-pip python-imaging sqlite3

# Download the Seafile package
wget https://download.seafile.com/d/6e5297246c/files/?p=/pro/seafile-pro-server_7.1.13_x86-64.tar.gz&dl=1 -O seafile-pro-server_7.1.13_x86-64.tar.gz

# Extract the package
mkdir seafile-server && tar -xzf seafile-pro-server_7.1.13_x86-64.tar.gz -C seafile-server

This script updates your system packages, installs the necessary dependencies, downloads the Seafile package, and extracts it to a new directory.

Comparing OwnCloud, Nextcloud, and Seafile

Here’s a comparison of OwnCloud, Nextcloud, and Seafile:

All three options are open-source and support features like file syncing, file versioning, encryption, two-factor authentication, and mobile apps. Your choice depends on your specific needs and preferences.

While OwnCloud is a robust and reliable solution, Nextcloud offers a more modern interface and additional features like calendar and contact synchronization. On the other hand, Seafile focuses on providing high performance and reliability, making it a great choice for businesses and organizations with large amounts of data.

Remember to always verify your installation by accessing the web interface at http://your_server_ip/nextcloud for Nextcloud and http://your_server_ip/seafile for Seafile. You should see the respective login pages.

Troubleshooting OwnCloud Installs

While installing OwnCloud on Linux is generally a smooth process, you might encounter some issues. Here are some common problems and their solutions.

Issue: Database Configuration Errors

Sometimes, you might encounter errors related to database configuration during the installation process. This can be due to incorrect database credentials or issues with the database server.

To troubleshoot, you can check the database credentials in the OwnCloud configuration file, which is located at /var/www/html/owncloud/config/config.php.

# Open the OwnCloud configuration file
sudo nano /var/www/html/owncloud/config/config.php

In the configuration file, look for the dbuser and dbpassword fields and make sure they match your database credentials.

Issue: Permission Errors

Permission errors can occur if the web server doesn’t have the necessary permissions to access the OwnCloud files. You can resolve this by changing the ownership of the OwnCloud directory to the web server user.

# Change ownership of the OwnCloud directory (Debian/Ubuntu)
sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/html/owncloud/

# Change ownership of the OwnCloud directory (CentOS/AlmaLinux)
sudo chown -R apache:apache /var/www/html/owncloud/

These commands change the ownership of the OwnCloud directory to the web server user (www-data for Debian/Ubuntu and apache for CentOS/AlmaLinux), resolving the permission errors.

Issue: Missing PHP Extensions

OwnCloud requires several PHP extensions to function correctly. If these are missing, you might encounter errors during the installation process. You can install the required PHP extensions using the package manager.

# Install required PHP extensions (Debian/Ubuntu)
sudo apt-get install php-gd php-json php-mysql php-curl php-mbstring php-intl php-imagick php-xml php-zip

# Install required PHP extensions (CentOS/AlmaLinux)
sudo yum install php-gd php-json php-mysql php-curl php-mbstring php-intl php-imagick php-xml php-zip

These commands install the necessary PHP extensions for OwnCloud to function correctly.

Remember, troubleshooting is a normal part of the installation process. Don’t get discouraged if you encounter issues. With a bit of patience and the right information, you can resolve most problems and get OwnCloud up and running on your Linux system.

The Value of OwnCloud Server

Among the many cloud storage solutions available, OwnCloud stands out for several reasons:

• Data Control: With OwnCloud, your data remains under your control on your servers. This is crucial for sensitive data that you don’t want to entrust to third-party cloud providers.

• Privacy: Since OwnCloud is self-hosted, you have complete control over who can access your data. This is in contrast to public cloud providers, where your data might be subject to search by law enforcement agencies.

• Customization: OwnCloud is open-source, which means you can customize and modify it to suit your needs. You can add or remove features, change the user interface, and more.

• Integration: OwnCloud can integrate with your existing security infrastructure, including LDAP/Active Directory, SAML, and Kerberos.

# Example of LDAP integration in OwnCloud
sudo -u www-data php /var/www/html/owncloud/occ ldap:create-empty-config
sudo -u www-data php /var/www/html/owncloud/occ ldap:set-config s01 hasMemberOfFilterSupport 1

# Output:
# Created new configuration with configID 's01'
# Set parameter hasMemberOfFilterSupport for configuration s01 to 1

In this example, we’re using the OwnCloud command-line interface to create an empty LDAP configuration and enable the MemberOf feature. This allows OwnCloud to understand group memberships in LDAP, which is useful for controlling access to data.

The Value of OwnCloud in a Linux Environment

Installing OwnCloud on a Linux server brings together the power and flexibility of Linux with the robust features of OwnCloud. Linux servers are known for their stability, security, and performance, making them an ideal platform for a cloud storage solution like OwnCloud.

Practical Uses of Linux Cloud Storage

Cloud storage, like OwnCloud, plays a crucial role in data management and security. It provides a centralized location to store, access, and manage data, making data management more streamlined and efficient.

Cloud storage also adds an extra layer of security to your data. OwnCloud, for example, offers data encryption, ensuring that your data is safe from unauthorized access. Moreover, OwnCloud provides user management features, allowing you to control who can access your data.

Data Encryption in OwnCloud

OwnCloud comes with a built-in encryption module that encrypts your data on the server. This ensures that your data is secure even if the server is compromised.

# Enable the encryption module
sudo -u www-data php /var/www/html/owncloud/occ app:enable encryption

# Enable server-side encryption
sudo -u www-data php /var/www/html/owncloud/occ encryption:enable

# Output:
# Encryption enabled
# Default module: OC_DEFAULT_MODULE

In this example, we’re using the OwnCloud command-line interface to enable the encryption module and server-side encryption. This encrypts all data stored on the server.

User Management in OwnCloud

OwnCloud allows you to manage users and their permissions, providing control over who can access your data.

# Create a new user
sudo -u www-data php /var/www/html/owncloud/occ user:add --display-name="John Doe" --group="users" jdoe

# Output:
# The user "jdoe" was created successfully

In this example, we’re creating a new user named ‘jdoe’ and adding them to the ‘users’ group.

The Importance of Cloud Storage

In the digital age, data is the new gold. Businesses, organizations, and individuals generate vast amounts of data every day. This data needs to be stored, managed, and accessed efficiently, and that’s where cloud storage comes in.

Cloud storage is a service model where data is maintained, managed, and backed up remotely and made available to users over a network (typically the internet). It provides users with immediate access to a broad range of resources and applications hosted in the infrastructure of another organization via a web service interface.

Further Resources for OwnCloud Server

To further your understanding of OwnCloud and its features, here are some resources you can explore:

• OwnCloud Documentation: The official documentation provides a comprehensive guide to using OwnCloud, from installation to advanced features.

• OwnCloud Server Administration Manual: This manual provides detailed information on administering an OwnCloud server, including user management and data encryption.

• Setting Up Your Own Cloud Server: This article provides a practical guide to setting up OwnCloud on Linux, including troubleshooting tips and best practices.

Recap: Install OwnCloud Effortlessly

In this comprehensive guide, we’ve covered the process of installing OwnCloud, a secure and private cloud storage solution, on Linux. We’ve broken down the steps to help you understand the process and have provided code examples to guide you along the way.

We began with the basics, showing you how to install OwnCloud using package managers like APT and YUM. We then delved into more advanced topics, such as installing OwnCloud from source and installing specific versions of OwnCloud. We also explored alternative cloud storage solutions like Nextcloud and Seafile, providing a wider perspective on the options available for setting up cloud storage on Linux.

Along the way, we addressed common issues that you might encounter during the installation process, such as database configuration errors, permission errors, and missing PHP extensions. We provided solutions and workarounds to help you overcome these challenges and ensure a smooth installation process.

Here’s a quick comparison of the methods we’ve discussed:

Whether you’re a beginner just getting started with cloud storage or an experienced user looking to set up a private cloud storage system, we hope this guide has been helpful. With the knowledge you’ve gained, you’re now well-equipped to install OwnCloud on Linux and explore other cloud storage solutions. Remember, the world of cloud storage is vast and ever-evolving, so continue learning and exploring. Happy cloud surfing!