It comes with everything, from user management to site configuration, to content editing, and many more features that are available with other popular CMS platforms. Exponent is designed for ease of use with security features that may help protect your content out of the box. For more about Exponent, please check its homepage. This brief tutorial is going to 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 in use. so install it, since Bludit needs it. To install Apache2 HTTP on the Ubuntu server, run the commands below. 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. 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. When you see that, then Apache2 is working as expected.

PHP 7.2 may not be available in Ubuntu default repositories for some systems. if you need 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 Then update and upgrade to PHP 7.2 Next, run the commands below to install PHP 7.2 and related modules. After installing PHP 7.2, run the commands below to open the PHP default config file for Apache2. Then make the changes on the following lines below in the file and save. The value below is a great setting to apply in your environment. After making the change above, save the file and close it. After installing PHP and related modules, all you have to do is restart Apache2 to reload PHP configurations. To restart Apache2, run the commands below To test PHP 7.2 settings with Apache2, create a phpinfo.php file in the Apache2 root directory by running the commands below Then type the content below and save the file. Save the file. then browse to your server hostname followed by /phpinfo.php You should see the PHP default test page.

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

Create Exponent Database

Now that you’ve installed all the packages that are required, 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. Then create a database called exponentcms Create a database user called exponentcmsuser with a new password Then grant the user full access to the database. Finally, save your changes and 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. Then run the commands below to set the correct permissions for Exponent CMS to function.

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 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 Exponent and Rewrite the 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 the Exponent setup wizard complete. Please follow the wizard carefully. You should see Exponent’s installation wizard. This installation wizard will guide you step by step through the configuration and setup of your new Exponent-powered website. Next, confirm that all the requirements are met. Exponent requires that several file permissions be set correctly to operate. Sanity checks are being run right now to ensure that the web server directory you wish to install Exponent in, is suitable. On this page, you configure the database connection you created above. Exponent requires a database to store and manage content. Simply create a database using your database tool of choice, and fill in the information on this page. After the database configuration page, continue with the setup. On the next page, enter some basic site information and continue. 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 throughout the entire website. Your installation is complete. Enjoy! You may also like the post below: