How To Install Backdrop CMS on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

In this tutorial, we will show you how to install Backdrop CMS on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. Backdrop CMS is a powerful, user-friendly content management system that offers a balance between the simplicity of WordPress and the flexibility of Drupal. Whether you’re running a blog, a corporate website, or an e-commerce platform, Backdrop CMS provides the tools you need to build and manage your site effectively. Combining Backdrop CMS with Ubuntu 24.04 LTS creates a robust and secure environment, ensuring your website runs smoothly and efficiently.

Prerequisites

System Requirements

• Operating System: Ubuntu 24.04 LTS
• Web Server: Apache or Nginx
• Database: MySQL or MariaDB (version 5.5 or higher)
• PHP: Version 5.6 or higher with necessary extensions (php-mysql, php-curl, php-json, php-mbstring, php-xml, php-gd)
• Hardware: Minimum 1 GB RAM, 20 GB HDD space

Pre-installation Checklist

• Access to a user account with sudo privileges.
• Updated Ubuntu system: Run sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade.
• Stable internet connection for downloading necessary packages and Backdrop CMS.

Step 1: Preparing the Server Environment

Update and Upgrade System

Before installing any new software, ensure your system is up-to-date to prevent compatibility issues.

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

This command updates the package lists and upgrades all installed packages to their latest versions.

Install Required Software

Install Apache, PHP, and MySQL/MariaDB using the following commands:

• Apache Web Server:

  sudo apt install apache2 -y

• PHP and Extensions:

  sudo apt install php libapache2-mod-php php-mysql php-curl php-json php-mbstring php-xml php-gd -y

• MySQL Server:

  sudo apt install mysql-server -y

Configure Firewall

Allow HTTP and HTTPS traffic through the firewall:

sudo ufw allow 'Apache Full'

This command configures UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall) to allow traffic on ports 80 and 443.

Step 2: Setting Up the Database for Backdrop CMS

Create a New Database

Backdrop CMS requires a dedicated database. Follow these steps to create one:

sudo mysql

Once inside the MySQL shell, execute the following commands:

CREATE DATABASE backdrop_db CHARACTER SET utf8mb4 COLLATE utf8mb4_general_ci;
CREATE USER 'backdrop_user'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'secure_password';
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON backdrop_db.* TO 'backdrop_user'@'localhost';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
EXIT;

**Note:** Replace 'secure_password' with a strong password to enhance security.

Step 3: Downloading and Extracting Backdrop CMS

Download Backdrop CMS

Navigate to the temporary directory and download the latest version of Backdrop CMS:

cd /tmp/
wget https://github.com/backdrop/backdrop/releases/download/1.x.x/backdrop.zip

Alternatively, you can visit the Backdrop CMS official download page to get the latest release.

Extract Files

Unzip the downloaded package and move it to the Apache web root:

sudo unzip backdrop.zip

sudo mv backdrop /var/www/html/backdrop

Set Proper Ownership and Permissions

Ensure that Apache has the necessary permissions to access and modify the Backdrop files:

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

Step 4: Configuring Apache for Backdrop CMS

Create a Virtual Host File

Create a new Apache configuration file for Backdrop CMS:

sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/backdrop.conf

Insert the following configuration:

<VirtualHost *:80>
    ServerAdmin admin@example.com
    DocumentRoot /var/www/html/backdrop
    ServerName example.com
    ServerAlias www.example.com

    <Directory /var/www/html/backdrop>
        AllowOverride All
    </Directory>

    ErrorLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/error.log
    CustomLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/access.log combined
</VirtualHost>

**Note:** Replace example.com with your actual domain name.

Enable the Site and Rewrite Module

Activate the new virtual host and enable the rewrite module:

sudo a2ensite backdrop.conf
sudo a2enmod rewrite
sudo systemctl restart apache2

This ensures that Apache recognizes the Backdrop configuration and supports URL rewriting for clean URLs.

Step 5: Running the Backdrop CMS Installer

Access the Installer

Open your web browser and navigate to your server’s IP address or domain name:

http://your-server-ip/

If the installer doesn’t automatically appear, append install.php to the URL:

http://your-server-ip/install.php

Installation Wizard Steps

• Choose Language: Select your preferred language and click “Save and continue”.
• Verify System Requirements: Ensure all server requirements are met. If any issues are detected, resolve them before proceeding.
• Set Up Database: Enter the database name, username, and password you created earlier.
• Install Backdrop: The installer will process the installation. Wait for the progress bar to complete.
• Set Site Information & Main Account: Configure your site’s name, email address, and create the main administrative account.

Troubleshooting Common Installation Errors

• Permission Errors: If you encounter permission-related issues, ensure that the settings.php file is writable during installation.
• Database Connection Issues: Verify that your database credentials are correct and that the database server is running.
• Missing PHP Extensions: Ensure all required PHP extensions are installed and enabled.

Step 6: Post-installation Configuration

Secure the settings.php File

After successful installation, protect the settings.php file by making it read-only:

sudo chmod 444 /var/www/html/backdrop/sites/default/settings.php

Set Correct Permissions for the Files Directory

Ensure that the files directory has appropriate permissions:

sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/html/backdrop/sites/default/files
sudo chmod -R 770 /var/www/html/backdrop/sites/default/files

Configure Clean URLs (Optional)

If clean URLs are not working, ensure that the .htaccess file in the Backdrop root directory is properly configured:

sudo nano /var/www/html/backdrop/.htaccess

Ensure the following line is uncommented:

AllowOverride All

Optional Step: Enabling HTTPS with Let’s Encrypt SSL Certificate

Install Certbot

Certbot automates the process of obtaining and installing SSL certificates:

sudo apt install certbot python3-certbot-apache -y

Obtain and Install the SSL Certificate

Run Certbot to obtain and configure the SSL certificate for your domain:

sudo certbot --apache -d example.com -d www.example.com

Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the SSL setup.

Set Up Automatic Renewal

Certbot automatically sets up a cron job for certificate renewal. To verify, you can perform a dry run:

sudo certbot renew --dry-run

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Fixing Permission Errors

Ensure that the web server user (www-data) owns the Backdrop files:

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

Resolving Database Connection Issues

Double-check your database credentials in the settings.php file:

sudo nano /var/www/html/backdrop/sites/default/settings.php

Ensure the database name, username, and password are correct and that the database server is running:

sudo systemctl status mysql

Debugging Apache Configuration Problems

Check Apache’s error logs for detailed error messages:

sudo tail -f /var/log/apache2/error.log

Common issues include misconfigured virtual host files or missing modules. Ensure that the rewrite module is enabled and that the virtual host configuration is correct.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Backdrop. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing the Backdrop Content Management System on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official Backdrop website.