How To Install Concrete CMS on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

Concrete CMS is a powerful content management system that offers an intuitive interface and modular architecture for managing websites of various sizes. It simplifies web content creation, editing, and organization, making it an appealing choice for individuals and businesses seeking flexibility and ease of use. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step tutorial on installing Concrete CMS on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. The instructions cover prerequisites, system updates, database configuration, web server setup, and finalizing the installation through the administrative interface. By following this tutorial, readers will gain a fully functional Concrete CMS environment, suitable for launching secure and high-performing websites, and discover helpful troubleshooting tips along the way.

Introduction

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS is a reliable Linux distribution widely used for server deployments. This particular release brings enhanced performance, stability, and security patches. When paired with Concrete CMS, webmasters benefit from a content management platform backed by a robust Open Source community. This combination simplifies website building without needing extensive knowledge of complex web technologies. Concrete CMS includes features such as a drag-and-drop builder, built-in SEO tools, and granular user permissions. It also integrates seamlessly with themes and extensions that expand its core functionality.

Throughout this guide, the instructions focus on installing Concrete CMS alongside Apache, PHP, and the MariaDB database server on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. Proper installation steps ensure a smooth configuration that enables administrators to access core features such as page versioning, advanced permissions, and eCommerce integrations. Having the correct environment in place significantly reduces the likelihood of runtime errors or conflicts with other services on the system. By following these recommendations, system administrators can achieve a reliable and secure setup suitable for both personal and commercial websites.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding, verify that the target Ubuntu 24.04 LTS installation meets the minimum requirements for Concrete CMS. While resource needs vary depending on site complexity, the following prerequisites will help ensure a stable configuration:

• Server Requirements: A minimum of 2 GB of RAM is recommended for running Ubuntu, Apache, PHP, and MariaDB together. Disk space should be at least 10 GB or more, depending on stored content and backups.
• Sudo Privileges: Secure shell (SSH) access with a user who has sudo privileges is necessary to execute administrative tasks, like package management and configuration adjustments.
• Domain Name or IP Address: Configuring a domain name with DNS records pointing to the server is optional but recommended for production environments. A public-facing IP address may be used if a domain is unavailable.
• Basic Command-Line Knowledge: Familiarity with commands such as apt, cp, mv, chown, and chmod is beneficial for completing the installation successfully.

Ensuring that these points are in place allows a seamless transition from a fresh Ubuntu 24.04 LTS setup to a functioning Concrete CMS environment. Failing to meet these prerequisites can lead to permission issues, insufficient resources, or incomplete installations later in the process.

Update System Packages

Keeping your server’s software updated is critical for stability and security. Confirm that all packages are current by executing:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

This command updates the package repository information, then proceeds to upgrade any outdated packages found on your system. Regularly performing system updates ensures security patches and latest features are in place, which is essential when hosting public-facing websites and web applications. After successful updates, reboot the system if the kernel or other core components have changed:

sudo reboot

Once the system restarts, log back in and verify everything is functioning properly by checking the status of your essential services, like networking and SSH, to confirm they are operational.

Install and Configure Apache Web Server

Concrete CMS operates smoothly on various web servers, but Apache remains a popular choice due to extensive documentation and robust feature support. Begin by installing Apache:

sudo apt install apache2 -y

After installation completes, enable and start Apache to run at system boot:

sudo systemctl enable apache2
sudo systemctl start apache2

Confirm Apache’s status to ensure it is active:

sudo systemctl status apache2

If everything is correct, the status should read active (running). This step is necessary so that Apache can serve HTTP requests and respond with the Concrete CMS interface once it is deployed.

Configuring a dedicated Virtual Host is highly recommended, especially when hosting multiple websites or domains on one server. A Virtual Host ensures isolation of settings, log files, and domain management. Create a virtual host file in /etc/apache2/sites-available/ called concrete.conf:

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

Insert the following content, adjusting the ServerName and DocumentRoot to match your domain or IP address:

<VirtualHost *:80>
    ServerName your-domain.com
    DocumentRoot /var/www/concrete

    <Directory /var/www/concrete>
        AllowOverride All
        Require all granted
    </Directory>

    ErrorLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/concrete_error.log
    CustomLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/concrete_access.log combined
</VirtualHost>

Save and close the file. Then enable the new virtual host configuration and the Apache rewrite module:

sudo a2ensite concrete.conf
sudo a2enmod rewrite
sudo systemctl reload apache2

Enabling mod_rewrite allows Concrete CMS to use user-friendly URLs, which help with search engine optimization and user navigation [10].

5. Install PHP and Required Extensions

Concrete CMS runs on PHP, so ensuring the correct PHP version and essential extensions are installed is essential. Ubuntu 24.04 LTS typically includes up-to-date PHP packages:

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

Check your PHP version:

php -v

Concrete CMS commonly requires PHP 7.4 or higher. Ubuntu 24.04 LTS typically ships with a more recent PHP version, such as PHP 8.x, which is suitable for running Concrete CMS. After installation, consider adjusting php.ini settings for optimal performance. Common adjustments include increasing memory_limit and upload_max_filesize values based on your project needs.

6. Install and Configure MariaDB

Concrete CMS uses a relational database for content storage. MariaDB is an open-source variant of MySQL, known for stability and performance. Install MariaDB with:

sudo apt install mariadb-server -y

Start and enable MariaDB on boot:

sudo systemctl enable mariadb
sudo systemctl start mariadb

Secure the MariaDB installation:

sudo mysql_secure_installation

This script prompts you to set a root password, remove anonymous users, disable remote root logins, and remove test databases. Providing secure responses ensures better protection against unauthorized access.

Log in to the MariaDB shell with:

sudo mysql

Create a dedicated database for Concrete CMS, a new user, and grant privileges:

CREATE DATABASE concrete_db;
CREATE USER 'concrete_user'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'some_strong_password';
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON concrete_db.* TO 'concrete_user'@'localhost';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
EXIT;

This approach separates application data for better maintainability and adds a layer of security by using a restricted database user.

7. Download and Extract Concrete CMS

Concrete CMS is frequently updated to address security patches and introduce new features. The recommended method is to fetch the official .zip file from Concrete CMS’ website. Navigate to the /tmp directory to store the downloaded file temporarily:

cd /tmp

Then download the latest release (this link may change over time; always check the official download page for the newest version):

wget --trust-server-names https://www.concretecms.org/application/files/6517/1693/2287/concrete-cms-9.3.2.zip

Upon completion, unzip the archive:

unzip concrete-cms-*.zip

Move or copy the resulting folder to /var/www/concrete as defined in your Apache Virtual Host configuration:

sudo cp -rf concrete-cms-9.3.2 /var/www/concrete

Replace concrete-cms-9.3.2 with the corresponding folder name if you are installing a different version [10].

8. Set Permissions and Ownership

Concrete CMS stores configuration files, logs, and user data within its directory. Therefore, correct permissions are fundamental to avoid errors while writing or reading required resources. Assign Apache’s default user (www-data) ownership of the folder:

sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/concrete

Next, adjust permissions to ensure the web server has the proper read/write access where necessary:

sudo chmod -R 755 /var/www/concrete

Failing to configure permissions will trigger warnings or prevent some tasks from completing, such as uploading files or saving configuration settings from the Concrete CMS dashboard.

9. Accessing the Web Installer

With the necessary software in place, Apache configured, and the Concrete CMS files properly situated, the next step involves launching the CMS installer. Open a web browser and navigate to:

http://your-domain.com

or your server’s IP address (for instance, http://123.45.67.89). If your domain’s DNS is set up correctly, Apache will display the Concrete CMS initial setup page. Choose your preferred language, then continue. Subsequently, a system verification screen appears, ensuring that all PHP extensions and settings satisfy Concrete CMS’ requirements. Confirm that every component displays as ready or installed. Any missing dependencies may need to be installed via the package manager.

After system readiness confirms, the installer will request information about your database server, which includes the Database Name, Username, and Password you created earlier. Specify localhost as the database host unless you have a remote or custom database location. Additionally, you will define an Admin Username, Password, and other site settings. Remember to store these credentials in a secure location.

Tips for the Installer Page

• Database Names: Double-check that the name matches exactly, including letter case.
• Admin Account: Use a strong password to maximize security.
• Sample Content: Some versions of the installer offer sample data. Choose according to your preference to explore Concrete CMS features more easily.

Once finished, click Install Concrete CMS for the setup process to commence. The duration depends on your server’s performance and available resources. After installation concludes, a success message will indicate that your site is installed and instruct you to log in to the administrative dashboard.

Post-Installation Setup and First Login

Upon successful installation, Concrete CMS automatically redirects to its login screen or invites you to Edit Your Site. Provide the username and password specified during the installation:

http://your-domain.com/index.php/login

Administrators can manage pages, upload new themes, install add-ons, and configure sitewide settings from the dashboard. The interface highlights options like Pages & Themes, System & Settings, Maintenance, and more.

To streamline the building process:

• Choose a Theme: Concrete CMS offers a variety of built-in themes, and more advanced themes can be installed to customize design and layout.
• Install Add-Ons: The marketplace contains extensions for eCommerce, SEO enhancements, multi-language support, and social media integrations.
• Configure Basic Information: Under the dashboard, configure site name, time zone, SEO-friendly URLs, and other fundamentals critical for search engine ranking and user experience.

Security Considerations

A secure website environment is imperative, especially if dealing with login credentials, personal data, or eCommerce transactions. Implement these security measures to enhance protection:

• SSL/TLS Certificates: Set up HTTPS through Let’s Encrypt or another certificate authority for encrypted data transmission. This measure is vital for reputation and data protection.
• Firewall Configuration: Employ a firewall tool, like ufw, to limit incoming connections to essential services only. For instance, allowing HTTP (80/tcp) and HTTPS (443/tcp) ensures that extraneous ports remain closed.
• Regular Updates: Update Ubuntu packages, Apache, MariaDB, and Concrete CMS frequently to patch any known vulnerabilities.
• Securing File Permissions: Periodically review directories to confirm that no extraneous write permissions are exposed to unauthorized users.
• Fail2ban or Similar Tools: Protect against brute force attacks by monitoring repeated login failures and banning offending IPs automatically.

Continuous vigilance and adhering to best practices reduce potential risks, protecting your server and website visitors.

Troubleshooting Common Installation Issues

In certain cases, issues may arise during or after installing Concrete CMS. Below are a few possible pitfalls and remedies:

• Permission Errors or Unable to Write Files: Double-check folder ownership. Ensure www-data:www-data is set for /var/www/concrete and that chmod -R 755 has been applied to the writable directories.
• Database Connection Failures: Confirm correctness of your database credentials. Access the MariaDB console manually using mysql -u <username> -p to rule out user or password inconsistencies.
• Blank or 500 Internal Server Error Pages: Review the Apache error log at /var/log/apache2/concrete_error.log for detailed insight into PHP or configuration errors. Missing PHP extensions or misconfigured .htaccess files often produce these errors.
• Installer Freezes: If the installation process hangs indefinitely, clear your browser cache then refresh the page. Alternatively, examine php.ini settings to ensure suitable memory and execution time limits.

Addressing these challenges typically resolves common installation hurdles. Ensuring your system meets prerequisites and that packages are consistently updated prevents many of these problems from occurring in the first place.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Concrete. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing Concrete CMS on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the Concrete website.