How To Install phpMyAdmin on CentOS Stream 10

phpMyAdmin is a powerful web-based tool that simplifies the management of MySQL and MariaDB databases. It provides an intuitive interface for performing various database operations, such as creating databases, executing SQL queries, and managing users. For developers and system administrators using CentOS Stream 10, installing phpMyAdmin can significantly streamline database management tasks. This guide will walk you through the installation process step-by-step, ensuring you have a fully functional phpMyAdmin setup.

Prerequisites for Installation

System Requirements

Before installing phpMyAdmin, ensure your system meets the following requirements:

• Operating System: CentOS Stream 10
• Web Server: Apache HTTP Server
• Database Server: MySQL or MariaDB
• PHP Version: PHP 7.2 or higher

Access Requirements

You will need root or sudo access to your CentOS Stream 10 server. Additionally, SSH access is required to execute commands remotely.

Setting Up the Environment

Update Your System

The first step in preparing your server is to update all existing packages to their latest versions. This ensures that you have the latest security patches and features.

sudo dnf update -y

Install Apache Web Server

The next step is to install the Apache web server, which will serve as the foundation for hosting phpMyAdmin.

sudo dnf install httpd -y

After installation, start the Apache service and enable it to launch on boot:

sudo systemctl start httpd
sudo systemctl enable httpd

Install PHP and Required Extensions

phpMyAdmin requires PHP along with several extensions for optimal functionality. Install PHP and its necessary extensions using the following command:

sudo dnf install php php-mysqlnd php-mbstring php-xml -y

Once installed, restart Apache to ensure it recognizes the new PHP modules:

sudo systemctl restart httpd

Installing EPEL Repository

What is EPEL?

The Extra Packages for Enterprise Linux (EPEL) repository provides additional packages that are not included in the standard CentOS repositories. It is essential for installing phpMyAdmin.

Installing EPEL on CentOS Stream 10

Add the EPEL repository to your system with the following command:

sudo dnf install epel-release -y

Installing phpMyAdmin

Installation Command

You can now install phpMyAdmin directly from the EPEL repository. Execute this command:

sudo dnf install phpmyadmin -y

Configuration File Location

The main configuration file for phpMyAdmin can be found at /etc/httpd/conf.d/phpMyAdmin.conf. This file controls how Apache serves phpMyAdmin.

Configuring phpMyAdmin

Edit Configuration File

Edit the configuration file to customize access settings. Open it with a text editor such as nano or vi:

sudo nano /etc/httpd/conf.d/phpMyAdmin.conf

Allowing Remote Access

If you want to allow remote access to phpMyAdmin, locate the lines that restrict access by IP address. Modify them as follows:

# Apache 2.4
Require all granted
# Allow from specific IPs
Require ip YOUR_IP_ADDRESS
# Replace YOUR_IP_ADDRESS with your actual IP address

Security Considerations

It’s crucial to secure your phpMyAdmin installation. Consider implementing the following security measures:

• Password Protection: Use .htaccess files to restrict access.
• IP Whitelisting: Limit access to specific IP addresses.
• SSL Encryption: Enable HTTPS on your server.

Configuring Firewall

Enabling Firewall Services

If you have a firewall enabled on your CentOS Stream 10 server, you need to allow HTTP and HTTPS traffic. Use these commands:

sudo firewall-cmd --add-service=http --permanent
sudo firewall-cmd --add-service=https --permanent
sudo firewall-cmd --reload

Accessing phpMyAdmin

Accessing via Browser

You can now access phpMyAdmin through your web browser by navigating to:

http://YOUR_SERVER_IP/phpmyadmin

If everything is configured correctly, you should see the phpMyAdmin login page where you can enter your database credentials.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter issues while accessing or using phpMyAdmin, consider these common problems and their solutions:

• Error 403 Forbidden: This often indicates permission issues in your configuration file. Ensure that you’ve set up access correctly in /etc/httpd/conf.d/phpMyAdmin.conf.
• Error Establishing Database Connection: This means there may be an issue with your database credentials or database server status. Double-check your credentials and ensure that MySQL/MariaDB is running.
• No PHP Extensions Loaded: If you see errors regarding missing PHP extensions, ensure that all required extensions are installed and that Apache has been restarted after installation.
• Error: “phpMyAdmin tried to connect to the MySQL server, but the connection failed”: This may be due to incorrect MySQL settings in your configuration file or issues with MySQL/MariaDB itself not running properly.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed phpMyAdmin. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing the latest version of phpMyAdmin on the CentOS Stream 10 system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official phpMyAdmin website.