Installing Joomla on 5.0-Nano
| Installing Joomla on 5.0-Nano |
Introduction
This step-by-step guide shows how to install Joomla on Uniform Server V5.0-Nano Uniform Server is inherently portable however Joomla uses absolute paths preventing true portability this is easily resolved after installation see portability section.
Copy the above to a USB memory stick and run on another PC. If a host PC is currently running another server it will prevent UniServer from running. To resolve this situation either stop, the host servers or preferably install your UniServer on different ports by moving the server. Before installing Joomla its worth reading how to move servers.
Pre-Installation
Note: There is no real need to create folders at A) and B) they are there to provide a reference point and make screen capture that little bit easier.
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Install Uniform server
Download Joomla
Copy files to Uniform Server
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Switch to production, start servers
UniServer’s default is to use the development PHP configuration file before installing any applications it’s a good idea to switch-in the production file and then start servers.
- Start UniTray, in folder UniServer double click on Start.exe tray icon created.
- Switch to production, Left click tray icon > Advanced > click php.ini switch to Production.
- Start Uniform Server. Left click tray icon > click Start UniServer
Create a Joomla Database
Creating the Joomla database is straight forward, note tables are automatically inserted during installation
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Note:
- You can start phpMyAdmin from Apanel, start Apanel by typing http://localhost/apanel/ into your browser address bar.
- From Apanel click on the phpMyAdmin link. (left menu under tools)
Installation
To start installation process type the following http://localhost/joomla/ into your browser and follow the instructions.
Note: If you moved the server remember to type the port number e.g. To start installation process type the following http://localhost:82/joomla/ into your browser and follow the instructions.
There are seven pages to the process as follows:
- Language
- Pre-installation Check
- License
- Database
- FTP Configuration
- Configuration
- Finish
For completeness, I have reproduced the steps and added a few extra notes.
Language
You are presented with a list of languages, the default selection is English.
Select your required language and Click Next (top right)
Pre-installation Check
Uniform Server passes the pre-installation check, Click Next
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The following are checked: |
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Recommended Settings: |
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License
After reading the GNU General Public License: - Click Next
Database
I have shown Uniform Server's default password (MySQL password = root) and database name created above (joomla).
If you are going to put the server on-line change the MySQL password.
| Database Type: | mysql | - Do not change |
| Host Name: | localhost | - If you moved servers add port number e.g localhost:3308 |
| Username: | root | - Do not change |
| Password: | root | - Use the MySQL password you set using Apanel |
| Database Name: | joomla | - Use the name you set during pre-configuration |
| Click Next | - That's all the database info required hence continue |
Note: You do not need to change any of the advanced features.
FTP Configuration
Click Next
Note: For a Windows Operating System, the FTP layer is not required.
Configuration
Site configuration is straightforward, I have shown example entries in bold just substitute for your real data.
| Site Name: | MPG TEST | - Use your real site name |
| Your E-mail: | fred@fred.com | - Use your real email address |
| Admin Password: | root66 | - Use your real password |
| Confirm Admin Password: | root66 | - Enter it again |
| Install Default Sample Data | Click Install button | - Optional |
| Load Migration Script: | Not required | - No action |
| Click Next | - That completes the site information |
Finish
That essentially completes the installation, you will receive the following warning:
PLEASE REMEMBER TO COMPLETELY REMOVE THE INSTALLATION DIRECTORY. You will not be able to proceed beyond this point until the installation directory has been removed. This is a security feature of Joomla!.
Delete the folder: UniServer\udrive\www\joomla\installation
Click Either Site or Admin top right
General Information
- Admin login name: admin
- Admin password: root66 - One you set above
- Site address: http://localhost/joomla/
- Admin address: http://localhost/joomla/administrator/
Note: If you moved the servers remember to add the new port number e.g.
- Site address: http://localhost:82/joomla/
- Admin address: http://localhost:82/joomla/administrator/
Portability
Joomla’s configuration file UniServer\www\joomla\configuration.php contains various variables defined during installation. Amongst these are two variables $log_path and $tmp_path containing fixed paths. Fixed paths are not consistent with portability these variables require converting to dynamic fixed paths.
Joomla’s configuration file is a list of variables contained in a class named Jconfig to set these variables dynamically we use the class constructor as follows:
//=== Constructor JConfig for Joomla class ===================================
function JConfig() {
$splitArray = explode("\\www",__DIR__); // Split at folder www to
$base = "$splitArray[0]"; // give absolute path to
$this->log_path = $base."\\www\\joomla\\logs"; // www. Create new paths to
$this->tmp_path = $base."\\www\\joomla\\tmp"; // folders logs and temp
} // and set class variables.
//=============================== END Constructor JConfig for Joomla class ===
Add this to the end of the class (just above the last curly brace) hence when the class is instantiated new paths are calculated and appropriate variables updated.
Advantages of this method, servers can be run from any location.
Move Servers
One of Uniform Server’s unique features is the capability to run more than one complete server on the same PC. When running a server from a USB memory stick you can use this to great advantage and prevent server clashes. You will have noticed UniTray’s icon displays one (meaning standard ports). Moving UniServer increments this digit and so on for each server move. In reality it’s not just a port change but a complete server update, running server status displays the server characteristics.
Move Servers:
- Assumes a new extracted server (see note 1)
- Stop all running Uniform Servers
- Start UniTray, in folder UniServer double click on Start.exe tray icon created.
- Move servers, Left click tray icon > Advanced > click Move Servers multi-server operation.
- In the pop-up window at all prompts press enter to accept defaults.
- The tray icon will display 2, if you already use a server with this number repeat steps 4 and 5 each server must have a unique number.
- After moving the servers you can now install Joomla as explained above.
- However before proceeding you need to use the new server ports for installation.
- To find these: Left click tray icon > Server Status
I moved the servers to icon 3 hence Apache port = 82 and MySQL port = 3308
To start installation: type http://localhost:82/joomla/ into your browser
Database Configuration host name becomes: localhost:3308
After installation page access requires the addition of a port number as shown
- Site address: http://localhost:82/joomla/
- Admin address: http://localhost:82/joomla/administrator/
Note 1:
If you have already installed Joomla on UniServer V5-Nano and want to move the servers it is possible.
- Follow steps 2-6 as above
- Edit file UniServer\www\joomla\configuration.php
- Locate line (15)
Change line: var $host = 'localhost';
To: var $host = 'localhost:3308'; - Save file.
Use the port number that matches your server start the servers. Pages are accessible as mentioned above just remember to use the port number that matches your server.
Conclusion
From the above you have seen how easy it is to install Joomla and make it fully portable.
What may not be apparent from the above is the reason for using icon 3 for Joomla. I have a main server that runs on standard ports hence icon 1 is in use. I installed MediaWiki on a USB memory stick this uses icon 2 the next free icon was 3 hence I used that.
While writing this I currently have three independent Uniform Servers running on the same PC. The main server is running as a service and the other two as a standard program. I only mention this to give you some idea of Uniform Server’s capabilities and flexibility.
Related links:
How to install Joomla on Uniform Server 3.5-Apollo
Joomla (Version 1.0.13 ) portability on Uniform Server 3.5-Apollo.