Install Concrete5 on CentOS 7: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Concrete5 is a free and open-source content management system (CMS) that offers a range of useful and unique features to help content editors create and manage content efficiently.

This guide outlines the steps for setting up Concrete5 on a CentOS 7 server.

Requirements

• A 64-bit CentOS 7 server
• A user account with sudo privileges

Step 1: System Update

Log in as a sudo-enabled user and update your system to ensure stability and security:

sudo yum install epel-release -y
sudo yum update -y
sudo shutdown -r now

Step 2: Apache Installation

Concrete5 requires a web server to run. On CentOS 7, Apache can be installed with the following command:

sudo yum install httpd -y

Next, remove the default Apache welcome page:

sudo sed -i 's/^/#&/g' /etc/httpd/conf.d/welcome.conf

To enhance security, disable the directory and file listing feature:

sudo sed -i "s/Options Indexes FollowSymLinks/Options FollowSymLinks/" /etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf

Finally, start and enable Apache so it runs at boot:

sudo systemctl start httpd.service
sudo systemctl enable httpd.service

Step 3: Install MariaDB 10

Concrete5 uses a database to store content. MariaDB 10.x is a good choice for performance and compatibility on CentOS 7.

Step 3.1: Add MariaDB YUM Repository

cat <

Step 3.2: Install MariaDB

sudo yum install MariaDB-server MariaDB-client -y

Step 3.3: Start MariaDB Service

sudo systemctl start mariadb.service
sudo systemctl enable mariadb.service

Step 3.4: Secure MariaDB Installation

sudo /usr/bin/mysql_secure_installation

Provide the following responses during the secure setup, and ensure to use a strong password:

• Enter current password for root (enter for none): Enter
• Set root password? [Y/n]: Y
• New password:
• Re-enter new 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

Step 3.5: Create a Concrete5 Database

Log into MariaDB using the root account:

mysql -u root -p

Then run the following SQL commands to set up the database and user. Make sure to replace the example credentials with your own secure values:

CREATE DATABASE concrete5;
CREATE USER 'concrete5user'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'yourpassword';
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON concrete5.* TO 'concrete5user'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'yourpassword' WITH GRANT OPTION;
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
EXIT;

Step 4: Install PHP 7

Concrete5 depends on PHP. You can install PHP 7.1 along with the required extensions by enabling the Webtatic YUM repository and running the following commands:

sudo rpm -Uvh https://mirror.webtatic.com/yum/el7/webtatic-release.rpm
sudo yum install mod_php71w php71w-mysqlnd php71w-xml php71w-common php71w-gd php71w-mbstring php71w-mcrypt php71w-cli php71w-xmlrpc -y

Step 5: Install Concrete5

Download the latest stable version of Concrete5 from the official website:

cd
wget https://core-releases.s3.amazonaws.com/9314/8193/0256/concrete5-8.0.3.zip
sudo yum install unzip -y
unzip concrete5-8.0.3.zip
sudo mv concrete5-8.0.3 /var/www/html
sudo chown -R apache:apache /var/www/html

Now, configure a virtual host for Apache so it can serve your Concrete5 site:

cat <

Apply the changes by restarting the Apache service:

sudo systemctl restart httpd.service

Allow HTTP traffic through the firewall so your site is reachable from the browser:

sudo firewall-cmd --zone=public --permanent --add-service=http
sudo firewall-cmd --reload

Next, open your browser and navigate to http://203.0.113.1 to start the Concrete5 installation wizard.

• Choose Language Page: Select your desired language and proceed by clicking the arrow.
• Testing Environment Page: Ensure all system checks are passed, then proceed.
• Site Information Page: Enter the following details:

Site Information

• Site Name: example.com
• Administrator Email Address: admin@example.com
• Administrator Password:
• Confirm Password:

Starting Point

Select whether to start with an Empty Site or a Full Site.

Database Configuration

• Server: localhost
• MySQL Username: concrete5user
• MySQL Password: yourpassword
• Database Name: concrete5

When the installation completes successfully, you’ll see the message "Installation Complete." Click on "Edit Your Site" to begin managing your new Concrete5 site.

Conclusion

By following this step-by-step guide, you have successfully installed and configured Concrete5 on a CentOS 7 server using Apache, MariaDB, and PHP. With your system updated, services running, and the Concrete5 environment set up properly, you’re now ready to start building and managing your website. Whether you're creating a simple portfolio or a complex content-driven site, Concrete5 offers a user-friendly and flexible platform to get started.