This page describes how to install LAMP, which stands for Linux Apache MariaDB PHP. For this purpose, you need to set up:

• a working Apache2 webserver;
• a configured MariaDB database server;
• PHP for work with Apache; and finally
• phpMyAdmin with a configured pmadb database.

The needed time for the whole installation is around 20 minutes but it may depend on the performance of your Internet connection. This will require you spend some time in the terminal to properly set up.

Getting root access

To get root access, open a terminal and enter the following command:

su –

After entering a valid password, the prompt should turn red and end with a #.

Apache

The following is a step-by-step process to install the Apache2 webserver that will be used in a basic LAMP setup.

Installing Apache2

First of all, make sure you have root access and enter the following as root:

apt install apache2

Starting Apache2 Service

To start the Apache server, enter the following as root

service apache2 start

If you ever want to restart the Apache server:

service apache2 restart

To stop the apache2 service:

service apache2 stop

To automatically start the apache service after reboot

update-rc.d apache2 defaults

Testing the installation

Debian and consequently MX build of Apache2 stores the html pages under /var/www/html/

Now point your favorite Web browser to: ‘localhost’ or 127.0.0.1. You should see the default Apache2 welcome page.

Firewall

By default MX Linux does not enable the firewall, however, if you intend on using the firewall you will have to open the appropriate ports.

For unencrypted, http, traffic, open port 80 on the firewall

For encrypted, https, traffic, open port 443

PHP

Hypertext Preprocessor is a server-side scripting language designed for Web development, but also used as a general-purpose programming language.

Installation

Ensure you have root access and run the following command to install the PHP module for php7

apt install libapache2-mod-php7.0

Although it may have already been enabled, enable mod-php by executing:

a2enmod php7.0

PHP installation is complete

Restart the Webserver

Now that PHP is installed, restart the apache2 webserver:

service apache2 restart

Test the Installation

In order to verify that PHP is properly working, create a index.php file into the /var/www/html/ folder with the following content:

<?php 
phpinfo();
?>

Now, point your browser to ‘localhost/index.php’. You should see a page containing a table with all PHP settings displayed.

MariaDB

MariaDB is an alternative package for MySQL, so further on the name mysql is used.

Installation

Ensure you have root access and enter:

apt install mariadb-server

Start the MariaDB server

As root user run the command in terminal:

service mysql start

Ensure that the server will start at every boot:

update-rc.d mysql defaults

Should you need to restart mysql, execute

service mysql restart

To stop the service

service mysql stop

Configure the MariaDB/MySql server

To configure the MariaDB server with improved security, please use the script mysql_secure_installation provided. Hereafter is the description of the full process.

mysql_secure_installation

stackstackstackstack

NOTE: RUNNING ALL PARTS OF THIS SCRIPT IS RECOMMENDED FOR ALL MariaDB

SERVERS IN PRODUCTION USE! PLEASE READ EACH STEP CAREFULLY!

In order to log into MariaDB to secure it, we’ll need the current password for the root user. If you’ve just installed MariaDB, and you haven’t set the root password yet, the password will be blank, so you should just press enter here. Enter current password for root (enter for none):

Just press Enter here.

OK, successfully used password, moving on…

Setting the root password ensures that nobody can log into the MariaDB root user without the proper authorization. Set root password? [Y/n] y

Just enter y here.

New password:

Enter the password for root now.

Re-enter new password:

Enter the password confirmation.

Password updated successfully!

Reloading privilege tables.. … Success! By default, a MariaDB installation has an anonymous user, allowing anyone to log into MariaDB without having to have a user account created for them. This is intended only for testing, and to make the installation go a bit smoother. You should remove them before moving into a production environment. Remove anonymous users? [Y/n]

Answer y to remove anonymous users.

… Success!

Normally, root should only be allowed to connect from ‘localhost’. This ensures that someone cannot guess at the root password from the network. Disallow root login remotely? [Y/n]

Answer y now.

… Success!

By default, MariaDB comes with a database named ‘test’ that anyone can access. This is also intended only for testing, and should be removed before moving into a production environment. Remove test database and access to it? [Y/n]

Answer y.

– Dropping test database…

… Success! – Removing privileges on test database… … Success! Reloading the privilege tables will ensure that all changes made so far will take effect immediately. Reload privilege tables now? [Y/n]

Answer y.

… Success!

Cleaning up… All done! If you’ve completed all of the above steps, your MariaDB installation should now be secure. Thanks for using MariaDB!

MariaDB has now been successfully Configured

Should you need to set a new password for MairaDB, as root:

mysqladmin -u root password
Password: <enter your password>
Confirm new password: <enter same password>

Log in to the client

Now you can log in into the server client by executing

mysql -u root -p
Enter password:

Then give your password.

You will be given some output similar to this:

Welcome to the MariaDB monitor. Commands end with ; or \g.
Your MariaDB connection id is 71 Server version: 10.1.38-MariaDB-0+deb9u1 Debian 9.8

Copyright (c) 2000, 2015, Oracle, MariaDB Corporation Ab and others.

Type ‘help;’ or ‘\h’ for help. Type ‘\c’ to clear the current input statement.

MariaDB [(none)]>

To go back to the terminal, enter:

exit

phpMyAdmin

What is phpMyAdmin? phpMyAdmin, also known as pma, is a tool to administrate your databases from a Web interface.

Installation

As root user, in the terminal run:

apt install phpmyadmin

This will install several packages and request to restart your webservice

Select to configure database for phpmyadmin with dconfig-common, and select Forward.

Enter your password for the MySQL. You will also be asked to enter it again.

Log into phpMyAdmin

To log in to phpMyAdmin:

Navigate to localhost/phpMyAdmin

Enter the username: phpmyadmin
and the root password of your mysql server

Click on the ‘go’ button

That’s all! You can now administer your databases from a Web interface.

Documentation about using phpMyAdmin can be found on the phpMyAdmin website.

Congratulations, a properly configured LAMP server has been successfully installed.