Xoops on cloud

Xoops on cloud

April 16, 2016

1-click AWS Deployment    1-click Azure Deployment

Overview

 

Xoops stands for “eXtensible Object Oriented Portal System”. The script started as a portal system, but later on it evolved into a more reliable and stable content management system that can be used for creating small or large community websites, corporate portals, blogs and many more.XOOPS, powered by you” is the slogan of this Web application system. This literally means that, through the power of modular architecture, you customize your site by installing and activating administrative modules when and if a particular element of your site requires them. For example, when installing XOOPS as a blog it can be expanded on and customized via modules to store content in news, forums, downloads, etc. Although, XOOPS stands for “eXtensible Object Oriented Portal System” and is written in PHP for the MySQL database, it serves more as a dynamic web framework.

XOOPS at a Glance

The heavy lifting in XOOPS happens in the admin interface, where you add blocks or pieces of code to areas on the page. For instance, you could add a news block and place it on the top of your page. There are presently about 600 modules to play with, allowing you to add everything from file management to gaming statistics to your site. And XOOPS works with thousands of templates and themes so you can go crazy changing the look and feel of your pages. XOOPS was also nice and easy to install and modify, making it an extremely responsive Web application system!

Product Details

XOOPS has several features that make it one of the best content management systems (CMS) around. For example:

  • Database-driven—XOOPS store data using a relational database (MySQL).
  • Fully modularized—Install, uninstall, activate, and deactivate modules with just a click of a button using the XOOPS administration system.
  • Personalization—Edit your profiles, select site themes, upload custom avatars, and much more!
  • User management—Search by various criteria, send email and private messages through a template-based messaging system.
  • Supported worldwide—Enjoy multi-byte language support, including Japanese, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Korean, etc.
  • Multi-byte Language Support—Enjoy multi-byte language support, including Japanese, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Korean, etc.
  • Versatile Group Permissions System—Set group permissions via a user-friendly administration system.
  • Theme-based Interface Skins—Change the entire Web site look in a click of a mouse with over 1000 available themes for download!

XOOPS is a content management system that allows administrators to easily create dynamic websites. It is a tool for developing small to large dynamic community websites. It is written in PHP and interfaces with a database such as MySQL.”What this means is that you can share your information with other employees, friends, and prospective buyers. The medium for sharing this information is the Internet.

XOOPS is released under the GNU General Public License (GPL), which gives you the right to use it freely, to modify it to suit your needs and then to redistribute it under the terms of the GPL. XOOPS is pronounced as “zoo’ps”.

The name XOOPS is an acronym of “eXtensible Object-Oriented Portal System”. The word “portal” hints at the original intent of the software as a portal system, but XOOPS is striving to meet the ideals of a true content management system.

The XOOPS Foundation is the umbrella group under which XOOPS is developed and maintained, and under which a number of teams are managed. Some of these teams are the following:

  • Core Development Team, responsible for the maintenance and further development of the XOOPS core code.
  • Module Development Team, responsible for the maintenance and further development of the XOOPS official modules that come with the full package.
  • Theme Design Team, responsible for running and supporting Theme Design and development for the XOOPS system.
  • QA (Quality Assurance) Team, responsible for quality-assurance testing of modules.
  • Documentation Team, responsible for the preparation and addition of introductory manuals, reference guides, tutorials, and technical documents.
  • Marketing and Communications Team, responsible for external marketing, communications, and visibility of XOOPS.
  • Support-Forum Moderation Team, responsible for helping the XOOPS community and new users solve common problems by ensuring that each issue reaches the appropriate team.
  • XOOPS Core Team, comprising team leaders of all the other teams, which is responsible for the “Big Picture”, ensuring that the work of all the teams comes together to make XOOPS a more cohesive product.

XOOPS Manual Installation

Here  we will show you how to install Xoops manually. Before you start, there are a few things that you will need to prepare. First create a new MySQL database logins. Those will be used by Xoops to access the MySQL server. You can easily create a new MySQL database using cPanel > MySQL Database Wizard. You can see detailed instructions how to create new MySQL database here:https://www.tmdhosting.com/tutorials/video/cpanel/cpanel-x3-createmysql.htmlThe second thing you will need to do is download the Xoops installation files. You can download the files from their official website at http://xoops.org/When you download the Xoops archive, extract in your local computer. You will have a new folder called xoops 2.x.x depending on which version you have downloaded. In that folder you will find a folder named “htdocs”:

Directories

You will need to upload the content of that folder to the directory in your hosting, where you wish to install Xoops. If you want to access the site using https://yourdomain.com , you should upload the files in /public_html/, if you want to access the site using https://yourdomain.com/cms/ , upload the files in: /public_html/cms/. For the purpose of this tutorial, we assume that you have uploaded the Xoops files in the /public_html/ directory. To start the installation process simply go to:https://yourdomain.com/install/

This will bring the installation screen for Xoops:

Lang Choose

Click on the “Next” button on that page. Now on the next page Xoops will ask you to create a MySQL database and setup the folders for your Xoops installation. You have already done so in the beginning of this tutorial. The only thing you may consider is moving the xoops_lib and xoops_data directories outside of your web root directory. This measure is required for security reasons:

Introduction

Proceed to the next page. Xoops will check the server configuration. Everything should be OK in here:

Requirements

You can proceed to the next page. The script will find the path to your website as well as your site URL. Check if they are detected correctly and fix them only if needed:

Directory set

The next thing you will need to do is enter your database details. Use the ones that you created in the beginning of this tutorial:

DataBase Set

Proceed further and enter the name of the database that you created:

Database set 2

Xoops will inform you that the changes have been saved in the mainfile.php and secure.php file:

System Config save

Go to the next step. Xoops will create the MySQL database tables:

Tables enroll

After that you can create your administrative user details:

Admin Login – choose your administrative username

Admin e-mail – make sure to use a valid email address as you may need it in the future

Admin password

Admin Details

Proceed to the next step where you can configure your site details:

Site Name

Slogan For your site

Meta Keywords – these words are used for SEO purposes

Meta description

Meta Author

Allow new user registrations

Site Details

Now select your site theme:

Theme Select

After that you can select the modules that you wish to have pre-installed:

Installed Modules

That’s it! You have successfully installed Xoops:

Success Install

How to Create a Xoops website

Here we will provide you with detailed information on how to install Xoops on your hosting account and create a fully functional website with it.

  • How to start a Xoops site?
  • Logging into the Xoops Admin Area
  • How to create new content?
  • Manage Xoops

How to start a Xoops site?

All you need to do is open a hosting account, where you can have the Xoops application installed. FastWebHost offers a FREE Xoops installation! If you already have a hosting account, you can check here how to install Xoops.

Logging into Xoops Admin Area

To log in your Xoops Admin area, after installing the Xoops application, you simply need to enter your administrator’s credentials into the Login form on your main Xoops page:

image13

How to create new content?

You can create new content on your web site from the Xoops main page -> Administration Menu -> System -> Blocks.

At the bottom of the page you will find the option to add a new block.

There you can enter the content which will be visualized in it along with its location:

The new block fields are as follows:

Block Type – You can pick between a side and a center block. Also, you can define its position. Weight – Here you define the order of the block. The 0 value will put it on the top and the higher value will push it towards the bottom.

Visible – Set the value to yes if you want the block to be visible.Visible In – Defines whether the block to be seen on the homepage (Top Page) or on all of the pages. Title – Enter the title of your block.Content – Enter your content. You can change the color, font, size, include pictures and external media.Content Type – Select the type of the content. It can be PHP, HTML or Auto formatted text.Cache Lifetime – Here you choose how long you want the block to be visible.

How to manage Xoops?

You can manage your Xoops CMS installation from the admin area:

There you can add new banners and blocks, manage groups and users, smilies, templates and avatars, adjust the preferences.

How to upgrade XOOPS website?

Here, we are going to show you how to upgrade your existing Xoops website. Before you start, we recommend that you create a backup of your website. Once you have created the backup head to Xoops official website and download the upgrade files for Xoops. It is important that you download the upgrade files for your exact version of Xoops: http://xoops.org/

Extract the archive and upload the files from the “htdocs” folder on top of your existing Xoops installation. Once you have uploaded the files go to your website’s admin area and navigate to Modules > System > Modules. Click the “Update” icon for any modules that may need an upgrade.

How to reset XOOPS admin password?

This  is meant for people who have lost their Xoops administrator password and do not have access to the email account associated with the admin user. To reset the password, we will show you how to edit the database records for your administrator user. First, login to your cPanel and navigate to phpMyAdmin:PhpMyAdmin

Click on the database that your Xoops website uses. Then find the table called “x0ee_users”.

Note: The prefix might be different if you have not used the default one

Database Tables

On the next page find your administrator user and click the “Edit” button:

Row Edit

Find the field called “pass” and for “function” select “MD5” in the field “Value” enter the password which you wish to use for your site:

Password Change

Click the “Go” button to update the records. Now you can login to your site administrator area with the new password you have set.

How to install Xoops modules

With Xoops you can easily extend the functionality of your website by adding Xoops modules. In the following section you will learn about the different types of Xoops modules.To enable or disable Modules simply go to the Xoops Administration area -> Modules section as shown below:

Types of Xoops Modules

Core ModulesCore modules are included in the default installer package of Xoops. After the initial installation you can find them in the Xoops Administration Menu->System->Modules. At the bottom of the page you will see a table of Xoops modules that are not yet installed. Click on the Install icon besides the module which you want to be installed and follow the instructions:

Extra ModulesExtra (non-core) Xoops modules can be downloaded as compressed files (zip, tar). Usually there are installation instructions included in the Xoops module package. You need to unzip the files on your local computer and upload them through an FTP client in the correct folders under the Xoops directory. Usually they should be places under the modules folder. However, there are modules which need some files to be uploaded in different folders. Thus we will recommend you to read carefully the installation instructions. After the upload, go to your Modules Administration Page and find the new modules which are visualized in the uninstalled modules table. Click on the Install button besides the chosen module and complete its installation.

Installation of a gallery module for Xoops

For the purpose of this tutorial we will complete a sample installation of the extGallery module.First you need to download the Xoops module, extract it on your local computer and upload the module folder under the modules directory, located in your Xoops space. Then you should navigate to the Xoops Administration Menu->System->Modules area and click on the Install button. The installation will be completed and you will be able to use extGallery, listed under your modules list:

 

How to install XOOPS Themes

Xoops come with several pre-install themes that you can use by default. However there are a lot more themes developed for Xoops, which you can use on your site. You can find some free Xoops themes here:http://xoops.org/modules/extgallery/Once you have found the theme which you wish to use on your Xoops website, download its archive on your local computer and extract it. You will have a new folder with the same name as the theme you have downloaded. Upload that archive in the “themes” folder of your Xoops website. The “themes” folder is located in your Xoops root directory. You can upload the theme using FTP.

To activate the theme, go to your site’s admin panel. Click on “Templates”:Templates Button

Now you can select a new theme:

Theme Select

Click the “Submit” button when you have selected theme.You have successfully installed and activated your Xoops theme.

How to add content in modules in XOOPS?

In Xoops you can use the content provided by module on your home page. This can come very handy if you are using the “News” module. That way you will be able to display the latest news you have published on the homepage. To set module as your homepage, go to your site admin area and go to “Preferences” > “System Options” > “General Settings”:

Settings

Find the option “Module for your start page”:General Settings

Using the dropdown menu select the module which you wish to be displayed on the homepage. Save the changes when you have made your choice.

How to add content in blocks in XOOPS?

Here you are going to learn how to new content on your Xoops website using blocks. We assume that you have already logged in the administration area of your site. While in there click on the “Blocks” icon:

Blocks Icon

Click the “Add Block” button:

Add Block

On the next page you can add your content. You can use these options to customize your new block:

Block type – position of the block

Weight – blocks with lower numbers appear on top

Visible

Visible in – choose the pages on which the block will be available

Title

Content – this is where you add your content

Content Type – you can add HTML code, php script or use auto formatting

Cache Lifetime

Groups – the block will be available for the selected groups

Content Add

The new block will now be available on the page on you have allowed it:

Allow

If you wish to move the content on another page you can use the “Blocks” option to drag and drop the block in another area:

Another Area

Pros and Cons of Xoops

Xoops provides the necessary tools that can help you build and manage a great platform. While there are several advantages of using Xoops, there are also a handful of disadvantages. Weigh the pros and the cons, and then decide if the platform is what you’re looking for in a CMS.

The Pros of Xoops

  • Fully modularized. Xoops offers an excellent module administration system. Using this tool, you can install and uninstall modules with a few clicks.
  • Database-driven. It uses MySQL to store important data that’s needed to run a web-based CMS.
  • Users management. With Xoops, you can easily reach members of your community. It allows you to search and filter users based on various criteria, and then it lets you send emails and private messages to them through its messaging system.
  • Theme-based GUI. Xoops offers a solid theme system that enables both administrators and users to change the look of the platform with one click of their mouse.

The Cons of Xoops

  • Lack of modules. Since Xoops is fully modularized, you have to install a lot of modules. The downside to this is that it doesn’t have an impressive collection of modules. While some of the modules don’t have enough documents, others are simply confusing. Thus, administrators often have to tweak the modules themselves.

 There are some more limitations of XOOPS, such as:

  • Data repository is limited to MySQL and PostgreSQL. If you are using anything else, like Oracle or Microsoft SQL Server, then you are out of luck.
  • There is no support for scalability or replication, other than replication provided by the database.
  • XOOPS has no support for data import or data conversion. It is also not fully HTML/XHTML-compliant.
  • There is no version control of documents, or rollback of changes.
  • There is no WYSIWYG editing for users.
  • There is no facility to manage a large number of users other than the web interface, and that becomes unsuitable for more than a small user base.

Despite these shortcomings, which may be addressed in future releases of the XOOPS system, there is plenty to like about XOOPS. Just be aware that if any of the above are a must have for you, then XOOPS may not be the right tool for your needs.

-Xoops is an easy to use dynamic web content management system written in PHP.XOOPS is an acronym of eXtensible Object Oriented Portal System. Though started as a portal system, XOOPS is in fact striving steadily on the track of Content Management System. It can serve as a web framework for use by small, medium and large sites.XOOPS is owned by XOOPS (https://xoops.org/) and they own all related trademarks and IP rights for this software.

XOOPS on Cloud runs on Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Azure and is built for developing small to large dynamic community websites, intra company portals, corporate portals, weblogs and much more.

Cognosys provides hardened images of XOOPS on all public cloud i.e. AWS marketplace and Azure.

Secured XOOPS on Ubuntu 14.04 LTS

Secured XOOPS on Centos 7.4

Xoops on cloud for Azure -Ubuntu

XOOPS is released under the terms of the GNU/GPL license and is free to use and modify.

Features

XOOPS Features include:

  • Advanced access control layer – grant specific groups of users specific access rights to content and features such as edit, delete, upload, add attachments, publish content etc.
  • Modularized.
  • Core features usable by modules .
  • Personalization – set specific permissions for user access and control of individual elements of their websites.
  • User Management.
  • Theme-based skinnable interface.
  • Templates – uses the Smarty templating engine.
  • Built-in LDAP authentication.
  • SEO add-ons.
  • International language support.

 

-Major features of XOOPS

  • Database-driven- XOOPS uses a relational database (currently MySQL) to store data required for running a web-based content management system.
  • Fully Modularized- Modules can be installed/uninstalled/ativated/deactivated with a click using the XOOPS module administration system.
  • Personalization- Registered users can edit their profiles, select site themes, upload custom avatars and much more!
  • User Management- The ability to search for users by various criteria, send email and private messages to users through a template-based messaging system.
  • Supported World-wide- XOOPS was created and is maintained by a team of several hard-working volunteers working from all over the world. The XOOPS community has more than dozen official support sites around the world for support of non-English speaking users.
  • Multi-byte Language Support- Fully supports multi-byte languages, including Japanese, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Korean etc.
  • Versatile Group Permissions System- Powerful and user-friendly permissions system which enables administrators to set permissions by group.
  • Theme-based skinnable interface- XOOPS is driven by a powerful theme system. Both admins and users can change the look of the entire web site with just a click of a mouse. There are also over 1000 themesavailable for download!

AWS Step by Step Screenshots

Stack Name-This will be your Current stack.

haproxy_page_stack_name

Choose Software Pricing

haproxy_page_stack_price

Choose your Version

haproxy_page_stack_version

Choose your EC2 Instance Type

haproxy_page_stack_instance_size

Choose Your Key Pair

haproxy_page_stack_keypair

Choose your Region

haproxy_page_stack_region

Choose your Security Group

haproxy_page_stack_security_group

Change VPC Settings

haproxy_page_stack_vpc

Azure

Installation Instructions For Ubuntu 

Note : How to find PublicDNS in Azure

Step 1) SSH Connection: To connect to the deployed instance, Please follow Instructions to Connect to Ubuntu instance on Azure Cloud

1) Download Putty.

2) Connect to virtual machine using following SSH credentials:

  • Hostname: PublicDNS  / IP of machine
  • Port : 22

Username: Your chosen username when you created the machine ( For example:  Azureuser)
Password : Your Chosen Password when you created the machine ( How to reset the password if you do not remember)

Step 2) Database Login Details:

Username : root || Password : Passw@rd123

Step 3).

1. Application URL: Access the application via a browser at http:/PublicDNS/xoops

2. Admin URL : http:/PublicDNS/xoops/admin

Step 4). Other Information:
1.Default installation path: will be on your web root folder “/var/www/html/xoops”.
2.Default ports:

    • Linux Machines:  SSH Port – 22 or 2222
    • Http: 80 or 8080
    • Https: 443
    • Mysql ports: By default these are not open on Public Endpoints. Internally Mysql :3306.


Configure custom inbound and outbound rules using this link

Installation Instructions For Centos

Note : How to find PublicDNS in Azure

Step 1) SSH Connection: To connect to the deployed instance, Please follow Instructions to Connect to Centos instance on Azure Cloud

1) Download Putty.

2) Connect to virtual machine using following SSH credentials:

  • Hostname: PublicDNS  / IP of machine
  • Port : 22

Username: Your chosen username when you created the machine ( For example:  Azureuser)
Password : Your Chosen Password when you created the machine ( How to reset the password if you do not remember)

Step 2 ) Database Login Details:

Username : root || Password : Passw@rd123

Step 3 )

1. Application URL: Access the application via a browser at http:/PublicDNS/xoops. 

2. Admin URL : http:/PublicDNS/xoops/admin

Step 4 )Other Information:
1.Default installation path: will be in your web root folder “/var/www/html/xoops”.

2.Default ports:

  • Linux Machines:  SSH Port – 22 or 2222
  • Http: 80 or 8080
  • Https: 443
  •  Mysql ports: By default these are not open on Public Endpoints. Internally Mysql :3306

Please change the password immediately after the first login.

Configure custom inbound and outbound rules using this link

Azure Step by Step Screenshots-

xoops-installation-wizard-slect-language

xoops-installation-wizard-check-server-configuration

xoops-installation-wizard-path-setting

xoops-installation-wizard-database-connection

xoops-installation-wizard-database-configuration

xoops-installation-wizard-save-system-configuration

xoops-installation-wizard-database-table-creation

xoops-installation-wizard-admin-account

xoops-installation-wizard-sae-setting

xoops-installation-wizard-site-configuration


xoops-installation-wizard-select-default-theme

xoops-installation-wizard-modules-installation

xoops-installation-wizard

xoops-installation-wizard

xoops-installation-wizard-banner-management

xoops-installation-wizard-module-admin

xoops-installation-wizard-manage-settings

xoops-installation-wizard-profile

xoops-installation-wizard

xoops-installation-wizard-profile-updated

xoops-installation-wizard-login-screen

Videos

Secured XOOPS on Ubuntu 14.04 LTS

Secured XOOPS on Centos 7.4

Xoops on cloud

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