How to Install Drupal with OpenLiteSpeed on Ubuntu Linux

Setting up Drupal on your Ubuntu server using OpenLiteSpeed offers a high-performance, scalable, and cost-effective solution for hosting your website or web application. OpenLiteSpeed is known for its speed and efficiency, making it an excellent choice for running Drupal, a popular content management system. Before you begin, ensure you have a fresh Ubuntu Linux server with root or sudo access. Familiarity with Linux command line and basic server management is helpful but not mandatory. This guide walks you through each step to get Drupal running smoothly with OpenLiteSpeed on Ubuntu.

What You’ll Need

• Ubuntu Linux server (version 20.04 or later recommended)
• Root or sudo access to the server
• Basic knowledge of Linux terminal commands
• Domain name pointing to your server (optional but recommended)
• SSL certificate (optional, for HTTPS setup)

Step-by-Step

1. Update Your System

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

This ensures all your packages are current, reducing potential conflicts.

2. Install Necessary Dependencies

sudo apt install -y wget unzip software-properties-common

These tools are essential for downloading and installing software.

3. Add OpenLiteSpeed Repository and Install OpenLiteSpeed

wget -O - http://rpms.litespeedtech.com/debian/enable_lst_debain.sh | sudo bash
sudo apt install -y openlitespeed

This installs the latest OpenLiteSpeed server on your Ubuntu system.

4. Start and Enable OpenLiteSpeed Service

sudo systemctl start lsws
sudo systemctl enable lsws

This ensures OpenLiteSpeed runs on system boot and is active now.

5. Configure OpenLiteSpeed Web Server

Access the Web Admin Panel at https://your-server-ip:7080. The default credentials are:

• Username: admin
• Password: 123456

Change the default password immediately after login. Set up your virtual host for Drupal by creating a new virtual host and pointing it to your Drupal directory.

6. Install PHP and Required Extensions

sudo apt install -y lsphp74 lsphp74-mysql lsphp74-xml lsphp74-gd lsphp74-curl lsphp74-mbstring lsphp74-zip

OpenLiteSpeed uses its own PHP packages, so install the correct version compatible with Drupal.

7. Download and Install MariaDB (or MySQL)

sudo apt install -y mariadb-server

Secure your database server:

sudo mysql_secure_installation

Create a database and user for Drupal:

sudo mysql -u root -p
CREATE DATABASE drupaldb CHARACTER SET utf8mb4 COLLATE utf8mb4_general_ci;
CREATE USER 'drupaluser'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'your_password';
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON drupaldb.* TO 'drupaluser'@'localhost';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
EXIT;

8. Download and Set Up Drupal

wget https://www.drupal.org/download-latest/tar.gz -O drupal.tar.gz
sudo mkdir -p /var/www/drupal
sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/drupal
sudo chmod -R 755 /var/www/drupal
sudo tar -xzvf drupal.tar.gz -C /var/www/drupal --strip-components=1

Configure your virtual host in OpenLiteSpeed to point to /var/www/drupal.

9. Configure Drupal Settings

Copy the default settings file:

sudo cp /var/www/drupal/sites/default/default.settings.php /var/www/drupal/sites/default/settings.php
sudo chown www-data:www-data /var/www/drupal/sites/default/settings.php

Set proper permissions and update settings.php with your database details.

10. Complete Drupal Installation via Web Browser

Open your browser and navigate to your domain or server IP. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation, including database setup and site configuration.

11. Configure SSL (Optional)

Use Certbot to obtain free SSL certificates:

sudo apt install -y certbot
sudo certbot --webroot -w /var/www/drupal -d yourdomain.com

Update your OpenLiteSpeed virtual host to enable HTTPS and redirect HTTP traffic for security and SEO benefits.

Common Mistakes

• Forgetting to restart OpenLiteSpeed after configuration changes.
• Using incorrect PHP version or missing PHP extensions required by Drupal.
• Not securing the database with a strong password or not setting proper permissions.
• Incorrect virtual host setup in OpenLiteSpeed, leading to inaccessible Drupal site.
• Failing to set proper ownership and permissions on Drupal files and directories.

Tips

• Always update your server packages before starting installation.
• Use a domain name and SSL for production environments to enhance security.
• Back up your database and files regularly, especially before updates.
• Configure firewalls to allow traffic on ports 80, 443, and 7080 (OpenLiteSpeed Admin).
• Enable caching in OpenLiteSpeed for improved performance.

Troubleshooting

If your Drupal site is not loading or you encounter errors:

• Check OpenLiteSpeed logs located at /usr/local/lsws/logs/error.log for server errors.
• Verify your virtual host configuration and ensure the document root points to your Drupal directory.
• Ensure PHP is correctly installed and the correct PHP handler is assigned in OpenLiteSpeed.
• Confirm database credentials in settings.php are accurate and the database is accessible.
• Clear Drupal cache by visiting admin/config/development/performance or via Drush.
• Check file permissions—directories should typically be 755 and files 644, owned by www-data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install Drupal with OpenLiteSpeed on other Linux distributions?

Yes, but commands may vary. The guide is tailored for Ubuntu, but similar steps apply to Debian-based systems.

Is OpenLiteSpeed free to use with Drupal?

Absolutely, OpenLiteSpeed is open-source and free, making it suitable for hosting Drupal without licensing costs.

How do I upgrade OpenLiteSpeed or Drupal later?

Upgrade OpenLiteSpeed via its repository and follow Drupal update procedures through the admin interface or Drush.

Can I run multiple Drupal sites on the same server with OpenLiteSpeed?

Yes, you can set up multiple virtual hosts, each pointing to different Drupal directories.

What are best practices for securing my Drupal site on OpenLiteSpeed?

Use HTTPS, keep software updated, set proper permissions, disable unnecessary services, and implement security modules.

How do I migrate an existing Drupal site to OpenLiteSpeed?

Backup your files and database, set up a new virtual host, and restore your site files and database on the new server.

Installing Drupal with OpenLiteSpeed on Ubuntu Linux can significantly improve your website’s speed and scalability. Follow this guide carefully to ensure a smooth setup, and remember to keep your system secure and backed up. Happy hosting!

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