How To Install WordPress On RHEL 8

WordPress is a popular content management system (CMS) used by millions of websites all over the world. It is known for its flexibility, versatility, and ease of use. If you are planning to use WordPress on your RHEL 8 server, this guide will help you with the installation process.

In this article, we will go through the steps required to install WordPress on RHEL 8. We will cover the installation of Apache web server, PHP, and MySQL as well. By the end of this guide, you should have a fully functional WordPress site running on your RHEL 8 server.

Update your system

Before installing any packages, it is important to update your system to the latest version. Run the following command to update your system:

sudo dnf update

Install Apache web server

WordPress requires a web server to run. In this guide, we will be using Apache. Run the following command to install Apache:

sudo dnf install httpd

Enable and start Apache

After installing Apache, you need to enable and start the service. Run the following commands:

sudo systemctl enable httpd
sudo systemctl start httpd

Install PHP

WordPress is built on PHP, so you need to install it on your RHEL 8 server. Run the following command to install PHP:

sudo dnf install php php-mysqlnd php-json php-gd php-mbstring

Install MySQL

MySQL is a database management system that WordPress uses to store data. Run the following command to install MySQL:

sudo dnf install mysql-server

Enable and start MySQL

After installing MySQL, you need to enable and start the service. Run the following commands:

sudo systemctl enable mysqld
sudo systemctl start mysqld

Secure MySQL installation

Run the following command to secure your MySQL installation:

sudo mysql_secure_installation

Create a database for WordPress

To create a database for WordPress, run the following commands:

sudo mysql -u root -p
CREATE DATABASE wordpress;
CREATE USER 'wordpressuser'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'password';
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON wordpress.* TO 'wordpressuser'@'localhost';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
exit

Download and extract WordPress

Download the latest version of WordPress and extract it to the Apache document root directory:

cd /var/www/html
sudo wget https://wordpress.org/latest.tar.gz
sudo tar -xvf latest.tar.gz
sudo mv wordpress/* .
sudo rm -rf wordpress latest.tar.gz

Configure WordPress

Open the wp-config.php file and add the database information:

sudo cp wp-config-sample.php wp-config.php
sudo vi wp-config.php

Change the following lines:

define('DB_NAME', 'wordpress');
define('DB_USER', 'wordpressuser');
define('DB_PASSWORD', 'password');
define('DB_HOST', 'localhost');

Set permissions

Set the correct permissions for the WordPress files:

sudo chown -R apache:apache /var/www/html/
sudo chmod -R 755 /var/www/html/

Access the WordPress site

Open a web browser and enter your server’s IP address. You should see the WordPress installation page. Follow the prompts to complete the installation.

Conclusion

In this guide, we have gone through the steps required to install WordPress on RHEL 8. We have covered the installation of Apache web server, PHP, and MySQL as well. By following these steps, you should have a fully functional WordPress site running on your RHEL 8 server.

Things To Consider When Installing WordPress On RHEL 8

Security: As with any web application, security should be a primary concern when installing WordPress on your RHEL 8 server. Make sure to keep all software and plugins up to date and use strong passwords for all accounts.

Performance: WordPress can be resource-intensive, so it’s important to optimize your server for performance. Consider using caching plugins and optimizing your database to improve page load times.

Backups: Regular backups of your WordPress site are crucial in case of data loss or site corruption. Consider setting up automatic backups to a remote location or cloud storage.

SSL: Installing an SSL certificate on your server will encrypt data between your site and users, improving security and trust. Consider using Let’s Encrypt or purchasing an SSL certificate from a reputable provider.

Support: If you’re new to WordPress or server administration, consider seeking support from online communities or hiring a professional to assist with installation and maintenance.

By considering these factors, you can ensure a secure and reliable installation of WordPress on your RHEL 8 server.