Installation instructions

These instructions assume that you have a working installation of a web server (these documents assume Apache) and MySQL. (Please note that XDBXMS uses a version of ADODB - which means that other databases can be used, however, this system was developed and tested using MySQL).

Step 1: Create your web site.

  • Locate the root directory used to serve webpages (on SuSE it is /srv/www/htdocs) and copy the 'xdbcms....tar.gz' file into that directory

  • Un-tar the main file (xdbxms....tgz) into this directory using the command tar -xvzf xdbcms....tar.gz (or if you're using windows, winzip will perform the same job, using the 'extract' function)
  • All the files for the applications should now be in a sub-directory called 'xdbcms'. You need to ensure that all the files are readable by the web server.
  • You can now access the xdbcms program by entering http://
    /xdbcms/
Updating your installation:
  • If you are updating your installation, the simplest method is to go to the xdbcms directory, and rename (using mv) xdbcms xdbcms.001 so that the old version is moved out of the way.
  • Next, follow the instructions as per a normal install.
  • it is not recommended that you install over the top of a previous version, as support files may have changed. Also, if you have problems with a new release, you can always remove the new release and bring back your old installation by typing renaming (using mv) xdbcms.001 xdbcms

Step 2: Create your database

  • NOTE: If you don't want to use the default database (xdbcms), then edit the file GLOBAL_HEADER.php - change the line beginning 'Application_database=...'

  • XDBCMS features an automated installer for your database. Open a browser, and type in the address http://-your-machine-name-/xdbcms/INSTALL/
  • If everything is working correctly, you should get a log in screen that also contains notes:
    • The user name and password used in this screen MUST have privileges to create a database and tables (e.g. use the MySQL ROOT user).
  • If you are upgrading from a previous version, you will get an error message saying that the database already exists. You can safely ignore this.
  • Once created, you can add users by using the in-built security system within XDBCMS (see user documentation).
  • When you have run the install script, it would be wise to change the permissions on the INSTALL directory within xdbcms to 400 by typing chmod 400 INSTALL. This should stop anyone else executing this script. (If you're using windows, change the access permissions, or in the 'worst case', move the directory to somewhere other than the PHP directory)
  • Try your system - in a browser, type http://-your-machine-name-/xdbcms/

See User Documentation on how to operate the system
Last Updated: November 9, 2006, 9:30 pm

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