How To Install MediaWiki On Windows In 4 Simple Steps

How To Install MediaWiki On Windows In 4 Simple Steps

Embark on the transformative journey of putting in MediaWiki in your Home windows working system. MediaWiki, the formidable platform that powers Wikipedia, provides a strong and customizable content material administration system, empowering you to create and handle your personal on-line encyclopedia or data repository. As you navigate this text, you’ll uncover the intricate steps concerned in efficiently putting in MediaWiki, from making ready your system to configuring the software program. Brace your self for a complete information that may illuminate the trail in the direction of creating and sharing your personal invaluable assortment of information.

installing mediawiki on windows

Earlier than embarking on this set up odyssey, it’s crucial to make sure that your Home windows system meets the minimal necessities for MediaWiki. These stipulations embrace PHP 8.1 or later, an internet server akin to Apache or Nginx, and a suitable database administration system like MySQL or MariaDB. Moreover, you will have a textual content editor or built-in growth surroundings (IDE) for enhancing configuration recordsdata. With these foundational parts in place, you possibly can proceed with confidence in the direction of the set up course of.

The set up course of for MediaWiki on Home windows may be broadly divided into two distinct phases: preliminary setup and database configuration. Throughout the preliminary setup, you’ll obtain the MediaWiki software program package deal and extract it to a chosen listing in your system. Subsequently, you’ll create a brand new database and a database consumer with acceptable permissions. Armed with the mandatory database credentials, you possibly can proceed to the configuration part, the place you’ll modify the MediaWiki configuration recordsdata to ascertain the connection between the software program and the database. Upon profitable configuration, it is possible for you to to entry the MediaWiki interface and begin the thrilling process of making and managing your very personal on-line encyclopedia.

System Necessities for MediaWiki on Home windows

MediaWiki is a strong and versatile content material administration system (CMS) that’s used to create and handle wikis. It’s an open-source software program that’s freely obtainable for obtain and use. MediaWiki is written in PHP and requires an internet server, akin to Apache or Nginx, and a database, akin to MySQL or PostgreSQL, to run.

The next are the minimal system necessities for MediaWiki on Home windows:

Requirement Particulars
Working system Home windows 7 or later
Internet server Apache 2.4 or Nginx 1.10 or later
Database MySQL 5.7 or PostgreSQL 9.6 or later
PHP 7.2 or later
Reminiscence Not less than 256MB, really helpful 512MB or extra
Disk house Not less than 1GB, really helpful 2GB or extra

Along with the minimal necessities, the next software program can be really helpful:

  • PHP extensions: GD, mbstring, curl, zip, XML, iconv
  • ImageMagick or GraphicsMagick for picture processing
  • A caching system, akin to Memcached or Redis

Downloading and Extracting the MediaWiki Recordsdata

To put in MediaWiki on Home windows, you first must obtain the software program package deal from the official MediaWiki web site. The newest secure model is presently MediaWiki 1.38.4, which may be downloaded as a ZIP file from the next hyperlink:

https://releases.wikimedia.org/mediawiki/1.38/mediawiki-1.38.4.zip

As soon as the ZIP file has been downloaded, you should extract its contents to a listing in your laptop. You should use any ZIP extraction software program for this objective, akin to WinRAR or 7-Zip.

Extracting the MediaWiki Recordsdata

To extract the MediaWiki recordsdata, observe these steps:

  1. Proper-click on the ZIP file and choose “Extract All…” from the context menu.
  2. Within the “Extract Compressed (Zipped) Folders” window, choose the vacation spot folder the place you wish to extract the recordsdata. It’s endorsed to create a brand new folder particularly for MediaWiki, akin to “C:MediaWiki”.
  3. Click on the “Extract” button to start out the extraction course of.
  4. As soon as the extraction is full, you will see the MediaWiki recordsdata within the specified vacation spot folder.

Notice: The MediaWiki ZIP file comprises numerous recordsdata and directories. The extraction course of could take a number of minutes to finish, relying on the pace of your laptop and the scale of the ZIP file.

Setting Up the Internet Server (e.g., Apache)

To put in MediaWiki, you may want an internet server akin to Apache. This is tips on how to arrange Apache on Home windows:

  1. Obtain the most recent Apache HTTP Server from the Apache Lounge web site.
  2. Set up Apache by following the on-screen directions.
  3. Configure Apache to serve MediaWiki:
    1. Open the Apache configuration file (httpd.conf) in a textual content editor.
    2. Find the part about digital hosts and add the next directives:

“`html

DocumentRoot “C:pathtoyourMediaWikiinstallation”
ServerName your.area.com

“`

  • Save the configuration file and restart Apache.
  • Further Configuration Settings

    It’s possible you’ll must make further configuration adjustments in Apache to optimize MediaWiki’s efficiency. Listed here are some really helpful settings:

    Setting Worth
    MaxRequestWorkers 100
    MaxConnectionsPerChild 100
    KeepAliveTimeout 5
    LimitRequestBody 1024000000

    These settings will assist deal with elevated site visitors and enhance MediaWiki’s total responsiveness.

    Configuring the Database (e.g., MySQL)

    Earlier than you possibly can set up MediaWiki, you should configure a database for it to make use of. A database is a group of associated knowledge, and it is the place MediaWiki will retailer all of its content material, akin to pages, revisions, and consumer accounts.

    To create a database, you will have to make use of a database administration system (DBMS). We suggest utilizing MySQL, as it’s a fashionable and easy-to-use DBMS that’s suitable with MediaWiki.

    Upon getting put in MySQL, you possibly can create a database for MediaWiki by following these steps:

    1. Open the MySQL command immediate.
    2. Sort the next command to create a database named “my_wiki”:
    3. “`
      CREATE DATABASE my_wiki;
      “`

    4. Sort the next command to create a consumer named “my_wiki_user” with the password “my_wiki_password” and grant all of them privileges on the “my_wiki” database:
    5. “`
      CREATE USER ‘my_wiki_user’@’localhost’ IDENTIFIED BY ‘my_wiki_password’;
      GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON my_wiki.* TO ‘my_wiki_user’@’localhost’;
      “`

    Now that you’ve got created a database and a consumer for MediaWiki, you possibly can proceed with the set up course of.

    Further Notes:

    Setting Advice
    Database title my_wiki
    Database consumer my_wiki_user
    Database password my_wiki_password

    You’ll be able to change these settings to no matter you want, however you’ll want to keep in mind them, as you will have them later through the MediaWiki set up course of.

    Creating the MediaWiki Database and Consumer

    Earlier than putting in MediaWiki, you should create a database and a database consumer for use by MediaWiki. The next steps will information you thru the method:

    1. Creating the Database

    Utilizing your most well-liked database administration device (e.g., MySQL or MariaDB), create a brand new empty database. For this instance, we’ll title it “wikidb”.

    2. Creating the Database Consumer

    Subsequent, create a brand new database consumer with the next privileges:

    • SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, CREATE, DROP, ALTER, INDEX, CREATE TEMPORARY TABLES

    For this instance, we’ll title the consumer “wikiuser” and grant it entry to the “wikidb” database.

    3. Modifying the Database Consumer Privileges

    To make sure that MediaWiki can entry the database with out utilizing a password, you should disable password authentication for the “wikiuser” account. This may usually be achieved utilizing the next command:

    “`sql
    GRANT USAGE ON *.* TO ‘wikiuser’@’localhost’ IDENTIFIED BY ”;
    “`

    4. Flushing Privileges

    To make the adjustments efficient, execute the next command:

    “`sql
    FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
    “`

    5. Configuring the Database Parameters

    Within the MediaWiki configuration file (normally situated at “LocalSettings.php”), replace the next settings to replicate the database particulars you simply configured:

    Setting Worth
    $wgDBserver ‘localhost’
    $wgDBname ‘wikidb’
    $wgDBuser ‘wikiuser’
    $wgDBpassword ” (go away empty)

    Modifying the LocalSettings.php File

    Now that MediaWiki is put in and configured, it is time to modify the default settings to match your particular necessities.

    The LocalSettings.php file is a vital configuration file that comprises the settings to your MediaWiki set up. It is situated within the ‘config’ subdirectory of your MediaWiki set up listing. To switch the file, you should utilize any textual content editor, akin to Notepad or Atom.

    Open the LocalSettings.php file and find the next part:

    “`php
    $wgSitename = “My MediaWiki”;
    $wgMetaNamespace = “My_Meta_Namespace”;
    “`

    Right here, you possibly can edit the values to change the location title and the namespace for metadata pages.

    Moreover, if you wish to join your MediaWiki set up to a database, you should configure the database settings within the LocalSettings.php file. Discover the next part:

    “`php
    $wgDBserver = “localhost”;
    $wgDBuser = “my_user”;
    $wgDBpassword = “my_password”;
    $wgDBname = “my_database”;
    “`

    Change the default values with the proper database data. You may also specify the database sort by setting the $wgDBtype variable. For instance, for a MySQL database, you’d set $wgDBtype = “mysql”;

    Upon getting made the mandatory adjustments, save the LocalSettings.php file and restart Apache to use the brand new settings.

    Finishing the Set up and Configuration

    1. Working the Internet Server

    After finishing the MediaWiki set up, execute the net server to run the software program. In the event you use Apache, use the next command:

    apachectl begin
    

    2. Configuring Firewall

    Permit incoming connections to port 80, which MediaWiki usually makes use of. In Home windows Firewall, open the "Inbound Guidelines" part and create a brand new rule for TCP Port 80.

    3. Creating Database

    Use a database administration system like MySQL or MariaDB to create a brand new database for MediaWiki. The database title, username, and password ought to match these specified within the LocalSettings.php file.

    4. Setting Up MySQL

    As soon as the database is created, execute the next command to generate the MediaWiki database tables:

    php upkeep/set up.php --dbuser=YOUR_USERNAME --dbpass=YOUR_PASSWORD --dbname=DATABASE_NAME
    

    5. Configuring Digital Hosts

    In the event you’re utilizing Apache with SSL, arrange digital hosts to deal with HTTP and HTTPS connections. Add the next strains to your Apache configuration file:

    <VirtualHost *:80>
      ServerName instance.com
      Redirect everlasting / https://instance.com/
    </VirtualHost>
    
    <VirtualHost *:443>
      ServerName instance.com
      DocumentRoot "/path/to/mediawiki"
      SSLCertificateFile "/path/to/certificates.pem"
      SSLCertificateKeyFile "/path/to/key.pem"
    </VirtualHost>
    

    6. Enabling Extensions

    MediaWiki extensions present further performance. To allow extensions, edit the LocalSettings.php file and add the next strains:

    wfLoadExtension( 'ExtensionName' );
    

    7. Troubleshooting

    PHP Model: Guarantee you might have PHP 5.6 or later put in.
    Server Permissions: Examine that the net server consumer has write permissions to the MediaWiki listing.
    Database Configuration: Confirm that the database title, username, and password are appropriate in LocalSettings.php.
    Extension Compatibility: Ensure the extensions you are enabling are suitable together with your MediaWiki model.
    Apache Configuration: Be certain that Apache is configured to deal with MediaWiki requests appropriately.
    Firewall: Be certain that port 80 shouldn’t be blocked by a firewall.
    Error Log: Examine the MediaWiki error log (var/log/mediawiki/error.log) for any errors throughout set up or configuration.

    Establishing Digital Hosts for A number of Wikis

    To allow a number of wikis to coexist on a single server, you should arrange digital hosts. Every digital host represents a particular area title or IP tackle and factors to the corresponding wiki’s listing.

    Making a Digital Host for Every Wiki

    Within the Apache configuration file (httpd.conf), you should create a digital host block for every wiki. This block ought to embrace the next parts:

    1. NameVirtualHost: The area title or IP tackle related to the wiki.
    2. DocumentRoot: The listing the place the wiki’s recordsdata are saved.
    3. VirtualHost: The IP tackle and port quantity that the digital host will reply to.
    Digital Host Title Doc Root Digital Host
    wiki1.instance.com /var/www/wiki1 127.0.0.1:8080
    wiki2.instance.com /var/www/wiki2 127.0.0.1:8081

    Testing the Digital Hosts

    Upon getting created the digital host blocks, you possibly can check them by including the next line to the top of the httpd.conf file:

    Embody /and so forth/httpd/sites-enabled/*.conf

    Restart Apache and go to the domains or IP addresses of your wikis to see in the event that they resolve appropriately.

    Customizing MediaWiki with Extensions and Themes


    Extensions

    Extensions are add-ons that stretch the performance of MediaWiki. They can be utilized so as to add new options, akin to polls, maps, or calculators. To put in an extension, obtain it from the MediaWiki Extensions Listing and unzip it onto your server. Then, add the road “extensionName” to your LocalSettings.php file. Activate the extension by including the next strains to your LocalSettings.php file.

    wfLoadExtension( 'extensionName' );
    wfSetupExtension( 'extensionName' );

    Themes

    Themes management the looks of MediaWiki pages. To put in a theme, obtain it from the MediaWiki Themes Listing and unzip it onto your server. Then, add the road “$wgDefaultTheme” to your LocalSettings.php file.

    Discovering Extensions and Themes

    The MediaWiki group has created an enormous repository of extensions and themes. You’ll be able to browse the most recent releases or seek for particular options on the MediaWiki Extensions Listing and MediaWiki Themes Listing web sites.

    Putting in Extensions and Themes from the Internet Interface

    MediaWiki additionally offers a handy internet interface for putting in extensions and themes. To make use of this function, log in to your MediaWiki occasion as an administrator and navigate to the “Extension Supervisor” or “Theme Supervisor” pages. From right here, you possibly can browse and set up extensions and themes instantly from the MediaWiki web site.

    Managing Extensions and Themes

    Upon getting put in extensions and themes, you possibly can handle them by the MediaWiki dashboard. The “Extension Supervisor” and “Theme Supervisor” pages assist you to allow, disable, and configure put in extensions and themes.

    Creating Your Personal Extensions and Themes

    When you have programming expertise, you possibly can create your personal extensions and themes. To do that, confer with the MediaWiki documentation for builders. Customizing MediaWiki with extensions and themes is an effective way to tailor your wiki to particular wants and improve consumer expertise.

    Extension Sort Description
    Parser Features Add new capabilities to the MediaWiki parser.
    Output Format Management how content material is displayed.
    Particular Pages Create new particular pages that present further performance.
    Hooks Alter the habits of MediaWiki by intercepting occasions.
    Widgets Add interactive parts to pages.

    Troubleshooting Widespread Set up Points

    1. Unable to entry MySQL database

    Ensure MySQL is operating and the database consumer has the mandatory privileges. Examine the database username, password, and host in LocalSettings.php.

    2. Error: Cannot connect with MySQL server

    Confirm that MySQL is operating on the default port (3306) or the port laid out in LocalSettings.php. Examine if there’s a firewall blocking the connection.

    3. Error: Cannot discover Apache server

    Ensure Apache is operating and listening on port 80. Examine that the RewriteEngine is enabled within the Apache configuration.

    4. Error: PHP model not supported

    MediaWiki requires PHP 7.2 or larger. Replace PHP to the required model or set up a suitable model of MediaWiki.

    5. Error: Cannot write to knowledge listing

    Be certain that the info listing laid out in LocalSettings.php has write permissions for the net server consumer.

    6. Error: Invalid session handler

    Confirm that the session handler is about to “recordsdata” in LocalSettings.php and that the session listing has write permissions for the net server consumer.

    7. Error: Cannot load extension

    Ensure the extension is put in and enabled within the PHP configuration. Examine the extension title and path in LocalSettings.php.

    8. Error: lacking imagemagick library

    Set up the ImageMagick library on the server and ensure it’s added to the system PATH.

    9. Error: DataTables PHP extension lacking

    Set up the DataTables PHP extension and allow it within the PHP configuration.

    10. Error: Invalid URI laid out in base property

    Answer
    Be certain that the bottom URL in LocalSettings.php is a legitimate and accessible URL. It ought to begin with “http” or “https” and don’t have any trailing slashes.

    Examine if any internet server configuration settings are overriding the bottom URL.

    Confirm that the server’s hostname or IP tackle is correctly configured within the Apache or Nginx configuration.

    Disable any browser extensions or plugins which may be interfering with the URL parsing.

    Attempt accessing the MediaWiki web site from one other browser or laptop to rule out browser-specific points.

    How To Set up MediaWiki On Home windows

    Earlier than we start, guarantee that you’ve got the next necessities:

    • Home windows 10 or later
    • IIS (Web Data Companies) 8.5 or later
    • PHP 7.1 or later
    • MySQL 5.6 or later

    Upon getting these necessities, you possibly can proceed with the set up.

    Step 1: Set up IIS

    In the event you wouldn’t have IIS put in, you possibly can set up it from the Home windows Management Panel.

    1. Open the Management Panel.
    2. Click on on “Packages and Options”.
    3. Click on on “Flip Home windows options on or off”.
    4. Increase the “Web Data Companies” node.
    5. Choose the “Internet Server (IIS)” checkbox.
    6. Click on on “OK”.

    Step 2: Set up PHP

    You’ll be able to obtain PHP from the official PHP web site.

    1. Browse to the PHP obtain web page.
    2. Choose the most recent secure PHP model.
    3. Click on on the “Obtain” button.
    4. Run the PHP installer.
    5. Choose the “IIS” possibility.
    6. Click on on “Set up”.

    Step 3: Set up MySQL

    You’ll be able to obtain MySQL from the official MySQL web site.

    1. Browse to the MySQL obtain web page.
    2. Choose the most recent secure MySQL model.
    3. Click on on the “Obtain” button.
    4. Run the MySQL installer.
    5. Choose the “Server” possibility.
    6. Click on on “Set up”.

    Step 4: Configure IIS

    Now that you’ve got IIS, PHP, and MySQL put in, you should configure IIS to make use of PHP and MySQL.

    1. Open the IIS Supervisor.
    2. Increase the “Websites” node.
    3. Proper-click on the “Default Internet Website” icon and choose “Properties”.
    4. Click on on the “Listing Safety” tab.
    5. Click on on the “Edit” button.
    6. Choose the “Nameless entry” possibility.
    7. Click on on the “OK” button.
    8. Click on on the “OK” button.

    Step 5: Obtain MediaWiki

    You’ll be able to obtain MediaWiki from the official MediaWiki web site.

    1. Browse to the MediaWiki obtain web page.
    2. Click on on the “Obtain MediaWiki” button.
    3. Extract the MediaWiki recordsdata to a folder in your laptop.

    Step 6: Copy MediaWiki recordsdata to IIS

    Now that you’ve got MediaWiki downloaded, you should copy the recordsdata to your IIS web site.

    1. Open the IIS Supervisor.
    2. Increase the “Websites” node.
    3. Proper-click on the “Default Internet Website” icon and choose “Discover”.
    4. Copy the MediaWiki recordsdata to the “wwwroot” folder.

    Step 7: Create a MySQL database

    Now that you’ve got MediaWiki copied to your IIS web site, you should create a MySQL database for MediaWiki to make use of.

    1. Open the MySQL Command Immediate.
    2. Sort the next command:

    3. CREATE DATABASE mediawiki;

    4. Press Enter.
    5. Sort the next command:

    6. GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON mediawiki.* TO 'mediawiki'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'password';

    7. Press Enter.
    8. Sort the next command:

    9. FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

    10. Press Enter.

    Step 8: Configure MediaWiki

    Now that you’ve got a MySQL database created, you should configure MediaWiki to make use of it.

    1. Open the “LocalSettings.php” file within the MediaWiki folder.
    2. Discover the next strains:

    3. $wgDBserver = "localhost";
      $wgDBuser = "mediawiki";
      $wgDBpassword = "password";
      $wgDBname = "mediawiki";

    4. Change the values with the suitable values to your database.
    5. Save the file.

    Step 9: Set up MediaWiki

    Now that you’ve got MediaWiki configured, you possibly can set up it.

    1. Browse to your MediaWiki web site.
    2. Comply with the on-screen directions.

    Folks Additionally Ask About

    How do I entry my MediaWiki database?

    You’ll be able to entry your MediaWiki database utilizing the MySQL Command Immediate.

    1. Open the MySQL Command Immediate.
    2. Sort the next command:

    3. mysql -u mediawiki -p mediawiki

    4. Press Enter.
    5. Enter your password when prompted.

    How do I replace MediaWiki?

    You’ll be able to replace MediaWiki by downloading the most recent model from the official MediaWiki web site and copying the recordsdata to your IIS web site.

    1. Obtain the most recent model of MediaWiki from the official MediaWiki web site.
    2. Extract the MediaWiki recordsdata to a folder in your laptop.
    3. Open the IIS Supervisor.
    4. Increase the “Websites” node.
    5. Proper-click on the “Default Internet Website” icon and choose “Discover”.
    6. Copy the MediaWiki recordsdata to the “wwwroot” folder.

    How do I troubleshoot MediaWiki?

    In case you are having issues with MediaWiki, you possibly can test the MediaWiki documentation or ask for assistance on the MediaWiki boards.

    1. Browse to the MediaWiki documentation.
    2. Put up a query on the MediaWiki boards.