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 sturdy 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 getting ready your system to configuring the software program. Brace your self for a complete information that can illuminate the trail in 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 online server reminiscent of Apache or Nginx, and a appropriate database administration system like MySQL or MariaDB. Moreover, you will want a textual content editor or built-in growth atmosphere (IDE) for modifying configuration information. With these foundational components in place, you’ll be able to proceed with confidence in 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 bundle 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’ll be able to proceed to the configuration section, the place you’ll modify the MediaWiki configuration information to determine 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 job 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 accessible for obtain and use. MediaWiki is written in PHP and requires an online server, reminiscent of Apache or Nginx, and a database, reminiscent of 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
Net 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 A minimum of 256MB, beneficial 512MB or extra
Disk house A minimum of 1GB, beneficial 2GB or extra

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

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

Downloading and Extracting the MediaWiki Information

To put in MediaWiki on Home windows, you first must obtain the software program bundle from the official MediaWiki web site. The newest steady 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, it’s essential to extract its contents to a listing in your laptop. You need to use any ZIP extraction software program for this goal, reminiscent of WinRAR or 7-Zip.

Extracting the MediaWiki Information

To extract the MediaWiki information, comply with 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 need to extract the information. It is suggested to create a brand new folder particularly for MediaWiki, reminiscent of “C:MediaWiki”.
  3. Click on the “Extract” button to begin the extraction course of.
  4. As soon as the extraction is full, you will see the MediaWiki information within the specified vacation spot folder.

Notice: The MediaWiki ZIP file incorporates a lot of information and directories. The extraction course of could take a number of minutes to finish, relying on the pace of your laptop and the dimensions of the ZIP file.

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

To put in MediaWiki, you will want an online server reminiscent of Apache. This is methods to arrange Apache on Home windows:

  1. Obtain the newest 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.
  • Extra Configuration Settings

    You could must make extra configuration adjustments in Apache to optimize MediaWiki’s efficiency. Listed below are some beneficial settings:

    Setting Worth
    MaxRequestWorkers 100
    MaxConnectionsPerChild 100
    KeepAliveTimeout 5
    LimitRequestBody 1024000000

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

    Configuring the Database (e.g., MySQL)

    Earlier than you’ll be able to set up MediaWiki, it’s essential to configure a database for it to make use of. A database is a group of associated information, and it is the place MediaWiki will retailer all of its content material, reminiscent of pages, revisions, and consumer accounts.

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

    After getting put in MySQL, you’ll be able to create a database for MediaWiki by following these steps:

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

    4. Kind 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 created a database and a consumer for MediaWiki, you’ll be able to proceed with the set up course of.

    Extra Notes:

    Setting Advice
    Database title my_wiki
    Database consumer my_wiki_user
    Database password my_wiki_password

    You possibly can change these settings to no matter you want, however you’ll want to keep in mind them, as you will want them later throughout the MediaWiki set up course of.

    Creating the MediaWiki Database and Person

    Earlier than putting in MediaWiki, it’s essential to 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 software (e.g., MySQL or MariaDB), create a brand new empty database. For this instance, we’ll title it “wikidb”.

    2. Creating the Database Person

    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 Person Privileges

    To make sure that MediaWiki can entry the database with out utilizing a password, it’s essential to disable password authentication for the “wikiuser” account. This could 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 mirror 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 an important configuration file that incorporates the settings in your MediaWiki set up. It is situated within the ‘config’ subdirectory of your MediaWiki set up listing. To change the file, you should utilize any textual content editor, reminiscent of Notepad or Atom.

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

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

    Right here, you’ll be able to edit the values to change the positioning title and the namespace for metadata pages.

    Moreover, if you wish to join your MediaWiki set up to a database, it’s essential to 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 right database data. You can even specify the database kind by setting the $wgDBtype variable. For instance, for a MySQL database, you’ll set $wgDBtype = “mysql”;

    After 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. Operating the Net Server

    After finishing the MediaWiki set up, execute the online server to run the software program. If you happen to use Apache, use the next command:

    apachectl begin
    

    2. Configuring Firewall

    Enable 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

    If you happen to’re utilizing Apache with SSL, arrange digital hosts to deal with HTTP and HTTPS connections. Add the next traces 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 extra performance. To allow extensions, edit the LocalSettings.php file and add the next traces:

    wfLoadExtension( 'ExtensionName' );
    

    7. Troubleshooting

    PHP Model: Guarantee you could have PHP 5.6 or later put in.
    Server Permissions: Test that the online 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: Be certain that the extensions you are enabling are appropriate together with your MediaWiki model.
    Apache Configuration: Be certain that Apache is configured to deal with MediaWiki requests accurately.
    Firewall: Be certain that port 80 will not be blocked by a firewall.
    Error Log: Test 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, it’s essential to arrange digital hosts. Every digital host represents a selected area title or IP handle and factors to the corresponding wiki’s listing.

    Making a Digital Host for Every Wiki

    Within the Apache configuration file (httpd.conf), it’s essential to create a digital host block for every wiki. This block ought to embrace the next components:

    1. NameVirtualHost: The area title or IP handle related to the wiki.
    2. DocumentRoot: The listing the place the wiki’s information are saved.
    3. VirtualHost: The IP handle 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

    After getting created the digital host blocks, you’ll be able to check them by including the next line to the top of the httpd.conf file:

    Embody /and so on/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 accurately.

    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, reminiscent of 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 traces 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 unlimited repository of extensions and themes. You possibly can browse the newest releases or seek for particular options on the MediaWiki Extensions Listing and MediaWiki Themes Listing web sites.

    Putting in Extensions and Themes from the Net Interface

    MediaWiki additionally gives a handy internet interface for putting in extensions and themes. To make use of this characteristic, log in to your MediaWiki occasion as an administrator and navigate to the “Extension Supervisor” or “Theme Supervisor” pages. From right here, you’ll be able to browse and set up extensions and themes immediately from the MediaWiki web site.

    Managing Extensions and Themes

    After getting put in extensions and themes, you’ll be able to handle them by means of the MediaWiki dashboard. The “Extension Supervisor” and “Theme Supervisor” pages help you allow, disable, and configure put in extensions and themes.

    Creating Your Personal Extensions and Themes

    When you have programming expertise, you’ll be able to create your personal extensions and themes. To do that, seek advice from 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 Kind Description
    Parser Features Add new features to the MediaWiki parser.
    Output Format Management how content material is displayed.
    Particular Pages Create new particular pages that present extra performance.
    Hooks Alter the conduct of MediaWiki by intercepting occasions.
    Widgets Add interactive components to pages.

    Troubleshooting Frequent Set up Points

    1. Unable to entry MySQL database

    Be certain that MySQL is operating and the database consumer has the mandatory privileges. Test 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. Test if there’s a firewall blocking the connection.

    3. Error: Cannot discover Apache server

    Be certain that Apache is operating and listening on port 80. Test 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 appropriate model of MediaWiki.

    5. Error: Cannot write to information listing

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

    6. Error: Invalid session handler

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

    7. Error: Cannot load extension

    Be certain that the extension is put in and enabled within the PHP configuration. Test 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

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

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

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

    Disable any browser extensions or plugins that could be interfering with the URL parsing.

    Strive 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 the next necessities:

    • Home windows 10 or later
    • IIS (Web Info Providers) 8.5 or later
    • PHP 7.1 or later
    • MySQL 5.6 or later

    After getting these necessities, you’ll be able to proceed with the set up.

    Step 1: Set up IIS

    If you happen to should not have IIS put in, you’ll be able to 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 Info Providers” node.
    5. Choose the “Net Server (IIS)” checkbox.
    6. Click on on “OK”.

    Step 2: Set up PHP

    You possibly can obtain PHP from the official PHP web site.

    1. Browse to the PHP obtain web page.
    2. Choose the newest steady 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 possibly can obtain MySQL from the official MySQL web site.

    1. Browse to the MySQL obtain web page.
    2. Choose the newest steady 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 IIS, PHP, and MySQL put in, it’s essential to 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 Net 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 possibly can 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 information to a folder in your laptop.

    Step 6: Copy MediaWiki information to IIS

    Now that you’ve MediaWiki downloaded, it’s essential to copy the information to your IIS web site.

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

    Step 7: Create a MySQL database

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

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

    3. CREATE DATABASE mediawiki;

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

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

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

    9. FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

    10. Press Enter.

    Step 8: Configure MediaWiki

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

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

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

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

    Step 9: Set up MediaWiki

    Now that you’ve MediaWiki configured, you’ll be able to set up it.

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

    Individuals Additionally Ask About

    How do I entry my MediaWiki database?

    You possibly can entry your MediaWiki database utilizing the MySQL Command Immediate.

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

    3. mysql -u mediawiki -p mediawiki

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

    How do I replace MediaWiki?

    You possibly can replace MediaWiki by downloading the newest model from the official MediaWiki web site and copying the information to your IIS web site.

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

    How do I troubleshoot MediaWiki?

    In case you are having issues with MediaWiki, you’ll be able to 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.