How to Install edX on Arch Linux

Introduction

edX is a popular online learning platform that offers online courses from top universities and institutions worldwide. In this tutorial, we are going to learn how to install and run edX on Arch Linux.

System Requirements

Before you start, ensure that your system meets the following requirements:

• Arch Linux Operating System (64-bit)
• At least 8GB of RAM
• At least 40GB of free disk space
• Python 3.5 and pip3

Installing the Dependencies

To install the package required by edX, run the following commands in the terminal:

$ sudo pacman -S gcc nodejs npm mongodb redis openssl

Installing Python and PIP3

To install Python3 and pip3, you can run the following command:

$ sudo pacman -S python python-pip

Cloning the Open edX Repo

Next, we need to clone the Open edX Git repository. You can do this using the following commands:

$ git clone https://github.com/edx/edx-platform
$ cd edx-platform

Installing the Required Python Libraries

Run the following command to install the required Python libraries:

$ pip3 install -r requirements/edx/base.txt
$ pip3 install -r requirements/edx/github.txt

Setting up MongoDB

Now we need to set up MongoDB. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Start the MongoDB service:

$ sudo systemctl start mongodb

Step 2: Add the MongoDB service to the system startup:

$ sudo systemctl enable mongodb

Setting up Redis

Next, we need to install and set up Redis. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Install Redis using the following command:

$ sudo pacman -S redis

Step 2: Start the Redis service:

$ sudo systemctl start redis

Step 3: Add the Redis service to the system startup:

$ sudo systemctl enable redis

Configuring LMS and Studio

Now we need to configure LMS and Studio. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Create the following files in edx-platform folder and add the following content:

lms.env.json:

{
    "ENABLE_NOTIFICATIONS": false,
    "PREVIEW_LMS_BASE": "http://localhost:8000",
    "PREVIEW_LMS_COURSE_ID": "course-v1:edX+DemoX+Demo_Course",
    "PREVIEW_LMS_USER_ID": "preview@example.com",
    "PREVIEW_PASSWORD": "password",
    "PREVIEW_USERNAME": "preview@example.com",
    "RELEASE_BRANCH": null,
    "WEBSERVER_WORKERS": 2,
    "WSGI_WORKERS": 2,
    "PORT": 8000,
    "MKTG_URL_LINK": "",
    "MKTG_URL_TEXT": "",
    "SPARKPOST_API_KEY": null,
    "SSL": false,
    "FORCE_SCRIPT_NAME": "",
    "OSQA_DEFAULT_SKIN": "edX",
    "ENABLE_COMPREHENSIVE_THEMING": true,
    "THEME_NAME": "edx",
    "CONTACT_EMAIL": "edx@example.com",
    "SECURE_PROXY_SSL_HEADER": null,
    "DEFAULT_FROM_EMAIL": "edx@example.com",
    "SERVER_EMAIL": "edx@example.com",
    "BYPASS_SERVICE_VOLUMES": true,
    "EDXAPP_DEBUG": true,
    "EDXAPP_XQUEUE_URL": "http://localhost:8005",
    "EDX_MEDIA_ROOT": "/edx/var/edxapp/media/",
    "EDX_PLATFORM_VERSION": "release",
    "EDX_PLATFORM_REPOSITORY": "git://github.com/edx/edx-platform.git",
    "EDXAPP_PLATFORM_NAME": "open_edx",
    "LMS_ROOT_URL": "http://localhost:8000",
    "EDXAPP_LMS_BASE": "http://localhost:8000",
    "EDXAPP_LMS_ROOT_URL_SCHEME": "http",
    "EDXAPP_LOGIN_BASE": "/login",
    "EDXAPP_COURSE_URL_NAME": "course",
    "EDXAPP_ADMIN_API_KEY": "",
    "COMPONENTSTORE_STORE_PATH": "/edx/var/edxapp/component_store",
    "FEATURES": {
        "ENABLE_DISCUSSION_SERVICE": false,
        "ENABLE_TUTORIALS": false,
        "ENABLE_EXPERT_SEARCH": false,
        "ENABLE_CSRF_PROTECTION": false,
        "ENABLE_COMBINED_LOGIN_REGISTRATION": false
    }
}

cms.env.json:

{
    "RELEASE_BRANCH": null,
    "ENABLE_COMPREHENSIVE_THEMING": true,
    "THEME_NAME": "edx",
    "ENABLE_NOTIFICATIONS": false,
    "PORT": 8001,
    "WEBSERVER_WORKERS": 2,
    "WSGI_WORKERS": 2,
    "BYPASS_SERVICE_VOLUMES": true,
    "EDXAPP_XQUEUE_URL": "http://localhost:8005",
    "EDX_MEDIA_ROOT": "/edx/var/edxapp/media/",
    "EDX_PLATFORM_VERSION": "release",
    "EDX_PLATFORM_REPOSITORY": "git://github.com/edx/edx-platform.git",
    "EDXAPP_PLATFORM_NAME": "open_edx",
    "CMS_ROOT_URL": "http://localhost:8001",
    "EDXAPP_CMS_BASE": "http://localhost:8001",
    "EDXAPP_CMS_ROOT_URL_SCHEME": "http",
    "EDXAPP_CMS_URL_NAME": "cms",
    "REGISTRATION_EXTENSION_FORMS": [],
    "CONTACT_EMAIL": "edx@example.com",
    "SECURE_PROXY_SSL_HEADER": null,
    "DEFAULT_FROM_EMAIL": "edx@example.com",
    "SERVER_EMAIL": "edx@example.com",
    "SPARKPOST_API_KEY": null
}

Step 2: Run the following command to create a LMS database:

$ cd /edx-platform
$ sudo -u postgres createdb edxapp
$ paver update_db

Step 3: Start the LMS and CMS servers:

$ screen
$ source /edx/app/edxapp/edxapp_env
$ cd /edx/app/edxapp/edx-platform
$ python3 ./manage.py cms runserver 0.0.0.0:8001

Press CTRL+A then D to detach the screen.

On another screen, run:

$ screen
$ source /edx/app/edxapp/edxapp_env
$ cd /edx/app/edxapp/edx-platform
$ python3 ./manage.py lms runserver 0.0.0.0:8000

Press CTRL+A then D to detach the screen.

You can now access eDX on your browser by navigating to http://localhost:8000/.

Conclusion

That's it! You have successfully installed edX on your Arch Linux system. You can now start creating online courses and taking online courses on this platform.

If you want to self-host in an easy, hands free way, need an external IP address, or simply want your data in your own hands, give IPv6.rs a try!

Alternatively, for the best virtual desktop, try Shells!