Tutorial: How to Install GarageHQ on FreeBSD

GarageHQ is a web-based garage management software that helps with tracking vehicles, customers, and invoices. In this tutorial, we will be discussing how to install GarageHQ on FreeBSD latest.

Prerequisites

Before we proceed with the installation, you will need to ensure that the following prerequisites are installed on your FreeBSD system:

• Apache2
• PHP 5.6 or later
• MySQL

Step 1: Download and Extract GarageHQ

Firstly, you will need to download GarageHQ from the official website https://garagehq.deuxfleurs.fr/. Once you have downloaded the compressed file, extract it to a directory on your FreeBSD system.

tar xvzf garagehq.tar.gz

Step 2: Move GarageHQ to Apache2's Document Root

Next, move the GarageHQ files to Apache2's document root directory, typically located in /usr/local/www/apache24/data/.

sudo mv garagehq /usr/local/www/apache24/data/

Step 3: Configure MySQL

GarageHQ requires MySQL to store data. Therefore, you will need to create a new database and user for GarageHQ using the following commands:

sudo mysql -u root -p

Once you have logged into MySQL, create a new database with a new user and grant them full access to the newly created database.

CREATE DATABASE garagehq;

CREATE USER 'garagehq_user'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'password';

GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON garagehq.* TO 'garagehq_user'@'localhost';

FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

EXIT;

Make sure to replace 'password' with a strong and secure password.

Step 4: Configure GarageHQ

Now that you've set up the database and created a new user, you will need to configure GarageHQ's settings. Navigate to the GarageHQ directory and make a copy of config.default.php and rename it to config.php.

cd /usr/local/www/apache24/data/garagehq

cp config.default.php config.php

Next, open the config.php file with your preferred text editor, and modify the following values to match your MySQL configuration:

define('DATABASE_DRIVER', 'mysql');
define('DATABASE_HOST', 'localhost');
define('DATABASE_NAME', 'garagehq');
define('DATABASE_USERNAME', 'garagehq_user');
define('DATABASE_PASSWORD', 'password');

Save and close the file once you're done.

Step 5: Create a VirtualHost for GarageHQ

GarageHQ is now ready to be served by Apache2. Therefore, you will need to create a new VirtualHost in Apache2's configuration.

Create a new file called garagehq.conf in /usr/local/etc/apache24/Includes with the following contents:

<VirtualHost *:80>
      ServerAdmin admin@example.com
      DocumentRoot "/usr/local/www/apache24/data/garagehq"
      ServerName garagehq.example.com

      <Directory "/usr/local/www/apache24/data/garagehq">
          AllowOverride All
          Require all granted
      </Directory>

      ErrorLog "/var/log/httpd-garagehq-error.log"
      CustomLog "/var/log/httpd-garagehq-access.log" common
</VirtualHost>

Make sure to replace ServerAdmin with your email address, ServerName with your domain name, and the paths in and log files with your desired values.

Step 6: Restart Apache2

Finally, restart Apache2 to apply the configuration changes.

sudo service apache24 restart

Conclusion

In conclusion, you have successfully installed GarageHQ on your FreeBSD system. You can now visit http://garagehq.example.com on your web browser to access GarageHQ, and start tracking your vehicles, customers, and invoices.

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!