How to Install AsmBB on OpenBSD

AsmBB is a lightweight and simple web forum software designed for 32-bit x86 assembly programming. In this tutorial, we will guide you on how to install AsmBB on OpenBSD operating system.

Prerequisites

Before you can begin installing AsmBB, make sure you have the following prerequisites:

• A working OpenBSD installation with root access
• Basic knowledge of the OpenBSD command-line interface
• PHP
• Apache server

Step 1: Install Apache server

Apache is a web server that is required to run AsmBB. Let’s start by installing the Apache package using the following command:

$ doas pkg_add apache-httpd

Step 2: Install PHP

AsmBB requires PHP to work, so let’s install the PHP package. The command to install PHP for OpenBSD is:

$ doas pkg_add php

After the installation finishes, you need to configure Apache's PHP module by running these two commands:

$ doas cp /etc/php-7.4.sample/apache24-php.conf /etc/apache24/modules.d/
$ echo 'Include etc/apache24/modules.d/*.conf' | doas tee -a /etc/apache24/httpd.conf

Step 3: Download AsmBB

Next, you need to download AsmBB from the official website. Once the download is complete, you need to extract the archive.

$ tar xf asm-bb-*.*-*.tar.bz2

Step 4: Configure Apache for AsmBB

To configure Apache for AsmBB, you need to create a virtual host for it. This step assumes that you have set up a virtual host before. If you haven't, please follow this guide: Configuring Apache Virtual Hosts on OpenBSD.

Create a virtual host file for AsmBB:

$ doas nano /etc/apache24/Includes/asm-bb.conf

And add this configuration:

<VirtualHost *:80>
        DocumentRoot "/var/www/asm-bb-VERSION/public_html"
        ServerAdmin webmaster@localhost
        <Directory "/var/www/asm-bb-VERSION/public_html">
                AllowOverride All
        </Directory>
</VirtualHost>

Replace "VERSION" with the AsmBB version you have downloaded.

Save and exit the file.

Step 5: Install AsmBB

Copy the AsmBB files to the Apache document root:

$ doas cp -r asm-bb-VERSION /var/www/

Replace "VERSION" with the AsmBB version you have downloaded.

Step 6: Configure AsmBB

To configure AsmBB, you need to edit the config.php file which is located in the public_html directory.

$ doas nano /var/www/asm-bb-VERSION/public_html/config.php 

In config.php, replace the default settings with your own settings. Be sure to modify the settings with the correct database username, password, and database name.

$db_user = 'database_username';
$db_password = 'database_password';
$db_name = 'database_name';
$db_host = 'database_host';

Save and exit the file.

Step 7: Start the Apache Server

Finally, start the Apache server:

$ doas rcctl enable httpd
$ doas rcctl start httpd

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully installed AsmBB on your OpenBSD server. You can now visit your server's IP address or domain name in a web browser to access the AsmBB forum.

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!