How to Install OSSN on OpenBSD

In this tutorial, we will guide you on how to install Open Source Social Network (OSSN) on OpenBSD. OSSN is a free and open source social networking software written in PHP that allows you to create your own social network.

Prerequisites

Before starting the installation process, make sure you have installed the following:

• OpenBSD operating system
• Apache web server
• PHP
• MySQL/MariaDB database server

Step 1: Download OSSN

The first step is to download the latest version of OSSN from the official website using the following command:

$ cd /tmp
$ ftp https://www.opensource-socialnetwork.org/download/

Select the latest version of OSSN from the list of available versions and copy its URL to download it using FTP.

Step 2: Extract the OSSN Package

Once the download is complete, extract the OSSN package using the following command:

$ tar xzf OSSN-<version>.tar.gz

Replace <version> with the version number of OSSN.

Step 3: Move the Package Contents to Web Directory

Next, you need to move the contents of the downloaded package to the Apache web root directory. For example, if your Apache web root directory is /var/www/htdocs, then run the following command:

$ mv OSSN-<version>/ /var/www/htdocs/

Step 4: Configure MySQL/MariaDB

Now, you need to create a MySQL/MariaDB database and a user account for OSSN. You can create a new database and user account using the following command:

$ mysql -u root -p

Enter your MySQL/MariaDB root password and run the following SQL commands to create a database and user:

CREATE DATABASE ossn;
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON ossn.* TO ossnuser@localhost IDENTIFIED BY 'password';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
EXIT;

Replace ossnuser and password with your preferred username and password.

Step 5: Install OSSN

Navigate to the OSSN installation URL in your web browser. For example, if your server IP address is 192.168.0.10 and you moved the OSSN package to /var/www/htdocs/ossn, then visit the URL: http://192.168.0.10/ossn in your browser.

You will see the OSSN installation welcome page. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the OSSN installation. During the installation, you will need to provide the following information:

• MySQL/MariaDB database host (usually localhost)
• MySQL/MariaDB database name (ossn)
• MySQL/MariaDB database username (ossnuser)
• MySQL/MariaDB database password (password)

After successfully completing the installation process, remove the installation directory from your server using the following command:

$ rm -rf /var/www/htdocs/ossn/install/

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we have shown you how to install Open Source Social Network (OSSN) on OpenBSD. Now you can create your own social network using OSSN.

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!