How to Install ViMbAdmin on OpenBSD

ViMbAdmin is a web-based application for managing virtual mail domains and users. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the steps of installing ViMbAdmin on OpenBSD.

Prerequisites

• A server running OpenBSD
• A web server installed and configured (we will use Apache in this tutorial)
• PHP installed and configured with necessary extensions (pdo, pdo_mysql, openssl)
• MySQL or MariaDB database installed and configured
• Superuser or root access to your server

Step 1 - Install Required Packages

Before we can install ViMbAdmin, we need to install some required packages. To do so, open the command prompt and run the following command:

$ doas pkg_add git php php-pdo php-pdo_mysql php-openssl mariadb-server

This command will install git, PHP, necessary PHP extensions, MariaDB server and client on your OpenBSD server.

Step 2 - Create a Database

To install ViMbAdmin, we need to create a database for it. To create a database, login to MySQL or MariaDB with the following command:

$ doas mysql -u root -p

Enter your root password and you will be logged in. Now, create a database named vimbadmin with the following command:

mysql> CREATE DATABASE vimbadmin;

Next, create a user vimbadminuser with the password password with the following command:

mysql> CREATE USER 'vimbadminuser'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'password';

Finally, grant all privileges to the vimbadminuser for the vimbadmin database with the following command:

mysql> GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON vimbadmin.* TO 'vimbadminuser'@'localhost';

Step 3 - Download ViMbAdmin

Now, clone the ViMbAdmin repository by running the following command:

$ git clone https://github.com/opensolutions/ViMbAdmin.git

This command will download ViMbAdmin from the GitHub repository.

Step 4 - Configure ViMbAdmin

After downloading ViMbAdmin, change into the directory by running the following command:

$ cd ViMbAdmin

Create a copy of the sample configuration file by running the following command:

$ cp application/configs/application.ini.sample application/configs/application.ini

Open the configuration file in the editor of your choice using the following command:

$ vim application/configs/application.ini

Now, update the database section in the configuration file with the database created earlier:

resources.db.adapter = PDO_MYSQL
resources.db.params.host = localhost
resources.db.params.username = vimbadminuser
resources.db.params.password = password
resources.db.params.dbname = vimbadmin

Save the changes and exit.

Step 5 - Install ViMbAdmin

To install ViMbAdmin, open the command prompt and change into the ViMbAdmin directory by running the following command:

$ cd ViMbAdmin

Install ViMbAdmin by running the following command:

$ php bin/doctrine.php orm:schema-tool:create

Step 6 - Configure Apache

To access ViMbAdmin, we need to create a virtual host in Apache. Open the Apache configuration file in the editor of your choice by running the following command:

$ vim /etc/httpd.conf

Add the following configuration to create a virtual host:

<VirtualHost *:80>
        ServerAdmin webmaster@vimbadmin.example.com
        DocumentRoot "/var/www/ViMbAdmin/public"
        ServerName vimbadmin.example.com
        ErrorLog "/var/log/httpd/vimbadmin.example.com-error_log"
        CustomLog "/var/log/httpd/vimbadmin.example.com-access_log" common

        <Directory "/var/www/ViMbAdmin/public">
                AllowOverride All
                Require all granted
        </Directory>
</VirtualHost>

Save the changes and exit the editor.

Step 7 - Start Services

To start Apache and MariaDB servers, run the following commands:

$ doas rcctl start httpd
$ doas rcctl start mysqld

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully installed ViMbAdmin on OpenBSD. You can now access ViMbAdmin by going to http://vimbadmin.example.com/ in your web browser.

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!