How to install Xibo on Ubuntu 20.04?

Overview

Xibo is a free, open-source digital signage solution that allows users to remotely manage and display content on a network of screens. It is a popular choice for businesses and organizations as it offers an easy-to-use interface and powerful features. In this tutorial, we will walk you through the steps to install Xibo on Ubuntu 20.04.

Prerequisites

There are certain prerequisites that need to be met before you begin.

• Ubuntu 20.04-equipped system

• A sudo-privileged user account

• Internet connection

• Knowledge of CLI

Get Started

Step 1: Update and upgrade the system packages by using the command given below.

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Now install Apache and PHP, since Apache and PHP are essential for Xibo installation as they are integral parts of the software stack. Apache serves web pages, while PHP enables the creation of dynamic web content. Xibo, a web-based application, relies on PHP to generate and display content on screens. Apache is necessary to deliver the PHP-generated content to web browsers. Without Apache and PHP, Xibo cannot operate effectively.

sudo apt install apache2 php -y

Step 3: Next, install MariaDB because it is required for Xibo installation as it serves as the database management system for storing and managing the application's data. Xibo relies on MariaDB to store information about user accounts, media files, schedules, and other important data.

sudo apt install mariadb-server mariadb-client -y

Step 4: Securing MariaDB for Xibo installation is vital to safeguard the application's data from unauthorized access and potential security risks. By implementing security measures like strong passwords, limited user privileges, and encryption, the confidentiality and integrity of the stored data can be ensured, creating a secure environment for Xibo to operate effectively and protect sensitive information. Secure MariaDB by using the following command.

sudo mysql_secure_installation

When prompted with system queries, enter the appropriate choice.

Once MariaDB is successfully set up, you'll get the following output:

Step 5: Create a database for Xibo:

sudo mysql -u root -p
CREATE DATABASE xibo;
GRANT ALL ON xibo.* TO 'xibo'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'password';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
exit;

Step 6: Install required packages:

sudo apt install php-gd php-curl php-zip php-xml php-intl php-mbstring php-bcmath -y

Step 7: Download and install Xibo:

sudo mkdir -p /var/www/xibo
cd /var/www/xibo

sudo wget https://github.com/xibosignage/xibo-cms/releases/download/3.0.3/xibo-cms-3.0.3.tar.gz

sudo tar -zxvf xibo-cms-3.0.3.tar.gz

sudo mv xibo-cms-3.0.3/* .
sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/xibo

With the following commands, Xibo has been successfully installed on your system.

Step 8: Enable Apache modules and restart Apache:

sudo a2enmod rewrite
sudo systemctl restart apache2

Once Apache restarts successfully, Xibo is now ready to use.

Conclusion

Xibo is a powerful and flexible digital signage solution that offers an easy-to-use interface and a range of features. In this tutorial, we have shown you how to install Xibo on Ubuntu 20.04. By following the above steps, you will have Xibo installed and ready to use, allowing you to create and manage content for your screens with ease.