How to install SilverStripe via Softaculous
This tutorial will show the steps for a Softaculous automated installation of SilverStripe. The actual process is quite easy and it will allow you to install the script within a few minutes.
To Install SilverStripe via Softaculous, you will need to:
- Step 1: Access Softaculous
- Step 2: Setup the Installation
Access Softaculous
First and foremost, you need to access the Softaculous service within your cPanel account. Todhost allows the use of Softaculous on all shared hosting plans and at no additional cost.
You need to log into your cPanel account and then navigate to the Software/Services section in it. Locate the Softaculous icon and click on it to proceed further.
The next step is to locate the script that you would like to install on your account. Softaculous provides 250+ available scripts for easy and automated installation and they are categorized by their functionality. The categories are located on the left-side of the screen, which will make things easier to review. You can find SilverStripe in the Portals/CMS section.
Setup the Installation
Once you select SilverStripe from the list of available scripts, you will be taken to a brief description of the product. Here, you can see what the script is actually built for, review a Live Demo, Screenshots, Ratings, Reviews and much more. This will help you decide if you really want to use SilverStripe for your website. IF you do, simply click on the Install button to proceed.
The next step of the SilverStripe installation through Softaculous is the most important one. The reason behind that is the large number of different options for the new installation. Those options will allow you to configure the new website per your exact needs.
The first section is called Software Setup and it is regarding the actual configuration of your new website.
- Choose Protocol - You need to choose the protocol for your website. NOTE: Do not choose the https protocol if you do not have SSL certificate installed on your domain by the Todhost technical support team. All Todhost web hosting plans come with free SSL auto-installed and you just have to enable it to use.
- Choose Domain - The domain that you will be using for your installation. If you have any addon or subdomains on your account, you will be able to choose any of them here. If not, only the primary domain name of your account will be visible.
- In Directory -This will specify if you would like to set your installation in a subfolder on your account or the root of your domain name, selected above. If you want to install SilverStripe into the root directory of your domain name, leave this field blank.
- Database Name -Choose the name of the database for your SilverStripe installation. The system will create it for you automatically and assign a user with appropriate permissions to the database.
- Site Settings -The name of your new website and a description for it.
- Admin Account - Set the root access for the administrative area of your new website. From there, you will be able to manipulate your new CMS system and build it per your needs.
The SilverStripe installation via Softaculous is now completed successfully.
You can take a note of the main URL for your new website and start building your new system.
How to install SilverStripe manually
Now we review the manual installation process of SilverStripe on your Todhost account. We will provide the actual stages of the installation so you can understand how this works and complete it on your end avoiding any issues.
To manually Install SilverStripe, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Download SilverStripe
- Step 2: Prepare the Files
- Step 3: Initiate the Installation
- Step 4: Complete the Process
Download SilverStripe
The first step of the process is to download the latest stable release of the product. You can complete that via the official SilverStripe website. The latest release is located on the top-left corner of the screen. You need to download the framework and the CMS.
Prepare Files
When you download the package of the script on your local computer, you need to extract it's contents. We suggest that you extract the files into an empty folder, which will ensure that you will not leave any fild behind. Next, upload the SilverStripe contents to your account on the server. There are two ways of achieving that - using your favorite FTP client or directly using the File Manager service within your cPanel account.
Upload Files
There are two ways of uploading your files to the server - using an FTP client, following our FTP tutorial, or uploading directly through your cPanel account > File Manager, following our cPanel tutorial.
Either way, the important thing is to make sure that all of the files and folders of SilverStripe are properly uploaded to your account and located in the correct directory, where you would like to install the script. For example, if you would like to access your new website directly using your domain, you need to upload the SilverStripe files to the public_html/ directory of your account. However, if your domain name is called example.com and you would like to access your website from a subfolder, such as example.com/silverstripe/, in this case, you will need to create a "silverstripe" folder within the public_html/ directory of your account and then upload the files in it.
Initiate installation
The next step of the process is to access the location, where you have uploaded your SilverStripe files, through your web browser. In this example, we are assuming that you are installing the script within the public_html/ directory of your account. This way, you need to access example.com/install.php, where example.com is your actual domain name and you need to substitute that. All of the installation steps are listed on a single screen with SilverStripe, but we will review them as a separate steps.
The system will attempt to check if the server meets all of the requirements for the installation of SilverStripe. However, as you have not yet entered the database information for your new website, the system will inform you about that within the Database Configuration section of this step.
The next step will allow you to enter the details for the database to be used on your new SilverStripe website. You need to set the new database and ensure it is empty and ready for a new installation.
MySQL Configuration
You can create a new database and a user assigned to it via cPanel. Simply follow our MySQL Wizard tutorial for information on that.
Once you are ready with your database and a user for it, enter the following details on your SilverStripe installation:
- Database Server - Enter "localhost" without the quotes if the database is stored on the same server as the files of your new installation.
- Database Username - Enter the user assigned to your database.
- Database Password - Enter the password for it.
- Database Name - Enter the database to be used on your new website.
When you are ready, click on the Re-check Requirements button in order to resolve the warning in the previous step.
Next, you need to set the administrative account for your new SilverStripe website. You will be using that account for the management and development of your new website. The details you need to enter are:
- Email - The administrative email address you wish to use.
- Password - The password for your admin account.
- Default Language - Select the language you would like to use on your new website.
You have the option to choose the template for your new website. The Simple template will also include sample data for the new SilverStripe installation. However, if you select the Empty Template option, the installation will be completed with no data on it.
Enable/disable the function to send any information about your website to the SilverStripe development team and click on the Install SilverStripe button to proceed.
Complete the Process
The system will automatically configure your new SilverStripe website as per the information list in the previous chapter.
Make sure that you remove the installation files by clicking on the Click Here To Delete Install Files option.
How to upgrade SilverStripe website
It is always a good idea to keep your SilverStripe website upgraded to the latest stable version. This is because there are improvements of the performance and functionality of the apploication with each new release for it. In this tutorial, we will review the steps for such an upgrade so you can complete it easily.
Create a Backup
It is recommended to create SilverStripe backup, before making major changes on your website. This allows you to restore it to a fully operational state if something goes wrong.
To Upgrade SilverStripe to the latest version:
- Step 1: Download the latest SilverStripe
- Step 2: Prepare and Initiate the Upgrade
Download SilverStripe
The first thing that you need to consider is downloading the latest stable release of SilverStripe. You can do so from the official SilverStripe website. The latest release is usually at the top of the page.
Prepare and Initiate the Upgrade
The second step is to extract the files on your local computer. When you download the archive of the new SilverStripe release, you need to extract the contents on your local computer. We suggest that you extract the files into an empty folder, just to make sure that no files are left unseen during the upload.
Locate the installation of your SilverStripe website on the server and remove the cms/, framework/,sapphire/ and any additional module folders that you may have configured.
The next thing to do is to upload the new files to the server. If your website is located within the public_html/ directory of your account, this is the correct place, where you need to upload the new SilverStripe content.
You also need to update the database of your SilverStripe installation. You can do that accessing example.com/dev/build/?flush=1 where you need to change example.com with your actual domain name. Enter your database details again and click on the Install button to complete the process.
Your SilverStripe website is now successfully upgraded to the latest stable release,
About SilverStripe CMS
SilverStripe is an open source CMS (Content Management System) platform that will allow you to create your own website in no time. It provides a large number of essential features for the development of your website and the day-to-day update of the content of your website.
The SilverStripe framwork is built with the user in mind, which makes it user-friendly and easy to use. The most important features for the management of a CMS website feel natural and you will quickly get used to SilverStripe. With the large community of people using the application and the regularly updated blog, you will always find a place to share your thoughts or find help for your project.
System Requirements
The system requirements for SilverStripe are standard and Todhost provides fully optimized service that will be able to handle your website. The main system requirements of the script are:
- Apache 2.0+
- PHP version 5.3.2+
- MySQL version 5.0+
- JavaScript
Requirements
Our SilverStripe Hosting is fully compatible with the system requirements of SilverStripe.
Useful Resources
We have prepared a set of useful links that will help you throughout the development of your website with SilverStripe.
