How to Install Drupal Using Virtualmin

Drupal is a powerful, open-source content management system (CMS) used for building robust and scalable websites. Virtualmin simplifies the installation process by allowing you to set up Drupal quickly through its interface. This guide will walk you through the steps to install Drupal on your Virtualmin hosting account.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure the following:

1. You have access to the Virtualmin control panel.
2. A domain or subdomain is set up on Virtualmin.
3. Your server meets Drupal’s requirements, including:
   • PHP 7.4 or higher.
   • MySQL 5.7/8.0 or MariaDB 10.3+.
   • Apache or Nginx installed.

Step 1: Log in to Virtualmin

1. Open your web browser and navigate to the Virtualmin login page (e.g., https://your-server-ip:10000).
2. Enter your username and password, then click Login.

Step 2: Select Your Virtual Server

1. In the left-hand menu, select the virtual server (domain) where you want to install Drupal.
2. Ensure the server is properly configured with a working public_html directory.

Step 3: Navigate to the Script Installers

1. Under the selected domain, go to Install Scripts (you can find this under Services).
2. Browse the list of available applications and locate Drupal.

Step 4: Configure the Installation Settings

1. Click on Drupal to begin the setup process.

2. Configure the following:

   • Installation Directory: Leave blank to install Drupal in the root directory (e.g., example.com), or enter a subdirectory name (e.g., cms) to install it in a subfolder (e.g., example.com/cms).
   • Database Settings: Virtualmin will create a new MySQL or MariaDB database for Drupal automatically. You can review or customize the database name, username, and password.
   • Administrator Email: Enter an email address for the site administrator.
   • Site Name: Specify the name of your Drupal site (e.g., "My Website").

3. Once configured, click Install Now to start the process.

Step 5: Wait for Installation to Complete

Virtualmin will automatically download, extract, and configure Drupal for your domain. Once the installation is complete, you’ll see a confirmation message with:

• The public URL of your Drupal site.
• The admin login URL (e.g., http://example.com/user/login).

Step 6: Access Drupal Admin Panel

1. Open the provided admin login URL in your browser.
2. Use the administrator username and password created during the installation to log in.
3. Once logged in, you’ll be taken to the Drupal dashboard where you can customize your site.

Step 7: Post-Installation Steps

1. Configure Your Site:

   • Add custom themes and modules from the Drupal community.
   • Set up menus, content types, and permissions based on your needs.

2. Enable HTTPS (Highly Recommended):

   • Go to Server Configuration > SSL Certificate.
   • Use Let’s Encrypt to secure your site with an SSL certificate.

3. Update Drupal:

   • Regularly check for updates to Drupal core and modules to ensure security and stability.

Troubleshooting

• Database Connection Errors: Verify the database credentials configured during installation. Ensure the MySQL or MariaDB service is running.
• Site Not Loading: Confirm that your DNS settings are correct and that your domain resolves to the server.
• File Permission Issues: Ensure the public_html directory and its files have appropriate permissions (directories: 755, files: 644).