How to Install phpMyAdmin on Ubuntu 14.04

phpMyAdmin is an open-source software tool, written in PHP, designed to manage and administer MySQL databases via web browsers. It is one of the most widely used tools for managing MySQL databases. To ensure its optimal functioning, you need to install and configure Apache, PHP, and the PHP MySQL.

This guide will walk you through the steps to install phpMyAdmin on an Ubuntu 14.04 virtual private server (VPS) and dedicated server. Before we begin, it’s assumed that you have already prepared your Apache web server and MySQL database server. If not, you can refer to our guide on Apache and dedicated server to get started.

Step 1: Installing phpMyAdmin

ehowstuff@ubuntu14:~$ sudo apt-get install phpmyadmin -y

This command installs phpMyAdmin on your server. The ‘-y’ option is used to automatically answer ‘yes’ to the prompts that may appear during the installation process.

Step 2: Configuring Apache

ehowstuff@ubuntu14:~$ sudo vi /etc/phpmyadmin/apache.conf

This command opens the Apache configuration file for phpMyAdmin. You need to add the following configuration:

# phpMyAdmin default Apache configuration
Alias /phpmyadmin /usr/share/phpmyadmin
<Directory /usr/share/phpmyadmin>
 Options FollowSymLinks
 DirectoryIndex index.php
 Require ip 127.0.0.1 192.168.0.0/24
 <IfModule mod_php5.c>
 AddType application/x-httpd-php .php
 php_flag magic_quotes_gpc Off
 php_flag track_vars On
 php_flag register_globals Off
 php_admin_flag allow_url_fopen Off
 php_value include_path .
 php_admin_value upload_tmp_dir /var/lib/phpmyadmin/tmp
 php_admin_value open_basedir /usr/share/phpmyadmin/:/etc/phpmyadmin/:/var/lib/phpmyadmin/:/usr/share/php/php-gettext/:/usr/share/javascript/
 </IfModule>
</Directory>

This configuration sets up the necessary parameters for phpMyAdmin to function correctly with Apache.

Step 3: Restarting Apache

ehowstuff@ubuntu14:~$ sudo /etc/init.d/apache2 restart

This command restarts the Apache server to apply the changes made in the configuration file.

Step 4: Accessing phpMyAdmin

You can now access phpMyAdmin by navigating to “http://IP_address/phpmyadmin/” in your web browser and logging in with your MySQL credentials.

Commands Mentioned

• sudo apt-get install phpmyadmin -y – Installs phpMyAdmin.
• sudo vi /etc/phpmyadmin/apache.conf – Opens the Apache configuration file for phpMyAdmin.
• sudo /etc/init.d/apache2 restart – Restarts the Apache server.

Conclusion

Installing phpMyAdmin on an Ubuntu 14.04 VPS or dedicated server involves a series of steps, including installing the software, configuring Apache, and restarting the server. Once these steps are completed, you can access phpMyAdmin via your web browser using your MySQL credentials.

This guide provides a step-by-step approach to installing phpMyAdmin, making the process straightforward and manageable. Whether you’re a seasoned webmaster or a beginner, this guide offers valuable insights into the installation process of one of the most popular tools for managing MySQL databases.

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FAQ

1. What is phpMyAdmin?

   phpMyAdmin is an open-source software tool, written in PHP, designed to manage and administer MySQL databases via web browsers. It’s one of the most popular tools for managing MySQL databases.

2. Why do I need to configure Apache for phpMyAdmin?

   Apache is the web server that serves the phpMyAdmin interface to your web browser. Configuring Apache for phpMyAdmin ensures that the software can function correctly and securely.

3. What does the ‘sudo apt-get install phpmyadmin -y’ command do?

   This command installs phpMyAdmin on your server. The ‘-y’ option is used to automatically answer ‘yes’ to the prompts that may appear during the installation process.

4. How do I access phpMyAdmin after installation?

   You can access phpMyAdmin by navigating to “http://IP_address/phpmyadmin/” in your web browser and logging in with your MySQL credentials.

5. Why do I need to restart Apache after configuring phpMyAdmin?

   Restarting Apache is necessary to apply the changes made in the configuration file. Without a restart, Apache continues to use the old configuration, which may not include the necessary settings for phpMyAdmin to function correctly.