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version 1.5, 2009/09/07 14:56:19
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<h1>Installing LON-CAPA on a minimal Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 System</h1> |
<h1>Installing LON-CAPA on a minimal Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 System</h1> |
<p> |
<p> |
This document guides you through the process of setting up a new LON-CAPA |
This document guides you through the process of setting up a new LON-CAPA |
server running Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 with a minimum of packages installed. |
server running Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 with a minimum of packages installed. |
The computer will be configured solely as a LON-CAPA server and will be |
The computer will be configured solely as a LON-CAPA server and will be |
expected to have no other services running. Your server is expected to have |
expected to have no other services running. Your server is expected to have |
a reasonably fast connection to the internet. |
a reasonably fast connection to the internet. |
</p><p> |
</p><p> |
More information is available at |
More information is available at |
<a href="http://install.lon-capa.org/">http://install.lon-capa.org/</a>. |
<a href="http://install.lon-capa.org/">http://install.lon-capa.org/</a>. |
</p> |
</p> |
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Line 14 More information is available at
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Line 14 More information is available at
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<p> |
<p> |
Installing Linux is getting easier and easier. |
Installing Linux is getting easier and easier. |
You will be required to log in to the machine and execute |
You will be required to log in to the machine and execute |
some routine Unix commands. Familiarity with the Apache web server, mod_perl, |
some routine Unix commands. Familiarity with the Apache web server, mod_perl, |
perl, and MySQL are not required to install and run LON-CAPA. |
perl, and MySQL are not required to install and run LON-CAPA. |
</p> |
</p> |
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Line 23 perl, and MySQL are not required to inst
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Line 23 perl, and MySQL are not required to inst
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The installation process takes the following steps: |
The installation process takes the following steps: |
</p> |
</p> |
<ol> |
<ol> |
<li> Obtain Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 installation CDs</li> |
<li><a href="#obt">Obtain Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 installation CDs</a></li> |
<li> Determine Network Settings</li> |
<li><a href="#net">Determine Network Settings</a></li> |
<li> Install Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 </li> |
<li><a href="#lin">Install Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5</a></li> |
<li> Update your system </li> |
<li><a href="#upd">Update your system</a></li> |
<li> Install LON-CAPA </li> |
<li><a href="#ilc">Install LON-CAPA</a></li> |
<li> Create a Domain Coordinator </li> |
<li><a href="#cdc">Create a Domain Coordinator</a></li> |
<li> Start/Restart services </li> |
<li><a href="#sts">Start/Restart services</a></li> |
<li> Log in to LON-CAPA </li> |
<li><a href="#log">Log in to LON-CAPA</a></li> |
</ol> |
</ol> |
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<hr /> |
<h2>Obtain Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 CDs</h2> |
<h2>1. <a name="obt">Obtain Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 CDs</a></h2> |
<p> |
<p> |
RHEL5 CDs can be purchased from Red Hat: |
RHEL5 CDs can be purchased from Red Hat: |
<a href="http://redhat.com/">http://redhat.com/</a>. |
<a href="http://redhat.com/">http://redhat.com/</a>. |
For the minimal install on 32-bit architecture you will need only the first CD. |
For the minimal install on 32-bit architecture you will need only the first CD. |
For the minimal install on 64-bit architecture you will need CDs 1, 2, and 4. |
For the minimal install on 64-bit architecture you will need CDs 1, 2, and 4. |
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</p> |
</p> |
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<h2>Determine Network Settings</h2> |
<h2>2. <a name="net">Determine Network Settings</a></h2> |
<p> |
<p> |
You will need to know the following network settings for your installation. |
You will need to know the following network settings for your installation. |
<b>Note:</b>You must have a static IP address to use LON-CAPA. |
<b>Note:</b>You must have a static IP address to use LON-CAPA. |
DHCP is <em>not</em> supported. |
DHCP is <em>not</em> supported. |
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Line 56 DHCP is <em>not</em> supported.
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Line 56 DHCP is <em>not</em> supported.
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<li>domain name server(s) </li> |
<li>domain name server(s) </li> |
</ul> |
</ul> |
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<h2>Minimal Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 Install</h2> |
<h2>3. <a name="lin">Minimal Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 Install</a></h2> |
<p> |
<p> |
Installing Red Hat Enterprise Linux is quite easy if you've installed any of the Red Hat products |
Installing Red Hat Enterprise Linux is quite easy if you've installed any of the Red Hat products |
before. Documentation is available from |
before. Documentation is available from |
<a href="http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/enterprise/"> |
<a href="http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/enterprise/"> |
http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/enterprise/</a> |
http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/enterprise/</a> |
Most of the installation screens are self explanatory. |
Most of the installation screens are self explanatory. |
There are a few steps that require comment and are dealt with below. |
There are a few steps that require comment and are dealt with below. |
</p> |
</p> |
<dl style="list-style:square outside none"> |
<dl style="list-style:square outside none"> |
Line 75 There are a few steps that require comme
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Line 75 There are a few steps that require comme
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<dd>For a fresh install may want to use the automatic partitioning feature of the installer, |
<dd>For a fresh install may want to use the automatic partitioning feature of the installer, |
however you should review the results and be prepared to modify them. If you want to customize partitioning use "Create Custom Layout". |
however you should review the results and be prepared to modify them. If you want to customize partitioning use "Create Custom Layout". |
LON-CAPA resource files are stored in the /home directory, so the |
LON-CAPA resource files are stored in the /home directory, so the |
majority of the disk space should be allocated here. If you have 20 GB |
majority of the disk space should be allocated here. If you have 20 GB |
of space for RHEL, /home should receive at least 10 to 12 gigs. |
of space for RHEL, /home should receive at least 10 to 12 gigs. |
Since MySQL uses the /var filesystem to store its databases you should |
Since MySQL uses the /var filesystem to store its databases you should |
have at least 4 gigs of space available on /var. Be sure to |
have at least 4 gigs of space available on /var. Be sure to |
include adequate swap space. A minimum is 512 Megs, but you should |
include adequate swap space. A minimum is 512 Megs, but you should |
typically have 1 or 2x as much swap space as you do physical RAM.</dd> |
typically have 1 or 2x as much swap space as you do physical RAM.</dd> |
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<dt>Network Configuration</dt> |
<dt>Network Configuration</dt> |
<dd>LON-CAPA will <b>not</b> work with a machine set up to use a dynamic |
<dd>LON-CAPA will <b>not</b> work with a machine set up to use a dynamic |
IP address. When configuring your network card, be sure to unselect |
IP address. When configuring your network card, be sure to unselect |
the DHCP option and enter in your network information.</dd> |
the DHCP option and enter in your network information.</dd> |
<dt>Software</dt> |
<dt>Software</dt> |
Line 106 setup
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Line 106 setup
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loncontrol startup script should open and close thos ports |
loncontrol startup script should open and close thos ports |
itself.) |
itself.) |
</dd> |
</dd> |
<dd> Set SELinux to Disabled.</dd> |
<dd> Set SELinux to Disabled.</dd> |
<dd> Select OK, and then Quit</dd> |
<dd> Select OK, and then Quit</dd> |
</p> |
</p> |
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<h2>Update your system</h2> |
<h2>4. <a name="upd">Update your system</a></h2> |
<p> |
<p> |
Update your system to the latest versions of the system software using yum. |
Update your system to the latest versions of the system software using yum. |
</p> |
</p> |
Line 136 cp rhel5_loncapa_yum.conf /etc/yum.conf
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Line 136 cp rhel5_loncapa_yum.conf /etc/yum.conf
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yum update |
yum update |
</pre> |
</pre> |
</p> |
</p> |
<h2>Installing LON-CAPA</h2> |
<h2>5. <a name="ilc">Installing LON-CAPA</a></h2> |
<h3>Install prerequisites</h3> |
<h3>Install prerequisites</h3> |
<p> Execute: </p> |
<p> Execute: </p> |
<pre> |
<pre> |
Line 192 for it to function at all. Below is a l
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Line 192 for it to function at all. Below is a l
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<dd>The server must be designated a 'library' or an 'access' server. In |
<dd>The server must be designated a 'library' or an 'access' server. In |
general you should have a library server for your instructors to create |
general you should have a library server for your instructors to create |
their course content on and run their courses. Students should connect |
their course content on and run their courses. Students should connect |
to access servers. If you are doing the first install of LON-CAPA at |
to access servers. If you are doing the first install of LON-CAPA at |
your site, or if you are playing with it for your own edification you |
your site, or if you are playing with it for your own edification you |
should make your machine a 'library' server.</dd> |
should make your machine a 'library' server.</dd> |
<dt>LON-CAPA domain</dt> |
<dt>LON-CAPA domain</dt> |
<dd>Each site or school which installs LON-CAPA needs its own domain. |
<dd>Each site or school which installs LON-CAPA needs its own domain. |
Here at MSU we use 'msu'. You should choose something short but |
Here at MSU we use 'msu'. You should choose something short but |
meaningful. <i>Restriction: One word, no hyphens, underscores, or |
meaningful. <i>Restriction: One word, no hyphens, underscores, or |
special characters.</i><br />Domain names which include a departmental |
special characters.</i><br />Domain names which include a departmental |
abbreviation are not recommended as although LON-CAPA may start in |
abbreviation are not recommended as although LON-CAPA may start in |
a single department, other departments frequently join subsequently. |
a single department, other departments frequently join subsequently. |
For a domain name: 'msu' is a superior choice to 'msuphys' for example. |
For a domain name: 'msu' is a superior choice to 'msuphys' for example. |
</dd> |
</dd> |
<dt>LON-CAPA host id</dt> |
<dt>LON-CAPA host id</dt> |
<dd>Each LON-CAPA server requires a unique internal name. We use names |
<dd>Each LON-CAPA server requires a unique internal name. We use names |
such as "msul1" for the first library server. <i>Restriction: One word, |
such as "msul1" for the first library server. <i>Restriction: One word, |
no hyphens, underscores, or special characters.</i> |
no hyphens, underscores, or special characters.</i> |
</dd> |
</dd> |
<dt>Domain's Primary Library Server ID</dt> |
<dt>Domain's Primary Library Server ID</dt> |
<dd>If you are setting up a domain with a single library server, then the domain's primary library server ID will be the LON-CAPA host id of that server (e.g., msul1). Once your domain grows and you need to add more servers, one of the library servers in the domain should be assigned as the domain's primary library server. This will be where domain-wide settings will be stored.<dd> |
<dd>If you are setting up a domain with a single library server, then the domain's primary library server ID will be the LON-CAPA host id of that server (e.g., msul1). Once your domain grows and you need to add more servers, one of the library servers in the domain should be assigned as the domain's primary library server. This will be where domain-wide settings will be stored.<dd> |
<dt>Host administrator email</dt> |
<dt>Host administrator email</dt> |
<dd>The amount of email sent to this address is relatively minimal. Messages |
<dd>The amount of email sent to this address is relatively minimal. Messages |
are sent every time the system starts up, or if the system is in |
are sent every time the system starts up, or if the system is in |
serious trouble. On a laptop, make this <tt>root@localhost</tt>. |
serious trouble. On a laptop, make this <tt>root@localhost</tt>. |
</dd> |
</dd> |
<dt>Support email address</dt> |
<dt>Support email address</dt> |
<dd>If you enter an e-mail address here, then users of the system |
<dd>If you enter an e-mail address here, then users of the system |
will be able to click an "Ask Helpdesk" link in the system to |
will be able to click an "Ask Helpdesk" link in the system to |
display a web form which they will complete to request support from |
display a web form which they will complete to request support from |
your institution's helpdesk. On form submission the contents |
your institution's helpdesk. On form submission the contents |
will be sent to the e-mail address you specify. |
will be sent to the e-mail address you specify. |
</dd> |
</dd> |
</dl> |
</dl> |
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Line 234 cd /root/loncapa-N.N (N.N should cor
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Line 234 cd /root/loncapa-N.N (N.N should cor
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./UPDATE |
./UPDATE |
</pre> |
</pre> |
<p> |
<p> |
You will need to enter the LON-CAPA configuration information you determined |
You will need to enter the LON-CAPA configuration information you determined |
in the previous section. |
in the previous section. |
</p> |
</p> |
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<h2>Creating a Domain Coordinator</h2> |
<h2>6. <a name="cdc">Creating a Domain Coordinator</a></h2> |
<p> |
<p> |
You will need at least one user at your site who has the role of |
You will need at least one user at your site who has the role of |
'domain coordinator'. This user creates accounts for other users and |
'domain coordinator'. This user creates accounts for other users and |
grants them additional privileges. The make_domain_coordinator.pl script |
grants them additional privileges. The make_domain_coordinator.pl script |
invoked below requires that you enter the users password. The password will |
invoked below requires that you enter the users password. The password will |
show in plaintext as you type it. Feel free to use the "passwd username" |
show in plaintext as you type it. Feel free to use the "passwd username" |
command to change it later. Replace USERNAME and DOMAIN with an |
command to change it later. Replace USERNAME and DOMAIN with an |
appropriate user name and your domain. |
appropriate user name and your domain. |
</p> |
</p> |
<pre> |
<pre> |
Line 254 perl make_domain_coordinator.pl USERNAME
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Line 254 perl make_domain_coordinator.pl USERNAME
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(WILL PROMPT FOR PASSWORD HERE) |
(WILL PROMPT FOR PASSWORD HERE) |
</pre> |
</pre> |
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<h2>Start/Restart Services</h2> |
<h2>7. <a name="sts">Start/Restart Services</a></h2> |
<p> |
<p> |
The LON-CAPA network services take a moment to start. Most misconfigurations |
The LON-CAPA network services take a moment to start. Most misconfigurations |
will be apparent at this step. |
will be apparent at this step. |
Line 265 will be apparent at this step.
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Line 265 will be apparent at this step.
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</pre> |
</pre> |
<p> |
<p> |
If you receive warnings when starting the httpd about missing perl modules, |
If you receive warnings when starting the httpd about missing perl modules, |
please make sure you followed the instructions in |
please make sure you followed the instructions in |
<b>Installing LON-CAPA Dependencies</b>. If you still have errors, please |
<b>Installing LON-CAPA Dependencies</b>. If you still have errors, please |
contact the MSU LON-CAPA group. |
contact the MSU LON-CAPA group. |
</p> |
</p> |
<h2>Log in to your LON-CAPA Machine</h2> |
<h2>8. <a name="log">Log in to your LON-CAPA Machine</a></h2> |
<p> |
<p> |
Point a web browser at your new machine and log in as the domain |
Point a web browser at your new machine and log in as the domain |
coordinator. Congratulations! |
coordinator. Congratulations! |
</p> |
</p> |
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<hr /> |
<h2>If things aren't working right</h2> |
<h2>If things aren't working right</h2> |
<p> |
<p> |
If you've followed the steps above and the server doesn't start or you think |
If you've followed the steps above and the server doesn't start or you think |
there's something wrong, please send a <a href="http://help.loncapa.org/help">help request</a> to the MSU LON-CAPA group. If there were errors in installation of the dependency RPMs or errors during the |
there's something wrong, please send a <a href="http://help.loncapa.org/help">help request</a> to the MSU LON-CAPA group. If there were errors in installation of the dependency RPMs or errors during the |
automatic setup, please send us as much information as possible. |
automatic setup, please send us as much information as possible. |
If some part of this document is unclear please let us know. |
If some part of this document is unclear please let us know. |