Guide for Installing Moodle on AlmaLinux 9
AlmaLinux 9, a secure and hardened Linux distribution, offers an ideal platform for deploying Moodle, a popular open-source Learning Management System (LMS). This article outlines the recommended steps for installing Moodle on AlmaLinux 9, along with key features and benefits.
To begin, set up your AlmaLinux 9 server instance with root or sudo access. The installation process involves installing Apache, MariaDB, PHP, and required extensions, configuring the firewall, setting up the MariaDB database for Moodle, downloading and setting up Moodle, creating an Apache virtual host configuration for Moodle, adjusting PHP settings, and restarting Apache to apply all changes.
Firstly, install the necessary packages and extensions, including Apache HTTP server, MariaDB server, PHP, and Moodle dependencies like php-mysqlnd, php-xml, php-mbstring, php-gd, php-curl, php-zip, and others. This process may require adding necessary repositories such as EPEL and Remi for PHP 8.3 or the appropriate PHP version.
Next, secure the MariaDB installation, create a database and a database user for Moodle with proper privileges, and set up a MariaDB repository file if needed.
Download the latest stable Moodle package from the official Moodle site, extract it to the Apache web directory, and set the correct ownership and permissions. Create an Apache virtual host configuration for Moodle to point to your Moodle directory and enable it.
Adjust PHP settings according to Moodle requirements such as upload file sizes, max execution time, memory limits, and timezone. Restart Apache to apply all changes.
Moodle supports PHP 8.0-8.2 and requires transactional database support, which is provided by PostgreSQL or MariaDB (recommended) on AlmaLinux 9. The database driver can be chosen, with MariaDB or MySQL recommended. Database connection details, including host, name, user, password, and table prefix, need to be filled in.
Upon successful installation, users are welcomed to their Moodle dashboard. The Moodle web installer guides users through language selection, database configuration, and site setup. The web address for Moodle installation is auto-filled and can be adjusted if needed.
Moodle deployed on AlmaLinux 9 benefits from an enterprise-grade operating system with long-term support until 2032, meeting data protection requirements in education and healthcare sectors (e.g., FERPA, GDPR, HIPAA). Moodle is a powerful LMS used by educational institutions, corporations, and training providers worldwide. Its modularity allows easy customization and expansion through hundreds of plugins for attendance, grading, analytics, and communication.
AlmaLinux 9 offers Linux Kernel 5.14, which supports modern hardware and virtualization, making it suitable for a wide range of users, including universities, schools, corporate training departments, certification organizations, non-profits, NGOs, government agencies, and complex educational technology ecosystems.
It is essential to review and accept the GNU GPL v3 license terms before proceeding with the installation. Site registration with moodle.org is optional. The data directory must be writable and not web-accessible. An administrator account is created during the installation process.
For those seeking a more detailed, command-by-command example for each step, feel free to ask, and I will provide further guidance. Moodle on AlmaLinux 9 offers a secure, stable, and customizable platform for delivering online learning and training.
Use the latest technology, such as Apache HTTP server and MariaDB server, to create a secure environment for installing Moodle on AlmaLinux 9. This process requires installing PHP and its dependencies, adjusting PHP settings, and setting up a MariaDB database for Moodle.
After installing Moodle, customize and expand its capabilities using hundreds of available plugins for attendance, grading, analytics, and communication. These features make Moodle a powerful yet flexible Learning Management System that suits a wide range of users, including educational institutions, corporations, and training providers.
