In this tutorial, we will learn how to install SuiteCRM, an open-source Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software, on an Ubuntu server or Virtual Private Server (VPS). This comprehensive guide covers all the necessary steps, including installing Apache, PHP, Composer, and MySQL, as well as configuring and setting up SuiteCRM.
What is SuiteCRM?
SuiteCRM is an open-source Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software solution. An application which loads the sales, markets, and services administration of a company. It also helps to organize all the processes concerning these activities translating this into process improvements and time-saving.
Prerequisites for installing SuiteCRM
- SSH root access or a regular system user (use sudo) with sudo privileges.
- Fully-updated Ubuntu system.
apt update && apt upgrade
apt install curl wget nano systemctl
Install Apache server on Ubuntu
To Install Apache web server use this command
apt install apache2 -y
To start, enable and restart the apache2 server use (you can also use service instead of systemctl):
# start
systemctl start apache2
# enable - start with server start
systemctl enable apache2
# restart - to start with new configurations
systemctl restart apache2
Go to the web browser (or use curl) to access the apache2 web server at your server IP or localhost, you should be able to view Apache2 Ubuntu Default Page.
Install PHP, Composer & extensions on Ubuntu server
To install PHP, Composer(package manager for PHP) and the required PHP extensions run (with root permissions):
apt install php composer php-cli php-imagick php-fpm php-mysql php-common php-gd php-imap php-json php-curl php-zip php-xml php-mbstring php-bz2 php-intl php-gmp php-curl php-gd php-zip php-imap php-dom php-intl php-opcache php-soap
Install and create database on MySQL server on Ubuntu server
To install MySQL server on Ubuntu use:
apt install mysql-server
Log In to MySQL server and provide password with following command:
mysql -u root -p
Create a Database for suitecrm:
CREATE DATABASE suitecrm;
CREATE USER 'suitecrm'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'password'; GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON suitecrm.* TO 'suitecrm'@'localhost';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
EXIT;
Download the latest stable version from github, use:
wget https://github.com/salesagility/SuiteCRM/archive/refs/tags/v7.12.5.zip
Unzip to default directory or subdomain directory in path (apache web server root dir) /var/www :
unzip SuiteCRM-8.0.3.zip -d /var/www/suitecrm
cd /var/www/suitecrm/
mv SuiteCRM-7.12.6/* .
rm SuiteCRM-7.12.6/ -rf
Go to suitecrm directory:
cd /var/www/suitecrm
mkdir cache mkdir vendor
touch config_override.php
Set correct permissions to Files and Folders:
chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/suitecrm/
chmod -R 755 .
chmod -R 775 cache custom modules themes data upload
No, Install composer packages:
composer install
Add suitecrm.conf in Apache sites-available configurations directory
Open create and open suitecrm.conf file nano editor using this command:
nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/suitecrm.conf
Add this text into the file (also add host ServerName):
<VirtualHost *:80>
ServerName suitecrm.example.com
DocumentRoot /var/www/suitecrm/
ErrorLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/suitecrm_error.log
CustomLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/suitecrm_access.log combined
<Directory />
Options FollowSymLinks
AllowOverride All
</Directory>
<Directory /var/www/suitecrm/>
Options FollowSymLinks MultiViews
AllowOverride All
Order allow,deny
allow from all
</Directory>
Include /etc/apache2/conf-available/php8.1-fpm.conf
</VirtualHost>
Increase maximum file upload size in PHP configurations.
sed -i 's/upload_max_filesize = 2M/upload_max_filesize = 20M/g' /etc/php/8.1/fpm/php.ini
systemctl restart php8.1-fpm
Enable SuiteCRM site on apache web server:
a2ensite suitecrm.conf
Restart apache server:
systemctl restart apache2
Start Installing SuiteCRM (web installation)
You should add suitecrm subdomain to host configuration file: /etc/hosts
- Accept terms and continue to installation
- Login with database credentials
suitecrm:password
- Create admin user for suitecrm login page.
- Login to admin account it will redirect you to SuiteCRM dashboard
Conclusion
By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you should now have a fully functioning installation of SuiteCRM on your Ubuntu server or VPS. You can now begin using this powerful CRM tool to manage your company's sales, marketing, and service activities, streamlining processes and saving time in the process. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced system administrator, this tutorial should provide all the information you need to successfully install and configure SuiteCRM on Ubuntu.
