Server administration

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  1. Server Administration for MediaWiki: A Beginner's Guide

This article provides a comprehensive introduction to server administration for those running a MediaWiki installation, focusing on the tasks required to keep your wiki running smoothly and securely. It is geared towards beginners with limited server experience. We'll cover topics from choosing a hosting solution to basic security hardening and performance optimization.

What is Server Administration?

Server administration, in the context of MediaWiki, encompasses all the tasks involved in maintaining the computer (the 'server') that hosts your wiki software and its associated data. This goes far beyond simply installing MediaWiki itself. It includes ensuring the server is running, secure, backed up, and performs efficiently. A well-administered server is crucial for a stable and reliable wiki experience for your users. Neglecting server administration can lead to downtime, security breaches, data loss, and poor performance.

Choosing a Hosting Solution

The first step in server administration is deciding where your wiki will live. You have several options:

  • Shared Hosting: This is the most affordable option. You share server resources with other websites. It's easy to set up but offers limited control and can be slower if other sites on the server are busy. Suitable for very small wikis with low traffic.
  • Virtual Private Server (VPS): A VPS gives you a dedicated portion of a server's resources, offering more control and performance than shared hosting. You're still sharing the physical hardware, but your environment is isolated. A good balance of cost and control.
  • Dedicated Server: You rent an entire server for your exclusive use. This provides the highest level of control, performance, and security, but is also the most expensive. Best suited for large, high-traffic wikis.
  • Cloud Hosting: Services like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and Microsoft Azure offer scalable and flexible hosting solutions. You pay for what you use, and can easily scale resources up or down as needed. Can be complex to set up initially, but offers great long-term flexibility.

When choosing a host, consider:

  • Operating System: Linux is the most common and recommended OS for MediaWiki. Ubuntu Server, Debian, and CentOS are popular choices.
  • PHP Version: MediaWiki has specific PHP version requirements. Check the MediaWiki Requirements page for the latest supported versions.
  • MySQL/MariaDB Version: MediaWiki relies on a database. Again, check the requirements page for supported versions. MariaDB is a popular, open-source alternative to MySQL.
  • Server Location: Choose a server location geographically close to your users for faster loading times.
  • Support: Good customer support is essential, especially if you're a beginner.
  • Scalability: Can the hosting solution easily accommodate future growth?

Basic Server Access and Navigation

Once you have a hosting solution, you'll need to access the server. This is typically done via SSH (Secure Shell). SSH allows you to remotely connect to the server's command line. You'll need an SSH client (like PuTTY for Windows or the built-in terminal on macOS and Linux).

Common Linux commands you'll use:

  • `ls`': Lists files and directories.
  • `cd`': Changes directory.
  • `pwd`': Prints the current working directory.
  • `mkdir`': Creates a new directory.
  • `rm`': Removes files (be careful with this one!).
  • `cp`': Copies files.
  • `mv`': Moves or renames files.
  • `nano` or `vim`': Text editors for modifying files.
  • `sudo`': Executes a command with administrator privileges.

Understanding file permissions is also critical. Linux uses a system of read (r), write (w), and execute (x) permissions for users, groups, and others. The `chmod` command is used to modify permissions. Incorrect permissions can lead to security vulnerabilities.

Database Administration

MediaWiki stores its data in a database. You'll need to manage the database to ensure it's running efficiently and securely. Common tasks include:

  • Creating a Database: Use the MySQL/MariaDB command-line client or a graphical tool like phpMyAdmin.
  • Creating a Database User: Create a dedicated user for your MediaWiki installation with appropriate permissions. *Do not* use the root user.
  • Importing and Exporting Data: Use `mysqldump` to create backups of your database.
  • Optimizing Tables: Regularly optimize database tables to improve performance. The `OPTIMIZE TABLE` command can help with this.
  • Database Backups: Implement a robust backup strategy. Automate backups and store them offsite.

Web Server Configuration (Apache or Nginx)

MediaWiki requires a web server to serve the wiki pages to users. Apache and Nginx are the most common choices.

  • Apache: A widely used and well-documented web server. Configuration is typically done in `.htaccess` files and the main Apache configuration file (e.g., `apache2.conf`).
  • Nginx: A high-performance web server that's becoming increasingly popular. Configuration is done in the `nginx.conf` file.

You'll need to configure the web server to:

  • Serve MediaWiki Files: Point the web server to the directory where you installed MediaWiki.
  • Enable PHP: Configure the web server to process PHP files.
  • Configure Virtual Hosts: If you're hosting multiple websites on the same server, you'll need to configure virtual hosts.
  • Enable HTTPS: Use Let's Encrypt or another certificate authority to enable HTTPS for secure communication. This is crucial for security.

PHP Configuration

PHP is the scripting language that MediaWiki is written in. You'll need to configure PHP to optimize performance and security. The PHP configuration file is typically called `php.ini`. Important settings to consider:

  • `memory_limit`': Increase this value if you encounter memory errors, especially when dealing with large images or complex pages.
  • `upload_max_filesize` and `post_max_size`': Adjust these values to control the maximum size of uploaded files.
  • `max_execution_time`': Increase this value if you encounter scripts that time out.
  • Disable Unused Functions: Disable PHP functions that MediaWiki doesn't use to reduce the attack surface.
  • Error Reporting: Configure appropriate error reporting levels for production environments.

Security Hardening

Security is paramount. Here are some essential security measures:

  • Keep Software Updated: Regularly update MediaWiki, PHP, MySQL/MariaDB, and the operating system to patch security vulnerabilities.
  • Strong Passwords: Use strong, unique passwords for all accounts.
  • Limit User Permissions: Grant users only the permissions they need.
  • Firewall: Configure a firewall (like `ufw` on Ubuntu) to block unauthorized access.
  • HTTPS: As mentioned earlier, enable HTTPS.
  • Regular Security Audits: Periodically review your server configuration and security logs.
  • Disable Directory Listing: Prevent users from browsing directories on your server.
  • Protect `LocalSettings.php`:' This file contains sensitive configuration information. Ensure it's not publicly accessible.
  • Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Implement 2FA for administrator accounts.
  • Rate Limiting: Implement rate limiting to prevent brute-force attacks.

Performance Optimization

A slow wiki can frustrate users. Here are some ways to improve performance:

  • Caching: Enable caching mechanisms like the built-in MediaWiki caching system and server-side caching (e.g., Varnish).
  • Database Optimization: As mentioned earlier, optimize database tables.
  • Image Optimization: Optimize images for web use to reduce file sizes.
  • Compression: Enable gzip compression to reduce the size of transferred files.
  • PHP Opcode Cache: Use a PHP opcode cache (like OPcache) to improve PHP performance.
  • Content Delivery Network (CDN): Use a CDN to distribute static content (images, CSS, JavaScript) closer to users.
  • Minimize Extensions: Only install necessary extensions. Each extension adds overhead.
  • Regular Maintenance: Run maintenance scripts regularly to clean up the database and cache.

Monitoring and Logging

Monitoring your server and reviewing logs are crucial for identifying and resolving issues.

  • Server Monitoring Tools: Use tools like `top`, `htop`, and `vmstat` to monitor server resources.
  • Log Analysis: Regularly review server logs (Apache/Nginx access and error logs, PHP error logs, MySQL/MariaDB logs) for errors and suspicious activity.
  • Uptime Monitoring: Use an uptime monitoring service to alert you if your wiki goes down.

Backups and Disaster Recovery

Regular backups are essential for disaster recovery.

  • Automated Backups: Automate backups of your MediaWiki files and database.
  • Offsite Backups: Store backups offsite to protect against data loss due to hardware failure or natural disasters.
  • Backup Testing: Periodically test your backups to ensure they can be restored successfully.
  • Disaster Recovery Plan: Develop a disaster recovery plan that outlines the steps you'll take to restore your wiki in the event of a failure.

Resources and Further Learning

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