Installation instructions

1. Install Webserver and MariaDB first

Archimedes CMS is web application, which means: it needs a webserver (Apache & PHP) and a database (MariaDB) to run.
This can be achieved via a PHP hosting company or you can run it on your local computer or local network server, even some NASses (like Synology) have these programs installed.

When you want to host your database and webserver locally, you can download these programs in one convenient package with a handy GUI control panel, called XAMPP (download via: https://www.apachefriends.org/).
XAMPP is free and works on Windows, Mac and Linux.

Make sure to start the following services in the XAMPP control panel every time your computer starts:

  • Apache
  • MySQL or MariaDB

2. Install CMS

To install the CMS itself:

  1. download Archimedes via our download page.
  2. extract Archimedes on your computer (if it is compressed in a .zip file)
  3. upload the files to your host, i.e. with FTP,
    or copy the files into a subdirectory in c:\xampp\htdocs when you use XAMPP on Windows.
  4. run the installer: https://[host.com]/admindr/install (assuming Archimedes CMS is in “admindr” directory).
    When you use XAMPP, the address is: http://localhost/admindr/install.
  5. choose the option “install” and follow the steps in the installer.
    The installer will automatically:
    • create config files
    • create a database
    • insert data in the database (like countries and languages)
    • create a new user. You can choose your own username and password to log in.
  6. Log in.
    From the installer you are forwarded to the admin panel.
    When you want to log in next time, go to https://[host.com]/admindr/ with your chosen username and password

Install password

The installer is protected with a “install password” to prevent accidents with malicious actors when you forget to disable the installer.

On each install, the install-password will change for security reasons!

When you first install Archimedes CMS a new install-password is choosen for you.
so you won’t be prompted for it.
But when you want do change your installation, you will be asked for this install-password.

You can find install password here:

  1. Go to the settings screen of the CMS
  2. Tab “maintenance”
  3. Section “installer”

Relocating CMS

For security reasons, it is wise to relocate the CMS to a subdomain or other directory the same host.
For example: moving https://www.mysite.com/admindr to https://flowerpower.mysite.com/

Everyone familiar with Archimedes CMS, knows that the CMS is located on /admindr/.
Malicious actors can also find out this location by running a directory enumeration program.
While enumerating subdomains isn’t impossible, it’s a far less common attack method.

To relocate the CMS, follow these steps:

  1. move the directory /admindr/ (including all subdirectories) to a new location, like a subdomain
    (i.e. by downloading this directory via FTP and reupload it to the new location)
  2. moving location will invalidate paths in the config files, therefore you need to edit the following config file in the “configs” directory:
    • framework_[host].php:
      • value: GLOBAL_PATH_WWW_CMS

Upgrade

To upgrade Archimedes:

  1. Enable the installer
    • go to the settings screen in the CMS,
    • tab “maintenance”
    • Click “enable installer”
  2. Start the installer by clicking on “start installer”
  3. in the menu, choose: “upgrade” and click “next”

Uninstall

To uninstall Archimedes CMS:

  1. Enable the installer
    • go to the settings screen in the CMS,
    • tab “maintenance”
    • Click “enable installer”
  2. Start the installer by clicking on “start installer”
  3. in the menu, choose: “uninstall”
  4. choose: “uninstall” from the menu, and click “next”
    • this will remove database data
  5. remove all uploaded files from your webhost
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