This tutorial shows how to set up multiple domains all powered by a single Drupal content management system caching on Nginx with SEO-friendly links.
In Setup Drupal on Nginx, Caching with Pretty Links we created our first Drupal site. Now let’s go to town and add a bunch more – ie, thisDomain.com, thatDomain.net, anotherDomain.tld – all fed from the one Drupal installation. Pretty powerful.
The procedure, per site, is: create the database and the domain zone for DNS, the Nginx virtual host file with its symlink, make the web files directory, run Drupal’s installer and tweak the application for the pretty links and caching.
Setup Unmanaged VPS: The Ubuntu-Nginx Guide
Take your virtual private server from zero to hero
.. from blank box to cute-as server ..
with this easy-to-follow copy/paste guide.
22+ parts with video, here’s the index.
Notes: However many sites you want, follow Setup Drupal on Nginx, Caching with Pretty Links to set up the first, initial one, then this guide to add the others.
In this tutorial I refer to domain.com – that is my initial site. Also I refer to anotherDomain.com – that is an example of an additional site. Before pasting my code be sure to change domain.com and anotherDomain.com to your website domain names! You probably knew that .. just testin’.
Create the Drupal Databases
Follow Create a MySQL Database from the Terminal/Command Line.
You could use the same database for multiple sites, changing the table prefix for each. Generally though, it’s probably better to keep the databases separate and that’s what I’m recommending (well, in general!). It keeps the process simpler too. So, create one database per site. If you want to, down the road, you can merge dbs easily enough (but that’s another tutorial for another day).
Add a New Domain Zone
Setup a DNS zone for each domain.
Follow Add a Domain Zone to Your VPS.
Multiple Domains on Drupal – The 101
Our root Drupal installation lives here:-
Our site access and error logs live here:-
And the actual site files live here:-
So when we add a new site (in this case anotherDomain.com) we add its files to here:-
.. but it must refer to the root Drupal installation to work, and that’s achieved in each new site’s Nginx virtual host file
.. So, as I say, we configure the above in each site configuration (or virtual host or vhost) file. We may as well do that now then:-
Create A Virtual Host File, Per Drupal Domain
Create the site configuration file that interacts between Nginx and Drupal:-
.. and paste this within but before pasting make a few replacements (see Virtual Host Replacements just below the code):-
Virtual Host Replacements
Replace:-
- the three instances of anotherDomain.com with yourADDITIONALdomain.tld
- access_anotherDomain.log with access_yourADDITIONALdomain.log
- error_anotherDomain.log with error_yourADDITIONALdomain.log
- the four instances of domain.com with yourINITIALdomain.tld
Make a Symbolic Link (symlink)
Amend and paste this:-
Restart Nginx
Make Nginx aware:-
Create Web Files Directory Structure
First we’ll assume Super User (or root) permissions:-
.. providing your password when prompted.
Goto our Drupal sites directory:-
Create a directory for each new site:-
We need Drupal’s settings.php file so we can install a new site. Let’s copy it from Drupal’s default site:-
Make it editable:-
chmod 777 anotherDomain.com/settings.php
And set permissions to allow Nginx web server access:-
Run the Drupal Installer
Using your web browser, head to your extra domain http://anotherDomain.com
Follow the prompts, just as we did in Setup Drupal on Nginx, Caching with Pretty Links.
Revert Temporary Permissions
When you’ve finished with Drupal’s installer, don’t forget to do this:-
.. and exit Super User status (leave root):-
Setup Clean URLs
Enable those super-SEO-savvy links. Surf to:-
http://anotherDomain.com/#overlay=admin/config/search/clean-urls
.. check Enable Clean URLs and Save Configuration.
Setup Drupal’s Caching
Goto:-
http://anotherDomain.com/admin/config/development/performance
.. and under Caching, check Normal (recommended) and Save Configuration.
More Sites?
Rinse and repeat!
Setup Unmanaged VPS: The Ubuntu-Nginx Guide
Take your virtual private server from zero to hero
with this easy-to-follow copy/paste guide.
“My local PC runs Windows” Show me for Linux/Mac
“My local machine is Linux/Mac” Show me for Windows
22+ parts with video, here’s the index ..
-
Setup Unmanaged VPS: The Ubuntu-Nginx Guide
Introducing vpsBible’s how-to guide for setting up a super-charged unmanaged VPS featuring Ubuntu and Nginx.
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VPS (Virtual Private Server) vs Shared vs Dedicated
Before getting stuck in, let’s compare the web host types in detail and weigh up the differences between managed & unmanaged VPS.
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Set Up a VPS Linux Distribution
Opening a VPS hosting account, we’ll choose, configure & launch a Linux server ‘distribution’.
-
Set Up Command Line Interface (CLI) using PuTTY
Now we’ve got a server to play with, we’ll connect to it, using the ’ssh’ protocol for a super-secure link.
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Create a Linux User & Set Permissions
Initially you’ve logged into your remote Linux machine as ‘root’. We’ll add you as a user now, with root or SuperUser permissions.
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Encrypt Data with OpenSSH & Auto-Login with PuTTY
Now we can use ‘authentication keys’ to shore up our connection while simplifying login to an automated, password-free yet secure process.
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Harden the Secure Shell (SSH) & Create a Firewall
The final security step: galvanizing the OpenSSH protocol and setting up an ‘iptables’ firewall. Now the server is rock ruddy solid.
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Edit bashrc for User-Friendly Linux, plus System Updates
We use the terminal a whole lot so let’s cut ourselves a break and create some command shortcuts, then update the server.
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Add a Domain Zone to Your VPS
To make your server aware of yourDomain.com you’ll need a few ‘DNS’ records. Damn this is simple I’m practically asleep!
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Prepare Linux Server for Email with Postfix
In order to send and receive email from our web applications we’ll install some software and tweak the ‘RDNS’ record.
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Install PHP5 & MySQL – The One-Stop FastCGI Index Page
Add PHP5 & MySQL, but which FastCGI method is best? Here’s the benchmarking, 4 ways to install/compile, add caching modules & more.
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Nginx (better than Apache) Web Server
Let’s install this supersonic web server, tweaking its file structure & adding default configuration files.
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Setup FileZilla for Secure FTP (SFTP)
There’s FTP, and then there’s ‘Secure FTP’. We’ll set up FileZilla using SFTP – and those authentication keys – for secure file transfers.
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Serve Multiple Sites & Blogs with Virtual Hosts
We want a website folder structure, some permissions, some site-specific configuration files and, hey, we’ll hook up ‘FastCGI’.
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Adding Sub-Domains with Nginx
Need a sub-domain? If you do, here’s how to add subDomain.yourSite.com with an ‘A record’ and a configuration file.
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Integrate A CMS Like WordPress, WP MU, Drupal etc
For those of you wanting to use a specific content framework, such as a CMS, blogging or forum software, pop in here and we’ll sort that out.
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Google Apps for Domain-Specific Email
GA’s free Standard Edition for catchall webmail – POP-ping or IMAP-ped to your desktop client – saves precious server resources for your webs.
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Moving Day! How to Move Your Blog or Site
Nearly there. Here’s the web site or blog migration guide, relocating to your VPS with minimal or no downtime.
Manage Unmanaged VPS: Ubuntu-Nginx Administration
Already set it up? We’d best maintain it then.
Toggle to the .. Ubuntu-Nginx Admin Index
Manage Unmanaged VPS: Ubuntu-Nginx Administration
Maintain your virtual private server with ..
.. cheatsheets, tutorials, tips & guides.
Head back to the .. Ubuntu-Nginx Installation Index
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Nginx Control Panel: Here’s the Deal
You’re migrating shared-to-VPS and want a GUI like cPanel? No you don’t, not after you read this! What’s more, you don’t need one either.
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Nginx Control Panel Workarounds
For every control panel module there’s an equivalent (and faster) terminal command. Let’s compare these.
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Upgrade to Nginx Latest Version with ZERO Downtime
Keep Nginx up-to-date – and optimized for security. This guide shows precisely how *with no missed server requests*.
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Compile an Advanced Nginx Module Configuration
Need special web server functions? Here’s how to install or upgrade Nginx with bespoke required modules & parameters.
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Add Web Sites Nginx Cheatsheet
Once you’ve set up your first site, adding more gets easier. Especially when you refer to this. (Let’s face it, I’m just too good to you.)
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Adding Sub-Domains with Nginx
Rather than add somesite.tld, maybe you want some.subsite.tld? Here’s how to set your A record using a DNS manager and the vhost file for Nginx.
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Add/Delete MySQL Database from Command Line
Need a database? Want to bin an old db? This tutorial shows you how using the terminal command line console whatnot.
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Configure phpMyAdmin for Nginx to Maintain MySQL
Rather than have to crunch databases via the command line, we can make life easier by adding this splendid tool to manage them.
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Backup/Export MySQL DB with CLI & mysqldump
Here’s how to backup a database from the command line using the handy mysqldump utility.
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Import MySQL Database using Command Line
Import data to a new database with this simple mysqldump guide .. great for reinstating an old backed-up db, for instance.
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Batch Replace/Delete Data in MySQL Database
Change repetitive db data with a single command. Rather than manually find & alter each instance, isolate the lot & update multiple content.
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LOST a MySQL Password? How to RESET it
Lost your MySQL password? That’s a bit of a bummer .. or it would be if you didn’t have this new password setup guide, huh.
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Backup or Upload with Secure Copy SCP (Linux to Linux)
Never mind FTP m8! Save time and download/upload your files using encrypted SCP (secure copy), the #1 Linux-Linux file transfer solution.
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Backup or Upload with PuTTY PSFTP (Windows/Linux)
Equivalent to the above, how to transfer your files if you’re unlucky enough to be running Windows for your local PC. Not that I’m biased.
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*USEFULLY* Park A Spare Domain with Nginx
Got a spare domain name sat around doing nothing? Put it to some use, have it point its traffic at your primary domain. Here’s the deal ..
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Password Protect Nginx Web Files/Directories
Maybe you want a hidden website directory, say, for projects, or are developing a site and want it off-limits ’till launch day. Top tip ..
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Redirect Web Pages with Nginx Rewrite Rule
Here’s the syntax to point a site or blog to another domain. That way, for instance, traffic from a passive site benefits an active one.
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Nginx Error & Access Logs
Need to troubleshoot some error, or want to find out who’s trying to hack your site? Here’s a start .. those tell-tale logs.
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Subversion for Easy CMS Updates ie WordPress/Drupal/etc
A brief introduction to install and know about the power of Subversion, the version control system to keep scripts and platforms up-to-date.
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You Tell Me …
Something missing? Probably. Let me know what you’d like included. And if it’s listed below, shout out anyhow and I’ll try to bump it.
Nginx Admin: In the Works ..
This lot’s marked for addition already:-
- Setup or Edit DNS using Bind
- Network Tools Troubleshooting Guide
- The Comprehensive Permissions Guide
- Configuring Nginx Rewrites
- Custom Website Error Page
- Setting up Cron Jobs
- Rsync for Incremental Remote-to-Local Backup
- Cron & Rsync for Automatic Backup
- Cron & mysqldump for Auto DB Backup
- Safeguard Bandwidth with Hotlink Protection
- Block Access with Nginx’ IP Deny
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Configure Nginx with Your Content Management System - vpsBible April 23rd, 2010 at 7:56 pm
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