Knowledgebase

OrangeHRM 5.8.1 Installation on Ubuntu 24.04 Using Ansible

This guide explains how to install OrangeHRM 5.8.1 on an Ubuntu 24.04 server using an Ansible playbook. It is written for beginners and provides every command required to complete the installation.

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure that:

• You have an Ubuntu 24.04 server.
• You have a user account with sudo privileges.
• Your server has Internet access.
• Ansible is already installed.

Step 1 - Connect to Your Ubuntu Server

Log in to your server using SSH.

ssh username@your_server_ip

Example:

ssh john@192.168.1.100

Step 2 - Verify Ubuntu Version

Check that you are running Ubuntu 24.04.

lsb_release -a

You should see output similar to:

Description: Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

Step 3 - Verify Ansible Installation

Check whether Ansible is installed.

ansible --version

If Ansible is not installed, run:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install ansible -y

Step 4 - Create the Ansible Project Directory

Create a folder for your Ansible project.

mkdir ~/ansible-project
cd ~/ansible-project

Step 5 - Create an Inventory Folder

mkdir inventory

Step 6 - Create the Inventory File

nano inventory/hosts

Add the following content:

[all]
localhost ansible_connection=local

Save the file.

• Press CTRL + O
• Press Enter
• Press CTRL + X

Step 7 - Copy the OrangeHRM Playbook

Create the playbook file.

nano orangehrm.yml

Copy and paste the OrangeHRM Ansible playbook into the file.

Save the file.

• CTRL + O
• Enter
• CTRL + X

Step 8 - Verify the Playbook Syntax

Check that the YAML syntax is correct.

ansible-playbook --syntax-check orangehrm.yml

You should receive:

playbook: orangehrm.yml

Step 9 - Run the Playbook

Execute the installation.

ansible-playbook -i inventory/hosts orangehrm.yml

The playbook performs the following tasks automatically:

• Updates the Ubuntu package repository.
• Installs Apache.
• Installs MySQL Server.
• Installs PHP and all required PHP extensions.
• Stops and disables Nginx (if installed).
• Enables the Apache Rewrite module.
• Starts Apache and MySQL.
• Downloads OrangeHRM 5.8.1.
• Extracts the OrangeHRM files.
• Creates the OrangeHRM database.
• Creates the OrangeHRM database user.
• Configures file permissions.
• Opens port 80 in the firewall.
• Restarts Apache.

Step 10 - Confirm Successful Installation

When the playbook finishes successfully, you should see something similar to:

PLAY RECAP

localhost : ok=22
changed=13
failed=0

The value failed=0 confirms that the installation completed successfully.

Step 11 - Find Your Server IP Address

Run the following command:

hostname -I

Example output:

102.202.44.172

Step 12 - Open OrangeHRM

Open your web browser and navigate to:

http://YOUR_SERVER_IP/orangehrm

Example:

http://102.202.44.172/orangehrm

Step 13 - Start the OrangeHRM Setup Wizard

The OrangeHRM Setup Wizard will appear.

1. Select Fresh Installation.
2. Click Next.

Step 14 - Configure the Database

Enter the following information:

Important:

If the installer displays "Database Already Exists", select:

• Existing Empty Database

Then continue with the installation.

Step 15 - Create the Administrator Account

Create the administrator account that will be used to log in to OrangeHRM.

Example:

Step 16 - Complete the Installation

Click the Install button.

OrangeHRM will create the required database tables and complete the installation.

Step 17 - Log In

Use the administrator username and password you created during the installation.

Troubleshooting

Check Apache Status

sudo systemctl status apache2

Restart Apache

sudo systemctl restart apache2

Check MySQL Status

sudo systemctl status mysql

Restart MySQL

sudo systemctl restart mysql

Verify Port 80

sudo ss -tulpn | grep :80

Find the Server IP Address

hostname -I

Conclusion

You have successfully installed OrangeHRM 5.8.1 on Ubuntu 24.04 using an Ansible playbook. The playbook automated the installation of Apache, MySQL, PHP, OrangeHRM, database creation, user configuration, file permissions, firewall configuration, and web server setup. The remaining steps are completed through the OrangeHRM web-based installation wizard.