Installing & Hosting Drupal on Dreamhost
Currently the best way to install the Drupal CMS on Dreamhost is by doing it manually. There is a “one-click” install option but it's in Dreamhost Basic Mode which does not give you the ability to go back and add modules and themes in the future. So in this article I am going to show you step by step how to successfully install the Drupal CMS on your Dreamhost account. Follow closely.
Dreamhost + Drupal = A Perfect Fit
Step 1 – Download Drupal
First things first, let's get the most recent version of Drupal. Go to www.drupal.org and locate the download Drupal link. This will allow you to save a tar.gz file to your desktop. These are the files we need to get Drupal up and going.
Step 2 – Unpack & Upload to Server
Now it's time to unpack or unzip the files from your Drupal tar.gz file. Once you have done this, open up your new folder and you will see all of your Drupal files and folders. Now what we want to do is upload these files and folders to your destination of choice. So if you are creating a new site called mysite.com, connect to your Dreamhost server via FTP and create a new folder called mysite.com. Drop all of the files and folders currently inside your Drupal folder on your desktop, into your newly created folder on your Dreamhost server.
Step 3 – Create settings.php File
Now that your files and folders are uploaded, navigate to the /sites/default/ folder. Inside there you will see a file called default.settings.php. Create a new copy (don't delete the original) of this file and call it settings.php. Do not forget this step. The install will not work properly without it.
Step 4 – Create a New MySQL Database
Now you need to login to your Dreamhost control panel at panel.dreamhsot.com. Once you have done this, locate the MySQL Databases navigation link under Goodies on the left hand sidebar. Once on that page, scroll towards the bottom of the page and locate the section called 'Create a New MySQL Database'. See image below to see what you are looking for...
Your very next step is to fill out the database details for your new database. Create a name, assign a hostname, and create or assign a new username and password. Click the 'Add New Database Now' button to finish creating the database. Now jot down these new credentials so that you don't forget them.
Step 5 – Begin Drupal Install Script
Here's what we do next. Open your browser and visit the URL of where you have uploaded your Drupal files. So to follow the examplel we have been doing here, you would go to http://mysite.com/. When you do this, you will see a page that that allows you to initiate your install by choosing what language your site will be in.
Now it's time to fill in your Drupal database information that you just created in your Dreamhost control panel. Fill in the database name, username, and password. Select Advanced options and change Localhost to the hostname you assigned your new MySQL database too. Hit save and continue button.
Step 6 – Give your Site a Name and Admin Email Address
The very last thing to do is give your site a name and a default email address. Do this and click the save and continue button.
Congratulations! You've done it! You just installed the open source Drupal content mangement system manually on your Dreamhost webserver. Not too bad huh? Drupal now asks you to create your first user. This will be your main admin user with the password of your choice. Now you can start adding modules and themes to the /sites/all/ modules and themes folders to enhance the look and functionality of your site.
Dreamhost is a Perfect Solution for Hosting Drupal
As you can see the installation process for Drupal with Dreamhost is extremely easy. This is because of the many hours Dreamhost IT staff have spent in preparing each server to be the perfect host for a Drupal powered blog/site. If you are still in need of hosting for Drupal, Dreamhost will allow you to host an unlimited amount of Drupal powered sites for only $8.95/month. Click here to get your Dreamhost account started today.
