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HOW TO RUN DRUPAL ON UHOST IN VPC ENVIRONMENT

November 3, 2023

Installing Drupal in the cloud offers numerous advantages, including scalability, high availability, and ease of management. SCloud provides a flexible infrastructure that can grow with your website’s needs, ensuring optimal performance during traffic spikes and minimizing downtime. Additionally, cloud environments offer built-in security features, automated backups, and simplified resource management. This not only streamlines the installation process but also reduces the burden of hardware maintenance, making it a practical choice for web developers and businesses looking for a reliable and cost-effective hosting solution for their Drupal websites.

Installing Drupal on a Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) and a cloud compute instance involves setting up a secure and scalable environment for hosting your Drupal website.

Here’s how to use SCloud Console to run your Drupal:

1. Set Up a Virtual Private Cloud (VPC):

Create a VPC to isolate your resources. In the VPC, you can define your network topology, subnets, and security groups to control inbound and outbound traffic.

1.1. Sign in into SCloud Console
1.2. Hover over ‘All Products’ on the top left & click on ‘UVPC’

1.3. Choose the region you wish to create your instances in. Take note that both UVPC and the UHost region should be the same to prevent issues. Then, click ‘Create UVPC’

1.4. Fill the below information
1. a. VPC Name: Enter the VPC name
2. b. Keep the Network Segment for the VPC & select /20 for the subnet segment
3. c. Subnet Name: Enter the subnet name then press ok

1.5. A pop up will appear as shown below. Click on to ‘Create UHost’

2. Launch a Cloud Compute Instance

Choose the cloud compute instances that best suit your Drupal and website needs. Whether it’s virtual machines or serverless functions, your cloud compute resources provide the necessary computing power for high availability and scalability.

2.1. Select the UHost Configuration
1. a. Region & Availability Zones
1. b. Configure & select model configuration (UHost Type, CPU Platform, CPU Number of Cores, Memory)
1. c. Configure & select your OS
1. d. Configure your disk settings (Disk Type, Size)
1. e. Select the VPC which we have just created as below
1. f. Configure your login settings for the UHost (password for root, login through Key Pair)
1. g. Optional: You can configure more settings (UHost Name, bootstrap script etc. when the UHost initialized)

2.2. Select your payment preference and click ‘Purchase Now’.

2.3. Login to your UHost: e.g. ssh ubuntu@165.154.217.49

3. Install and Configure Drupal:

Download the latest version of Drupal from the official website or use version control systems like Git to fetch the code. Then, set up a database, configure the web server, and run the installation wizard.

3.1. Update the System in order to install Drupal
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
3.2. Install MariaDB Server
sudo apt install -y mariadb-server mariadb-client
3.3. Set the root password and mysql configuration
sudo mysql_secure_installation
3.4. Output will be as follows. Key in accordingly:
Enter current password for root (enter for none):OK, successfully used password, moving on…Change the root password? [Y/n] y
New password:
Re-enter new password:
Password updated successfully!
Reloading privilege tables..
… Success!
Remove anonymous users? [Y/n] Y
Disallow root login remotely? [Y/n] Y
Remove test database and access to it? [Y/n] y
Reload privilege tables now? [Y/n] y

3.5. Verify by login into the DB
mysql -u root -p

3.6. Create Database for Drupal
mysql -u root -p
CREATE DATABASE drupal;
CREATE USER ‘drupal_user’@’localhost’ IDENTIFIED BY ‘password’;
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON drupal.* to drupal_user@’localhost’;
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
\q

3.7. Install PHP
sudo apt install php php-{cli,fpm,json,common,mysql,zip,gd,intl,mbstring,curl,xml,pear,tidy,soap,bcmath,xmlrpc}
3.8. Install Apache web server (for the purpose of this tutorial. You can decide your own)
sudo apt install apache2 libapache2-mod-php
3.9. Update PHP’s memory limit and timezone
sudo nano /etc/php/*/apache2/php.ini
memory_limit = 256
date.timezone = UTC
3.10. Download the latest version from Drupal and install it
wget https://www.drupal.org/download-latest/tar.gz -O drupal.tar.gz
tar xvf drupal.tar.gz
mv drupal-*/ /var/www/html/drupal
3.11. Change the Apache and group’s ownership of the directory of Drupal
sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/html/
sudo chmod -R 755 /var/www/html/
3.12. Set up Apache Web Server for Drupal
sudo a2dissite 000-default.conf
sudo systemctl restart apache2
3.13. Now we are going to create Drupal Configuration file & copy the below script into this file:
sudo vi /etc/apache2/sites-available/drupal.conf


<VirtualHost *:80>
     ServerName mysite.com
     ServerAdmin admin@example.com
     DocumentRoot /var/www/html/drupal/

     CustomLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/access.log combined
     ErrorLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/error.log

      <Directory /var/www/html/drupal>
            Options Indexes FollowSymLinks
            AllowOverride All
            Require all granted
            RewriteEngine on
            RewriteBase /
            RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
            RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
            RewriteRule ^(.*)$ index.php?q=$1 [L,QSA]
   </Directory>
</VirtualHost>

3.14. Use the below commands to enable the website:

1. sudo apachectl -t
2. sudo a2dismod mpm_event
  sudo a2enmod mpm_prefork
  sudo a2enmod php8.1
  sudo a2enmod rewrite
  sudo a2ensite drupal.conf
  sudo systemctl restart apache2

3.15. Now open your browser with the public IP of the instance to install Drupal.
1. a. Choose your language
1. b. Select your profile
1. c. Enter the username & password for the database which created earlier
1. d. Enter your site information. After which, we are all set up!

Don’t forget to improve on your own with these considerations:

4. Security Hardening

Implement best practices for securing your Drupal installation, such as keeping software up to date, configuring strong passwords, and using security modules.

5. Site Optimisation

Optimize your Drupal site for performance by using caching, Content Delivery Networks (CDNs), and database tuning. Plan for scalability by adding load balancers, auto-scaling, and monitoring to handle increased traffic.

6. Monitoring and Maintenance

Implement monitoring and alerting tools to keep an eye on your server’s performance, security, and availability. Perform routine updates, patches, and security audits to keep your Drupal site running smoothly and securely.

7. Backup and Disaster Recovery

Set up regular backups of your Drupal site and database to ensure data recovery in case of issues. Test your backup and disaster recovery procedures to ensure you can recover from unexpected issues.

By following these steps, you can successfully install and run Drupal on a Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) and a cloud compute instance, creating a robust and scalable web hosting environment. Remember to follow best practices for security, performance, and maintenance to keep your Drupal website in top shape!

For any enquiries, please email enquiry@scloud.sg.

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HOW TO SETUP UROCKETMQ FOR DISTRIBUTED APPLICATION MESSAGING

November 2, 2023

RocketMQ is an open-source, distributed message-oriented middleware platform for reliable and scalable data streaming and messaging. If you are looking to setup RocketMQ in SCloud, our platform offers a ready and easy to use service called URocketMQ. Before we jump into how you can setup URocketMQ in the SCloud console, do know that deploying RocketMQ in the cloud offers a whole lot of benefits, including:

1. Scalability

Cloud platforms allow you to easily scale your RocketMQ cluster up or down based on your messaging workload. You can add or remove resources as needed to accommodate changing demands.

2. High Availability

Cloud environments provide tools and services for achieving high availability and fault tolerance. You can distribute RocketMQ brokers across multiple availability zones to ensure system reliability.

3. Managed Services

Some cloud providers offer managed message queue services, which can simplify operational tasks like maintenance, patching, and monitoring. This can free your team from low-level infrastructure management.

4. Cost Efficiency

Cloud providers often offer pay-as-you-go pricing models, allowing you to pay only for the resources you use. This can be cost-effective for organizations, especially if they have fluctuating workloads.

5. Global Reach

Cloud providers have data centers in multiple regions around the world. This allows you to deploy RocketMQ clusters closer to your end-users, reducing latency and improving the user experience.

6. Security and Compliance

Cloud providers typically offer robust security features and compliance certifications, making it easier to meet regulatory requirements and protect your messaging data.

7. Integration with Other Cloud Services

Cloud platforms provide various services that can be integrated with RocketMQ, such as databases, machine learning, and analytics tools, facilitating end-to-end solutions.

8. Elasticity

You can use auto-scaling and load-balancing features provided by the cloud to dynamically adapt to changes in message throughput.

Here’s how to use SCloud Console to setup URocketMQ:

1. Create URocketMQ Instance:
1.1. Sign in to SCloud Console.
1.2. Select ‘All Products’ on the top left & click ‘URocketMQ’.

1.3. Click ‘Create Instance’.

1.4. Select your package version, TPS, Number of topics & storage you need. (For purpose of this tutorial only, we will use ‘Enterprise’ & the following values).

1.5. Configure your network settings, we will select it network in order to make it accessible externally.

1.6. Enter the Name for the RocketMQ you want. You can choose to group it or not.

1.7. Choose a payment plan and click ‘Purchase Now’. Your RocketMQ instance is now created and ready for further settings.

2. Create Topic & Message:
2.1. Click on the instance name to start creating topics.

2.2. Select ‘TopicManage’.

2.3. Enter a topic name (in our case, we will name it ‘TestTopic’, and use a normal message type).

2.4. Your topic is now created as shown. You can test it by clicking ‘Send Message’.

2.5. Enter message information as shown and click ‘OK’ once ready to send this message.

2.6. If the message is sent successfully, you will get a pop-up with the ‘Message ID’.

3. Check Message Details & Status:
3.1. Go to the ‘MessageQuery’ tab and click ‘Press Topic’. Choose your topic from the drop-down menu and click ‘Inquire’.

3.2. Now, the full list of messages sent in this topic will appear:

3.3. Select a particular message and click ‘Details’ to see the full message body.

3.4. You can use SDKs created by different programming languages to be used by your application. Example below (Note: Replace the topic, name_srv and keys with your own):

- apache/rocketmq-client-cpp: Apache RocketMQ cpp client (github.com)
- rocketmq-client-go/examples at v2.1.1-rc2 · apache/rocketmq-client-go (github.com)
- apache/rocketmq-client-nodejs: Apache RocketMQ nodejs client (github.com)
- rocketmq-client-python/samples/producer.py at master · apache/rocketmq-client-python (github.com)

3.5. You can get the keys from the ‘ACL’ tab as shown:

When using Apache RocketMQ in the cloud, you should follow best practices for setting up and configuring RocketMQ, ensuring that it aligns with your organization’s specific messaging and streaming data needs.

For any enquiries, please email enquiry@scloud.sg.

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HOW TO SETUP UDB MYSQL AS YOUR BACKEND DATABASE FOR UHOST

November 1, 2023

Choosing MySQL as your database in a cloud environment offers several advantages, making it a popular choice for many cloud-based applications and services. To store your application records & data in a MySQL database, SCloud offers UDB MySQL which can be integrated with UHost. Before we jump into the steps for setting up UDB MySQL in SCloud console, here are some reasons to consider MySQL for cloud-based database solutions:

1. Open Source and Cost-Effective

MySQL is open-source software, which means you can use it without incurring licensing fees. This can lead to cost savings, especially in cloud environments where you pay for resources based on usage.

2. Widely Supported

MySQL is one of the most widely supported relational database management systems (RDBMS). It is compatible with numerous programming languages and platforms, making it easy to integrate into various cloud-based applications.

3. Scalability

MySQL can be scaled horizontally and vertically to handle increased workloads. Many cloud providers offer tools and services for easy database scaling, ensuring your application can grow with your user base.

4. High Availability

Cloud platforms provide options for high availability and data redundancy. You can configure MySQL to work in master-slave or multi-node setups to ensure data integrity and minimal downtime.

5. Data Security

MySQL provides robust data security features, including authentication, authorization, encryption, and auditing, to protect your data in the cloud.

6. Performance

MySQL is known for its high performance and efficient query execution. It can handle complex transactions and queries, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.

7. Community and Support

MySQL has a large and active community, which means you can find plenty of online resources, forums, and documentation to troubleshoot issues and seek help. Additionally, commercial support options are available from various providers.

8. Replication and Clustering

MySQL supports replication and clustering for load balancing and fault tolerance. Cloud environments make it easier to set up and manage these features.

9. Compatibility with Cloud Services

Many cloud providers offer managed MySQL database services (e.g., Amazon RDS, Azure Database for MySQL, Google Cloud SQL) that simplify database administration, backup, and scaling.

10. Integration with Cloud Ecosystem

MySQL can be integrated with other cloud services, such as serverless functions, storage solutions, and monitoring tools, enhancing the capabilities of your cloud-based application.

11. Flexibility

MySQL allows you to choose storage engines that best suit your application’s requirements. InnoDB is commonly used for transactional applications, while MyISAM is suitable for read-heavy workloads.

12. Data Backups and Recovery

Cloud platforms often include built-in backup and recovery solutions, making it easier to protect and restore your MySQL databases.

13. Global Reach

Cloud providers offer data centers in various regions, allowing you to deploy MySQL databases closer to your users, reducing latency and improving performance.

Here’s how to use SCloud Console to setup UDB MySQL:

1. Spin Up UHost Compute Instance (if not already done so):
1.1. Select the UHost Configuration
1. a. Region & Availability Zones
1. b. Configure & select model configuration (UHost Type, CPU Platform, CPU Number of Cores, Memory)
1. c. Configure & select your OS
1. d. Configure your disk settings (Disk Type, Size)
1. e. Configure your login settings for the UHost (password for root, login through Key Pair)
1. f. Optional: You can configure more settings (UHost Name, bootstrap script etc. when the UHost initialized)

1.2. Select your payment preference and click ‘Purchase Now’.

2. Set Up UDB MySQL:
2.1. Go to ‘All Products’ and click on ‘MySQL UDB’.

2.2. Create Database.

2.3. Select your region, we will provision the region similar to our UHost in order to have a private connectivity.

2.4. Configure your Database specs (We will keep it minimum but in case of production work load you have to go with HA option in order to achieve high availability).

2.5. Select the same VPC which your UHost instance is spun on. Then, enter a database name and the password for the root user which will be used.

2.6. Choose your payment option and click ‘Purchase Now’. Your UDB MySQL database is now set up!

3. Connect to your UDB MySQL:
3.1. Login to your UHost via ssh ubuntu@UHost_ip
3.2. Enter the commands below to install MySQL client:
1. a. sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

1. b. sudo apt install mariadb-client-core-10.6

3.3. Now you can connect to your database through mysql -h udb_ip -u root -p & login via password.

3.4. You are now connected to your database as shown:

3.5. You can now start to create database and insert whatever records you want to store them in it as follows:

It’s important to note that the specific choice of database system depends on your application’s requirements, architecture, and your team’s familiarity with the technology. While MySQL offers numerous benefits for cloud-based applications, it’s essential to evaluate your project’s unique needs and consider alternatives like PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or cloud-native databases if they better align with your use case.

For any enquiries, please email enquiry@scloud.sg.

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HOW TO INSTALL OPENVPN ON UHOST FOR SECURE ACCESS ANYWHERE

October 31, 2023

Unlock secure and remote access to your cloud infrastructure with OpenVPN. By installing OpenVPN on your Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) and cloud compute instances, you empower your organization with a robust and encrypted virtual private network (VPN) solution that keeps your data and communication safe from prying eyes, while ensuring accessibility from anywhere on the globe.

Here’s how to use SCloud Console to install your OpenVPN:

1. Virtual Private Cloud (VPC):

Establish a Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) within your cloud platform to create an isolated, secure network environment for your OpenVPN deployment. This safeguards your cloud resources and data from external threats.

1.1. Sign in into SCloud Console
1.2. Hover over ‘All Products’ on the top left & click on ‘UVPC’

1.3. Choose the region you wish to create your instances in. Take note that both UVPC and the UHost region should be the same to prevent issues. Then, click ‘Create UVPC’

1.4. Fill the below information
1. a. VPC Name: Enter the VPC name
2. b. Keep the Network Segment for the VPC & select /20 for the subnet segment
3. c. Subnet Name: Enter the subnet name then press ok

1.5. A pop up will appear as shown below. Click on to ‘Create UHost’

2. Cloud Compute Resources:

Choose the cloud compute instances that best suit your OpenVPN needs. Whether it’s virtual machines or serverless functions, your cloud compute resources provide the necessary computing power for secure access.

2.1. Select the UHost Configuration
1. a. Region & Availability Zones
1. b. Configure & select model configuration (UHost Type, CPU Platform, CPU Number of Cores, Memory)
1. c. Configure & select your OS
1. d. Configure your disk settings (Disk Type, Size)
1. e. Select the VPC which we have just created as below
1. f. Configure your login settings for the UHost (password for root, login through Key Pair)
1. g. Optional: You can configure more settings (UHost Name, bootstrap script etc. when the UHost initialized)

2.2. Select your payment preference and click ‘Purchase Now’.

2.3. Login to your UHost: e.g. ssh ubuntu@165.154.242.225

3. OpenVPN Installation:

Install and configure OpenVPN on your chosen cloud compute instances. OpenVPN offers robust encryption, ensuring that data transmission remains confidential and secure.

3.1. Install OpenVPN using the below script
1. a. wget https://git.io/vpn -O openvpn-install.sh
  b. Change permission to be executable sudo chmod +x openvpn-install.sh
  c. Run the script sudo chmod +x openvpn-install.sh
  d. You will get the below setup steps, answer the questions as below
2. Welcome to this OpenVPN road warrior installer!
  Which protocol should OpenVPN use?
  1) UDP (recommended)
  2) TCP
  Protocol [1]: 1What port should OpenVPN listen to?
  Port [1194]:Select a DNS server for the clients:
  1) Current system resolvers
  2) Google
  3) 1.1.1.1
  4) OpenDNS
  5) Quad9
  6) AdGuard
  DNS server [1]: 2Enter a name for the first client:
  Name [client]: SCloud -openvpnOpenVPN installation is ready to begin.
  Press any key to continue…
1. e. Restart the OpenVPN service
2. sudo systemctl restart openvpn-server@server.service
3. f. Get the status you will find it running as below
4. sudo systemctl status openvpn-server@server.service

1. g. Test your connectivity through by installing client on your Linux system:
2. sudo apt install openvpn
3. h. Copy the OpenVPN created to the path as below:
4. sudo cp scloud-openvpn.ovpn /etc/openvpn/client.conf
5. i. Test the connectivity with below command and it should work as shown:
6. sudo openvpn –client –config /etc/openvpn/client.conf

Don’t forget to improve on your own with these considerations:

4. Certificate Management

Manage security certificates to authenticate users and devices, enhancing your OpenVPN’s access control and security.

5. Multi-Platform Compatibility

Ensure compatibility across multiple platforms and devices, so that users can access your VPC securely from any location.

6. Network Monitoring and Security Updates

Implement network monitoring and regularly update OpenVPN to stay ahead of security threats and vulnerabilities.

7. Seamless User Experience

Prioritize user experience by creating easy-to-follow guidelines for user setup and a reliable support system for any queries.

By combining the power of OpenVPN with the scalability and flexibility of VPC and cloud compute, you create a secure and accessible network that’s tailor-made for today’s dynamic work environments. Allow your team to access your cloud infrastructure securely, whether they’re in the office, at home, or on the go. Install OpenVPN on your VPC and cloud compute, and redefine your organization’s security and accessibility standards.

For any enquiries, please email enquiry@scloud.sg.

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HOW TO DEPLOY A TELEGRAM BOT WITH UVPC AND UHOST

October 30, 2023

Creating a Telegram bot using Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) and cloud computing resources involves leveraging the power and flexibility of cloud platforms to build and deploy your bot securely and at scale.

In today’s digital age, Telegram bots have become powerful tools for automating tasks, interacting with users, and delivering information. To ensure the security and scalability of your Telegram bot, leveraging cloud computing resources within a Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) is the way to go.

Here’s how to use SCloud Console to build your Telegram Bot:

1. Virtual Private Cloud (VPC):

Set up a Virtual Private Cloud, a private network environment within your cloud platform. VPC provides network isolation and enhanced security, safeguarding your bot’s data and communications.

1.1. Sign in to SCloud Console
1.2. Hover over ‘All Products’ on the top left & click on ‘UVPC’

1.3. Choose the region you wish to create your instances in. Take note that both UVPC and the UHost region should be the same to prevent issues. Then, click ‘Create UVPC’

1.4. Fill the below information
1. a. VPC Name: Enter the VPC name
2. b. Keep the Network Segment for the VPC & select /20 for the subnet segment
3. c. Subnet Name: Enter the subnet name then press ok

1.5. A pop up will appear as shown below. Click on to ‘Create UHost’

2. Cloud Compute Resources:

Choose cloud compute resources, such as virtual machines (VMs) or serverless functions, to host and run your Telegram bot. These resources provide the computing power necessary for processing messages and executing bot commands.

2.1. Select the UHost Configuration
1. a. Region & Availability Zones
1. b. Configure & select model configuration (UHost Type, CPU Platform, CPU Number of Cores, Memory)
1. c. Configure & select your OS
1. d. Configure your disk settings (Disk Type, Size)
1. e. Select the VPC which we have just created as below
1. f. Configure your login settings for the UHost (password for root, login through Key Pair)
1. g. Optional: You can configure more settings (UHost Name, bootstrap script etc. when the UHost initialized)

2.2. Select your payment preference and click ‘Purchase Now’.

2.3. Login to your UHost: e.g. ssh ubuntu@165.154.242.225

3. Telegram Bot API:

Leverage the Telegram Bot API to create and manage your bot. Interact with Telegram’s platform through API requests to send and receive messages, set up commands, and manage user interactions.

3.1. Creating the bot through BotFather
1. a. Go to https://t.me/botfather. & type /newbot
2. b. Enter the bot name & username
1. c. It will generate a token which will be used later in your code.
2. d. Login into the machine you have provisioned earlier using ssh ubuntu@machine_ip
3. e. Follow the below commands in order to install python and run the bot
  1. sudo apt update
    sudo apt-get -y install python-dev-is-python3 build-essential
    sudo apt -y install python3-pip
    python3 -m pip install -U pip
    export PATH=”$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH”
    pip3 install –upgrade setuptoolsgit
    clone https://github.com/[username]/testTBot1/
    Rcd testTBot1
    sudo apt install python3-pip
    pip3 install -r requirements.txt
1. f. Enter vi config.py in order to update the token you have obtain in the previous step then save it
1. g. Run the bot through the command:
  1. nohup python3 main.py &

3.2. Test your bot in Telegram as follows:

Don’t forget to improve on your own with these considerations:

4. Security and Access Control

Implement security measures within your VPC, including network security groups, access control lists, and encryption, to protect your bot from unauthorized access and cyber threats.

5. Scalability

Cloud computing resources are scalable, allowing your bot to handle a growing user base without the need for major infrastructure changes. Use auto-scaling and load balancing to ensure high availability.

6. Monitoring and Analytics

Leverage cloud-based monitoring and analytics tools to gain insights into your bot’s performance, user interactions, and error tracking. This data helps you optimize your bot’s functionality.

7. Deployment and Continuous Integration

Utilize deployment pipelines and continuous integration (CI/CD) practices to streamline the development and deployment of your bot, ensuring that updates are deployed seamlessly.

8. Integration with Other Services

Integrate your bot with other cloud services, databases, and APIs to enhance its functionality. You can use cloud-based databases to store user data, leverage machine learning for natural language processing, or connect to third-party APIs for additional features.

9. Maintenance and Updates

Regularly maintain and update your bot to ensure it remains secure, performs well, and provides the latest features to your users.

Building a Telegram bot using UVPC and UHost empowers you to create a secure, scalable, and high-performance bot that can handle a wide range of tasks and interactions. Whether you’re developing a chatbot for customer support, delivering real-time information, or automating workflows, cloud-based Telegram bot development offers endless possibilities.

For any enquiries, please email enquiry@scloud.sg.