Install OJS on Web Hosting Step-by-step Guide in 15 Minutes

Hostmara How to Install OJS on Web Hosting open journal systems

This comprehensive guide explores the essential steps for installing Open Journal Systems (OJS). From understanding the prerequisites to configuring servers and databases, our expert instructions on how to install OJS on Web hosting empower academics and journal editors to streamline their publication processes and enhance scholarly content accessibility.

Introduction Open Journal Systems (OJS)

In the world of academic publishing, efficiency, accessibility, and reliability are paramount. If you’re an academic, a journal editor, or someone passionate about disseminating scholarly content, understanding how to install OJS on web hosting is your first step towards achieving these goals. OJS is a powerful and open-source platform that can revolutionize how you manage and share academic knowledge. In this comprehensive guide, we will unravel the intricate process of how to install Open Journal Systems, ensuring that you can harness the full potential of this indispensable tool for academic advancement.

Who Should Install OJS?

Whether you’re looking to establish a new online journal, streamline your existing publication process, or simply dive into the world of academic publishing platforms, this guide is your key to success. We’ll take you through every essential step, from preparing your environment to configuring the server, setting up the database, and finally, running the installation itself. But before we embark on this journey, let’s start with the basics: why is OJS so crucial, and why does proper installation matter? So, let’s begin our exploration of how to install OJS and unlock the possibilities it holds for you and your academic endeavors.

Prerequisites

Before diving into the installation process of OJS, it’s crucial to ensure that you have all the necessary prerequisites in place. Understanding these prerequisites is essential for a seamless how to install OJS experience.

Checking System Requirements

The first requirement is a web server, and you may choose from popular options like Apache or Nginx. Additionally, you’ll need a server operating system, commonly Linux-based, to host OJS. Ensure your server meets the specified system requirements, including PHP and MySQL or PostgreSQL versions.

Moreover, having a domain name and access to your server through SSH or FTP is vital. This guide will walk you through each of these prerequisites, ensuring that you’re fully prepared to embark on your journey of installing OJS successfully.

Downloading OJS

To begin your journey on how to install OJS, the first step is acquiring the OJS software. Downloading OJS is straightforward, but it’s essential to follow the right steps.

Download the Open Journal Systems

Start by visiting the official Download Open Journal Systems website, where you’ll find the latest version available for download. It’s crucial to select the correct version that aligns with your requirements and preferences.

Download the OJS package according to your needs, I recommend downloading the LTS (Long Term Support) version.

Web Hosting Server Requirements

If you’re looking for a hassle-free experience in setting up Open Journal Systems (OJS), we’ve got you covered with our specially optimized OJS web hosting package. We understand that a smooth and efficient installation is crucial for your academic publishing needs, and our hosting package is designed to ensure just that

Why Choose Our Optimized OJS Web Hosting?

  1. Tailored for OJS: Our hosting package is specifically configured to meet the requirements of OJS, guaranteeing optimal performance and reliability.
  2. Seamless Installation: Say goodbye to compatibility issues and technical hassles. With our hosting, you can install OJS effortlessly in just a few clicks.
  3. Expert Support: Our team of experts is always ready to assist you, ensuring that your OJS installation and hosting experience is trouble-free.
  4. Performance Enhancement: Benefit from enhanced server speed and reliability, providing a seamless experience for your journal editors and contributors.
  5. Security: We prioritize the security of your academic content. Our hosting package includes robust security features to protect your data and maintain the integrity of your journals.

How to Get Started

  • Visit our OJS web hosting package.
  • Select the package that suits your needs and budget.
  • Follow the simple steps to complete your purchase.

Once you’re onboard, our team will guide you through the setup process to ensure your OJS installation is optimized for success.

Ready to Elevate on Open Journal Systems?

Don’t let technical challenges hinder your academic publishing goals. Choose our optimized OJS web hosting package and embark on a journey of seamless OJS installation. Unlock the potential of your scholarly journals and publications at affordable cost and worry free!

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Get Started How to Install OJS on Web Hosting

Make sure your web hosting account is activated and you have access to cPanel. If you order web hosting at Hostmara (know more About Hostmara: Unveiling Who We Are and What Drives Us) the cPanel account details has sent to your email, check your Inbox or Bulk folder or Contact us for help.

Upload Open Journal Systems files

Login to cPanel and you will view the cPanel interface then click menu File Manager

Go to public_html folder then Upload the OJS file that you downloaded previously and extract the OJS file.

how to install ojs on web hosting by hostmara

Upload open journal systems file

How to install open journal systems on web hosting by Hostmara

Extract Open Journal Systems file

Extract files on cPanel - file manager by Hostmara

Go to folder ojs-3.3.0-13 then move all extracted files into the folder where you will install OJS.

Creating MySQL Database for OJS

Go to cPanel interface, go to Databases tabs, then click MySQL Databases

on the MySQL Databases interface, please complete the following fields.

Create New Database

cPanel Mysql databases interface by Hostmara

New Database: (enter the name of the database that will be used for OJS)
Press the Create Database button
Click the Go Back link

MySQL Users

cpanel mysql users form by Hostmara

Add New User
Username: (enter the user name to connect to the database)
Password: (type password)
Password (Again): (retype password)
You can also use the Generate Password button to make your password more secure.
Press the Create User button and wait until you get a notification Added the database “usercpanel_username”.
Click the Go Back link

Granting User Privileges

MySQL Granting User Privileges on cPanel by Hostmara

Add User To Database
User (select the user name that was previously provided)
Database (select the database name that was created previously)
Click the Add button, and wait until you get notify Added the database “usercpanel_username”.

enable manage user privileges on cPanel by Hostmara
Enable ALL PRIVILEGES options
Press Make Changes button
Wait until you get a notification Success: You saved “zallid_ojs”’s privileges on the database “usercpanel_username”.
Click Go Back link

Open Journal Systems Installation

Installation summary
In this tutorial we will give an example of installing OJS on the subdomain https://ojs.afrizal.id, so I will start the OJS installation by visiting the URL https://ojs.afrizal.id (please adjust it to your OJS installation URL).

Before starting the installation, you must change the folder permissions according to OJS basic requests.

Open Journal Systems Pre-Installation Steps

1. The following files and directories (and their contents) must be made writable:

config.inc.php is writable (optional): Yes
public/ is writable: Yes
cache/ is writable: Yes
cache/t_cache/ is writable: Yes
cache/t_compile/ is writable: Yes
cache/_db is writable: Yes

Login to cPanel -> click File Manafer -> go to OJS installation folder

Right click on folder public -> select Change Permissions -> Enable all options

how to install open journal systems by hostmara

Enable folder permissions 777 by Hostmara

Do the same on following file and folders:

config.inc.php
public/
cache/
cache/t_cache/
cache/t_compile/
cache/_db

Administrator Account

Complete the OJS administrator account information, this account is used to create hosted journals, edit, delete.

OJS install - administrator account by Hostmara

Primary Locale -> Select the primary language for your journal.

Additional Locales -> Select additional language for the Open Journal Systems

File Setting – Directory for Uploads

OJS by default will save manuscripts and articles files in the /public_html/files folder, for security reasons I suggest you change the default folder and move it outside the public_html folder, for example in this case I moved it into the /home/zallid/ojsfiles folder, then I will change the contents in the Directory for Uploads column becomes /home/zallid/ojsfiles

Go to File Manager -> go to directory /home/zallid/ and Create new folder called ojsfiles.

OJS installation file setting by Hostmara

Database Setting

File Settings has been successful. Next, scroll down to the Database Settings section, complete the columns according to the database you just created.

Database Driver = MySQLi

Host = localhost (leave default)

Username = Fill in this column with the database user name you created in the Creating MySQL Database for OJS section above

Password = Change with the mysql password that you created above.

Database name = Fill in the name of the database you created.

See an example of filling in the Database Settings column below;

ojs database driver by Hostmara

OAI Settings and Beacon

In the Repository Identifier section, just leave the default, for example ojs2.ojs.afrizal.id

Beacon

Enable options Provide a unique site ID and OAI base URL to PKP for statistics and security alert purposes only.

This aims to ensure that articles that published in this OJS website will be easily to indexed in OAI (Open Archives Initiative) based journal directories such as SCOPUS, MCC, ACI, Google Scholar, eprints, DOI, and other journal directories.

After completing all the OJS Installation columns, we are ready to install OJS on web hosting.

… Click the Install Open Journal Systems button …

Wait until the OJS installation process on server hosting is complete, You will see the Installation of OJS has Completed successfully page as below;

Installation of OJS has Completed successfully by Hostmara

At this point, the OJS installation (Open Journal Systems) has been completed by following this tutorial how to install OJS on web hosting server and the hosted journal is ready to be used.

The first step that must be taken is to log in as Administrator according to what was created above, then let’s start publish journal online.

Congratulations!
Your OJS installation has been successful by following the tutorial on how to install OJS on web hosting.

Please try login to OJS Administration by clicking the Login link. If successful it will display a page like the one below;

Hostmara OJS Admin login page

If the login is successful, the following displays the OJS Administration page.

Open journal systems create journal - hostmara

Install OJS on the hosting server Successfully

This is the default display of the front page of Open Journal Systems version 3.3 which has not been set to Journal and there are no articles.

Open journal systems - ojs 3 - default page

If you have questions about how to install open journal systems on a web hosting server, please contact us.

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