Christian WellsWhat is Adminer?
Adminer is a lightweight, open-source, single-file database management tool written in PHP. It provides a web-based interface for managing various databases, including:
- MySQL / MariaDB
- PostgreSQL
- SQLite
- MS SQL
- Oracle
Version 5.3.0 is a stable release that supports major databases and includes essential management features.
Adminer is often considered a simpler and faster alternative to phpMyAdmin, especially in minimal environments.
Why Use Adminer 5.3.0 on Ubuntu 24.04?
Ubuntu 24.04 is a long-term support (LTS) release that is ideal for hosting Adminer because it offers:
- Up-to-date Apache, PHP, and security packages
- Full compatibility with PHP 8.3, which is required to run Adminer smoothly
- Easy setup using APT or manual download methods
- Secure integration with firewalls (UFW), SSL (Certbot), and systemd services
Key Features of Adminer 5.3.0
- Single PHP file deployment (e.g.,
adminer.php) - Manage multiple database types from one interface
- Perform CRUD operations (create, read, update, delete)
- Export and import databases in SQL, CSV, XML, and more
- Full SQL query editor with syntax highlighting
- Manage users, permissions, and indexes
- Easy to use interface and fast loading times
- Plugin system for extending core functionality
Typical Use Cases
- Local or remote database administration
- Lightweight control panel on VPS or cloud environments
- Emergency database management in minimal server setups
- Development environments where full-featured tools like phpMyAdmin are unnecessary
Advantages Over phpMyAdmin
| Feature | Adminer 5.3.0 | phpMyAdmin |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Single file | Multiple files/directories |
| Performance | Fast, lightweight | Heavier due to JS/CSS bundles |
| Database support | Multiple DB types | MySQL/MariaDB only |
| Security | Simpler to harden | More exposed surface |
| Customization | Plugin system | Requires deeper knowledge |
Security Considerations
When running Adminer on Ubuntu 24.04, take the following steps for production use:
- Never leave
adminer.phpexposed to the public without protection - Use Apache/Nginx HTTP authentication or limit access by IP
- Consider placing it behind a VPN or use fail2ban for brute-force protection
- Use HTTPS via Let’s Encrypt and Certbot
- Rename the Adminer file (e.g.,
mydbadmin.php) to make it less discoverable - Use firewalld or UFW to limit access to port 80/443
PHP 8.3 Compatibility on Ubuntu 24.04
Adminer 5.3.0 works well with PHP 8.3, which is available natively in Ubuntu 24.04. It supports:
- PHP sessions
- PDO and MySQLi extensions
- PostgreSQL, SQLite, and other DB drivers
- Compatibility with OPcache for faster loading
Ensure required PHP modules are installed (example: php-mysql, php-pgsql, php-sqlite3).
Adminer 5.3.0 on Ubuntu 24.04 is an efficient, lightweight solution for database management. It is perfect for developers, system administrators, and hosting providers who want a fast and easy way to administer databases without the overhead of larger tools.
Its single-file architecture, broad database support, and fast performance make it a smart choice for both development and low-maintenance production environments.
Step 1: Set Up a Server Instance on Shape.Host
Before installation, create a VPS running Ubuntu 24.04 on Shape.Host:
Log into your Shape.Host account.
Click Create and select Instance.
Pick a server location near your user base.
Choose Ubuntu 24.04 (64-bit) as the OS.
Select a plan with at least 1 CPU, 1 GB RAM, and 10 GB SSD.
Click Create Instance and wait for deployment.
Once done, copy the IP address for SSH access.
Step 2: Connect to Your VPS via SSH
On Linux/macOS:
ssh root@your_server_ip
On Windows:
Use PuTTY, enter the server’s IP, and connect as root.
Step 3: Install Apache, PHP, and Adminer
1. Update the System
apt update && apt upgrade -y
🔹 Updates the package list and upgrades all installed packages to the latest versions.
2. Install Apache and PHP with MySQL Extension
apt install apache2 php php-mysql
🔹 Installs the Apache web server, PHP, and PHP extension for MySQL support.
3. Install PostgreSQL PHP Extension (optional)
apt install php-pgsql
🔹 Adds support for PostgreSQL databases in Adminer.
4. Create Adminer Directory
mkdir -p /var/www/html/adminer
🔹 Creates a dedicated directory for Adminer under Apache’s web root.
5. Navigate to the Adminer Directory
cd /var/www/html/adminer
🔹 Changes the current directory to the one just created.
6. Download Adminer 5.3.0
wget https://github.com/vrana/adminer/releases/download/v5.3.0/adminer-5.3.0.php -O index.php
🔹 Downloads the Adminer 5.3.0 PHP file and renames it to index.php so it loads automatically when accessing the directory in a browser.
7. Set Ownership to Apache
chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/html/adminer
🔹 Ensures the Apache user (www-data) owns the Adminer files for proper access.
8. Set Permissions
chmod -R 755 /var/www/html/adminer
🔹 Grants read and execute permissions to all users and write permission to the owner.
Step 4: Access Adminer
Open your browser and go to:
http://your-server-ip/adminer/
You should see the Adminer login screen. Enter your database credentials to start managing your database.
You installed Adminer 5.3.0 on Ubuntu 24.04 with Apache and PHP. This tool is ideal for lightweight and efficient database administration via a web browser.
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