Operating system
# Operating System
This article details the operating system requirements and recommended configurations for running MediaWiki 1.40. Choosing the right OS is a crucial step in ensuring a stable and performant wiki. This guide is geared towards newcomers setting up a MediaWiki instance.
Supported Operating Systems
MediaWiki 1.40 is designed to run on a variety of operating systems. However, some are better supported and offer superior performance. Here's a breakdown of commonly used options:
| Operating System | Support Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Linux (various distributions) | Excellent | Most commonly used for production environments. Offers flexibility and performance. See Linux server setup for more details. |
| Windows Server (2016 and later) | Good | Requires IIS web server and PHP. Can be simpler to manage for Windows administrators. See Windows server setup for more details. |
| macOS Server | Limited | Primarily for development and testing. Not recommended for high-traffic production wikis. |
| FreeBSD | Good | A robust and stable option, particularly for experienced system administrators. |
Linux Distributions
Within the Linux world, several distributions are popular for hosting MediaWiki. Each has its strengths; the best choice depends on your experience and specific needs. Consider factors like package management, community support, and security updates. For beginners, distributions like Ubuntu Server or Debian are often recommended.
| Distribution | Package Manager | Ease of Use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu Server | APT | High | Large community, frequent releases, and extensive documentation. See Ubuntu server configuration. |
| Debian | APT | Medium | Stable, reliable, and a good choice for long-term deployments. See Debian server configuration. |
| CentOS Stream / Rocky Linux / AlmaLinux | YUM/DNF | Medium | Enterprise-grade stability, often preferred for production servers. See CentOS server configuration. |
| Fedora Server | DNF | Medium | Cutting-edge features, but potentially less stable than other distributions. |
Operating System Prerequisites
Regardless of the operating system you choose, certain prerequisites must be met:
- Web Server: Apache or IIS (Internet Information Services) are the most common choices. MediaWiki requires a functioning web server to handle HTTP requests.
- PHP: MediaWiki 1.40 requires PHP 7.4 or higher. Ensure the correct PHP modules are installed (see PHP configuration).
- Database: A database server (e.g., MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL) is essential for storing wiki content. See Database setup for more details.
- Command Line Access: You will need access to the command line (terminal) for installation and maintenance tasks.
- Sufficient Resources: The server should have enough CPU, RAM, and disk space to handle the expected traffic and content volume. See Server hardware requirements.
- Firewall: A properly configured firewall is crucial for security. See Firewall configuration.
- Keep the OS up-to-date: Regularly apply security patches and updates to protect against vulnerabilities.
- Strong Passwords: Use strong, unique passwords for all system accounts.
- Firewall: Configure a firewall to restrict access to necessary ports only.
- Regular Backups: Implement a robust backup strategy to protect against data loss. See Backup strategy.
- Disable Unnecessary Services: Disable any services that are not required for MediaWiki to reduce the attack surface.
- Secure Shell (SSH): If using SSH, disable password authentication and use key-based authentication instead.
- Installing MediaWiki - The main installation guide.
- PHP configuration - Details on configuring PHP for MediaWiki.
- Database setup - Setting up a database for MediaWiki.
- Server hardware requirements – Detailed server hardware overview.
- Troubleshooting - Common issues and their solutions.
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Recommended Server Specifications
These are *minimum* specifications. Larger wikis with more traffic will require more resources.
| Resource | Minimum | Recommended | Large Wiki |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | 1 Core | 2+ Cores | 4+ Cores |
| RAM | 512 MB | 2 GB | 4+ GB |
| Disk Space | 10 GB | 20 GB | 50+ GB |
| Network Bandwidth | 10 Mbps | 100 Mbps | 1 Gbps |
Security Considerations
Further Resources
Intel-Based Server Configurations
| Configuration | Specifications | Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Core i7-6700K/7700 Server | 64 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2 x 512 GB | CPU Benchmark: 8046 |
| Core i7-8700 Server | 64 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2x1 TB | CPU Benchmark: 13124 |
| Core i9-9900K Server | 128 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2 x 1 TB | CPU Benchmark: 49969 |
| Core i9-13900 Server (64GB) | 64 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe SSD | |
| Core i9-13900 Server (128GB) | 128 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe SSD | |
| Core i5-13500 Server (64GB) | 64 GB RAM, 2x500 GB NVMe SSD | |
| Core i5-13500 Server (128GB) | 128 GB RAM, 2x500 GB NVMe SSD | |
| Core i5-13500 Workstation | 64 GB DDR5 RAM, 2 NVMe SSD, NVIDIA RTX 4000 |
AMD-Based Server Configurations
| Configuration | Specifications | Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5 3600 Server | 64 GB RAM, 2x480 GB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 17849 |
| Ryzen 7 7700 Server | 64 GB DDR5 RAM, 2x1 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 35224 |
| Ryzen 9 5950X Server | 128 GB RAM, 2x4 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 46045 |
| Ryzen 9 7950X Server | 128 GB DDR5 ECC, 2x2 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 63561 |
| EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/1TB) | 128 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
| EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/2TB) | 128 GB RAM, 2 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
| EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/4TB) | 128 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
| EPYC 7502P Server (256GB/1TB) | 256 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
| EPYC 7502P Server (256GB/4TB) | 256 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
| EPYC 9454P Server | 256 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe |
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⚠️ *Note: All benchmark scores are approximate and may vary based on configuration. Server availability subject to stock.* ⚠️