To use Open Enterprise you need to install it on your website. When developing your website many people like to create a development install that later gets moved to their live website.
Since Open Enterprise is built on Drupal, the server requirements and process of installing them are essentially the same.
There are three ways people typically install Open Enterprise:
- Do a automated install on a hosted web server
- Do a standard Drupal install on hosted web server
- Install on your local computer
If you are a new to website building or just want to play around with Open Enterprise, option #1 is best. #2 is another great option for building your site and experimenting with Open Enterprise. When you want to take your site live and if you want to use hosting other than those that have automated installs, you will need to do option #3. With the first option, you need to be familiar with some basic server skills, but it is not to bad.
Option #1 - Automated Hosted Installation
There are several hosting services that provided automated installs of Open Enterprise. The ones listed below are ones we recommend. Each offer free trial accounts. Each has a somewhat different set of steps. Select one of the solutions and follow their process.
- Pantheon - Provides high-performance hosting starting at $25/mo and offers free development accounts. Get started on Pantheon
- Web Enabled - Provides a free trial that allows you to keep 2 development sites for 30 days. Get started on Web Enabled
- Standing Cloud - Will maintain a test drive for 30 days but if your session times out, you will need to spin up a new instance, but your data is saved. Get started on Standing Cloud
Note for automated installs, you do not have to download the Open Enterprise archive.
Option #2 - Local Installation
For this option you will need to setup a web server on your local computer. The easiest way to do that is by using
Acquia Dev Desktop. The Dev Desktop both gives you a convient way of intalling a web server on your local computer that is tunned for Drupal and provided streamlined installation of any Drupal distribution like Open Enterprise.
If you have an alternative local hosting environment like MAMP, WAMO or XXAMP, you can use those also but you will have to do a standard manual install.
Process:
- Download and install the Acquia Dev Desktop using the link above
- Download and uncompress the Open Enterprise archive on your local machine.
- Inside of the Dev Desktop Conbtrol Panel, use the drop down on the lower right and select "More..."
- Within the settings popup screen, click the "Import..." button.
- In the Import site popup use the following settings
- Site path: Select the Open Enterprise archive you just unpacked on your local machine.
- Database: Select the "Create new database" radio button. For New DB name: enter a relevant name. The domain of the site you are building is recommend.
- Domain: under Subdomain: enter the same string you used for New DB name:
- Click "Import".
Your web browser will now be launched to complete the web part installation process.
- Select an installation profile: select "Open Enterprise"
- Choose language: Select your preferred language
Option #3 - Standard Hosted Installation
Since different hosts have different setups, it is best to follow the
instructions for installing standard Drupal. There are few things you need to alter to install Open Enterprise.
- Use the Open Enterprise distribution. Upload that, instead of core Drupal.
- If you correctly uploaded Open Enterprise on the first page of Drupal's web installation, you will have three profiles to choose from for installation; Standard, Minimal and Open Enterprise. Select Open Enterprise and follow the instructions on the screens.
Note that every hosting company configures there servers differently. You may have to work with your hosting provider to assure the server is setup correctly for Drupal and all of Open Enterprise's features. If you run into problems, we recommend using one of the hosting providers listed in option #1 as their servers are already properly configured.