Linux operating systems

Linux Operating Systems for MediaWiki Servers

This article provides an overview of Linux operating systems commonly used for hosting MediaWiki installations. It is intended for newcomers to server administration and aims to help you choose and configure a suitable Linux distribution.

Why Linux?

Linux is the dominant operating system for web servers, and for good reason. It's known for its stability, security, performance, and cost-effectiveness (often being free of licensing fees). Many hosting providers offer Linux-based server solutions, and the open-source nature allows for extensive customization. Crucially, PHP, the language MediaWiki is built on, runs exceptionally well on Linux.

Popular Linux Distributions for MediaWiki

Several Linux distributions are well-suited for running MediaWiki. The choice often depends on your experience level and specific needs. Here's a comparison of some popular options:

Distribution	Ease of Use	Stability	Package Management	Recommended For
Ubuntu Server	High	Good	APT	Beginners, general-purpose servers
Debian	Medium	Excellent	APT	Experienced users, stability focused
CentOS Stream / Rocky Linux / AlmaLinux	Medium	Excellent	YUM/DNF	Users familiar with Red Hat ecosystem, enterprise environments
Fedora Server	Medium-High	Good	DNF	Developers, Testing environments
Arch Linux	High (but requires configuration)	Good	Pacman	Advanced users, customization enthusiasts

It's important to note that CentOS 8 reached End of Life (EOL) in December 2021. CentOS Stream is a rolling release, while Rocky Linux and AlmaLinux are intended as stable, long-term support replacements for traditional CentOS.

Essential Server Configuration

Regardless of the distribution you choose, certain server configurations are essential for a secure and performant MediaWiki installation.

Core Packages

These packages are typically required:

Apache or Nginx (Web Server)
PHP (Programming Language) – Including necessary extensions (see PHP Configuration for MediaWiki)
MySQL or MariaDB (Database Server) – MariaDB is often preferred for its open-source nature and performance.
SSH (Secure Shell) – For remote administration.

Firewall Configuration

A firewall is crucial for protecting your server. UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall) is a user-friendly option on Ubuntu and Debian. firewalld is common on CentOS/RHEL/Rocky Linux/AlmaLinux. Configure the firewall to allow inbound traffic on ports 80 (HTTP) and 443 (HTTPS), and only allow SSH access from trusted IP addresses.

PHP Configuration

PHP requires specific configuration to work optimally with MediaWiki. Key settings include:

`memory_limit`: Increase this to at least 256M, or higher depending on your wiki size.
`upload_max_filesize`: Set this to the maximum file size you want to allow for uploads.
`post_max_size`: Set this to a value larger than `upload_max_filesize`.
`max_execution_time`: Increase this if you encounter timeout errors during long processes.
Required PHP extensions: `pdo_mysql`, `mbstring`, `curl`, `gd`, `xml`, `json`, `zip`.

Database Configuration

The database server needs to be configured to handle the load from your wiki. Consider these points:

Create a dedicated database and user for MediaWiki.
Set appropriate permissions for the database user.
Tune the database server based on your server's resources and wiki size. Consult the Database Server Configuration article.

Example Server Specifications

Here are some example server specifications based on expected wiki traffic. These are estimates; actual requirements will vary.

Wiki Size	Concurrent Users (Peak)	CPU	RAM	Storage (SSD Recommended)
Small (Under 100 Pages)	5-10	1 Core	1GB	20GB
Medium (100-1000 Pages)	20-50	2-4 Cores	4GB - 8GB	50GB - 100GB
Large (1000+ Pages)	50+	4+ Cores	8GB+	100GB+

Security Considerations

Keep your operating system and all software packages up-to-date.
Use strong passwords for all accounts.
Consider using fail2ban to block malicious IP addresses.
Regularly back up your wiki data and configuration files. Consult the Backups and Disaster Recovery article.
Enable HTTPS using Let's Encrypt or a similar service.
Review MediaWiki Security Best Practices regularly.

Resources and Further Reading

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.* ⚠️