[SOLVED] Problems with rewrite module under Ubuntu, using Joomla!

Gaahl · 06-19-2010, 12:18 PM

Hallo everyone,

I am a kind of a Linux Newbie, and I have some troubles I can't solve on my own.

As the title says, it concerns the rewrite module of the Apache(2) Server. I will summarize the situation:

I set up an LAMP via the Synaptic Packet Manager. After some searching and experimentation, I made it to got everything working in the way I wished. That means I further set up a Joomla! Site in my www directory. So far so good.

The next step was to import two Joomla! Sites I recently developed or worked with under Windows. I copied the Folders/Files and imported the corrresponding databases, using phpMyAdmin. After some changes in the configuration.php I got the website running. Also well so far. Now does the Joomla! Framework offer SEO/SEF in three diffrnt ways. One of it is to use the rewrite module of the Apache. In Windows, I used all three options, and I got handled it to activate the rewrite module. But now the Homepage doesn't work, with the 'use rewrite_mod' enablen in Joomla!.

I tried now almoust two days, and in my opinion it should work, but it doesnt. I will now show you how my configuration files of the Apache look like:

1) The apache2.conf file (/etc/apache2):

Code:

#
# Based upon the NCSA server configuration files originally by Rob McCool.
#
# This is the main Apache server configuration file. It contains the
# configuration directives that give the server its instructions.
# See http://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.2/ for detailed information about
# the directives.
#
# Do NOT simply read the instructions in here without understanding
# what they do. They're here only as hints or reminders. If you are unsure
# consult the online docs. You have been warned.
#
# The configuration directives are grouped into three basic sections:
# 1. Directives that control the operation of the Apache server process as a
# whole (the 'global environment').
# 2. Directives that define the parameters of the 'main' or 'default' server,
# which responds to requests that aren't handled by a virtual host.
# These directives also provide default values for the settings
# of all virtual hosts.
# 3. Settings for virtual hosts, which allow Web requests to be sent to
# different IP addresses or hostnames and have them handled by the
# same Apache server process.
#
# Configuration and logfile names: If the filenames you specify for many
# of the server's control files begin with "/" (or "drive:/" for Win32), the
# server will use that explicit path. If the filenames do *not* begin
# with "/", the value of ServerRoot is prepended -- so "/var/log/apache2/foo.log"
# with ServerRoot set to "" will be interpreted by the
# server as "//var/log/apache2/foo.log".
#

### Section 1: Global Environment
#
# The directives in this section affect the overall operation of Apache,
# such as the number of concurrent requests it can handle or where it
# can find its configuration files.
#

#
# ServerRoot: The top of the directory tree under which the server's
# configuration, error, and log files are kept.
#
# NOTE! If you intend to place this on an NFS (or otherwise network)
# mounted filesystem then please read the LockFile documentation (available
# at <URL:http://httpd.apache.org/docs-2.1/mod/mpm_common.html#lockfile>);
# you will save yourself a lot of trouble.
#
# Do NOT add a slash at the end of the directory path.
#
ServerRoot "/etc/apache2"

#
# The accept serialization lock file MUST BE STORED ON A LOCAL DISK.
#
#<IfModule !mpm_winnt.c>
#<IfModule !mpm_netware.c>
LockFile /var/lock/apache2/accept.lock
#</IfModule>
#</IfModule>

#
# PidFile: The file in which the server should record its process
# identification number when it starts.
# This needs to be set in /etc/apache2/envvars
#
PidFile ${APACHE_PID_FILE}

#
# Timeout: The number of seconds before receives and sends time out.
#
Timeout 300

#
# KeepAlive: Whether or not to allow persistent connections (more than
# one request per connection). Set to "Off" to deactivate.
#
KeepAlive On

#
# MaxKeepAliveRequests: The maximum number of requests to allow
# during a persistent connection. Set to 0 to allow an unlimited amount.
# We recommend you leave this number high, for maximum performance.
#
MaxKeepAliveRequests 100

#
# KeepAliveTimeout: Number of seconds to wait for the next request from the
# same client on the same connection.
#
KeepAliveTimeout 15

##
## Server-Pool Size Regulation (MPM specific)
##

# prefork MPM
# StartServers: number of server processes to start
# MinSpareServers: minimum number of server processes which are kept spare
# MaxSpareServers: maximum number of server processes which are kept spare
# MaxClients: maximum number of server processes allowed to start
# MaxRequestsPerChild: maximum number of requests a server process serves
<IfModule mpm_prefork_module>
StartServers 5
MinSpareServers 5
MaxSpareServers 10
MaxClients 150
MaxRequestsPerChild 0
</IfModule>

# worker MPM
# StartServers: initial number of server processes to start
# MaxClients: maximum number of simultaneous client connections
# MinSpareThreads: minimum number of worker threads which are kept spare
# MaxSpareThreads: maximum number of worker threads which are kept spare
# ThreadsPerChild: constant number of worker threads in each server process
# MaxRequestsPerChild: maximum number of requests a server process serves
<IfModule mpm_worker_module>
StartServers 2
MinSpareThreads 25
MaxSpareThreads 75
ThreadLimit 64
ThreadsPerChild 25
MaxClients 150
MaxRequestsPerChild 0
</IfModule>

# event MPM
# StartServers: initial number of server processes to start
# MaxClients: maximum number of simultaneous client connections
# MinSpareThreads: minimum number of worker threads which are kept spare
# MaxSpareThreads: maximum number of worker threads which are kept spare
# ThreadsPerChild: constant number of worker threads in each server process
# MaxRequestsPerChild: maximum number of requests a server process serves
<IfModule mpm_event_module>
StartServers 2
MaxClients 150
MinSpareThreads 25
MaxSpareThreads 75
ThreadLimit 64
ThreadsPerChild 25
MaxRequestsPerChild 0
</IfModule>

# These need to be set in /etc/apache2/envvars
User ${APACHE_RUN_USER}
Group ${APACHE_RUN_GROUP}

#
# AccessFileName: The name of the file to look for in each directory
# for additional configuration directives. See also the AllowOverride
# directive.
#

AccessFileName .htaccess

#
# The following lines prevent .htaccess and .htpasswd files from being
# viewed by Web clients.
#
<Files ~ "^\.ht">
Order allow,deny
Deny from all
Satisfy all
</Files>

#
# DefaultType is the default MIME type the server will use for a document
# if it cannot otherwise determine one, such as from filename extensions.
# If your server contains mostly text or HTML documents, "text/plain" is
# a good value. If most of your content is binary, such as applications
# or images, you may want to use "application/octet-stream" instead to
# keep browsers from trying to display binary files as though they are
# text.
#
DefaultType text/plain

#
# HostnameLookups: Log the names of clients or just their IP addresses
# e.g., www.apache.org (on) or 204.62.129.132 (off).
# The default is off because it'd be overall better for the net if people
# had to knowingly turn this feature on, since enabling it means that
# each client request will result in AT LEAST one lookup request to the
# nameserver.
#
HostnameLookups Off

# ErrorLog: The location of the error log file.
# If you do not specify an ErrorLog directive within a <VirtualHost>
# container, error messages relating to that virtual host will be
# logged here. If you *do* define an error logfile for a <VirtualHost>
# container, that host's errors will be logged there and not here.
#
ErrorLog /var/log/apache2/error.log

#
# LogLevel: Control the number of messages logged to the error_log.
# Possible values include: debug, info, notice, warn, error, crit,
# alert, emerg.
#
LogLevel warn

# Include module configuration:
Include /etc/apache2/mods-enabled/*.load
Include /etc/apache2/mods-enabled/*.conf

# Include all the user configurations:
Include /etc/apache2/httpd.conf

# Include ports listing
Include /etc/apache2/ports.conf

#
# The following directives define some format nicknames for use with
# a CustomLog directive (see below).
# If you are behind a reverse proxy, you might want to change %h into %{X-Forwarded-For}i
#
LogFormat "%v:%p %h %l %u %t \"%r\" %>s %O \"%{Referer}i\" \"%{User-Agent}i\"" vhost_combined
LogFormat "%h %l %u %t \"%r\" %>s %O \"%{Referer}i\" \"%{User-Agent}i\"" combined
LogFormat "%h %l %u %t \"%r\" %>s %O" common
LogFormat "%{Referer}i -> %U" referer
LogFormat "%{User-agent}i" agent

#
# Define an access log for VirtualHosts that don't define their own logfile
CustomLog /var/log/apache2/other_vhosts_access.log vhost_combined

# Include of directories ignores editors' and dpkg's backup files,
# see README.Debian for details.

# Include generic snippets of statements
Include /etc/apache2/conf.d/

# Include the virtual host configurations:
Include /etc/apache2/sites-enabled/

2) The folder mods-enabled: See the attachment. I createt a (soft) link to the file 'rewrite.load' in the folder mods-available.

3) My httpd.conf file: (corrected from http.conf to httpd.conf)

Code:

# make it possible to open phtml docs
AddType application/x-httpd-php5 .php .phtml

#
#-----Rewrite Modul bezogenes-----------------------------------

#Selbst hinzugefügt, um den Rewrite-Engine zu aktivieren:
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
    RewriteEngine On
</IfModule>

#Auch selbst hinzugefügt, um den Rewrite-Engine zu testen:
RewriteRule /myadmin/(.*) Administrator/$1 [PT]

RewriteLog "/home/patrick/Desktop/rewrite.log"
RewriteLogLevel 9

#-----Ende Rewrite Modul bezogenes------------------------------

#Enable the access to phpMyAdmin
<IfModule alias_module>
    Alias /phpmyadmin /home/patrick/phpMyAdmin-3.3.3-all-languages
</IfModule>


#Restrictions for phpMyAdmin
<Directory /phpmyadmin>
    Order Deny,Allow
    Deny from all
    # Only local PCs
    Allow from 127.0.0.1
    # Alternativ: Only local networks
    Allow from 192.168.0
    # If existing, consider addresslimitation AND login
    Satisfy All
</Directory>


<Directory /var/www>
    # Possible values for the Options directive are "None", "All",
    # or any combination of:
    #   Indexes Includes FollowSymLinks SymLinksifOwnerMatch ExecCGI MultiViews
    #
    # Note that "MultiViews" must be named *explicitly* --- "Options All"
    # doesn't give it to you.
    #
    # The Options directive is both complicated and important.  Please see
    # http://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.2/mod/core.html#options
    # for more information.
    #
    Options Indexes FollowSymLinks

    #
    # AllowOverride controls what directives may be placed in .htaccess files.
    # It can be "All", "None", or any combination of the keywords:
    #   Options FileInfo AuthConfig Limit
    #
    AllowOverride All 

    #
    # Controls who can get stuff from this server.
    #
    Order allow,deny
    Allow from all
</Directory>

4) Here is my .htaccess file of the root folder of (one of) the homepage:

Code:

##
# @version $Id: htaccess.txt 14401 2010-01-26 14:10:00Z louis $
# @package Joomla
# @copyright Copyright (C) 2005 - 2010 Open Source Matters. All rights reserved.
# @license http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html GNU/GPL
# Joomla! is Free Software
##


#####################################################
#  READ THIS COMPLETELY IF YOU CHOOSE TO USE THIS FILE
#
# The line just below this section: 'Options +FollowSymLinks' may cause problems
# with some server configurations.  It is required for use of mod_rewrite, but may already
# be set by your server administrator in a way that dissallows changing it in
# your .htaccess file.  If using it causes your server to error out, comment it out (add # to
# beginning of line), reload your site in your browser and test your sef url's.  If they work,
# it has been set by your server administrator and you do not need it set here.
#
#####################################################

##  Can be commented out if causes errors, see notes above.
Options +FollowSymLinks

#
#  mod_rewrite in use

RewriteEngine On

########## Begin - Rewrite rules to block out some common exploits
## If you experience problems on your site block out the operations listed below
## This attempts to block the most common type of exploit `attempts` to Joomla!
#
## Deny access to extension xml files (uncomment out to activate)
#<Files ~ "\.xml$">
#Order allow,deny
#Deny from all
#Satisfy all
#</Files>
## End of deny access to extension xml files
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} mosConfig_[a-zA-Z_]{1,21}(=|\%3D) [OR]
# Block out any script trying to base64_encode crap to send via URL
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} base64_encode.*\(.*\) [OR]
# Block out any script that includes a <script> tag in URL
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\<|%3C).*script.*(\>|%3E) [NC,OR]
# Block out any script trying to set a PHP GLOBALS variable via URL
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} GLOBALS(=|\[|\%[0-9A-Z]{0,2}) [OR]
# Block out any script trying to modify a _REQUEST variable via URL
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} _REQUEST(=|\[|\%[0-9A-Z]{0,2})
# Send all blocked request to homepage with 403 Forbidden error!
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ index.php [F,L]
#
########## End - Rewrite rules to block out some common exploits

#  Uncomment following line if your webserver's URL
#  is not directly related to physical file paths.
#  Update Your Joomla! Directory (just / for root)

RewriteBase /JTestSite/


########## Begin - Joomla! core SEF Section
#
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} !^/index.php
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} (/|\.php|\.html|\.htm|\.feed|\.pdf|\.raw|/[^.]*)$  [NC]
RewriteRule (.*) index.php
RewriteRule .* - [E=HTTP_AUTHORIZATION:%{HTTP:Authorization},L]
#
########## End - Joomla! core SEF Section

What I also checked is to run the phpinfo() to see, wheter the rewrite module is activated. According tho the outputs of this function, the module is activated.
Then I tried, as can bee seen in the code above, to test the module using a simple rewrite rule. Unfortunatelly, this doesn't work. I also tried to look out for more information in the log file, because this helped me out sometimes in Windows. You can also see this in the code above, but the bad thing is, that this file is empty all the time, and makes no entries after trying out my self made rewrite rule, nor after using the Joomla! Homepage. So I don't really know, if the module is actually activated.

Maybe there is some thing that I have to consider in Linux?

I hope I expressed the problem well, and someone with know how or having the same/similar problem can help me out. If there is more information I can give, let me please know.

Thanks for every hint in anticipation!!

Regards Gaahl

bathory · 06-19-2010, 12:34 PM

Hi,

I guess mod_rewrite is not enabled, that why you don't see any logs.
The correct way to enable mod_rewrite in Ubuntu is:

Code:

sudo a2enmode rewrite

Regards

Gaahl · 06-19-2010, 05:15 PM

I just tried the command

sudo a2enmod rewrite

(your command has an additional 'e')

Linux' answer was:

Module rewrite already enabled

So, I'll sleep and trouble my mind again tomorrow, but thanks for the suggestion!

Regards Gaahl

bathory · 06-20-2010, 03:44 AM

OK, I've made a typo, but I think you've also made one. In #3 is it http.conf, or it's httpd.conf?
Because if the logfile is empty it means that the rewrite conditions are not met, or there is no rewrite logging (what you define in http?.conf) because the correct file is not included.

Also just to test rewriting, comment out the:

Quote:

RewriteBase /JTestSite/

and use a simple rule:

Code:

RewriteRule noexistent.html existent.html

to see if it works.

Gaahl · 06-20-2010, 05:28 AM

Hi again,

of course you are right, it has to be httpd.conf, and I made a typo there. I have corrected this fault. So it means, the directives made there should be working.

With the modifications you suggested, nothing changed. Also I don't think, I need to comment out the rewrite base, because the file structure is, that in my www folder, there are (now) three folders, one of it is the JTestSite. Also with this rewrite base, and the same file structure in the htdocs folder, it worked out in Windows.

I tried the rewrite rule you suggested. But also there have not been any attempts of rewriting, and no entries in the log file.

What I did is placing a test.html in the www folder. Then I made a rewrite rule:

noexistent.html test.html

Entering the URL http://localhost/noexistent.html leads to the same Errer as always:

Not Found

The requested URL /noexistent.html was not found on this server.
Apache/2.2.14 (Ubuntu) Server at localhost Port 80

Of course, I commented the rewrite base out, trying this.

Regards Gaahl

bathory · 06-20-2010, 08:04 AM

Your configuration looks good. Could be that .htaccess is not read.
Are you sure you don't have a "AllowOverride None" in /etc/apache2/sites-enabled/your-site?
Also you can use:

Code:

RewriteEngine On
RewriteRule noexistent.html test.html

into the above file and see if it works this way. Of course you need move .htaccess in a safe place and restart apache

Gaahl · 06-20-2010, 09:30 AM

Now, this is intresting. I never checked out the sites-enabled folder before. But there is only one file, called 000-default. And, actually, there is the directive AllowOverride None.

Here it comes, '/etc/apache2/sites-enabled/000-default':

Code:

<VirtualHost *:80>
	ServerAdmin webmaster@localhost

	DocumentRoot /var/www
	<Directory />
		Options FollowSymLinks
		AllowOverride None
	</Directory>
	<Directory /var/www/>
		Options Indexes FollowSymLinks MultiViews
		AllowOverride None
		Order allow,deny
		allow from all
	</Directory>

	ScriptAlias /cgi-bin/ /usr/lib/cgi-bin/
	<Directory "/usr/lib/cgi-bin">
		AllowOverride None
		Options +ExecCGI -MultiViews +SymLinksIfOwnerMatch
		Order allow,deny
		Allow from all
	</Directory>

	ErrorLog /var/log/apache2/error.log

	# Possible values include: debug, info, notice, warn, error, crit,
	# alert, emerg.
	LogLevel warn

	CustomLog /var/log/apache2/access.log combined

    Alias /doc/ "/usr/share/doc/"
    <Directory "/usr/share/doc/">
        Options Indexes MultiViews FollowSymLinks
        AllowOverride None
        Order deny,allow
        Deny from all
        Allow from 127.0.0.0/255.0.0.0 ::1/128
    </Directory>

</VirtualHost>

I will change some of them to 'Override All', to check out.

________________________________________________________

Ok, after changing all to Override All, I still receive the same error message.

But do I have to create similar files like the 000-default file for every Site I have in my www folder?

Edit No. 1: But now the rewrite.log has some entries. So I have something to study and maybe I'll find hints there. Nice.

Edit No. 2: I solved the problem. The key changes were those in the sites-enabled file. I just forgot to set back the rewrite base in the .htaccess file. Wonderful!

But now I'd like to have some more informations about the sites-enabled folder, but I think I will check this out on my own, first! If there is any help, related links or hint of you, I appreciate them, of course. But The main problem is solved.

Thank you very much, bathory!!

Regards Gaahl

bathory · 06-20-2010, 10:12 AM

Glad to see you've sorted it out.
Ubuntu and other Debian based distros, use their own commands to enable vhosts in apache.
You can read this to see how it's done.

Regards

nazar20 · 07-22-2010, 07:00 AM

Hello All
Could you put that .htaccess code.
the problem will solved..and change the
mod_rewrite is enabled.

Gaahl · 07-23-2010, 01:52 AM

Hi nazar20,

I do not have the folder talked about above any more, but some other working Joomla pages. Here is the .htaccess file of one of them:

www/pad/.htaccess

Code:

##
# @version $Id: htaccess.txt 14401 2010-01-26 14:10:00Z louis $
# @package Joomla
# @copyright Copyright (C) 2005 - 2010 Open Source Matters. All rights reserved.
# @license http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html GNU/GPL
# Joomla! is Free Software
##


#####################################################
#  READ THIS COMPLETELY IF YOU CHOOSE TO USE THIS FILE
#
# The line just below this section: 'Options +FollowSymLinks' may cause problems
# with some server configurations.  It is required for use of mod_rewrite, but may already
# be set by your server administrator in a way that dissallows changing it in
# your .htaccess file.  If using it causes your server to error out, comment it out (add # to
# beginning of line), reload your site in your browser and test your sef url's.  If they work,
# it has been set by your server administrator and you do not need it set here.
#
#####################################################

##  Can be commented out if causes errors, see notes above.
Options +FollowSymLinks

#
#  mod_rewrite in use

RewriteEngine On

########## Begin - Rewrite rules to block out some common exploits
## If you experience problems on your site block out the operations listed below
## This attempts to block the most common type of exploit `attempts` to Joomla!
#
## Deny access to extension xml files (uncomment out to activate)
#<Files ~ "\.xml$">
#Order allow,deny
#Deny from all
#Satisfy all
#</Files>
## End of deny access to extension xml files
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} mosConfig_[a-zA-Z_]{1,21}(=|\%3D) [OR]
# Block out any script trying to base64_encode crap to send via URL
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} base64_encode.*\(.*\) [OR]
# Block out any script that includes a <script> tag in URL
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\<|%3C).*script.*(\>|%3E) [NC,OR]
# Block out any script trying to set a PHP GLOBALS variable via URL
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} GLOBALS(=|\[|\%[0-9A-Z]{0,2}) [OR]
# Block out any script trying to modify a _REQUEST variable via URL
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} _REQUEST(=|\[|\%[0-9A-Z]{0,2})
# Send all blocked request to homepage with 403 Forbidden error!
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ index.php [F,L]
#
########## End - Rewrite rules to block out some common exploits

#  Uncomment following line if your webserver's URL
#  is not directly related to physical file paths.
#  Update Your Joomla! Directory (just / for root)

# RewriteBase /pad/


########## Begin - Joomla! core SEF Section
#
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} !^/index.php
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} (/|\.php|\.html|\.htm|\.feed|\.pdf|\.raw|/[^.]*)$  [NC]
RewriteRule (.*) index.php
RewriteRule .* - [E=HTTP_AUTHORIZATION:%{HTTP:Authorization},L]
#
########## End - Joomla! core SEF Section

Well, looking close to it, I see that the rewrite base is not set, for its commented out. That's interesting... I looked up in another homepage folder. There I saw, that the .htaccess file does not yet exist, but the htaccess.txt preconfiguration dummie...

So this lets me conclude, that all the important directives are set in the server configuration, because both pages are working without any problem (using all SEO options, of course).So here is my current setup of the etc/apache2/httpd.conf:

Code:

DirectoryIndex index.html index.php
ServerName www.test.local

# make it possible to open phtml docs
AddType application/x-httpd-php5 .php .phtml

#
#-----Rewrite Modul bezogenes-----------------------------------

#Selbst hinzugefügt, um den Rewrite-Engine zu aktivieren:
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
    RewriteEngine On
</IfModule>

#Auch selbst hinzugefügt, um den Rewrite-Engine zu testen:
RewriteRule /myadmin/(.*) Administrator/$1 [PT]
RewriteRule noexistent.html test.html

#RewriteLog "/home/patrick/Desktop/rewrite.log"
#RewriteLogLevel 9

#-----Ende Rewrite Modul bezogenes------------------------------

#Enable the access to phpMyAdmin
<IfModule alias_module>
    Alias /phpmyadmin /home/patrick/phpMyAdmin-3.3.3-all-languages
</IfModule>


#Restrictions for phpMyAdmin
<Directory /phpmyadmin>
    Order Deny,Allow
    Deny from all
    # Only local PCs
    Allow from 127.0.0.1
    # Alternativ: Only local networks
    Allow from 192.168.0
    # If existing, consider addresslimitation AND login
    Satisfy All
</Directory>


<Directory /var/www>
    # Possible values for the Options directive are "None", "All",
    # or any combination of:
    #   Indexes Includes FollowSymLinks SymLinksifOwnerMatch ExecCGI MultiViews
    #
    # Note that "MultiViews" must be named *explicitly* --- "Options All"
    # doesn't give it to you.
    #
    # The Options directive is both complicated and important.  Please see
    # http://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.2/mod/core.html#options
    # for more information.
    #
    Options Indexes FollowSymLinks

    #
    # AllowOverride controls what directives may be placed in .htaccess files.
    # It can be "All", "None", or any combination of the keywords:
    #   Options FileInfo AuthConfig Limit
    #
    AllowOverride All 

    #
    # Controls who can get stuff from this server.
    #
    Order allow,deny
    Allow from all
</Directory>

Furthermore is this my etc/apache2/apache2.conf: