ISPConfig 3 and Moodle Latest Not Working

ISPConfig 3 and Moodle Latest Not Working

by B G -
Number of replies: 8

Hello, 

I am adding myself to the long list of people who cannot seem to get Moodle working with ISPConfig. I have worked out that the moodledata directory has to be placed in the private directory to get around permissions issues. I am able to enter the database details, perform a pre-requisites check (all OK - the server satisfies the requirements) and then hit proceed, I get to a sign up form for the administrative user, click next or whatever the proceed button is and then BAM - I get a 500 error once the browser attempts to load http://www.website.org.uk/training/user/editadvanced.php

The database login issue relates to an earlier attempt to install. Since then, I deleted the db, recreated the db (same details) and then also replaced the files in the /training directory so that they were a fresh copy. 


root@jacob:/var/www/clients/client5/web6/log/error.log

[Tue Mar 28 05:45:33.720901 2017] [fcgid:warn] [pid 3356] [client 192.168.1.254:57149] mod_fcgid: stderr: PHP Warning:  mysqli::mysqli(): (28000/1045): Access denied for user 'm00dl3'@'localhost' (using password: YES) in /var/www/clients/client5/web6/web/training/lib/dml/mysqli_native_moodle_database.php on line 79, referer: http://www.website.org.uk/training/install.php

[Tue Mar 28 08:15:13.114571 2017] [fcgid:warn] [pid 11819] (32)Broken pipe: [client 212.47.247.209:53627] mod_fcgid: ap_pass_brigade failed in handle_request_ipc function

[Tue Mar 28 08:15:13.904528 2017] [fcgid:warn] [pid 11806] (32)Broken pipe: [client 23.107.168.2:39610] mod_fcgid: ap_pass_brigade failed in handle_request_ipc function

[Tue Mar 28 08:15:15.008134 2017] [fcgid:warn] [pid 11810] (32)Broken pipe: [client 107.191.61.15:49330] mod_fcgid: ap_pass_brigade failed in handle_request_ipc function

[Tue Mar 28 08:20:14.299871 2017] [fcgid:warn] [pid 11844] (70007)The timeout specified has expired: [client 192.131.44.32:48394] mod_fcgid: ap_pass_brigade failed in handle_request_ipc function


root@jacob:/var/log/apache2# tail -250 error.log

[Tue Mar 28 06:25:11.932351 2017] [auth_digest:notice] [pid 930] AH01757: generating secret for digest authentication ...

[Tue Mar 28 06:25:11.962640 2017] [:notice] [pid 6054] FastCGI: process manager initialized (pid 6054)

[ 2017-03-28 06:25:12.0317 6056/7f2c69cc2740 agents/Watchdog/Main.cpp:538 ]: Options: { 'analytics_log_user' => 'nobody', 'default_group' => 'nogroup', 'default_python' => 'python', 'default_ruby' => '/usr/bin/ruby', 'default_user' => 'nobody', 'log_level' => '0', 'max_pool_size' => '6', 'passenger_root' => '/usr/lib/ruby/vendor_ruby/phusion_passenger/locations.ini', 'passenger_version' => '4.0.53', 'pool_idle_time' => '300', 'temp_dir' => '/tmp', 'union_station_gateway_address' => 'gateway.unionstationapp.com', 'union_station_gateway_port' => '443', 'user_switching' => 'true', 'web_server_passenger_version' => '4.0.53', 'web_server_pid' => '930', 'web_server_type' => 'apache', 'web_server_worker_gid' => '33', 'web_server_worker_uid' => '33' }

[ 2017-03-28 06:25:12.3288 6059/7f0ec8aff740 agents/HelperAgent/Main.cpp:650 ]: PassengerHelperAgent online, listening at unix:/tmp/passenger.1.0.930/generation-1/request

[ 2017-03-28 06:25:12.4614 6064/7fbb4338a780 agents/LoggingAgent/Main.cpp:321 ]: PassengerLoggingAgent online, listening at unix:/tmp/passenger.1.0.930/generation-1/logging

[ 2017-03-28 06:25:12.4616 6056/7f2c69cc2740 agents/Watchdog/Main.cpp:728 ]: All Phusion Passenger agents started!

[Tue Mar 28 06:25:12.526118 2017] [:error] [pid 930] python_init: Python version mismatch, expected '2.7.5+', found '2.7.9'.

[Tue Mar 28 06:25:12.526189 2017] [:error] [pid 930] python_init: Python executable found '/usr/bin/python'.

[Tue Mar 28 06:25:12.526195 2017] [:error] [pid 930] python_init: Python path being used '/usr/lib/python2.7/:/usr/lib/python2.7/plat-x86_64-linux-gnu:/usr/lib/python2.7/lib-tk:/usr/lib/python2.7/lib-old:/usr/lib/python2.7/lib-dynload'.

[Tue Mar 28 06:25:12.526206 2017] [:notice] [pid 930] mod_python: Creating 8 session mutexes based on 150 max processes and 0 max threads.

[Tue Mar 28 06:25:12.526214 2017] [:notice] [pid 930] mod_python: using mutex_directory /tmp

[Tue Mar 28 06:25:12.922119 2017] [ssl:warn] [pid 930] AH01906: jacob.websitegroup.com:8080:0 server certificate is a CA certificate (BasicConstraints: CA == TRUE !?)

[Tue Mar 28 06:25:12.922157 2017] [ssl:warn] [pid 930] AH01909: jacob.websitegroup.com:8080:0 server certificate does NOT include an ID which matches the server name

[Tue Mar 28 06:25:12.922219 2017] [ssl:error] [pid 930] AH02217: ssl_stapling_init_cert: can't retrieve issuer certificate! [subject: emailAddress=ithelp@websitegroup.com,CN=GBG Jacob,OU=IT and Telecommunications Unit,O=company name,L=Manchester,ST=Greater Manchester,C=UK / issuer: emailAddress=ithelp@websitegroup.com,CN=GBG Jacob,OU=IT and Telecommunications Unit,O=company name,L=Manchester,ST=Greater Manchester,C=UK / serial: 8F30E5674F0CBC9B / notbefore: Mar 12 07:22:49 2017 GMT / notafter: Mar 10 07:22:49 2027 GMT]

[Tue Mar 28 06:25:12.922226 2017] [ssl:error] [pid 930] AH02567: Unable to configure certificate jacob.websitegroup.com:8080:0 for stapling

[Tue Mar 28 06:25:12.922448 2017] [mpm_prefork:notice] [pid 930] AH00163: Apache/2.4.10 (Debian) mod_fastcgi/mod_fastcgi-SNAP-0910052141 mod_fcgid/2.3.9 Phusion_Passenger/4.0.53 mod_python/3.3.1 Python/2.7.9 OpenSSL/1.0.1t configured -- resuming normal operations

[Tue Mar 28 06:25:12.922459 2017] [core:notice] [pid 930] AH00094: Command line: '/usr/sbin/apache2'

[Tue Mar 28 06:25:12.922486 2017] [mpm_prefork:warn] [pid 930] AH00167: long lost child came home! (pid 933)

[Tue Mar 28 07:16:03.616818 2017] [mpm_prefork:notice] [pid 930] AH00169: caught SIGTERM, shutting down

[ 2017-03-28 07:16:04.6256 8745/7fd15bbab740 agents/Watchdog/Main.cpp:538 ]: Options: { 'analytics_log_user' => 'nobody', 'default_group' => 'nogroup', 'default_python' => 'python', 'default_ruby' => '/usr/bin/ruby', 'default_user' => 'nobody', 'log_level' => '0', 'max_pool_size' => '6', 'passenger_root' => '/usr/lib/ruby/vendor_ruby/phusion_passenger/locations.ini', 'passenger_version' => '4.0.53', 'pool_idle_time' => '300', 'temp_dir' => '/tmp', 'union_station_gateway_address' => 'gateway.unionstationapp.com', 'union_station_gateway_port' => '443', 'user_switching' => 'true', 'web_server_passenger_version' => '4.0.53', 'web_server_pid' => '8743', 'web_server_type' => 'apache', 'web_server_worker_gid' => '33', 'web_server_worker_uid' => '33' }

[ 2017-03-28 07:16:04.6667 8748/7f23cdeed740 agents/HelperAgent/Main.cpp:650 ]: PassengerHelperAgent online, listening at unix:/tmp/passenger.1.0.8743/generation-0/request

[ 2017-03-28 07:16:04.6965 8753/7f30cfcd6780 agents/LoggingAgent/Main.cpp:321 ]: PassengerLoggingAgent online, listening at unix:/tmp/passenger.1.0.8743/generation-0/logging

[ 2017-03-28 07:16:04.6967 8745/7fd15bbab740 agents/Watchdog/Main.cpp:728 ]: All Phusion Passenger agents started!

[Tue Mar 28 07:16:04.757875 2017] [ssl:warn] [pid 8743] AH01906: jacob.websitegroup.com:8080:0 server certificate is a CA certificate (BasicConstraints: CA == TRUE !?)

[Tue Mar 28 07:16:04.757929 2017] [ssl:warn] [pid 8743] AH01909: jacob.websitegroup.com:8080:0 server certificate does NOT include an ID which matches the server name

[Tue Mar 28 07:16:04.758003 2017] [ssl:error] [pid 8743] AH02217: ssl_stapling_init_cert: can't retrieve issuer certificate! [subject: emailAddress=ithelp@websitegroup.com,CN=GBG Jacob,OU=IT and Telecommunications Unit,O=company name,L=Manchester,ST=Greater Manchester,C=UK / issuer: emailAddress=ithelp@websitegroup.com,CN=GBG Jacob,OU=IT and Telecommunications Unit,O=company name,L=Manchester,ST=Greater Manchester,C=UK / serial: 8F30E5674F0CBC9B / notbefore: Mar 12 07:22:49 2017 GMT / notafter: Mar 10 07:22:49 2027 GMT]

[Tue Mar 28 07:16:04.758012 2017] [ssl:error] [pid 8743] AH02567: Unable to configure certificate jacob.websitegroup.com:8080:0 for stapling

[Tue Mar 28 07:16:04.758116 2017] [suexec:notice] [pid 8743] AH01232: suEXEC mechanism enabled (wrapper: /usr/lib/apache2/suexec)

[Tue Mar 28 07:16:04.785052 2017] [auth_digest:notice] [pid 8765] AH01757: generating secret for digest authentication ...

[Tue Mar 28 07:16:04.786615 2017] [:notice] [pid 8769] FastCGI: process manager initialized (pid 8769)

[ 2017-03-28 07:16:04.7931 8771/7f0027fb7740 agents/Watchdog/Main.cpp:538 ]: Options: { 'analytics_log_user' => 'nobody', 'default_group' => 'nogroup', 'default_python' => 'python', 'default_ruby' => '/usr/bin/ruby', 'default_user' => 'nobody', 'log_level' => '0', 'max_pool_size' => '6', 'passenger_root' => '/usr/lib/ruby/vendor_ruby/phusion_passenger/locations.ini', 'passenger_version' => '4.0.53', 'pool_idle_time' => '300', 'temp_dir' => '/tmp', 'union_station_gateway_address' => 'gateway.unionstationapp.com', 'union_station_gateway_port' => '443', 'user_switching' => 'true', 'web_server_passenger_version' => '4.0.53', 'web_server_pid' => '8765', 'web_server_type' => 'apache', 'web_server_worker_gid' => '33', 'web_server_worker_uid' => '33' }

[ 2017-03-28 07:16:04.7967 8774/7f72b7c3d740 agents/HelperAgent/Main.cpp:650 ]: PassengerHelperAgent online, listening at unix:/tmp/passenger.1.0.8765/generation-0/request

[ 2017-03-28 07:16:04.8142 8779/7f66bc926780 agents/LoggingAgent/Main.cpp:321 ]: PassengerLoggingAgent online, listening at unix:/tmp/passenger.1.0.8765/generation-0/logging

[ 2017-03-28 07:16:04.8143 8771/7f0027fb7740 agents/Watchdog/Main.cpp:728 ]: All Phusion Passenger agents started!

[Tue Mar 28 07:16:04.980302 2017] [:error] [pid 8765] python_init: Python version mismatch, expected '2.7.5+', found '2.7.9'.

[Tue Mar 28 07:16:05.015065 2017] [:error] [pid 8765] python_init: Python executable found '/usr/bin/python'.

[Tue Mar 28 07:16:05.015102 2017] [:error] [pid 8765] python_init: Python path being used '/usr/lib/python2.7/:/usr/lib/python2.7/plat-x86_64-linux-gnu:/usr/lib/python2.7/lib-tk:/usr/lib/python2.7/lib-old:/usr/lib/python2.7/lib-dynload'.

[Tue Mar 28 07:16:05.015127 2017] [:notice] [pid 8765] mod_python: Creating 8 session mutexes based on 150 max processes and 0 max threads.

[Tue Mar 28 07:16:05.015141 2017] [:notice] [pid 8765] mod_python: using mutex_directory /tmp

[Tue Mar 28 07:16:05.398773 2017] [ssl:warn] [pid 8765] AH01906: jacob.websitegroup.com:8080:0 server certificate is a CA certificate (BasicConstraints: CA == TRUE !?)

[Tue Mar 28 07:16:05.398803 2017] [ssl:warn] [pid 8765] AH01909: jacob.websitegroup.com:8080:0 server certificate does NOT include an ID which matches the server name

[Tue Mar 28 07:16:05.398857 2017] [ssl:error] [pid 8765] AH02217: ssl_stapling_init_cert: can't retrieve issuer certificate! [subject: emailAddress=ithelp@websitegroup.com,CN=GBG Jacob,OU=IT and Telecommunications Unit,O=company name,L=Manchester,ST=Greater Manchester,C=UK / issuer: emailAddress=ithelp@websitegroup.com,CN=GBG Jacob,OU=IT and Telecommunications Unit,O=company name,L=Manchester,ST=Greater Manchester,C=UK / serial: 8F30E5674F0CBC9B / notbefore: Mar 12 07:22:49 2017 GMT / notafter: Mar 10 07:22:49 2027 GMT]

[Tue Mar 28 07:16:05.398864 2017] [ssl:error] [pid 8765] AH02567: Unable to configure certificate jacob.websitegroup.com:8080:0 for stapling

[Tue Mar 28 07:16:05.402888 2017] [mpm_prefork:notice] [pid 8765] AH00163: Apache/2.4.10 (Debian) mod_fastcgi/mod_fastcgi-SNAP-0910052141 mod_fcgid/2.3.9 Phusion_Passenger/4.0.53 mod_python/3.3.1 Python/2.7.9 OpenSSL/1.0.1t configured -- resuming normal operations

[Tue Mar 28 07:16:05.402917 2017] [c


System Details

ISPConfig Version: 3.1.2

No LSB modules are available/Debian/Linux 8.7 (jessie) Release: 8.7

PHP Version 5.6.30-0+deb8u1

Moodle (latest recommended version downloaded this morning)


I cannot find any logs with any further information that might shed some light on the issue and, above all, I cannot get Moodle running. 

Any help would be greatly appreciated. 

Many thanks. 


Average of ratings: -
In reply to B G

Re: ISPConfig 3 and Moodle Latest Not Working

by Howard Miller -
Picture of Core developers Picture of Documentation writers Picture of Particularly helpful Moodlers Picture of Peer reviewers Picture of Plugin developers

So, what is "ISPConfig"?

The only thing in those logs that relates to Moodle is the database error (which I think you say you fixed). It's not clear where in this lot the 500 error is logged (if, indeed, it is shown in these logs). Assuming this is hosted, what are your host's support people saying?


Average of ratings: -
In reply to Howard Miller

Re: ISPConfig 3 and Moodle Latest Not Working

by B G -

Hi Howard, 

Thanks for your reply. 

It's my own server and, as far as I can see, no errors are logged unless there is a reference within the above that is not so obvious (this is why I posted them). 

ISPConfig is an Open Source version of cpanel. 


There have been shed loads of posts of people struggling on here. PHP Safe mode is no longer an issue as it is not included with modern PHP releases and clearing cookies as suggested on previous similar posts did not resolve the issue either. Yes, the earlier db issue was fixed by simply typing in the right details. 

The problem detailed above however continues to remain. 


I should add, i'm a first time user (or attempting to be). 

Average of ratings: -
In reply to B G

Re: ISPConfig 3 and Moodle Latest Not Working

by Howard Miller -
Picture of Core developers Picture of Documentation writers Picture of Particularly helpful Moodlers Picture of Peer reviewers Picture of Plugin developers

Much as I don't much like cPanel, it doesn't generally "get in the way" of installing Moodle. What underlying operating system is this? Even if you are using a web-based control panel it shouldn't interfere with Moodle. You need to carefully find the 500 error. Tail the logs as you recreate the error and you should be able to spot the error lines being added. What are those (and nothing else)?

If (jumping ahead) they are not immediately related to Moodle it points to some badness in ISPConfig and you'll be lucky if you get help with that here. 

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In reply to Howard Miller

Re: ISPConfig 3 and Moodle Latest Not Working

by B G -

Well i've provided the logs covering the time period and unless anybody can spot an error there that would cause a problem or point to Moodle, i'm really not sure. Other applications such as Joomla install without an issue. You will notice above that I tailed the logs and also, in addition, all the specs are on the first post smile


ISPconfig support is pretty much non existent - I have a post from 2 months ago without any response and this is not a one off. The IRC channel is like Christmas Day when somebody responds! Loads of people have had issues with ISPConfig and Moodle to be fair as a search of these forums shows, 3 pages worth in fact over a lengthy time period. 

Thanks again for your reply. 

Average of ratings: -
In reply to B G

Re: ISPConfig 3 and Moodle Latest Not Working

by Howard Miller -
Picture of Core developers Picture of Documentation writers Picture of Particularly helpful Moodlers Picture of Peer reviewers Picture of Plugin developers

So, don't use ISPConfig?

There's nothing in those logs to suggest Moodle is involved so I doubt we're going to get any further here. 

Learning the command line is good for the soul wink

Average of ratings: -
In reply to Howard Miller

Re: ISPConfig 3 and Moodle Latest Not Working

by B G -

Thanks Howard. 


Please could the wider community please respond with any ideas too. Many thanks smile

Average of ratings: -
In reply to B G

Re: ISPConfig 3 and Moodle Latest Not Working

by Howard Miller -
Picture of Core developers Picture of Documentation writers Picture of Particularly helpful Moodlers Picture of Peer reviewers Picture of Plugin developers

You do have Debugging enabled in Moodle? 

In the nicest way, I worry you might be unduly optimistic for a solution. There's little or nothing to go on in your report so you've got a bit more work to do to (at least) find a clue. 

Average of ratings: -
In reply to B G

Re: ISPConfig 3 and Moodle Latest Not Working

by Ken Task -
Picture of Particularly helpful Moodlers

Well, you asked for 'wider community response' .... so I'll take a stab ... even though Howard is 100% correct, me thinks ...

Quallfications for this response ... don't run Debian, ISPConfig, etc. ... do run other linux stuff however - like that qualifies me for anything!!! ... ok, that aside ... different 'think' ...

Does 'No LSB ... ' means what I think it means .... no Linux Standards Based modules?   That seems to be important enough for you to mention it.

ISPConfig would be setting up virtual apaches ... so how does it do that ... a separate virtual apache config file for each domain?   Might need something additional for Moodle ... assume that other popular packages can be installed via ISPcofnig ... how does it handle things like Word Press, Joomla, or Drupal?

So how about taking a different approach to the install of moodle via web ... you say you acquired the lastest code (downloaded) that suggest that somewhere in your ISPconfig setup it has to acquire the zip, unzip the zip, etc..

How about pulling the code in ... via git ... using a bash shell script and setting appropriate owerships/permissions ... then using the scripts that exist in moodlecode/admin/cli/ to do the install?   That involves only PHP and MySQL ... apache taken out of the loop.

'spirit of sharing', Ken


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