ChatPlus Setup Errors

I just tried installing chatplus using the instructions below for Ubuntu Server (I don't have apache on the server... do I need webserver installed? and subdomain?)

These are the instructions I followed;

https://github.com/boonex/dolphin.pro/wiki/ChatPlus-Installation-Instructions-(Ubuntu-with-Apache)

But the install broke and spat out these errs

node npm-rebuild.js

sh: 1: node: not found

npm WARN meteor-dev-bundle@0.0.0 No description

npm WARN meteor-dev-bundle@0.0.0 No repository field.

npm WARN meteor-dev-bundle@0.0.0 No license field.

npm ERR! Linux 4.4.0-92-generic

npm ERR! argv "/usr/bin/nodejs" "/usr/bin/npm" "install"

npm ERR! node v4.2.6

npm ERR! npm  v3.5.2

npm ERR! file sh

npm ERR! code ELIFECYCLE

npm ERR! errno ENOENT

npm ERR! syscall spawn

npm ERR! meteor-dev-bundle@0.0.0 install: `node npm-rebuild.js`

npm ERR! spawn ENOENT

npm ERR!

npm ERR! Failed at the meteor-dev-bundle@0.0.0 install script 'node npm-rebuild.js'.

npm ERR! Make sure you have the latest version of node.js and npm installed.

npm ERR! If you do, this is most likely a problem with the meteor-dev-bundle package,

npm ERR! not with npm itself.

npm ERR! Tell the author that this fails on your system:

npm ERR!     node npm-rebuild.js

npm ERR! You can get information on how to open an issue for this project with:

npm ERR!     npm bugs meteor-dev-bundle

npm ERR! Or if that isn't available, you can get their info via:

npm ERR!     npm owner ls meteor-dev-bundle

npm ERR! There is likely additional logging output above.

npm ERR! Please include the following file with any support request:

npm ERR!     /home/usernamehere/bundle/programs/server/npm-debug.log

Any help appreciated. Thanks

The Ubuntu instructions are not complete and unless you understand root level server work you may not know what to do.  I mentioned this to AlexT and he asked for specifics but all he has to do is to go look at the instructions to see how they are broken.

If you like, I can help with installing Chat+ on Ubuntu server.  I would need to have shell access to the server.  You can PM me if you are interested.

No, you don't need Apache as the webserver.  Do you know what webserver you are using?

Thanks for the info. Actually I am not in a position to do anything at the present as I am waiting for the host to sort the vps out. After I restored a snapshot after attempting the install of chat+ the server as gone down so waiting for a fix from the hosting company. But thanks for the offer

I may get back to you on this. 

The server in question just has rms setup on it and there is no webserver installed at all. Thats why I asked.

Thanks again. l will let you know what happens when I am done. I may have to do a complete reinstall of everything again if it isn't currently fixable.

Which raises questions such as:

Apart from the chat what else uses rms? Do I even need rms installed if I have chat+

I will check the docks for an answer. Thanks again. Much appreciated.

npm version too low - should be 4.5 or higher - but according to instructions for centos - 4.5 (  I know you are on ubuntu). try upgrading your node and npm.:

Make sure you have the latest version of node.js and npm installed.

...

npm ERR! npm  v3.5.2

Thanks ProfessorSr much appreciated. Il let you know how I get on.

I think I got a bit confused.  After reading again I think I understand that you are renting a VPS to handle the Chat+ server since it can not be installed on a shared hosting.  You can run Chat+ and the RMS server on the same VPS.  One thing you need to understand that unlike the RMS server which can handle multiple sites on one installation, Chat+ must be installed for each site that will use it. 

What are you using for running the main Dolphin site?

You will need to install a webserver on the VPS for Chat+ and configure a reverse proxy to Chat+

Apologies for the dalay its been hectic.

I have the main site on a cloud vps and a separate vps for rms. But I must think ahead as I need to make preparations for a successful site.

Meaning I will need to separate the cloud vps that hosts the dolphin install, user files and database. So am thinking about installing now on separate vps servers to get me going then upgrade to a private cloud.

These would be:

Dolphin Site Server

User Files

Database Server

and the RMS Chat+ server.

But just getting it installed on a vps is really just the first step and the reason I would ike to install everything myself as a learning curve.

Each of the above would have to be in a cluster and each would have to grow so not sure how to implement that ie. Get Chat+ installed then replicate it over many servers (over time of course) 

A Single install of Chat+ would be a good start but its quite alien to my previous experience setting vps up and web server etc. (LAMP Server stuff).

I don't really understand the structure of rocket chat to be honest.  I mean would it require a database server of its own as it grew? ie was replicated over many servers?

I think before I actually try to install it again I need to understand a little more about the growth path I will need to take although as suggested above I do plan to implement it on individual vps systems to get me used to the process and basic function of the whole think ie. site, files, database and chat server.

I really need to do some reading to be honest about rocket chat and the replication of same as I do plan to succeeed with this so it would be prudent to check/test it out.

Thanks Professor... I did try but cant figure out how to upgrade npm. as mentioned in my response to geekGirl I need to do more reading on this if I am honest with myself.

did you try meteor npm install? I will look up the upgrade code - not sure what it is for ubuntu.

Edit: try:

But as a side note - i will be doing testing on ubuntu for Chat+ - previously, I have just been using Centos 7. Also, I have a similar setup as to what you are doing - but using Centos 7. I have one pc server hosting my website -I am using apache. This server also has the info for my subdomain (chat server) - although my chat server is on another pc. While you do not need a webserver to host your server - this is only if you do not plan on using a subdomain for your server - which means you lose chrome functionality. For full functionality on chrome - you need your chat server to be with ssl.

Thanks for the tips. I followed the Git Hub ubuntu instructions which came up with the original error. Then I installed nodejs and npm separately hoping that I could upgrade the version but couldnt find the command. I tried something similar to what you suggested above but that didnt work. I am collecting info for a couple of days so will revert back here for your version of the command to upgrade npm when I get around to attempting the install.

I will most likely get another vps to save keep restoring and creating snapshots as I get Chat+ installed. So may begin in a couple of days with the install having collected the info beforehand.

I must say that when I did the original install which came up with the errors about the version, I was using a sudo account and not root. I know sometimes that makes a difference?

From what I can see I will install apache and a subdomain of my main domain on the chat+ server then connect to that within the dolphin chat+ connect.

As mentioned above I used the instructions here:

https://github.com/boonex/dolphin.pro/wiki/ChatPlus-Installation-Instructions-(Ubuntu-with-Apache)

and am really stepping out of my comfort zone so not familiar with meteor or even know what it is. I believed the guthub instructions would install everything that was required.

Professor, Am I right in thinking that my first step would be to install apache and a virtual host (subdomain) with a SSL certificate.

THEN..... chat+

Also is php required? I believe mysql and phpmyadmin are not needed but not sure about php.

i have a hard time explaining things - but i will do my best.

If you want a fully functioning chat in all browsers - your chat will need to have a domain or subdomain attached to it as well as an ssl certificate.

You can have two different servers - one for web hosting and one for the chat server and rms server. If you do not have a domain or subdomain associated with your chat server - it can only be accessed using the direct ip address of the machine hosting the chat server - such as 192.168.0.12:3000. This will work, except if on two different machines - thus the need for a domain or subdomain attached to the chat server.

From what I read - you SHOULD NOT run npm commands using root account or sudo - in fact, I did not use sudo except for installing some dependencies that were needed (sudo yum - or in your case sudo apt-get. All other commands were done with a non root user).

I will do a ubuntu rocket chat installation and post my install instructions for you.

Thank you Professor. I really appreciate that. And yes I will be doing as you mentioned. I have just installed apache and activated a subdomain on the rms server and now just waiting for the dns propogation.

Again thanks for the assist. very much appreciated.

you do not need subdomain  for rms server - just for the Chat+ server

Yeah sure. I have rms running fine with the regular chat and other flash apps.

as an afterthought... would the regular mod security and php requirements be the same for Chat+ as for a regular web server?