Deploying Open eClass

Introduction

Open eClass is an open-source e-learning platform designed for educational institutions to deliver online courses and manage learning activities. Developed by the Greek Universities Network (GUNet), Open eClass has been used by universities and educational organizations across Europe and beyond since 2003.

Built with PHP and MySQL, Open eClass provides a complete Learning Management System (LMS) with tools for course creation, content delivery, student assessment, and collaboration. The platform supports the SCORM standard for importing and sharing learning content.

Key features of Open eClass include:

Course Management: Create and organize courses with modular content structures
Document Repository: Upload and manage course materials, documents, and multimedia
Assignments: Create assignments with deadlines and automated grading support
Quizzes and Tests: Multiple question types with time limits and randomization
Discussion Forums: Threaded discussions for course communication
Video Integration: Support for video lectures and streaming
Learning Paths: Sequential course content with completion tracking
Gradebook: Track and manage student grades
Calendar: Course events and deadlines calendar
Statistics: Detailed usage and progress analytics
SCORM Support: Import SCORM-compliant learning packages
Multi-Language: Available in multiple languages

This guide walks through deploying Open eClass on Klutch.sh using Docker.

Why Deploy Open eClass on Klutch.sh

Deploying Open eClass on Klutch.sh provides reliable e-learning infrastructure:

Accessible Learning: Students can access courses from anywhere with internet connectivity.

Persistent Storage: Store course materials, student submissions, and grades with persistent volumes.

HTTPS by Default: Secure access to your learning platform with automatic SSL certificates.

Scalable Resources: Handle increased load during exam periods or course enrollments.

Custom Domains: Use your institution’s domain for professional branding.

Prerequisites

Before deploying Open eClass on Klutch.sh, ensure you have:

A Klutch.sh account
A GitHub account with a repository for your deployment
A MySQL or MariaDB database instance
SMTP credentials for email notifications

Deploying Open eClass on Klutch.sh

Set Up Your Database

Deploy a MySQL or MariaDB database on Klutch.sh or use an external database service.

Create Your Dockerfile

Create a Dockerfile in your repository:

FROM php:8.1-apache

# Install PHP extensions and dependencies
RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y \
    libpng-dev \
    libjpeg-dev \
    libfreetype6-dev \
    libzip-dev \
    libicu-dev \
    unzip \
    git \
    && docker-php-ext-configure gd --with-freetype --with-jpeg \
    && docker-php-ext-install gd mysqli pdo pdo_mysql intl zip

# Enable Apache modules
RUN a2enmod rewrite

# Download Open eClass
WORKDIR /var/www/html
RUN git clone https://github.com/gunet/openeclass.git .

# Set permissions
RUN chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/html \
    && chmod -R 755 /var/www/html

EXPOSE 80

CMD ["apache2-foreground"]

Push to GitHub

Commit and push your Dockerfile to your GitHub repository.

Create a New Project on Klutch.sh

Navigate to the Klutch.sh dashboard and create a new project.

Create and Configure the App

Create a new app and connect it to your GitHub repository.

Configure HTTP Traffic

Set the traffic type to HTTP with an internal port of 80.

Set Environment Variables

Configure your deployment:

Variable	Description
`DB_HOST`	Database hostname
`DB_USER`	Database username
`DB_PASSWORD`	Database password
`DB_NAME`	Database name

Attach Persistent Volumes

Add persistent storage:

Mount Path	Recommended Size	Purpose
`/var/www/html/courses`	50+ GB	Course files and materials
`/var/www/html/video`	100+ GB	Video content
`/var/www/html/config`	100 MB	Configuration files

Deploy Your Application

Click Deploy to build and launch your Open eClass instance.

Complete Installation

Access your deployment and complete the web-based installation wizard.

Deploying Open eClass

Introduction

Why Deploy Open eClass on Klutch.sh

Prerequisites

Deploying Open eClass on Klutch.sh

Additional Resources