How to Manually Install Collabora Online on Ubuntu 20.04 with Nginx Proxy Manager¶

This guide walks you through the manual installation of Collabora Online on an Ubuntu 20.04 server, with an external Nginx Proxy Manager (NPM) managing SSL and reverse proxy settings on a separate server. This setup provides a secure and efficient way to integrate Collabora Online with services like Nextcloud.

Why Use Nginx Proxy Manager on a Separate Server?¶

Using Nginx Proxy Manager on a separate server allows for centralized management of your reverse proxies, which is particularly beneficial when handling multiple services like Nextcloud, Collabora, and others. Nginx Proxy Manager simplifies SSL management with automatic Let's Encrypt certificates and provides an easy-to-use web interface for managing proxy hosts, making it ideal for users who want a straightforward way to secure and manage their web services.

DNS hosting Service
Ensure that your DNS hosting service is properly configured to point your custom domain (e.g., collabora.example.com) to the IP address of your Nginx Proxy Manager, enabling secure and reliable access to your Collabora Online instance through the configured subdomain.¶

Step 1: Set Up Collabora Online on Ubuntu 20.04¶

1. Update and Upgrade Your System:

• Before installing Collabora, make sure your system is up to date:
  

  sudo apt update
  sudo apt upgrade -y
  

2. Install Required Dependencies:

• Install the necessary packages for handling HTTPS connections and certificates:

sudo apt install -y apt-transport-https ca-certificates gnupg2 curl

3. Import the Collabora CODE Signing Key:

• Download and install the GPG key needed to verify the Collabora packages:

cd /usr/share/keyrings
sudo wget https://collaboraoffice.com/downloads/gpg/collaboraonline-release-keyring.gpg

4. Add the Collabora Repository:

• Create a repository source file and add the Collabora repository:

sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list.d/collaboraonline.sources

Paste the following content into the file:

Types: deb
URIs: https://www.collaboraoffice.com/repos/CollaboraOnline/CODE-ubuntu2204
Suites: ./
Signed-By: /usr/share/keyrings/collaboraonline-release-keyring.gpg

Save and close the file.

5. Update the Package List:

• Update your package list to include the new repository:

sudo apt update -y

6. Install Collabora Online:

• Install Collabora Online and its necessary components:

sudo apt install -y coolwsd code-brand

Step 2: Configure Collabora Online¶

1. Disable HTTPS in Collabora:
- Since Nginx Proxy Manager will handle SSL, disable HTTPS within Collabora:

sudo coolconfig set ssl.enable false
sudo coolconfig set ssl.termination true

2. Configure Trusted Domains:

• Allow your Nextcloud instance to communicate with Collabora:

sudo coolconfig set storage.wopi.host nextcloud.example.com

• Replace `nextcloud.example.com` with your actual Nextcloud domain.

3. Create an Admin Account:

• Set up an admin account to manage your Collabora instance:
  

  sudo coolconfig set-admin-password
  

• Follow the prompts to enter a username and password.

4. Restart Collabora Service:

• Restart the service to apply the configuration changes:

     sudo systemctl restart coolwsd
     sudo systemctl status coolwsd

Step 3: Configure Nginx Proxy Manager¶

1. Access Nginx Proxy Manager:

• Open your Nginx Proxy Manager dashboard on the server where it’s installed.

2. Add a New Proxy Host:

• Domain Name: Enter the subdomain you want to use for Collabora (e.g., `collabora.example.com`).
• Forward Hostname/IP: Enter the internal IP address of your Collabora server.
• Forward Port: Use port `9980`, the default for Collabora.
• SSL: Enable SSL and select "Request a new SSL certificate" using Let's Encrypt.

3. Advanced Configuration:

• In the advanced tab, add the following headers to ensure proper proxying:

     proxy_set_header Upgrade $http_upgrade;
     proxy_set_header Connection "Upgrade";
     proxy_set_header Host $http_host;
     proxy_read_timeout 36000s;

4. Save and Apply:

• Save your configuration and ensure that the proxy host is working correctly.

1. Step 4: Integrate Collabora with Nextcloud

1. Log in to Nextcloud:

• Access your Nextcloud instance and log in with an admin account.

2. Configure Collabora Integration:

• Go to Settings -> Administration -> Collabora Online.
• Enter the Collabora Online URL (e.g., `https://collabora.example.com`) in the appropriate field.
• Save the settings to complete the integration.