using weave-minimal as your private firefox-sync-server

I want to use firefox-sync but not on a unknown server. So I installed my own firefox-sync-server. This was a bit adventurous cause there are no complete tutorials. I try to write a complete tutorial here:

First we need a apache-server where we can run weave-minimal. This apache-server needs to have the following stuff installed:

• php5
• php5-sqlite

While the first is standard, the second is not and needs to be installed manually in many environments. (on ubuntu you can do it by apt-get install php5-sqlite)

Then:

• download weave-minimal from the following webpage : http://tobyelliott.wordpress.com/2009/09/11/weave-minimal-server/ (downloadlink at the end of the article)
• extract the tgz-file to a folder and make this folder writeable to your apache-user and make the php-files executable (not sure if this is necessary, but I do it)
• add a file weave.conf to your apache-conf.d - folder with the following line : Alias /weave /path/tofolder/weave_minimal/index.php (whereever you put weave_minimal). Alternatively you can add this line to your main apache-config. The restart apache
• then you need to initialize the database. just go to the url http://your.server/weave/1.0/blah/info/collection - then enter blah as username and anything as password. you will get a 404 file-not-found but on the server you will find a weave_db created.

installation finished

now we can add users by running

• php5 create_user

remember the sync-key created.

• go to preferences -> sync
• setup firefox-sync
• I already have an account -> connect
• I dont have the device with me
• enter account=email and password
• server : http://your.server/weave/ dont forget the trailing slash !!!
• enter the key

ready